Infinite Smile
300 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsUncovering peace in the midst of busy lives.
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Episodes
ISmile166 – Essential Sangha
October 22, 2007 03:15 - 33 minutes - 28.9 MBAre there reasons to embrace a group of spiritual friends? In this talk, Michael discusses how we actually need friends to assist us as we climb the Mountain of Spirit. "We may take the steps on our own," he says, "but we need friends to deepen our realization."
ISmile 165- The Egos Skin
September 27, 2007 06:00 - 39 minutes - 33.5 MBCan we become familiar with what the ego feels like? In this talk, Michael discusses uncovering the fundamental truth that is beyond name and form. When we feel resistance to this truth, we are feeling the skin of ego. When we get into a sangha, or group, of spiritual friends, the sensitivity of ego's skin increases. We begin to see ourselves in others; hear our interior dialogs from others' mouths; feel our own pain mirrored in the suffering of others. We ultimately see that all things are t...
ISmile164 – Your True Nature
September 21, 2007 23:00 - 31 minutes - 27.5 MBWhat is our True Nature? What is our Natural State? In this talk, Michael discusses the ways in which we inhibit that which is completely Natural from showing up through us. He first gives some pointers on cultivating basic awareness in our meditation, and then follows up with a quick suggestion about meeting with a teacher.
ISmile163 – Bloody Noses
September 11, 2007 14:00 - 41 minutes - 36.3 MBIn this talk, Michael discusses how we can see that those who metaphorically give us bloody noses, can be our greatest teachers, offering us great Dharma doors through which we can walk. He talks about his stint as a stand-up comic, and then uses an excerpt from his upcoming book, in order to help articulate how it is that we can learn to allow for space to inform all in us that is closed. Questions from the audience deal with observing our addictions as a way of diminishing them; and not car...
Ismile 162- The Beginners Mind
September 04, 2007 21:00 - 31 minutes - 27.3 MBWhat does it mean to have a Beginner's Mind? In this talk, Michael discusses how we can meet our lives in a way that frees us from the traps of day-to-day living. He uses an excerpt from Jon Kabat-Zinn's book Wherever You Go, There You Are. Over time, as he explains, we become increasingly comfortable with the Questions from the audience deal with the difference between trust and faith; frustration with voicemail; facing the difference between small trust and Big Trust.
ISmile161 – Nothing Needed
August 13, 2007 20:30 - 35 minutes - 30 MBHow is it that deep spiritual teaching is said to offer us nothing? In this talk, Michael discusses how the ego wants desperately to be recognized, but then in this recognition, its relevance begins to wane. Questions from the audience deal with how this work is inherently playful; and, how we need the ego in order to get passed it.
ISmile160 – Craving
July 27, 2007 21:13 - 40 minutes - 35 MBHow is it that we can stay centered, even if we feel someone is getting in our way? In this talk, Michael discusses the tipping point at which we become more interested in our own reactions to unconsciousness rather than the unconsciousness being perpetrated against us. When this practice becomes grounded in our experience we find that we don't crave. Since we don't crave, we lose the thing that fuels our suffering. Questions from the audience deal with how we can differentiate between being ...
ISmile159 – The Whole Story
July 23, 2007 20:00 - 24 minutes - 20.9 MBMeeting with our teacher and asking the questions that burn in us, helps us along the Path. In this talk, Michael discusses how recognizing that we are always WITH everything else all the time, pushes our realization into our conscious experience. Bringing this expanse into a constricted way of life, helps us see, hear, taste, and touch a more complete story. Questions from the audience deal with how egos are still divine manifestations of the Infinite; and how Infinity couldn't care less abo...
ISmile158 – Spiritual Maps
July 18, 2007 01:45 - 40 minutes - 34.7 MBGreat teachers make great maps, at least in the spiritual realm. In this talk, Michael uses a brief set of instructions written by Ken Wilber that point directly toward our Witnessing Awareness. Uncovering this Witness, this essential opening of Spirit, is made very simple when the maps that our teachers offer us are clear. Questions from the audience deal with where the "me" is if there is only the Witness; why should we care at all if nothing is real; does Enlightenment change one's value s...
ISmile157 – The Conventional Life & The Ultimate Life
May 07, 2007 04:38 - 38 minutes - 33.6 MBIn his introduction, Michael lays out a foundation for how we can live from the Ultimate realm rather than just the conventional, or normal, reality that we typically deal with each day . The talk then goes into how all things are temporary, interdependent, and infused with the Infinite. With this in mind, what is it that is spiritual for us? What is NOT spiritual? Is someone less spiritual based on our personal sense, our personal attachments, of what "spiritual" looks like. Questions from t...
