Buddhist Geeks

Latest Episodes:

Is Zen Enough? Apr 16, 2007

Show notes

In this segment, Genpo Roshi goes into an eloquent description of the role that Big Mind process, zazen, and koan practice can play in a more whole and integrated Zen training. He also touches on the develop of the spiritual practitioner, and his understanding of how one can progress through this developmental territory. This is an exciting conversation with one of the most controversial, and perhaps most brilliant, Zen Master alive today.

This is part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to part 1, Genpo Roshi on Big Mind and part 3, Genpo “Big Mind’s” Gwen.

Episode Links:

Big Mind – Big Heart: Finding Your Way ( http://bit.ly/JRp9q )
Big Mind Zen Center ( http://www.bigmind.org )

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A Crisis of Curiosity Apr 09, 2007

Show notes

In this episode Gwen Bell interviews Anne McQuade, a current student of Genpo Roshi and regular reader of our site. A large part of their conversation focuses on a controversial article that Brad Warner—who will be one of our future guests—published on suicidegirls.com, criticizing Genpo Roshi and the Big Mind process.*

This is a stand-alone episode.

* - Please be warned that this is a highly controversial episode, and the authors here at Buddhist Geeks are not trying to take sides for or against Genpo Roshi and the Big Mind process or Brad Warner and his approach. We simply want to probe into this very real issue of Western Buddhist teachers having strongly opposing opinions, even within the same tradition.

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Genpo Roshi on Big Mind Apr 02, 2007

Show notes

In this episode Gwen Bell interviews Genpo Roshi, a Western Zen teacher and lineage holder of both the Soto and Rinzai traditions. He is also the author of four books, as well as an upcoming release, Big Mind, Big Heart. In this episode Genpo Roshi discusses Big Mind, his unique method of introducing practitioners to their true nature. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Genpo Roshi and be sure to share your thoughts, insights, and experiences in the comment section.

This is part 1 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 2: Is Zen Enough? and Part 3: Genpo “Big Mind’s” Gwen.

Episode Links:

Big Mind – Big Heart: Finding Your Way ( http://bit.ly/JRp9q )
Big Mind Zen Center ( http://www.bigmind.org )

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Take Your Seat: The Importance of Boundaries in Practice Mar 26, 2007

Show notes

Fleet Maull talks about how we work with the boundaries of the self and of the heart in the maitri, bodhichitta and tonglen practices.

This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 1, Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Fleet Maull on Plunge Experiences.

Episode Links:

Peacemaker Institute ( http://www.peacemakerinstitute.org )
Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull ( http://bit.ly/iBaRH )

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Models of Enlightenment Mar 19, 2007

Show notes

In our final conversation with Daniel Ingram he goes on to explore various “models of enlightenment” and weighs the relative value of these different models, which we carry around with us unconsciously. Daniel also tries to answer the all-important question of, “How does one practically go about becoming enlightened?” Dive in and enjoy this dynamic conversation that pushes the very boundaries of what we normally consider “socially appropriate” Buddhism.

This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1, You Can Do It! and Part 2, Enlightened Teachers.

Episode Links:

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha ( http://bit.ly/E1tF )

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Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Fleet Maull on Plunge Experiences Mar 12, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Gwen Bell interviews Buddhist teacher Sensei Fleet Maull. Fleet recently spent a month on retreat with Roshi Bernie Glassman and the Zen Peacemakers in Massuchusetts, where he became a fully empowered Zen teacher. Fleet teaches at Naropa University and leads weekly meditation sessions there. His teachings are accessible to a wide audience and his authenticity is a breath of fresh air in the world of Buddhist teachers. In this episode Fleet shares his practice background and discusses the value of plunge experiences.

This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 2, Take Your Seat: The Importance of Boundaries in Practice.

Episode Links:

Peacemaker Institute ( http://www.peacemakerinstitute.org )
Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull ( http://bit.ly/iBaRH )
Zen Peacemakers ( http://www.zenpeacemakers.org )

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Enlightened Teachers Mar 05, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, with Theravada teacher Daniel Ingram, he breaches the taboo of enlightenment by discussing the enlightenment of other teachers. Not only that but he argues for a more transparent approach to enlightenment within certain teaching circles, in hopes that enlightenment can become more attainable. Listen and see why he thinks this will help.

This is Part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1, You Can Do It! and Part 3, Models of Enlightenment.

Episode Links:

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha ( http://bit.ly/E1tF )

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Where are all the Western Rinpoches? Feb 26, 2007

Show notes

In this episode, Phil Stanley discusses lineage in Western Buddhism, the lack of western teachers, what it will take to develop more qualified individuals. Phil notes that we are in an awkward phase in Western Buddhism, where we have several intermediary teachers and few fully empowered and authorized lineage holders. He discusses the development of such teachers in terms of training and cultural and economic resources. Phil also discusses the development of Western translators.

This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1, Phil Stanley on the Development of Western Buddhism and Part 2, We’re Not the Cheerleaders of Buddhism.

Episode Links:

Naropa University ( www.naropa.edu )

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The Shamatha Project Feb 19, 2007

Show notes

In 2007 Dr. Wallace will be leading a joint scientific project named The Shamatha Project. A battery of studies will be conducted in two 3-month meditation retreats (one retreat is a control group), and the results will be submitted to the most prestigious academic journals. In our final podcast with Alan Wallace he discusses this project, both in terms of its structure and his hypotheses.

This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1, Alan Wallace on Achieving Shamatha and Part 2, Get a PhD in Contemplative Science.

Episode Links:

The Attention Revolution ( http://bit.ly/HIW1o )
Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies ( http://www.sbinstitute.com )
The Shamatha Project ( http://www.sbinstitute.com/research_Shamatha.html )

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You Can Do It! Feb 12, 2007

Show notes

We’re joined this week by Daniel Ingram, MD, an authorized teacher in the Theravada tradition and an avid fan of out-right honesty with regards to the spiritual path.

In this episode Daniel (aka “Dharma Dan”) shares some of his more formative experiences as a meditator, touches on some of the Buddhist maps of awakening, and shares a powerful message, namely that enlightenment is possible.

This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 2, Enlightened Teachers and Part 3, Models of Enlightenment.

Episode Links: