lost ways of 

knowing podcast

A Circle Yoga Shala Production

The “Lost Ways of Knowing” podcast teaches a basic history of the Indian traditions that feature centrally in modern yoga, focusing on the value of awakening or being liberated from ignorance. The ultimate aim is to establish a working definition of “Yoga as awakening” and initiate a dialogue about awakening as the systematic overcoming of self-deception, which leads to deeper intimacy with what is real.

S2E3 Heresy
Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban

S2E3 Heresy

This episode focuses on the life of the Buddha and the impact of his teaching in the Indian philosophical sphere. We tell a basic story of his life and journey to enlightenment, and detail the essence of his realization as the teaching of no-self (anatman), which represents a radical shift away from the atman based traditions that preceded him. We look at his concept of the Madhya-marga (“the middle way”), expressed in the four noble truths, and the eightfold path.

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S2E2 Gita & Yoga Sutra
Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban

S2E2 Gita & Yoga Sutra

This episode focuses on the intersection of the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, which is a key text for modern practitioners. We compare and contrast the aims and means of the two texts by way of the three great yogas, karma, jnana, and bhakti, which show up in new forms in the Yoga Sutra as the elements of Kriya Yoga, known as tapas, svadhyaya, and Ishvarapranidhana. Contrasts center around the place of devotion and surrender in the two texts.

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S2E1 Mahabharata Gita
Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban Season 2 - Synthesis & Heresy Stela Balaban

S2E1 Mahabharata Gita

This episode focuses on the central epic in Indian history known as the Mahabharata, the twelfth chapter of which is Bhagavad Gita. We look closely at the Gita as a great synthesis of the Vedic tradition of sacrifice and the mysticism of the Upanishads. The new way offered in the Gita is known as renunciation in action, which leads to devotion. Along the way we look closely at the three great paths known as jnana, karma, and bhakti yoga and how they prefigure our modern concerns.

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  • A must listen for any yoga teacher!

    “The synthesis of information in these podcasts is a real gift! Matt takes so much information and shares it in such a concise and relevant way for today’s yoga practitioner. I really feel if you’re a yoga teacher or serious practitioner you must give this a listen! Can’t wait for more.”

    Jayme

  • Amazing!

    “I need to listen a second time with a paper and pen! So much amazing information I feel like could easily be in a university type setting that would cost thousands. Thank you for making this available. I’m excited to listen to more!”

    Rachel