If you love a great story, and if you love great music, tune into this. The adventure that is Tahir Qawwal’s life is completely unique and fascinating. You may know him as the leader of the Sufi Qawwali ensemble, Fanna-fi-Allah. Qawwali is a passionate devotional practice in which the fire of divine love (ishq) is ecstatically expressed through the mystical verses of Sufi poets. Tahir is an exceptional musician and singer, and has also just released an incredible new eight-part documentary called ‘Music of the Mystics. In this episode of the podcast, Jai Dev talks to Tahir about his fascinating life, the rich spiritual tradition of Qawwali, and the many stories that bring it all to life. Tahir’s story is part one of this two-part podcast.

Music of the Mystics Film: https://www.samaschoolofmusic.com/music-of-the-mystics
Sama School of Music: https://www.samaschoolofmusic.com
Website: https://fanna-fi-allah.com/
Fanna-Fi-Allah Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/fannafiallah

Aminah Chishti is a force of nature! She is a close student of the great tabla master, Ustad Dildar Hussein Khan, and as the percussionist for the Sufi Qawwali ensemble, Fanna-fi-Allah, she made history as the first woman initiated into the ancient Qawwali lineage. In this lively conversation, Jai Dev and Aminah discuss her colorful life, filled with enchanting characters, inspiring mentors, and her mystic journeys powered by music and sound. They also discuss the new documentary film, Music of the Mystics, where Aminah’s musical journey is beautifully captured.

Music of the Mystics Film: https://www.samaschoolofmusic.com/music-of-the-mystics

Website: https://fanna-fi-allah.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhamamama/

This conversation confirmed to me what I had already suspected: Trevor Hall is a genuinely beautiful brother with a big heart and a fellow journeyer on the path. Over the last many years his career as an artist, musician, and songwriter has soared to great success with huge streaming numbers and sold-out tours. In this episode, we get to hear the story behind it all…and an incredible story it is!

From growing up on the coastal shores of South Carolina, to opening a tour for the legendary Reggae band, Steel Pulse (at the age of 17!), to repeatedly traveling to India and immersing himself in her wondrous mysticism. I can say that I enjoyed every moment of this episode. It’s definitely one of my favorites.

Trevor Hall on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RMHexittaAZkf8zukkZB8?si=JgY_Jo29RSCqnjv3TxZUeA

Trevor Hall Official Website:https://www.trevorhallmusic.com/

Robert Thurman, who we affectionately call Tenzin Bob, is simply a treasure. Time Magazine aptly described him as a “larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, from Asia to America.”

Bob’s life story is extraordinary and in this episode of the podcast, he takes us through many of its amazing stories. This two-hour episode is filled with gems of wisdom, hilarious moments, and the unique stream of wisdom that flows through him like a vital spring!

Bob is one of the world’s leading scholars and translators of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1962 he was the first Westerner to be ordained by his Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1997 Bob was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Americans.  He co-founded Tibet House US with Tenzin Tethong, Richard Gere, and Philip Glass, a non-profit organization based in New York City and dedicated to the preservation and renaissance of Tibetan culture.

Inspired by his longtime good friend His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bob takes us along with him into an expanded vision of the world through the prism of Tibetan Buddhism. He shares with us the sense of refuge in the Dharma, which unfailingly helps us clear away the shrouds of fear and confusion, sustains us with the cheerfulness of an enriched present, and opens a door to a path of realistic hope for a peaceful, kind, and wise future.

This special episode is sponsored by Envision 2021. A very special New Year’s Virtual Retreat produced by Menla, and a benefit for Tibet House US. Featuring an incredible lineup of teachers and musicians, including Robert Thurman, Nena Thurman, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das, Jai Dev, Simrit, and many more!

Get more info and register here!

Visit Bob’s Official Website Here

Through the stories she tells, Kamla Kapur breathes life into the legends of great mystics and the poetry of saints. I first encountered her work some years ago through reading her wonderful book, The Singing Guru. Here, she beautifully reimagines the tales of the great North Indian saint, and first Guru of the Sikhs, Baba Nanak.

I must say, listening to her speak is as lovely as reading her evocative style of storytelling!  In this episode of the podcast, we discuss her work, the transcendent legacy of Guru Nanak, and the beautiful Sikh spirit which blossomed forth from his life.

Kamla Kapur is an author, playwright, and poet with multiple critically acclaimed books published in the USA and India. To learn more, visit her website at https://www.kamlakkapur.com/

If you dig astrology, if you tend to look at your life through the lens of a mystic, if you are in the process of unraveling the deeper purpose of your life….this episode is right up your alley.  Natalia is a woman’s empowerment coach, a modern mystic, and astrologer. She’s doing amazing work helping women all over the world live with greater prosperity, intuition, and self-confidence.

This conversation took place on a beautiful evening at Natalia’s home in Palm Springs…one of the few in-person podcasts we’ve done in over a year! You’ll hear all about the use of Astrology as a tool to give practical insight into life’s circumstances, Natalia’s personal journey, how she discovered the work she was meant to do, and much more.

Visit Natalia’s website: https://www.nataliabenson.com/

Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalia_benson/

Tenzin Bob is back, and he’s come to cheer you up! With the release of his superb new book, Wisdom Is Bliss, we have the great honor of welcoming the one-of-a-kind, Robert Thurman, back to the podcast!

In this spirited and free-flowing conversation with Jai Dev, Bob unpacks his inspired perspectives on the Buddha’s timeless teachings in the way only he can. As always, he emits a creative wit, affectionate heart, mind-bending intelligence, and the masterful artistry of a psychedelic dharma craftsman! He says it’s his mission to help everyone feel ok in this world…here he does a mighty fine job at just that. Enjoy the episode!

Get Bob’s New Book Here

Visit the Life-Force Academy Here

We’re coming out hot for our first episode of 2022!

Jai Dev sits down with legendary bass guitarist Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company, The Allman Brothers Band, Aquarian Rescue Unit, among others. The instant connection between the two is evident right out of the gate. Their conversation flows through topics of mysticism, music, and spiritual paths.

Oteil shares stories from his family of gifted musicians and psychics, his time with the infamous Colonel Bruce Hampton, how the music of the Grateful Dead has shaped his life, and a mystical experience that transformed him forever.

Tune into the first episode of Season 2 of the Jai Dev show, for a multifaceted and totally lucid conversation which weaves itself through astrology, perfect pitch, tour-life, adoption, the Tao, and so much more.

When a couple of Jai Dev’s Manifesting-Generator employees told him that we have too many Projectors on the team, he knew that he needed to learn more about Human Design. Erin Claire Jones, Human Design Guide and Leadership Coach, joins us on podcast to elucidate this profound and newly popular cartography of the spiritual structure of the human being.

Combining Astrology, Kabbalah, and the I Ching, Human Design offers us a new way of looking at the ways in which we tend to make decisions. Erin uses this system to empower her clients to not only better tune in with the natural way their energy flows, but also to understand that the decision-making tendencies and strategies that work for us, might not work for everyone else in our personal and professional lives. Knowing our own spiritual architecture, and the spiritual architecture of those around us, is a recipe for compassion.

Check out your Human Design Blueprint here: https://humandesignblueprint.com

The code LIFEFORCE will get you 10% off your Full Blueprint or a spot in Erin’s next Flow workshop.

This week, Jai Dev sits down with comedian, co-host of There Comes a Time podcast, and fellow Deadhead, the very funny Mike Finoia.

The theme of this week’s conversation is most definitely resilience. Looking back on his career, Mike points out that the times that he has bombed or fallen on his face the hardest, ended up being the most crucial, wisdom-imparting moments that would most influence the trajectory of his life.

With a comedian on the pod, you already know that this is going to be an especially funny episode – but also, extremely insightful. The alignments between performing stand-up comedy and teaching dharma practices are truly profound: both occupations involve creatively leading your audience to a discovery of truth within themselves.

Listening to these two maestros of their craft describe their creative processes is an illuminating experience…this episode is not to be missed!

Find out more about Mike at mikefinoia.com

Pure Energy, Pure Intelligence, and Pure Love. The three innate qualities of life that emanate from the very nucleus of our being out into all our cells, organs, thoughts, and behaviors. Taken from a live class at Elixart in Nevada City, Jai Dev delivers an especially lucid dharma talk on life and the nature of reality. 

When we are able to understand and respect ultimate reality, we can come to appreciate everything in life, including our greatest heartbreak and suffering, as truly precious and valuable.