Oct 22, 2012 8 Questions With: Ran Baron
Meet Ran Baron – a web developer we worked with in late 2011 on a couple of projects we had in the works at the time. Now, web development is an interesting field in its own right, but I really asked Ran if he could do one of these interview pieces for us because he actually has quite an interesting background…in Tantra and Meditation! My understanding in these two fields, is that at the very foundation of them, is the goal of bringing your mind and body to one, and understanding how to channel and leverage that throughout your every day life.
Ran mentions in the interview that the primary inspiration for dabbling in these fields was from “seeing how many people around [him found] relationships and communication to be so difficult” — something that I’m sure many can relate to. Regardless of the industry, networking and building quality relationships with others will always be your greatest asset, more than money, experience or anything else. Moral of the story? Put in the 2-second effort to get to know the people that you come across as you never know in what capacity you may come across them a second time.
Enjoy the piece and many thanks to Ran for so willingly answering these questions for us!
Credit: Ankha Desh
What are you working on?
At the moment I’m traveling across the states (with a few visits to Canada) teaching men and women how to adore and connect to one another. After living in an Ashram (a spiritual community) for over 13 years, I left with one sole purpose which is sharing my experience and knowledge from a variety of spiritual modalities (Tantra, Yoga, Buddhism, Zen, Kabalah…) to help people fall in love with themselves.
Where do you find inspiration?
Mostly inwardly, in the happiness and freedom I have found within, but also in the multitude of emails, letters and faces of people I have the opportunity to teach and interact with, opening their hearts to a new form of accepting themselves and those around them, finding a sense of inner peace and deepening the relationships in their lives in a way they might have not known before.
Credit: Keren Moshkovitz
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
I kept fluctuating between a pilot, an astronaut, a spiritual teacher (when I was 14…) and a professional hugger – I was certain there is such a thing. I guess I kind of lived up to most of them all together.
What are you reading at the moment?
An unlikely Prophet by Alvin Schwartz which is an amazing book about the spiritual roots of Superman and Batman, written by the original author. Who would have guessed that the idea behind Superman was that he is a Buddhist Tulpa?!
The other book I’m (cut out “kinda) always reading is the Bhagavad Gita (one of the main Hindu scriptures).
Credit: Keren Moshkovitz
How would you describe your job?
A lot of behind the scenes work to produce and promote the events I’m teaching in the many different places I travel to. Sometimes it feels that to actually give the class is the easiest part of the entire journey. The events themselves are literally magic– seeing men and women open up so dramatically, usually with a lot of tears and laughter or holding the hands of beginners taking their first steps into meditation or heartfelt expression to their lovers. I am constantly amazed and in awe of how enchanted and filled with magic my life really is, sometimes I feel I live in a myth.
What does your work day look like?
Days where I teach are all about setting up the spaces, connecting many people, and eventually holding the actual class or retreat. This means teaching large groups of people and creating experiences where individuals confront themselves and open up to love and acceptance. In between events, I spend most of my day writing (I’m working on three books at the moment) or in front of a computer answering emails, setting up, and doing the behind the scenes work that is needed to promote the classes themselves.
Credit: Ankha Desh
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
I’m also a scuba diver, so definitely anywhere wet and with a lot of fish. I spend most of my time between San Diego and New York, so in San Diego you’ll find me walking the beaches of Encinitas and in New York either walking around Central Park or at my favorite Israeli restaurant — Hummus Kitchen!
What inspired you to get into Tantra and meditation?
From a very early age I felt there has to be more to life than meets the eye. I devoted most of my adult years (still do…) to the exploration of the mind, meditation, study of religions and spiritual traditions, I have yet to find anything I feel is more fulfilling than discovering who you truly are. The inspiration to teach more about the world of Tantra came from seeing how many people around me find relationships and communication to be so difficult. Armed with a 5,000 year philosophy of self acceptance, self love and real relating I decided to go as deep as I possibly can in helping others find and experience the joy and happiness I have found within me.