Rephonic
Artwork for Black Beryl
Buddhism
Meditation
Chinese Medicine
Psychiatry
Mental Health
Acute Religious Experiences
Hatha Yoga
Thai Buddhism
Tibetan Medicine
The Body In Yoga
Buddhist Medicine
Rituals
Religious Experience
Cultural Context
Materiality Of the Body
Ashtanga Yoga
Embodied Spirituality
Corpse Meditation
Mad Studies
Spiritual Practice

Intelligent conversations about Buddhism, Asian medicine, and embodied spirituality.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes49Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySpiritualityBuddhism

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Artwork for Black Beryl

Latest Episodes

Today I sit down with Prof. Jeff Kripal, noted scholar of religion at Rice University, to talk about extraordinary, mysterious, and “impossible” experiences. This is a conversation I’ve been waiting a few years to have. Together we explore what you c... more

I'm happy to share this rebroadcast of an interview I did with James Bae, the host of the "Buddhist Yoga" Youtube channel. In this deep-dive, we discuss my new book, Meditation Sickness, just out from University of Hawaii Press. This edited collectio... more

Today I sit down with Sanjay Manchanda, who is an Adjunct Professor at California Institute of Human Science and also teaches at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Sanjay is an awakening facilitator, a practicing psychotherapist, and an in... more

Today I sit down with Dr. Tawni Tidwell, a biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medicine doctor at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Together we discuss how Tibetan medicine approaches the challenges that arise in... more

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Recent Guests

Pierce Salguero
Dr. Pierce Salguero, translator and scholar of Buddhist medicine
Buddhist medicine, translations of meditation sickness materials
Episode: BONUS: Meditation Sickness, with Pierce Salguero (Rebroadcast from the Buddhist Yoga Podcast)
Sanjay Manchanda
Awakening facilitator, practicing psychotherapist, adjunct professor at CIHS; founder in the space of neurofeedback and photobiomodulation
California Institute of Human Science; California Institute of Integral Studies
Episode: Awakening & Integration, with Sanjay Manchanda
Tawni Tidwell
Biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medicine physician
Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Tibetan Medicine for Meditators, with Tawni Tidwell
Marleen Thaler
Researcher at the University of Vienna and the University of Graz, specializing in the history of Kundalini
University of Vienna; University of Graz
Episode: The Modern Remaking of Kundalini, with Marleen Thaler
Brandt Stickley
Associate professor at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland.
National University of Natural Medicine
Episode: Spirit Possession and Chinese Medicine Anti-Psychiatry, with Brandt Stickley
Zachary Lui
Practitioner of Chinese medicine, magic and shamanism
Wuji Xuan Life Wellness and Queen City Curio
Episode: BONUS: Buddhist Ritual Magic, with Zachary Lui (Rebroadcast from 2023)
Nick Canby
Visiting Assistant Professor at Brown University and Clinical Psychologist specializing in meditation and psychedelics.
Brown University
Episode: Self and Nonself, with Nick Canby
Susannah Deane
A scholar of Tibetan medicine, Buddhism, and psychiatry.
Episode: The Perils of Tantra, with Susannah Deane
Josh Schrei
Storyteller, sound artist, and host of The Emerald Podcast
The Emerald Podcast
Episode: The Mandala of Animist Forces, with Josh Schrei

Host

Dr. Pierce Salguero
Host of Black Beryl; professor of Asian history and health humanities; associated with Penn State Abington College

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Great, Fascinating Series

    I really love the work that Black Beryl is doing, particularly on the scholar-practitioner level (I like to keep my feet firmly planted when possible), though the former Jungian kid in me certainly enjoyed episodes like the one on Taoist exorcisms too. Good stuff, even if the content is likely to be a tad hit or miss for some listeners.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    From Taipei, with Love
    United States8 months ago
  • A refreshing balance

    I’ve been listening to the show for at least a year now and it does not disappoint – ever! Dr. Pierce Salguero guides the conversation down fascinating byways that reveal the nuances of Asian religious and healing traditions. Even more valuable is his attention to the varying epistemological and ontological perspectives that shape how his scholarly and more practice-oriented guests understand these complex and beautiful traditions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    albany mama
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fascinating

    I am eating this podcast up! I personally love that this podcast provides different views including practitioners of medicine and a scholarly approach. Excited to keep listening

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    handslikewaves
    United States2 years ago
  • I so appreciate these conversations.

    Podchaser
    5
    swilms1
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some episodes surface controversial or niche topics that edge into esoteric territory.
Listeners appreciate the blend of scholarly and practitioner voices.
There's value in discussing both traditional healing and modern science.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: Meditation Sickness, with Pierce Salguero (Rebroadcast from the Buddhist Yoga Podcast)
Q: How do traditional sources address the line between routine challenges and pathology, and are there demographic considerations in these texts?
The guest notes that most pre-modern texts are didactic and not demographic case studies, but they consistently show that meditation-related issues can affect anyone and emphasize balancing a diverse toolkit of practices rather than a single method.
BONUS: Meditation Sickness, with Pierce Salguero (Rebroadcast from the Buddhist Yoga Podcast)
Q: Are there any extensions of the research, prescriptive extensions or institutional collaborations in progress?
The guest describes ongoing transdisciplinary work, aiming to form a collaboration that includes Dharma teachers, medical practitioners, and social scientists to develop a cross-cultural protocol for meditation sickness, with an eye toward clinical testing and open-access dissemination.
Awakening & Integration, with Sanjay Manchanda
Q: Do you think there could be an 'enlightenment machine' that fully awakens someone instantly, and what would be the caveats?
The guest argues that while a machine could trigger initial awakening, full enlightenment requires a long process of reconfiguration across biology, the nervous system, and psychology, and may even be dangerous if pushed too quickly without support.
Awakening & Integration, with Sanjay Manchanda
Q: What are the practical implications of using infrared light and other technologies in meditation and awakening?
Infrared light is described as a safe, energy-activating modality that can entrain brain states and deepen meditation, especially when combined with frequency pulsing and traditional practices, with emphasis on set, setting, and individualized use.
Awakening & Integration, with Sanjay Manchanda
Q: So how would you characterize awakening and integration, and why is the multidimensional approach important?
Awakening is framed as an identity shift beyond the limited sense of self, while integration connects awakened experiences to daily life across psychological, neurological, and belief/feeling levels, using a multidisciplinary toolkit.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Black Beryl

What is Black Beryl about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful, interdisciplinary conversations at the crossroads of Buddhism, Asian medicine, and embodied spirituality. Episodes pair scholarly rigor with practitioner insight, often exploring how traditional healing, contemplative practice, and spiritual experience intersect, sometimes addressing controversial or overlooked topics with nuance. A standout feature is the blend of academic perspectives and first-hand healing traditions, inviting listeners who want both theory and practice in wakeful, culturally situated contexts.

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How many listeners does Black Beryl get?

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What are the audience demographics for Black Beryl?

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How many subscribers and views does Black Beryl have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Black Beryl has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Black Beryl?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Black Beryl:

1. Buddha at the Gas Pump
2. Sounds of SAND
3. The Proof with Simon Hill
4. Sounds True: Insights at the Edge
5. Tricycle Talks

How many episodes of Black Beryl are there?

Black Beryl launched 3 years ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Black Beryl?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Black Beryl?

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What guests have appeared on Black Beryl?

Recent guests on Black Beryl include:

1. Pierce Salguero
2. Sanjay Manchanda
3. Tawni Tidwell
4. Marleen Thaler
5. Brandt Stickley
6. Zachary Lui
7. Nick Canby
8. Susannah Deane

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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