Discussing her book Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, Anne Lamott highlights the importance of showing mercy to ourselves as much as we do others.

Grab a copy of Anne’s book HERE

This time on Mindrolling, we revisit a 2017 talk with Anne and Raghu on:

• Mercy as grace put into action
• Rediscovering mercy and its importance in our lives and the world
• Finding deeper connections with ourselves and others through loving-kindness, generosity, and forgiveness
• The wisdom of humility and generosity in spiritual practice
• Understanding the deeper meaning of mercy
• Learning to extend the same compassion and mercy to ourselves that we offer others
• Letting go of the need to please everyone and embracing our authentic selves
• Discovering happiness and purpose through service to others
• Allowing mercy to protect us from our own darkness and create space for equanimity

“If you were here and you were hungry, I would feed you. That’s what Jesus says.Go get everyone some water. If you have some food, share it. I would automatically know how to care for you. Those expressions of love and grace are what we’re starved for. We want the perfect person to come along and bestow those things upon us and the perfect person is us.” —Anne Lamott

About Anne Lamott:

Anne Lamott is the New York Times best-selling author of many books, including collections of essays, novels, and long-form non-fiction, including the classic writing manual Bird by Bird and child-rearing memoir Operating Instructions. In addition to being a novelist and nonfiction writer, Lamott is also a progressive political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher. Keep up with Anne on Instagram.

“To show mercy, to show forgiveness, loving kindness and generosity, and to receive it which is so much harder, is more of an action whereas grace is the stuff we’re made of, surrounded by, saved by, created in. I’ve always said grace bats last, but I think mercy is the action step of grace.” —Anne Lamott

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John Pattern joins Raghu in a heartfelt exploration of embodiment and enlightenment, inspired by the music of his upcoming Ram Dass-infused album, Rainbow Body.

Pre-save Rainbow Body HERE and watch the official music video for “Sun in Your Heart”.

This week on Mindrolling, John and Raghu discuss:

• Awakening the power of the human heart
• Getting back into the body through music and mantra
• The choice-point of awareness and helping the mind and heart work together
• John’s work as a psychotherapist
• The benefit of regular mindfulness practice
• Spiritual bypassing as a fog covering our lives
• When Raghu first heard Ram Dass speak in Montreal
• The making and meaning of “Rainbow Body”

Check out the book referenced in this podcast, Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself by Mark Epstein

About John Pattern:

John Pattern is a multidisciplinary artist and music producer whose work is rooted in healing, transformation, and reconnection with the higher self. As a licensed psychotherapist, he brings a deeply integrative approach to trauma, addiction, and emotional well-being—bridging clinical expertise with a profound sensitivity to the unseen dimensions of healing. With a background in sound and energy, John incorporates music as a vital part of the therapeutic process. His sessions invite the body, mind, and spirit into coherence through the power of vibration, presence, and attunement. Drawing from a wide range of modalities—including EMDR, somatic experiencing, breathwork, IFS, EFT, compassionate inquiry, and psychedelic integration—John creates a space for insight, release, and authentic restoration. He is a certified Journey of Intrinsic Health coach under Dr. Zach Bush, and offers guidance rooted in mindfulness, yoga therapy, and integrative spirituality.

Whether through immersive sound journeys or trauma-informed facilitation, John’s work opens the door to deep inner listening and sustainable healing. Stay connected with John via Instagram where you can find links to his therapy/coaching, music, and more.

“What I’ve been really fascinated with is the concept of the rainbow light body that most esoteric traditions equate to enlightenment and that state as you leave your body; you’re leaving in this state of light.” —John Pattern

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From the mountains of Nepal to the nature of mind, author and alpinist Michael Schauch shares insights on nonself and interconnection.

Grab a copy of Michael’s recently released book, Anatta: Heart of Wisdom.

This week on Mindrolling, Michael and Raghu discuss:

• Michael’s early call to visit Nepal and his work with youth in Kathmandu
• The translation of the Pali word Anatta: Nonself
• How all suffering comes from the view that we are an independent, separate self
• The necessity of practice and direct experience
• Regularly walking in nature as a form of spiritual practice
• Depathologizing mental health and our idea of ‘sanity’
• The limits of our conceptual mind

“We are not an independent separate self. Nothing on earth can exist by itself. Everything in nature, including ourselves, exists in a highly interdependent existence. The core practice of Anatta is recognizing that interbeingness in the world.” —Michael Schauch

About Michael Schauch:

Michael Schauch is an alpinist and award-winning author who lives to explore the depths of nature and the human spirit and share the beauty of connection he discovers along the way. For fifteen years, Michael has been a mentor and supporter of Tibetan Buddhist youth in Kathmandu, Nepal, and many young members of his community in Canada. He holds an MBA from Queen's University and is a member of the Explorers Club.

He and his wife Chantal make their base camp in the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation (Squamish, BC), nestled in the rugged Coast Mountains and temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. Check out Michael’s books and website HERE. You can also keep up with Michael on Instagram.

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