Awake in the World Podcast
506 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 108 ratingsAwake in the World Podcast is a library of talks on a wide-range of topics, including bringing mindfulness and meditation practice into daily life; personal and community issues regarding mental health; and social change. The podcasts were recorded at live events so you might hear coughing, airplanes, cars, sirens, laughter, and peoples’ questions—all part of the intimate experience. Michael Stone (1974-2017) was a Buddhist teacher, author, and mental health advocate. His legacy is stewarded by Carina Stone. Podcast funded by Patreon (patreon.com/michaelstone).
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How the Occupy Movement Can Deal With Conflict
June 01, 2020 00:57 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBMichael speaks at Occupy Vancouver on November 6, 2011. "We are failing in our culture from a lack of imagination. And what we're achieving here is space for imagination." Originally shot by Ian MacKenzie (https://vimeo.com/31735800) and watch the post-speech piece Love & Shadow in the Occupy Movement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2akehtL-Ac).
I’m on Fire — The Fire Sermon
May 24, 2020 22:57 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBThe evening begins with Priya Thomas covering Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," then Michael reads the Fire Sermon and gives a talk on the way we burn with lust, hatred and delusion and how the Buddha offers a public path of practice. We practice even when we're on fire. Recorded Sept 22, 2010 at Centre of Gravity, Toronto.
Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of the World
May 17, 2020 18:52 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBMichael Stone explores the integration of yoga and Buddhism, and how we can live a life fully engaged with the suffering of the world while also taking care of ourselves. Recorded during a day-long workshop and fundraiser for New Leaf Foundation (https://newleaffoundation.com) at the University of Toronto in September 2010.
Wisdom, Emptiness, and Indigenous Healing
May 10, 2020 16:52 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBThis was the final talk during silent retreat at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island, August 2016. Michael talks about the relationship between emptiness, Buddhism, and the need for healing with First Nations. It was an inspiring and powerful end to the retreat.
Noting in the Empire of Selfies
May 04, 2020 00:29 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBA wide ranging talk by Michael Stone on using language in meditation practice, labelling thoughts, and the way kids and adults use language to mediate their internal states. [NOTE: The recording unfortunately was cut off before the end of the talk. We apologize for the error.] Recorded on April 8, 2014.
Gotta Make A Living, Part 2
April 26, 2020 23:16 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBMichael talks about how our work should be energetic, industrious, diligent and skilful. We should live within our means and keep good company. When you really, really want something, you might ask: How central is this for becoming a good version of myself? Recorded on March 1, 2014.
Gotta Make A Living, Part 1
April 20, 2020 01:01 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBMichael offers teachings from the Buddhist tradition on how to make a living, and how to make ethical decisions around money in a financial world that revolves around extraction and exploitation. Recorded on March 1, 2014.
Driving Our Questions Deeper
April 12, 2020 17:21 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBMichael explores two questions: 1) Who Are You? and 2) What Should You Do? Using the old Zen koan, "What's the price of rice?" Michael talks about wrestling with questions, compassion, empathy, and how to care for people without getting credit. Recorded on February 4, 2014.
Why Can't the Tail Get Through?
April 05, 2020 16:52 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBEven when we advance in spiritual practice, something is always missing. Maybe nirvana is about having troubles without falling into defense or burnout? Michael also gives a strong critique of the economic stories that drive us. Recorded on January 14, 2014.
When You Have No One, No One Can Hurt You
March 29, 2020 23:23 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBMichael talks on loneliness, paying attention, and the importance of small ideas that can network and build a new culture. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on December 3, 2013.
Yoga Put To Work In The World
March 22, 2020 19:05 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBMichael Stone gives a talk on the importance of paying attention, youth, and how deep yoga is a political practice. Recorded December 1, 2013 at Yoga Shala Calgary.
Loneliness and Impermanence
March 16, 2020 00:20 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBMichael Stone explores the bleakness of loneliness, the puzzle of modern isolation, and how to work with being alone and feeling lonely. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 26, 2013.
Radical Politics, Buddhism, Forgiveness, with Joshua Stephens
March 08, 2020 22:06 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBA Q&A discussion with Joshua Stephens after his talk, Gentle with Each Other, Dangerous Together (https://soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/gentle-with-each-other-dangerous-together-with-joshua-stephens). Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 12, 2013.
Gentle with Each Other, Dangerous Together with Joshua Stephens
March 01, 2020 19:08 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBOften when we see Buddhist practice put into conversation with radical social transformation, commitments like forgiveness, patience, and non-attachment appear in one of two ways: as pillars of self-care, or resigned—almost theological—faith in inaction in the face of the intolerable. In fact, these practices are not merely tactical approaches to our immediate experience; they are key, prefigurative building-blocks worth re-thinking not just through the lens of the Buddha's teachings, but the...
