Awake in the World Podcast - Michael Stone

Latest Episodes:

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Devotion to Present Experience Jan 20, 2019

Show notes

Treat each movement of the mind as something we devote ourselves to, like the beloved, and then forgiveness happens naturally. Meditation is about going to the places deeper than ourselves, the place where forgiveness comes from. The final talk on Chapter 3 of the Yoga Sutra. Recorded on January 10, 2012.

Guided Meditation Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

Guided meditation with a focus on the subtle body, breath, palette, tongue and skull. Given during the first night of year-end silent retreat. Recorded in Midland, Ontario on Dec 28, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: The Silence Museum Jan 06, 2019

Show notes

Michael comes home from practice in Thailand and talks about travels, not buying things in plastic, and details about meditation techniques. Some very good meditation instructions in this talk. Recorded on December 20, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Compassion is a Superpower Dec 30, 2018

Show notes

It's cool to be kind - it's the new black dress. Lovingkindness is a ratio. If it's about you, it's about clinging. If it's only about the other, you lose yourself. The best kind of love is actually conditional. At the core of every heart, even those who cause trauma for others, is the desire to be happy. Recorded on November 29, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Superpowers Dec 23, 2018

Show notes

Meditation opens us up to levels of experience that are non-human. Michael Stone goes through Patanjali's description of superpowers and how they happen in meditation practice. Then he talks about calmness and what can lead people into trouble if they don't have stability in practice. Recorded on November 22, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: A Moment in Time Dec 16, 2018

Show notes

Can you see each thing in your life—whether objects or the people around you—as a moment in time? The mind is like a tourist constantly taking photos; meditation allows for the coming and going of everything. What's happening is really just a moment in time. Recorded on November 8, 2011.

So, What Really Matters? Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

Michael Stone begins talking about the death of his mentor, maverick psychologist James Hillman. When death comes the only thing that's important is your heart, not your accomplishments. So what really matters? Recorded on November 1, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Samskara and Neuroplasticity Dec 03, 2018

Show notes

Drawing on research with people who have healed from stroke, Michael Stone compares the Sanskrit term "samskara" with modern neuroscience and ties this into the genetic level of meditation practice. "Meditation turns genes on and off in each moment restructuring genetic code." Recorded on October 18, 2011.

Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: The Flow of Attention, Waking from the Dream Nov 25, 2018

Show notes

The mind in concentration is like a flame in a windless space. Michael describes what happens in the mind when concentration is so focused that hindrances and distraction don't arise. Michael parallels this process with the Occupy movement. Recorded on October 11, 2011.

Sandokai, Part 3: Remember One-ness in Everything You Do Nov 18, 2018

Show notes

Michael gives a talk on the Sandokai during the 2011 autumn intensive. Michael talks about taking the meditation group to sit in court and bear witness, remembering one-ness in everything you do, and not taking things so personally. Recorded on Sept 26, 2011.