Podcast

Lodro Rinzler: How an Urban Buddhist is Revolutionizing Meditation for Teachers + Organizations (#4)

Lodro Rinzler reminds me what’s possible when we surrender to our path. That’s not to say the guy doesn’t have an incredible work ethic, but as you’ll hear, there’s an immense power and grace to embracing who we’ve always known ourselves to be.

For most of us, it’s easy to ignore, or drown out that little voice that reminds us Who We Really Are.

Not Lodro.

I’m blown away by his consistency, passion, and his commitment to not only walk his path, but to also train other teachers to find their own.

After leaving college, he was recruited to lead one of Boston’s largest meditation centers. Around this time he began leading numerous workshops throughout the United States, and to date has taught meditation at locations as diverse as Google, Harvard, and the Obama White House.

In 2015, he founded MNDFL (spelled capitol MNDFL), which is NYC’s premier drop-in meditation studio. Over the last couple years MNDFL has expanded into three studios, an online portal of teachings, and a non-profit arm which brings meditation into the education system.

We cover a ton of ground in the conversation that follows, beginning with the darkest year of his life.

We hear Lodro’s tips on navigating an increasingly uncertain world, and his relaxed approach to writing, and publishing so many books. We conclude with an epic bequeathal. I couldn’t help but pass on a gift (related to last week’s Susan Piver episode) that gave us both a good laugh.

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About Our Guest

Lodro Rinzler is a Buddhist meditation practitioner and teacher. He took refuge in the Buddhist tradition around the age of 6, and considered monastic vows as a teenager, before choosing to stick it out in our noisy world as a teacher.

It has recently been named the “best place to meditate” by New York Magazine.

Lodro is the author of six books including the best-selling “The Buddha Walks into a Bar…”, Walk Like a Buddha, The Buddha Walks into the Office…, Sit Like a Buddha, How to Love Yourself (And Sometimes Other People) and Love Hurts: Buddhist Advice for the Heartbroken.

His books translate Buddhist meditation principles for modern times, and have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and on CBS, FOX, and NBC News.

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Connect with Lodro here:

SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

NEW BOOK: Love Hurts: Buddhist Advice for the Heartbroken by Lodro Rinzler| Amazon
MNDFL Meditation Studio | Class Schedules: New York City
VOGUE article: Introducing Manhattan’s Must-Visit Meditation Studio
NY TIMES: So, you think you can meditate? (MNDFL)
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda | Best Edition
(KC recommends this version only). Also read by Ben Kingsley on Audible
MNDFL Meditation Teacher Training Program
Susan Piver Interview: “Trying to Impress Susan Piver” story