012: Your Teacher’s Teacher: Mirka Knaster on the Dharma, Quirks and Stories of Munindra (Teacher of Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Kamala Masters and many more)

by Swanson

012: Your Teacher's Teacher: Mirka Knaster on the Dharma, Quirks and Stories of Munindra (Teacher of Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Kamala Masters and many more)

Munindra was one of the most important teachers for Westerners in the establishment of Vipassana and mindfulness meditation.

– Jack Kornfield

“Mirka Knaster is the author of Living This Life Fully: Stories and Teachings of Munindra, a book about the Bengali meditation master who was a grandfather of the vipassana/mindfulness movement in the West and who taught many of today’s most prominent Western dharma teachers. She interviewed nearly 200 people around the world for their down-to-earth yet inspiring poignant and humorous remembrances of someone who embodied the qualities of awakening and who believed it was possible for all of us to cultivate them. The book also draws on discussions Robert Pryor had with Munindra before his death in 2003, early talks Munindra gave in the U.S., and includes rare photographs. Shambhala is the publisher (October 2010). Mirka collaborated with Robert Pryor on this project. The book has been translated into Vietnamese and Korean.” (from mirkaknaster.com)

In this episode, Mirka shares reflections on Munindra’s life and teachings, his quirkiness and the path of awakening.

Mirka Knaster holds a Ph.D. in Asian and Comparative Studies, is an author, artist and blogger. You can learn more about Mirka and her work through her websites:

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Books by Mirka Knaster

Books and Resources Mentioned

People

  • Joseph Goldstein
  • Kamala Masters
  • Robert Pryor
  • Sharon Salzberg
  • Stephen Batchelor
  • Martine Batchelor
  • Dipa MaContemplative Practices (1m30s)
  • Meditation in bed

Drinks Pairings

  • Chai or water with a fresh squeezed lemon

Highlights

1m30s What does your normal day look like?

3m30s Why did you write this book? And how did it come about?

7m – What was Munindra like in person?

10m – The story about the young monk smoking

16m – What did it meant that Munindra was an anagarika

21m30s – Munindra was quirky, can you share some of them?

26m Don’t Waste time!

35m Mirka explains how and why set-up the book the way she did

41m30s Who have been other teachers who have impacted your life?

45m – What would Munindra be saying about his former students leading the charge in western Buddhism?

51m50s What story of Munindra would you share with a young contemplative to encourage the contemplative path?

1hr00m30s What has become more important and less important as you walk this contemplative path?

1h07m45s What drink would you recommend?

Photo credit: Death To Stock Photo