Gratitude in Jewish and Buddhist Practice
February 23, 2020 18:42 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBMichael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles co-teach a popular retreat integrating Jewish & Buddhist practice. Michael gives an afternoon talk reflecting on God, gratitude, mind, compassionate action, and the encounter between what can and can't be talked about. Recorded in Quebec on November 3, 2013.
The Jew in the Lotus
February 17, 2020 04:47 - 1 hour - 62 MBMichael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles discuss the intersection of Jewish practice and Buddhism. Rabbi Margles explores internalised anti-semitism and Michael talks about his attempts to bring practice to issues like climate change, economic injustice and working with young people. Recorded in Quebec on November 1, 2013.
Adverse Effects in Meditation Practice
February 10, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 107 MBNeuroscientist Willoughby Britton, PhD. and Michael Stone, present a detailed workshop on dangers on the path. In this talk Dr. Britton explores loss of identity, gender difference in meditative effects, and questions about whether these signs and symptoms are progress or pathology. A fascinating talk geared towards clinicians and mindfulness educators. Recorded in November, 2013.
Adverse Effect in Meditation Practice
February 10, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 107 MBNeuroscientist Willoughby Britton, PhD. and Michael Stone, present a detailed workshop on dangers on the path. In this talk Dr. Britton explores loss of identity, gender difference in meditative effects, and questions about whether these signs and symptoms are progress or pathology. A fascinating talk geared towards clinicians and mindfulness educators. Recorded in November, 2013.
Mindfulness, Memory, and Fantasy
February 02, 2020 20:39 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MBLooking at early Pali texts, Michael tries to recover the original and fuller meaning of mindfulness from its current usage in the west. "Mindfulness establishes the presence of the object and thereby makes it available to scrutiny and discernment." Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto. October 29, 2013.
Lack, Impermanence and Not Self
January 26, 2020 23:25 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBDuring a workshop in France, Michael teaches on the 3 characteristics — a teaching found in both the Yoga and Buddhist traditions. This talk is in both French and English. Recorded in Antibes, France, on October 26, 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Talk 7
January 19, 2020 19:34 - 34 minutes - 32 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 6
January 13, 2020 15:49 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 5
January 06, 2020 14:16 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Talk 5
January 06, 2020 14:16 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 4
December 29, 2019 13:55 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 3
December 22, 2019 16:50 - 56 minutes - 52.2 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October, 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 2
December 15, 2019 21:17 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBDuring a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October, 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 1
December 08, 2019 17:01 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBDuring a public talk at the beginning of a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October, 2013.
Renunciation & Relationship
December 08, 2019 17:01 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBDuring a public talk at the beginning of a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer's essay on the eight stages of relationship. Recorded in October, 2013.
The Glare Behind You
December 02, 2019 14:58 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBMichael works with a koan called "This Buddha, That Buddha," in which he talks about how to stop. Our culture needs to stop. Michael compares calming practices and insight practices. Recorded on September 17, 2013.
Oyster Swallows the Moon
November 24, 2019 23:13 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBMichael Stone gives a talk based on the koan "Oyster Swallows the Moon", exploring how we need to respect our hard shell, learn how to open, and practice simplicity. He also talks about consumerism and insomnia. Recorded on September 3, 2013 in Toronto.
Buddha's Last Words
November 17, 2019 23:24 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBIn the Zen tradition, there is a saying, “Reaching the mystery is nothing but breaking through and grabbing an ordinary person’s life.” The mystical experience turns out to be this present moment. Part of a series of talks on the Buddha before Buddhism. Recorded at Centre of Gravity on June 23, 2013. Read note on the talk here: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/2013/06/23/buddha-before-buddhism-8-last-words/
Emptiness, Self, Depression & Narcissism
November 10, 2019 20:39 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBMichael gives a talk on the ways mindfulness meditation can help with the spectrum of mental illness and also some signs to watch out for as practice deepens. Part of a series of talks on Shantideva’s Guide to a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. Recorded at Centre of Gravity in Toronto on April 23, 2013
Emptiness, Self, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Narcissism & Schizoid Personalities
November 10, 2019 20:39 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBMichael Stone gives a talk on the ways Mindfulness meditation can help with the spectrum of mental illness and also some signs to watch out for as practice deepens. Recorded at Centre of Gravity in Toronto on April 23, 2013
Relax Your Mind
November 03, 2019 17:01 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBMichael Stone talks on the importance of relaxing your mind and how patience and relaxation give rise to enthusiasm. The talk is based on chapter 8 of Shantideva's Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life. Ways of seeing your parents, how deep concentration arises through relaxation, and how to glide with breathing. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on April 9, 2013.
What Can We Know?
