Wakenings

A wide-ranging conversation with Natalie Backman—a deeply dedicated student and teacher whose practice has been shaped through years of sincere inquiry. Together, we explore a dimension of yoga often overlooked in modern practice: the contemplative work that refines perception, reshapes how we live, and determines whether the fruits of practice truly extend into daily life. Our focus is Yoga Sutra 1.33, a teaching that serves as essential guardrails for navigating both spiritual practice and the complexities of life. In this sutra, Patanjali names four potent mental contaminants—forces that profoundly influence our relationships, regulate (or dysregulate) our nervous systems, and directly affect the depth and stability of meditation itself. The teaching offers something both timeless and urgently practical: a way of meeting a world marked by division, stress, anger, and “othering,” while simultaneously reclaiming our shared humanity. In this episode, we explore: Why Yoga Sutra 1.33 may be more relevant now than ever, as culture increasingly rewards polarization and reactivity. The four mental contaminants Patanjali identifies: animosity, cruelty (often expressed as withheld compassion), envy or jealousy, and self-righteous judgment How these forces don’t just fracture relationships—they directly limit clarity, depth, and freedom on the spiritual path The antidotes Patanjali prescribes—friendliness, compassion, joy for the virtuous, and non-judgment toward those we deem non-virtuous—and why these are not forms of naïve or superficial “positive thinking” The subtle trap of spiritual bypassing: how overlaying yogic attitudes can suppress conflict rather than transform it A grounded, step-by-step path of inner work: recognizing the contaminant, understanding its cost, tracing it to its source, and consciously reshaping our relationship to it through practice How modern neuroscience supports this ancient map—exploring tribal wiring, dopamine-driven outrage, and why the brain is not naturally oriented toward freedom Why compassion must begin with self-inclusion: learning to meet and care for the unloved parts of ourselves, which in turn reshapes how we meet others How to remain fully engaged in the world without being consumed by it—acting from conscience and clarity rather than animosity and burnout A more honest measure of practice: not the absence of emotion, but a wiser, freer relationship to emotion when it inevitably arises If you’ve ever wondered why spiritual practice doesn’t always translate into how people actually treat one another—or why even sincere practitioners can remain caught in judgment, reactivity, and subtle forms of division—this conversation is an invitation back to the heart of yoga: clarity of perception, maturity of mind, and the lived embodiment of wisdom. With warmth, Rod & Natalie

Most of us know that life works better when we’re fully present—when we’re actually here, meeting the moment as it unfolds. And yet, despite our best intentions, something seems to pull us out of the now again and again. This conversation explores exactly what stands in the way of presence, why even seasoned meditators struggle with the same emotional loops and repetitive patterns, and how a new methodology I’ve developed—Luminous Coherence—offers a way through. Luminous Coherence lies at the intersection of Tantric Kriya meditation, mindfulness, neuroscience, and quantum principles. It’s a practice designed not just to calm the mind, but to rewire the brain’s patterned responses, heal emotional imprints, and bring coherence to the parts of us that have long lived in fragmentation. Key Takeaways      •    Why so many people—even dedicated meditators—struggle to stay in the present moment.      •    How the brain relies on old memories to “guess” our emotions, keeping us stuck in repetitive loops.    •    Why focus-based and mindfulness-based practices often fall short of producing lasting change.    •    How Tantric Kriya techniques correlate with modern neuroscience, especially the downregulation of the default mode network.      •    What coherence truly means—and how observing our emotional triggers from unified awareness transforms them.      •    How neuroplasticity allows us to overlay new, holistic responses onto old memories and patterns.      •    The early results from practitioners who report resilience, joy, and healing through this work.

A true teacher is not the source—they are a vessel. The real power lies not in the personality of the teacher, but in the timeless teachings that move through them. Teachers are human, beautifully flawed like the rest of us, but the wisdom they carry—when offered with sincerity and presence—can awaken something profound in us. It's important to remember: the transformation you feel in practice isn’t a gift from the teacher, but a return to what’s already within you. Seek out those who help you feel more connected to yourself, not to them. Let the teacher remind you of your own depth, not distract you from it.

Drawing from his more than forty years as a Tantra Yoga lineage-holder, practitioner and master teacher, Rod clarifies the often-misunderstood subject of Kundalini Yoga. He focuses on the critical distinctions between the modern “brand” of Kundalini Yoga popularized by Yogi Bhajan and its ancient, traditional roots––which span more than three millennia. His aim is to help modern practitioners break through the common confusion about the practice, the significant distinctions between contemporary interpretations with the depth of knowledge found in ancient texts and the living oral tradition. These teachings are at the core of yoga practice, providing a singular roadmap for personal transformation. Kundalini Yoga should not be reduced to simply the awakening of “coiled energy at the base of the spine.” Rather it is methodical approach, rooted in time-tested principles that awaken consciousness and potential. In this discussion Rod goes on to detail the role of the navel center and how transformative processes take place. Rod shares key insights and systematic methodology, into how we can transcend our limitations and ultimately experience profound creative and aspirational shifts towards realizing non-duality and unity. Rod inspires the listener to reconnect with the true essence of Kundalini Yoga and explore its traditional practices, inviting practitioners to––instead of turning away from the practice––approach this ancient art with a discerning mind––a sublime exploration that reveals infinite potential and fosters a richer, more connected existence. For further study check out Rod’s online course: Tantra Shakti

