Podcast: Lama Rod Owens, Buddhist teacher and activist
Anger is important; it can be a powerful force for transformation.
Our guest this week is Lama Rod Owens. He is a Buddhist minister, activist, yoga instructor and authorized Lama (Buddhist teacher) in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. Owens holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School and has given talks, retreats and workshops around the U.S. and internationally. He is considered a leading teacher of his generation. He is also Black, queer, and pissed off.
“I am assuming being Black and queer are somehow karmic givens,” says Rabbi Rami, “but I am curious, why are you pissed off?”
He and Rabbi Rami launch into a lively discussion of Owens’ latest book, Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger. Through ethical care and wisdom, we begin to see into our own natures, Owens explains, and as we do this work, we will hit against things, such as anger, that are uncomfortable. The path of liberation then, is through anger, not around it.
The two discuss radical dharma. There can be no alternate liberation such as what we traditionally think of as “spiritual enlightenment” without social liberation, such as Black Lives Matter or women’s rights.
Listen to the podcast for this powerful conversation!
Learn more about Owens and his work at his website.
And please subscribe to Essential Conversations (always free) so you will never miss an episode! Here is how.
