Awake in the World Podcast - Michael Stone

Latest Episodes:

Best of Awake in the World: The Whole World is Upside Down Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this dharma talk, Michael talks about a Zen Master called Bird's Nest Roshi who would go out on a limb and meditate in an abandoned bird's nest. Living in the world, ignoring death, trying to make impermanence permanent, avoiding loss and suffering... What we do with our deep grooves is more dangerous than going out on a limb and meditating. Recorded on February 5, 2013.

Best of Awake in the World: Gratitude in Jewish and Buddhist Practice Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael reflects on God, gratitude, mind, compassionate action, and the encounter between what can and can't be talked about. Recorded at a retreat co-taught by Michael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles in Quebec in November 2013.

Radically Simple Oct 11, 2020

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In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael references the Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha, reads a koan from The Book of Serenity, and explores how Buddhist practice is radically simple and relates to the whole of our lives. Recorded April 26, 2010.

Finding a Path Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

In this 30-minute guided meditation, Michael explores how to work with thoughts during sitting practice, focusing on the breath in a way that reduces clinging, reduces rejection. The breath doesn’t decide good or bad: it is kind to our body, our nervous system, our habits. Recorded April 23, 2010

A More Liquified Existence Sep 27, 2020

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In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael elucidates the “post-negation” part of the Heart Sutra, particularly the lines “with no hindrance in the mind. No hindrance, therefore no fear.” He characterizes hindrances as walls of the mind and describes creating a “no landing zone.” In addition he talks about “horizontal transcendence,” “knotty” thoughts, and making peace with the fears that may accompany a more “liquified” existence. Recorded April 21, 2009.

The Authoritarian Structures of the Mind Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael explores the “negation section” of the Heart Sutra (no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue...) and how the story-telling and I-making functions of the mind contract and cling, leading us away from intimacy. Drawing on poems by John Cage and Jack Gilbert he describes the dependent-origination of the self, our tendency to create metaphysical frames, and the paradox of being a parent as exemplified by Krishna’s mother. Recorded April 7, 2009

Patanjali's an Optimist Sep 13, 2020

Show notes

In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael unpacks part of the second pada of the Yoga Sutra (2.29 - 2.39) with an emphasis on wholesome thoughts, the yamas, the cure for nihilism, and the importance of not separating inward-directed psychological work from outward-directed activism. Recorded April 20, 2007.

Yoga as a Living Tradition Sep 07, 2020

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In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael emphasizes the need to view yoga as a living tradition that is relevant and useful in our contemporary lives. He discusses faith versus fundamentalism, the centrality of karma, how asana fits into the picture, and the mistake of interpreting “oneness” as “sameness.” Recorded in 2007.

Awareness & Morality Aug 30, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the relationship between awareness and morality or mindfulness and ethics. When we are faced with the unprecedented and unrepeatable complexities of this moment, the question is not, “What is the right thing to do?” but “What is the compassionate thing to do?” This question can be approached with integrity but not with certainty. Recorded in 2011.

Awareness & Creative Energy (Brahmacharya) Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the ethic of brahmacharya. Brahmacharya literally translated means to live like Brahma, the creator God. It means acceleration and to have pistons fire and to build cities and make art and neighbours and architecture and grow things. It’s to live like brahma which is to take creative energy and to do something with it. That’s why Thich Nhat Hahn’s encourages us to be aware of what we’re creating. Recorded in 2011.