Embodying Philosophy (as a way of life)

Join Floss as she speaks with Daniel Simpson — teacher of yoga philosophy and history, and author of The Truth of Yoga — to explore the relevance of ancient wisdom in modern times. Together they discuss the evolution of yoga from meditation-based traditions to posture-focused modern practice, the ongoing value of ancient texts, and why discernment is essential in how we engage with them. They also explore the role of philosophy and inquiry within yoga, and why creating spaces for dialogue in the yoga community matters. This episode is for anyone questioning how to engage with ancient teachings and traditions while navigating contemporary priorities.You can find out more about Daniel’s work here, including his upcoming course, ‘The Path of Knowledge:’ www.truthofyoga.com/p/daniel-simpsonShare your thoughts, reflections and revelations with Floss on Instagram: www.instagram.com/flossophyandyoga/ or via her website: www.flossophyandyoga.comChapters00:00 Exploring Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times05:52 The Quest for Liberation19:10 Duality vs. Non-Duality in Yoga Philosophy29:34 Evolution of Yoga Practice48:09 The Transformative Power of Yoga59:27 Philosophy and Inquiry in Yoga01:10:57 Creating Spaces for Inquiry

In a world of capitalism commodification, many yoga practitioners find themselves searching for 'authentic yoga.' But what exactly makes yoga authentic? Can we measure authenticity? Is there even one form of 'authentic' yoga?? Arguing there is no one authentic yoga, this episode explores this question.

The root of religion 'religare' means 'to bind.' For many in secular, modern society, religion is indeed a binding force: one that binds us to false beliefs about the world. But, viewing religion as primarily about belief is just one way of thinking about religion: one which is itself inherited from the Protestant Reformation and might be questioned when we recognise that our understanding of what religion is is always historically and culturally bound. In this episode, we ask the question 'what is religion?' from a different perspective: one that views religion not as primarily about belief, but as about space: the structure and tradition through which practices are performed and, through which, selves, communities and spirits might be formed and transformed.

This episode is Part 2 of an interview with Dr Ankur Barua, Senior Lecturer in Hindu and Buddhist Studies at the University of Cambridge, on the topic 'What is yoga?' In this episode, we explore how we can understand yoga not just as a tradition-specific path or philosophy, but as a practical discipline which helps us address fragmentation as a central component of our human condition. Through a restructuring of human mentality and subjectivity, underpinned by the mind-body connection, yoga can transform how we are in the world - and how we act - ethically, morally, and virtuously. Check out Ankur's YouTube Channel here: ⁠The Bhakti of Saint Andrews (youtube.com)⁠ And his University of Cambridge academic profile here: ⁠Dr Ankur Barua | Faculty of Divinity (cam.ac.uk)⁠

In this episode, the first interview episode of the Embodying Philosophy podcast, I am joined by Dr Ankur Barua, Senior Lecturer in Hindu and Buddhist Studies at the University of Cambridge. In part 1 of our discussion, we ask 'what is yoga?' exploring different understandings of yoga across time and space - as practice, tradition-specific path(s) with distinct theories or philosophies, and as a way of being that may transcend the specificity of path, tradition, and category. Check out Episode 4 of the podcast for the second part of our discussion, where we explore yoga more practically as a discipline for helping us address the perennial human condition of fragmentation and distraction through the mind-body connection. (Hint - you will discover human distraction is not a new phenomenon specific only to our own modern age!). You don't want to miss it! Check out Ankur's YouTube Channel here: The Bhakti of Saint Andrews (youtube.com) And his University of Cambridge academic profile here: Dr Ankur Barua | Faculty of Divinity (cam.ac.uk)

Today, learning and knowledge-seeking is considered a broadly secular pursuit, but in the past the path of knowledge was a spiritual one. In this episode, we are taken on an explorative journey across different 'wisdom traditions' including the Jnana Marga or path of knowledge of Yoga, and the Chritian mystical tradition with its notions of theosis and gnosis, to consider how philosophy has been embodied as a way of life in the past, and what that might for 'embodying philosophy' today. This episode contains the central ideas that inspire this podcast, which seeks to revive a premodern understanding and practice of philosophy, embodied as a way of life. But don't worry if it's a lot to take in! Just absorb what comes; as you will learn in this episode, ultimately it is not about acquiring facts, but about being transformed, where knowing is a form of being, orientated towards more, understood as God or something else.

Welcome to episode 1 of the Embodying Philosophy podcast. In this episode, we explore the theme of FREEDOM. Freedom is one of the defining features of our human nature and is central to all religious and spiritual traditions. Yet, it is the question of how we are to understand our freedom that spiritual, philosophical and religious traditions debate. In this episode, we explore freedom from the perspectives of yoga, Christianity, and the post-Enlightenment humanistic perspective, in order to offer a more nuanced conversation around how we might think about our freedom in relation to our lives as they are lived today.