Mariana Caplan, Second Interview on Buddha at the Gas Pump
Mariana Caplan, PhD, MFT, RYT 500, is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, author, and one of the advisors of the APST. In 2013, Rick Archer of Buddha at the Gas Pump interviewed her a second time (the first interview). Reposted here with permission.
In this second interview, Rick and Mariana’s focus was on yoga and psychology. They explored the paradox of disillusionment and getting through an impasse, a difficult but sometimes necessary stage. She explored experiences vs relational states and the difference between a renunciate life vs a normal life.
They touched on the scandals plaguing spiritual teachers and how Western approaches can help resolve those traumas that otherwise show up in spiritual communities. These issues are in the domain of psychology. She touched on how students need to know of the possibility of issues so they understand how to handle them without leaving the path.
They spoke about the myth of perfection in enlightenment while still being human and congruence between our life and enlightenment. She said life challenges are love letters from God.
Learning to be in the body and process our trauma was further discussed. They explore what approaches we can take to integrate the 2 approaches. She has written three books on discernment on your path.