Drawing from his more than forty years as a Tantra Yoga lineage-holder, practitioner and master teacher, Rod clarifies the often-misunderstood subject of Kundalini Yoga. He focuses on the critical distinctions between the modern “brand” of Kundalini Yoga popularized by Yogi Bhajan and its ancient, traditional roots––which span more than three millennia. His aim is to help modern practitioners break through the common confusion about the practice, the significant distinctions between contemporary interpretations with the depth of knowledge found in ancient texts and the living oral tradition. These teachings are at the core of yoga practice, providing a singular roadmap for personal transformation. Kundalini Yoga should not be reduced to simply the awakening of “coiled energy at the base of the spine.” Rather it is methodical approach, rooted in time-tested principles that awaken consciousness and potential. In this discussion Rod goes on to detail the role of the navel center and how transformative processes take place. Rod shares key insights and systematic methodology, into how we can transcend our limitations and ultimately experience profound creative and aspirational shifts towards realizing non-duality and unity. He inspires the listener to reconnect with the true essence of Kundalini Yoga and explore its traditional practices, inviting practitioners to––instead of turning away from the practice––approach this ancient art with a discerning mind––a sublime exploration that reveals infinite potential and fosters a richer, more connected existence. For further study check out Rod’s online course: Tantra Shakti

A practical discussion about meditation––there are so many approaches. Do they all lead to the same place, generate the same affect? The answer is: no. Different practices and approaches can lead to very different results. In this podcast I introduce some key ideas to better understand meditation’s larger terrain and its many approaches. There are essentially four categories of meditation. Practices that: 1. calm the mind 2. develop greater insight and awareness 3. accelerate growth, increase power, and capacity 4. awaken spiritual experience, devotion, love and connection to Source. While there are common threads in all meditation practices, knowing the particular outcome of a specific practice can help you choose the best one for you at any given time. It's tempting to judge the value of a particular approach based on how you feel when you're doing it. A more meaningful way to determine the value of a particular practice is: How does it affect you. How does a particular practice help you show up most fully in the world?

· The promise of Yoga is that we can experience freedom and thriving while living in the world, but is that realistic in today’s world? · Can yoga really deliver on these lofty goals, given the pervasiveness of our: anger, division, anxiety, despair and fear? · If so, how and what are the tools that can lead us to yoga’s treasures? · Could it be that we're not practicing the one part of yoga that could actually provide freedom and thriving? · Practice does not necessarily make perfect… · Practice without philosophy is exercise · Practice without a deeper understanding of its methodology is less than effective · Practice without self-study leads to us repeating the patterns that are the roots of suffering. · Now, more than ever, yoga without self-study will necessarily lead us into again and again to cycle and recycle our difficulties. · Unfortunately, even those committed to yoga and meditation, subsumed in the normalization of these most basic destructive tendencies, are uninformed about how to practice self-inquiry. · Enter the yoga sutra (1:33). · Resolving anger, the withholding of compassion, the diminishment of yourself and others and learning to accept, rather than judge others are essential if one is to make the promises of yoga real and realizable. • Living with freedom and while thriving, even in this world, are possible when we reflect what we bring to it and how to expand our acceptance of self and others.

A far-ranging conversation on why human beings developed and continue to practice meditation. Research confirms that meditation improves quality of life. It enhances the immune system and positively impacts the brain. However, are there more compelling, even existential, reasons that help explain why it evolved and continues to be practiced. Might the impetus for meditation have something in common with the use of drugs in general and more specifically, psychedelics? In the end, we all sense that there is more than what we normally perceive. If we are to find peace, and some level of certainty in the midst of so much uncertainty, loss and even death, there is a natural seeking to “see” beyond our rational mind. Being able to do so is essential if we are to find a meaningful way navigate the larger challenges of what it means to be alive. Some of the topics covered include… - The limits of the five senses and the conditioned mind - “We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.” (credit: The Talmud & Anais Nin) - Clinical studies have shown that psychedelics can change perception sometimes, permanently, in the treatment of trauma, prolonged mental illness, chronic despair in those facing end-of-life-related distress, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. So too, does meditation… - Experiencing what lies beyond normal perception can change the brain (increase neural plasticity). - Meditation is a means to step beyond the confinement of the mind and step into the boundless, the sacred, Source. - The 3 stages of meditation - The four categories of meditation practice - Meditation activates meta-cognition and can promote self-compassion - Everything in nature contains the intelligence to be the fullest version of itself - Beyond ego, fear, and death

A conversation about the breadth and potential of teaching that begins with a confession: Even after more than 40 years of teaching yoga and meditation, I hesitate and am a bit embarrassed to identify myself as a "yoga teacher.” The conversation continues and touches upon the following themes: · What does it mean that you teach yoga? · Distinguishing between teaching “asana” and teaching “yoga.” · Yoga is not just something you do, yoga also refers to a “state.” · Potential intentions of teaching/sharing actual yoga include physical, mental, energetic, and spiritual. · Three orientations for impacting the mind through practice: stability, stillness and insight. · Yoga practice as a tool for energetic transformation. · Introduction to yoga as a spiritual practice, wherein we touch on kundalini yoga---not the brand but rather, the ancient understanding of the process of becoming more conscious/awake. · Closing notes on how we more positively impact the sustainability of the practice and those that are practicing it.