Wisdom Dharma Chat | Eva Natanya – Sept. 2025
September 17, 2025
In this episode of Wisdom Dharma Chats, Eva Natanya, a scholar of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, Christian theology, and comparative religion, joins host Daniel Aitken to continue the conversation started in Part 1 of this mini series with Lama Alan Wallace. She begins with the story of how she first became a student of Lama Alan, before providing a brief overview of the context in which the idea for their new volume, Śamatha and Vipaśanā, came into fruition. She then shares her role in the creation of the book, placing great emphasis on the importance of clarity in translation. She goes on to describe the process of translation as a form of “guru yoga” for her, a devotional practice that provided a continuous source of inspiration. She and Daniel continue to discuss the texts included within the volume, noting similarities between traditions and even the connections between Buddhism and Christianity. Eva also offered insight into what a long-term solitary retreat can offer individuals, along with advice on applying to retreats at the Center for Contemplative Research, where she is a co-founder.
Meet Our Guest
Eva Natanya
Eva Natanya is a scholar of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, Christian theology, and comparative religion, and has served in many capacities as a spiritual teacher, translator of Tibetan texts, author, and retreat leader. Following a nine-year career as a professional ballet dancer with both the New York City Ballet and the Royal Ballet of England, she earned an MA in Christian Systematic Theology at the Graduate Theological Union, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Her dissertation examined the complex interactions of Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Abhidharma teachings as they underlie the Vajrayana philosophy of Je Tsongkhapa. She has spent more than four years in solitary meditation retreat, is the co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Research, and currently serves as resident teacher at the CCR’s Miyo Samten Ling Hermitage in Crestone, Colorado, while continuing her solitary retreat practice.
