Everyday Buddhism 113 - "Open" with Nate Klemp

In this episode I talk with Nate Klemp, PhD. Nate is a bestselling author and formally trained philosopher. He is the author of the new book OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World. Nate is also the coauthor of the New York Times Editors' Choice, The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage, and the New York Times Bestseller, Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing.

He has been featured in The LA Times, The New York Times, The Times London, and has appeared on Good Morning America and "Talks" at Google.

Nate co-founded the mindfulness training company Life Cross Training and holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy from Stanford University and a PhD from Princeton University.

I cannot think of a better guest to have on the podcast during these uncertain, catastrophic times. His new book, OPEN: Living With an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World is an important antidote to the ongoing trauma and division of the times. He offers the remedy of opening our minds and hearts despite our instinct to close them.

Stay tuned as we talk about:

• How we're living in a time of closure: closing in through our screens and closing to each other.
• "Annihilating the power of the smart phone."
• The practice of skillful closing when things get too intense.
• How our mindset is contagious and how it reinforces our environment of closure.
• How we talk to each other about politics in either "strategic mode" where we're trying to 'win' or "communication" mode where we're trying to understand.
• Non-drug psychedelic experience and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Mindfulness, meditation, and the practice of open-awareness (like Dzogchen) meditation. 

And more!

I'm sure you'll enjoy the conversation with Nate as much as I did. He is wise, funny, and a delightful conversation partner!