Buddhist Geeks

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What Happens to the Dharma when the Boomers Die Out? Nov 12, 2007

Show notes

Diana Winston, insight meditation teacher and author, took a break from a busy day of work from the UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center to join us in a discussion on Buddhism and youth. After sharing some insight into what her most recent work at UCLA is aiming to accomplish, Diana explored the question of whether or not youth are flocking to Buddhism today, as they did in the 60s and 70s. In her experience, the number of people under age 30 has actually increased since she was a young meditator in the early 90s, but it is still remains a small percentage of the overall demographic of Western Buddhists. We discuss why that might be the case, touching in on both historical and financial factors. We also hear from Diana about efforts that are being made at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, including teen and young-adult retreats as well as youth scholarships. She then asks the three younger participants (all of us in our 20s) what brought us to the teachings of the dharma. We finish the conversation sharing the personal reasons that we were drawn to the dharma in our late-teens and early 20s.

This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 2: Marketing Mindfulness to the Youth.

Episode Links:

Wide Awake: Buddhism for the New Generation ( http://bit.ly/RHZXx )
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center ( http://www.marc.ucla.edu )

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Bodh Gaya is "The City" Nov 05, 2007

Show notes

In our final segment with Buddhist teacher and author Sharon Salzberg, she starts off by describing what it is like doing a retreat in the Insight Meditation tradition. She includes information about the daily structure of the retreat and also discusses what it is like to be in a silent retreat environment. Gwen and she also discuss the common experience of boredom in meditation practice, especially with regards to the conditioning that comes from living in a “culture of stimulation”. Sharon goes on to describe her experience of seeing the Bodhi Tree while in Bodh Gaya in the 70s, and about the importance of that place—what she calls “The City”. She also gives her telling of the Buddha’s experience of enlightenment under the tree. This conversation ends with Gwen asking Sharon what she sees her next steps are as a student of Buddhist practice. We hope you’ve enjoyed this wonderful series with one of America’s most well-respected Buddhist teachers.

We also want to thank Gwen Bell for the interview, of which it will be her last here on Buddhist Geeks. You can find out more about Gwen and the other fantastic work she is doing at www.gwenbell.com.

This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: Sharon Salzberg on Now and Then & Part 2: From the Point of View of Insight Meditation.

Episode Links:

Insight Meditation Society ( http://dharma.org )

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Neuroscience and The Enlightenment Machine Oct 29, 2007

Show notes

In this episode we spoke with neuroscientist and Buddhist meditator Daniel Rizzuto. Vince and he discussed a number of topics including the link between contemplative and scientific methodologies, some of the potential technologies that could emerge for the neuroscientific research, including Daniel’s favorite, an empathic training device. Daniel also shared some of the meditation research he was aware of, including Dr. Sara Lazar’s research out of Harvard where she found that meditation actually affected the structural basis of the brain, as well as some of the recent meditation research that was conducted using EEG devices.

We then discussed the possibility of constructing a neural map that describes a practitioners evolution, and the potential that such a map could be used to help create a device—a so called “enlightenment machine”—that could actually accelerate that process. The question soon emerged, how might this machine impact one’s ethical understanding? Can someone actually go through the process without a revolution in their ethical understanding? The Buddhist tradition often describes the inseparability of insight and ethical understanding or the unity of Emptiness and Compassion. Daniel proposed that a sub-field of neuroscience, neuroethics is an attempt at understanding the neural correlates of one’s ethical choices, such that this information could be built into a device even if it weren’t a by-product of the process of spiritual maturation.

Episode Links:

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From the Point of View of Insight Meditation Oct 22, 2007

Show notes

In the 2nd part of our conversation with Sharon Salzberg, Gwen Bell speaks to her about a number of fascinating subjects. They begin with Sharon’s experience writing for secular publications, such as Oprah’s O Magazine and her experience writing her most recent book, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience. They also discuss some periods of Sharon’s practice where she was confronting the “banality of her own mind” and a large amount of suffering and despair. The conversation ends with Sharon’s account of the early days of the Insight Meditation Society. She also touches on how the organization has evolved over time, from it’s early disorganized beginning to it’s current condition as a well established center. She also discusses in detail what it’s like to do a retreat at the Retreat Center and at the newer long-term retreat facility, the Forest Refuge.