October 27, 2019 17:17 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBMichael reads some core teachings of the Buddha that describe the limits of what we can know. How can we practice deeper than creating new beliefs? Recorded in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin on April 8, 2013.
Buddhism Before Religion
October 20, 2019 19:16 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBThe Buddha’s stance is anti-religious in a certain way. He uses what’s in religious practice to undo religious belief. The Buddha creates strategies, not dogmas. The more you go back into the old texts, the further away you get from religion. What we don’t need at this moment is another religion. Instead, perhaps we could engage a living tradition, and uncover the values of these practices. This means having a conversation with the past, while being rooted in the soil of present experience.
Patience is a Practice of Attunement
October 06, 2019 14:44 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBLong-term practice requires patience more than discipline. Practice frustrates our results oriented mind. You need patience to stay with life for the long haul. The paradoxes of karma. Recorded on April 2, 2013.
The Ivory Tower of Love
September 30, 2019 12:59 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBIt's harder to practice conditional love than unconditional love. Try loving one person for a very long time. In this podcast episode, Michael gives a talk on Shantideva. As kids, our parents are attuned to our needs. As adults, lovers can never meet us in the same attuned way. How do we deal with this? Recorded March 19, 2013.
Intensifying Relationships and the Politics of Love
September 23, 2019 14:01 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBMichael talks about the difference between mindfulness and being self-conscious, Shantideva's practices for exchanging your self with others, and suggestions for long-term practice. Recorded on March 12, 2013.
Your Crushing Elephant Mind
September 15, 2019 21:50 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBWhat should we do with our anger? Venting anger is one of the worst ways to cool down. Outbursts of rage typically pump up the emotional brain's arousal, leaving people feeling more angry, not less angry. Recorded on March 5, 2013.
How to Work with Strong Moods
September 08, 2019 21:40 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBMichael discusses Chapter 5 of the Shantideva and the way negative emotional mood swings cannot hold together for very long without thoughts. How we have to inject stories into our moods to keep them afloat; and the practices for transforming anger. Recorded on February 26, 2013.
Powerful Emotions and S.A.I.N.
September 01, 2019 23:26 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBMichael talks about the birth of his son Olin Winter a few days ago and then gives a series of simple and practical practices for working with strong emotions. Based on Chpt. 4 of Shantideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. Recorded Feb 19, 2013.
Conscientiousness and the Practice of Attentiveness
August 25, 2019 20:04 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBA dharma "pep-talk" by Michael Stone. Has the powerful but ineffable energy of strong emotions, attachment and aversion reduced us to servitude? A gruff old man takes up yoga and experiences momentary freedom from painful thoughts. Has anyone else been gripped by sorcery lately? Recorded on February 12, 2013.
The Whole World is Upside Down
August 18, 2019 23:16 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBWe get a gleaming new husband or wife and then they don't turn out how we think they will! What we think is stable and reliable turns out to be unreliable. Michael talks about Birds' Nest Roshi who goes out on a limb to meditate, which is safer than trying to make impermanence permanent. Recorded on February 5, 2013.
You Are A Long Distance Train
August 04, 2019 20:28 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBMichael's powerful final talk of 2012, during silent retreat. There is a true person who is constantly coming and going from the portals of your face. Who is that true person? Recorded on December 31, 2012. Midland, Ontario.
Show Me Something That Isn't Medicine
July 28, 2019 18:29 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBGuns are horrifying, a temple in an urban world, seeing everything we encounter as medicine. Michael Stone gives the last talk at Centre of Gravity before moving to a new location. Medicine and disease cure each other, everything is medicine, so what is the self? Recorded December 18, 2012.
Threads of Yoga, by Matthew Remski
July 21, 2019 20:31 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBMatthew Remski talks about his book, Threads of Yoga, a remix of Patanjali's sutras. He reads excerpts from his own book, and also speaks about Patanjali's ideas which make up one of the most popular texts in modern Yoga culture. Recorded on December 11, 2012.
Ashtanga Yoga Invocation: Steps and Counter-Steps
July 14, 2019 16:53 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBListen to the sangha chant the Ashtanga invocation in detail. Michael explains how to look at the nature of thoughts and see how they change but also the way they have no power except for what we invest in them. He also talks on letting the mind rest, the jungle of habits, and seeing our habit patterns as physicians that want to heal us. Thoughts are only a little more than a cloud. Recorded on November 20, 2012.
Strain in the Heart
July 08, 2019 01:17 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBDo you have a mind that can meet what's unpleasant? Michael Stone talks about meditation, Carl Jung, what it means to be bored, and his Bar Mitzvah. One becomes a dharma student when they see that there's a strain inside themselves that they need to learn how to work with. Recorded on October 30, 2012.