Ep385: The Independent Disciple - Christiana Polites

In this episode I am joined by Christiana Polites, practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, long time collaborator of Tibetan spiritual teacher Nida Chenagtsang, and founder of Sky Press Books, Pure Land Farms, the Sowa Rigpa Institute, and more.

Christiana recalls her privileged upbringing in Manhattan, New York; her education in comparative religions at Harvard University; and her deep involvement in the 90s New York yoga scene.

Christiana talks about her discipleship under and collaborations with Nida Chenagtsang, reflects on the tantric guru-disciple relationship, and considers the trend of asking one’s guru for advice about life choices.

Christiana shares her own journey to personal empowerment and self-direction, why working closely with a guru requires adaptability, and gives a potted history of the many religious and cultural organisations she has founded.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
02:42 - Upbringing in Manhattan
05:54 - Beginnings of spiritual questioning
06:50 - History of religions class
09:08 - New York yoga in the 90s
10:55 - Spiritual side of yoga in the 90s
13:00 - Body bliss
16:37 - Quitting yoga overnight
22:05 - Studying comparative religions at Harvard
25:55 - Influential professors and deciding against academia
28:43 - Areas of study
30:18 - Life-changing 3 months in Bodhgaya
32:46 - A survey of the 3 yanas
35:02 - Connecting with Tibetan Buddhism
37:52 - Gradual vs sudden awakening
39:42 - Constitutional type vs karma
41:03 - Pros and cons of kapha/bad kan constitution
42:38 - Character change vs peak experiences
44:49 - Fruits of the path
45:47 - Adaptability and working with Dr Nida
47:52 - Dr Nida’s spontaneous creativity
49:28 - Life after Harvard, further study of Tibetan Buddhism, and Chinese medicine studies
52:14 - Gurus in Colorado
53:22 - Decision not to study @ Naropa
53:42 - When did Christiana become a Buddhist?
55:25 - Plant medicines and meeting Dr Nida
01:01:26 - Taoist medicine studies in China
01:05:33 - Asking Dr Nida for advice and founding Yanchenma Healing Arts
01:10:47 - Culture of asking the guru for life advice
01:13:37 - Becoming personally empowered and the burden of logistics
01:20:40 - Healthy separation
01:22:48 - Having a dharma centre
01:24:13 - Reflections on the guru-disciple relationship with Dr Nida
01:30:43 - What motivates Christiana’s practice?
01:34:48 - Basic teachings vs advanced practices
01:40:03 - Founding Sky Press Publications
01:48:02 - Founding the Sowa Rigpa Institute
01:50:17 - Founding Yangchenma Arts and Music with Simone Giuliani
01:52:51 - An auspicious year
01:54:55 - An unusual sangha

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Find out more about Christiana Polites:
- skypresspublications.com
- yangchenma.org/christiana
- purelandfarms.com/teachers

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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