This is part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: Sharon Salzberg on Now and Then & Part 3: Bodh Gaya is “The City."

Episode Links:

Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience ( http://bit.ly/a9qSHL )
Insight Meditation Society ( www.dharma.org )

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Sharon Salzberg on Now and Then Oct 15, 2007

Show notes

Sharon Salzberg co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass., when she was twenty-three. In this episode Salzberg shares some of the insights that she’s discovered along the way, telling stories in a way that will make them accessible to new and seasoned practitioners alike. May they illuminate your day, your car ride or your walk to work as you listen.

This is part one of a three part series. Listen to Part 2: From the Point of View of Insight Meditation & Part 3: Bodh Gaya is “The City”.

Episode Links:

Insight Meditation Society ( www.dharma.org )

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How Do You Sell the Dharma? Oct 08, 2007

Show notes

In our final segment with meditation instructor Ethan Nichtern, he shares his perspective on selling the dharma, transforming culture, the Shambhala tradition, and the need for more dharma teachers who aren’t necessarily enlightened.

This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: What Did Jessica Alba Eat for Breakfast? & Part 2: Buddhism & Money – Does Priceless Mean it’s Free?

Episode Links:

The Interdependence Project ( http://www.theidproject.com )
One City: A Declaration of Interdependence ( http://bit.ly/pw6lx )

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More on Tibetan Studies at Naropa Oct 01, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Ryan continues his conversation with Troy Omafray and Cory Leistikow, two of his fellow classmates in Naropa University’s MA Indo-Tibetan Studies program. They discuss requirements of the program including Nitartha Institute, dathun, and Tibetan language.

This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 1: Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Naropa University.

Episode Links:

Nithartha Institute ( http://www.nitarthainstitute.org )
Naropa University ( www.naropa.edu )

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Buddhism & Money: Does Priceless Mean it's Free? Sep 24, 2007

Show notes

In the 2nd part of our conversation with author, artist, and meditation instructor Ethan Nichtern we deal with the slightly off-limits topic of spirituality and money. Ethan shares his perspective on what Right Livelihood ought to look like in a market economy, where the Buddhist teachings are as valuable as many other services.
This is part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: What Did Jessica Alba Eat for Breakfast? & Part 3: How Do You Sell the Dharma?
Episode Links:
The Interdependence Project ( http://www.theidproject.com )
One City: A Declaration of Interdependence ( http://bit.ly/pw6lx )
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get full access to Buddhist Geeks at www.buddhistgeeks.org/subscribe

Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Naropa University Sep 17, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Ryan chats with Troy Omafray and Cory Leistikow, two of his fellow classmates in Naropa University’s MA Indo-Tibetan Studies program. They discuss the nature of the courses, their personal experience, and what to expect if you decide to pursue the program.

This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 2: More on Tibetan Studies at Naropa.

Episode Links:

Naropa University ( www.naropa.edu )

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get full access to Buddhist Geeks at www.buddhistgeeks.org/subscribe

What Did Jessica Alba Eat for Breakfast? Sep 10, 2007

Show notes

Ethan Nichtern, recently published author, meditation teacher and founder of the ID Project, met with Gwen Bell in Manhattan at the Om Yoga Studio. He talks in this podcast about how, in the 21st century, we’re coming to Buddhism because we’re already very “hooked in” to the world and want to work more on discovering our own minds.
This is part one of a three part series. Listen to Part 2: Buddhism & Money: Does Priceless Mean it’s Free? & Part 3: How Do You Sell the Dharma?
Episode Links:
The Interdependence Project ( http://www.theidproject.com )
One City: A Declaration of Interdependence ( http://bit.ly/pw6lx )
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get full access to Buddhist Geeks at www.buddhistgeeks.org/subscribe

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