Ep1: Lorin Roche PhD
In this interview I had the pleasure of talking with my good friend Lorin Roche. Lorin is an author, a translator, and has been teaching meditation since 1968.
In our discussion we cover the multi-dimensional meanings of Sanskrit, Lorin’s early years as a renegade meditation teacher in the 60s, the possibilities and dangers of meditation, the oppressed spiritual genius of women, and why each individual has a unique, personal doorway to the meditative state.
Topics Include:
Lorin’s philosophy of translation
The many dimensions of meaning and the music of the Sanskrit language
The range of possible meanings of the word ‘Yoga’
The 112 doorways to meditation offered by the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
Meditation as a natural state
How to find your personal doorway to meditation
Why so much meditation practice is an unknowing echo of childhood relationship patterns
How the inner critic disguises itself as spiritual teaching
The dangers of meditation
Lorin’s early years as a renegade meditation teacher in the 60s and 70s
Why very few meditation teachers actually listen to their students
How Lorin learned to meditate
Why a lot of people are doing the wrong kind of meditation for them
Teaching meditation vs practicing meditation
The pros and cons of the ancient lineage model
Structures of authority and the open space of live teaching
Lorin’s filters for evaluating the ancient traditions and their techniques
The renunciate’s contempt of householders
The problems of householders adopting monk and nun teachings
Living out the path of desire as a spiritual path
Why monastic teachings harm young people
Meditation as a celebration of a life of fullness
The spiritual genius of women
Traditional doctrines of the inferiority of women
How to filter out the oppressive elements of the ancient traditions
The many natural gateways to meditation
How to build your own approach to meditation
Working with Lorin
To find out more about Lorin visit:
lorinroche.com
radiancesutras.com
meditationtt.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James