Awake in the World Podcast - Michael Stone

Latest Episodes:

Best of Awake in the World: In that Lump of Flesh and Bones Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael argues that yoga and mindfulness are best practiced via the body versus striving for the attainment of philosophical or intellectual concepts. He encourages trusting that the body is the natural world and listening with the heart, so that “knowing” or too much technique don’t become obstacles to intimacy. Recorded on May 16, 2008.

Best of Awake in the World: Do People These Days Need Enlightenment? Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael considers the final lines of the first pada of the Yoga Sutra through the lens of a Buddhist koan: Case 62 of the Book of Serenity. Recorded on May 25, 2010.

The Form is Hugging You Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

Michael gives a talk about the importance of form, and the importance of not becoming caught by form, and how this insight expands out to allow spontaneity, creativity, and freedom to be whatever you need to be moment by moment. Recording date unknown.

Nest Building Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

In this talk on awareness, Michael uses the metaphor of a nest to describe our accumulation of narratives, memories and viewpoints, and argues that non-attachment (vairagya) is crucial and “viewpoint interruption” is a practice in itself. Recorded on September 29, 2009.

Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose Aug 20, 2023

Show notes

Michael leads a thirty-minute meditation focusing on the finer points of the posture (form), and explains how physiological details and psychological states affect one another. Recorded on September 26, 2009.

Best of Awake in the World: The Good Enough Meditator Aug 13, 2023

Show notes

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael highlights the hindrances to practice described in line 30 of the Yoga Sutras and then offers some techniques to work with them. Recorded on February 9, 2010.

Knowing the Unknowable Aug 06, 2023

Show notes

In this talk on the Third Foundation of Mindfulness (from the Satipatthana Sutta), Michael covers the kleshas, karma and learning to discern skilful versus unskilful mind states. Recorded on September 25, 2009.

An Army of Coolness Jul 30, 2023

Show notes

Michael gives a talk about the Buddha’s “Fire Sermon,” and connects it to practice, being in relationship, and the cultivation of generosity, creativity and loving action. Recorded on September 22, 2010.

A Ball Thrown into a River Jul 23, 2023

Show notes

In this talk Michael covers part of the Ariyapasasana Sutta (the Buddha’s own account of his awakening), the difference between Patanjali’s definition of yoga and the Buddha’s Second Truth, recognizing and working with (or against) the momentum of culture, and navigating our relationship with our ego/storyteller. Recorded on September 16, 2008.

A Case of Mistaken Identity Jul 16, 2023

Show notes

Michael argues that “yoga citta vritti nirodha” can be interpreted as “the ending of our misidentification with the movement of consciousness” and that our attempts to ground or reify our self-identity lead to dissatisfaction and anxiety. Recorded on September 15, 2009.