Awake in the World Podcast - Michael Stone

Latest Episodes:

The Dharma Is Like an Avocado Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

Based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra (1.19) and a poem by Gary Snyder Michael talks about death, self-concept, rebirth versus reincarnation, karma, abhinivesa and “aiming for the gap.” Recorded on October 27, 2009.

Religion as Conversation Feb 12, 2023

Show notes

Michael talks about applying a lens of Western Psychology to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and the Dharma, and how these different thought-systems can compliment and converse with one another. At the same time we must remain aware that this process is a reinterpretation and superimposition. He uses lines 1.17 and 1.18 of the Yoga Sutra as an example of a place where old and new ways of thinking about the mind can be explored from multiple perspectives. Recorded on October 20, 2009.

Tell Me, Who Is That Other? Feb 05, 2023

Show notes

Based on a koan (Case Forty-five from the Gateless Gate) this talk delves into the complex ways that we create a self and create an “other,” and how the two processes can be deeply intertwined. Recorded on October 12, 2008.

Concealed and Wrapped in Thought Jan 29, 2023

Show notes

Michael explores the line from the Rig-Veda that he chose as the epigraph to The Inner Tradition of Yoga. (The recording is cut short, but we thought it was still worth a listen.) Recorded on October 9, 2008.

What’s Left (When You’re Not Thinking) Jan 22, 2023

Show notes

Beginning with a quote from Gary Snyder, Michael teaches about non-reactivity, letting go of clinging and how awareness is revealed through practice. Recorded on October 6, 2009.

The Breath Is Doing the Breathing Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

Michael leads a thirty-minute guided meditation on mindfulness of breathing. Recorded on October 6, 2008.

The Groundless Ground Jan 08, 2023

Show notes

In this talk Michael describes how practice helps us become conscious of our viewpoints and can show us where we are caught. He argues that we’re waking up from restricted, self-centered views as opposed to awakening to an elusive something other-than-this somewhere other-than-here. Recorded on October 5, 2008.

The Faith to Doubt Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

In this talk about the first pada of the Yoga Sutra (line 20), Michael considers the relationship between faith (sraddha) and doubt, as well as the importance of enthusiasm (virya), mindfulness (smrti), samadhi and wisdom (prajna) to the project of reducing our suffering. Recorded on November 17, 2009.

And Yet, and Yet Dec 25, 2022

Show notes

Michael gives a talk on silence, impermanence, the nature of mind and love. Recorded on November 17, 2009.

Core Belief Pruning Dec 18, 2022

Show notes

Michael describes sitting practice as a place where we can work with our aversion, anger and blame, and where we can “prune the dead ends” of our habitual thought patterns. (Unfortunately, the recording ends abruptly, but we still felt it was worth sharing). Recorded November 5, 2008. Content Warning: Michael shares a story about homophobia and violence.