Buddhist Geeks
471 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★ - 389 ratingsEvolving Dharma in the Age of the Network
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Episodes
Buddhism is Something that Old Folks Do
May 28, 2007 04:00 - 16 minutes - 15 MBAnyone that’s had the chance to study with Brad Warner knows he’s young(ish), funny and knowledgeable about the Dharma. Warner’s new book, Sit Down & Shut Up, chronicles the life and times of Dogen, author of the Shobogenzo. The book simultaneously tracks Warner’s own career as a punk rock bassist and Zen teacher, weaving Dogen’s story seamlessly with his own. With warmth and humor coming through in both the book and the interview, we get a chance to hear Warner talk about the book,...
Leave the Pot on the Stove
May 21, 2007 04:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIn this final episode with Vince Horn, he continues to share his reflections and experiences of a two-month meditation retreat he recently completed. In this podcast, he discusses the relationship between dharma study and mindfulness practice. Vince also describes his experience of leaving retreat and transitioning back into the relative world. Finally, he leaves listeners with some parting words of encouragement for those aspiring to do long-term retreats. We hope you enjoy this co...
On Being a Dharma Bum
May 14, 2007 04:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBIn the first part of our interview with Insight Meditation teacher John Travis, he shares the story of his many years of practice and seeking in India, as well as the time after that in which he had to bring what he had learned back to America. We hope you enjoy this personal account of one “dharma bums” adventures in Asia. This is part 1 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 2: The Dualistic Conundrum: Insight Meditation and Primordial Awareness & Part 3: With the Light Comes th...
The Vipassana Vendetta
May 07, 2007 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBIn this episode, Vincent Horn continues to share his reflections and experiences of a two-month meditation retreat he recently completed. In this podcast, he discusses doing karma yoga during long-term retreats, state chasing in meditation and suffering and death in practice. We hope you enjoy this conversation with this insightful buddhist geek. This is part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: Vince Horn on Taking the Two Month Plunge & Part 3: Leave the Pot on the Stove....
Genpo "Big Mind's" Gwen
April 30, 2007 04:00 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBIn this final segment with Genpo Roshi, Gwen Bell is guided through the Big Mind process. This final portion of the interview gives listeners a rare opportunity to listen to the Big Mind experience happen unscripted and raw. An intimate conversation and a glimpse into one Geek’s practice, beliefs and experience. This is part 3 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1: Genpo Roshi on Big Mind & Part 2: Is Zen Enough? Episode Links: Big Mind – Big Heart: Finding Your Way ( http:...
Vince Horn on Taking the Two Month Plunge
April 23, 2007 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBIn this episode Ryan Oelke interviews fellow resident geek, Vince Horn, who shares his reflections and experiences of a two-month mediation retreat he recently completed. In this first podcast, Vince talks about the role of extended retreat in his personal practice, the nuts and bolts of preparing for a long retreat, and the basics of a two-month insight meditation retreat. Whether you’re a long-time yogi or considering your first extended retreat, we think you’ll enjoy these series...
Is Zen Enough?
April 16, 2007 04:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBIn 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. Li...
A Crisis of Curiosity
April 09, 2007 04:00 - 10 minutes - 9.19 MBIn 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 side...
Genpo Roshi on Big Mind
April 02, 2007 04:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBIn 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 ...
Take Your Seat: The Importance of Boundaries in Practice
March 26, 2007 04:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBFleet 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 ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...
Models of Enlightenment
March 19, 2007 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBIn 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-p...
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Fleet Maull on Plunge Experiences
March 12, 2007 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MBIn 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 backgr...
Enlightened Teachers
March 05, 2007 05:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn 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: M...
Where are all the Western Rinpoches?
February 26, 2007 05:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBIn 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. T...
The Shamatha Project
February 19, 2007 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIn 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 a...
You Can Do It!
February 12, 2007 05:00 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBWe’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, M...
We're Not the Cheerleaders of Buddhism
February 05, 2007 05:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBIn our second episode with professor Phil Stanley, Phil discusses Buddhist lifestyles in the West and how our approach to practice differs from traditional Eastern practitioners. He addresses our relationship to retreats and monasticism, as well as the difficulties Westerners face in finding a livelihood that supports practice. Phil also discusses controversy over what constitutes a legitimate lineage and teacher. This is part 2 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 1, Phil Stanl...
Get a PhD in Contemplative Science
January 29, 2007 05:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBIn our second episode with Alan Wallace, he presents a new model for “professional” contemplatives. Instead of trying to transplant the monastic model to the West, Dr. Wallace suggests that contemplation become an actual profession. Just as a neuroscientist would go to school to get a PhD and then spend 40+ hour a week working in their field, so too could we have “contemplative scientists” who devote their time to the exploration and investigation of subjective experience. This is...
Phil Stanley on the Development of Western Buddhism
January 22, 2007 05:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBIn our first episode with scholar-practitioner Phil Stanley, professor at Naropa University, he chats with us about how he became a practitioner and his passion for Buddhist study. Phil shares his thoughts on the importance of intellectual study, as well as what changes he sees Buddhism experiencing as it takes root in the West. This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 2, We’re Not the Cheerleaders of Buddhism and Part 3, Where are all the Western Rinpoches? Episode...
On Achieving Shamatha
January 15, 2007 05:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBIn our first interview featuring scholar-practitioner B. Alan Wallace, we asked Dr. Wallace to give us the low-down on his spiritual journey, as well as describe the stages of deepening relaxation and vividness of attention leading to the culmination of an attainment he calls shamatha. This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Listen to Part 2, Get a PhD in Contemplative Science and Part 3, The Shamatha Project. Episode Links: The Attention Revolution ( http://bit.ly/HIW1o ) Sa...
Meet the Geeks
January 08, 2007 05:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIn our 1st episode, “Meet the Geeks” you’ll hear the three founding members of Buddhist Geeks--Vincent Horn, Ryan Oelke, & Gwen Bell--discussing the vision behind this project. By weaving together snippets of a larger conversation this podcast should give you a sense of what this project is about and how you can contribute to it. The following episodes will be interviews with Buddhist teachers, scholars, and advanced practitioners who we feel have provocative perspectives to offer. ...