ISmile156 – Teaching Beyond Words
April 28, 2007 23:30 - 36 minutes - 31.9 MBIn the beginning of this talk, Michael discusses how we can question our most significant attachments. What, for instance, do we do with war? Is it ever justified? Can we ever come up with answers to why "bad things happen to good people?" Or are we just supposed to become intimate with the situations that hurt? From these questions, Michael describes a significant meeting with one of his teachers some years ago, and then goes on to talk about what we might look for in spiritual teachers. Que...
ISmile155 – Expression From Spirit
April 03, 2007 00:55 - 34 minutes - 30.6 MBIn this talk, Michael discusses how we can notice great performers, when they are in full expression, can reflect our own sense of Spirit. In a recent performance, Kurt Elling pointed this out to Michael and his wife, reminding them both that great art allows us to let go of our resistances. From here the talk suggests that the small self, or ego, gets us started along the spiritual path, only to be followed by resistance. At the point of resistance, we either shrink back or we release into w...
ISmile 154- When Ego Thinks Its Enlightened
March 23, 2007 03:23 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBIn this talk, Michael discusses our conscious participation in life with an awakened mind. He discusses the ways in which meditation helps us in this endeavor. At the same time, ego can think that it is Awake. This is an amazing trap, but there are tell-tale signs that this is going on in people. Questions involve employing the Witness in our experience instead of being run by the ego, what we should do when we fail miserably along the Path; and the difficulty in living a life that is partial...
ISmile139 – Intimate Living, Part II
November 28, 2006 16:00 - 49 minutes - 43.5 MBThis is the second of three talks Michael gave on our October weekend intensive. In this talk, Michael gives us some pointers in relation to the five major hindrances to Awakening. Becoming intimate with these hindrances allows us to live intimately in this life, and this too is the very process of Awakening.
ISmile138 – Intimate Living, Part I
November 27, 2006 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.2 MBThis is the first of three talks Michael gave on our October weekend intensive. His theme for the weekend centered around living "right there with everything" as everything shows up. This is how we live intimately in this life, and this is the process of Awakening.
ISmile137 – True Thanksgiving
November 23, 2006 04:00 - 36 minutes - 31.5 MBIn this talk, Michael articulates a path towards an ever-deepening gratitude for this life, no matter what the circumstances. This is a "thanks giving" at each moment in life.
ISmile136 – All You Need is Right Here
November 17, 2006 01:30 - 41 minutes - 36.5 MBIn this talk, Michael points out that we don't need to look for anything outside of our experience in order to Awaken to the Truth that the Buddha, Christ and all of the other spiritual heavyweights have embodied.
ISmile135 – Nothing is Missing
November 14, 2006 22:38 - 22 minutes - 20 MBIn his talk, Michael addresses our recognition of all the mess that we need to face as we deepen our practice.
ISmile134 – Deepening Equanimity
November 08, 2006 21:37 - 35 minutes - 30.2 MBThis talk took place in the beginning of October of 2006, days after the school shooting in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In his talk. Michael addresses how the funerals of the Amish community perhaps showed us another way for today's religion. On PBS's News Hour, Ann Taylor Fleming gives a beautiful commentary on this very topic. Getting close to the tragedy offers us a freedom from it.
Commuter Zen 20- Sleepy Nervous Engagement
November 03, 2006 17:16 - 10 minutes - 21.9 MB VideoEither click HERE to watch Michael's talk in a new window, or click on the video screen below. Get the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Buddhist and/or Philosophy sections of the Religion & Spirituality list. ____ In this video response, Michael addresses some of the ways that ego resists both practice as well as engaging in the world as we become informed by stillness.
ISmile133 – Hungry Ghosts
October 31, 2006 17:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBTonight's discussion centers around the sense that we are always lacking something that will make us complete. In this psychological space ego is totally at home, especially since fear can arise so easily when we feel like we are lacking. Michael relates this idea to how Carl Jung says that the most frightening thing any of us goes through is to "accept ourselves completely." Questions relate to everyday fears; Awakened mind; surrender as opposed to giving in; and the contagiousness of uncons...
ISmile132 – Our Frailties, Our Blessings
October 31, 2006 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBThis is the second installment of Michael's discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield. This conversation centers around how the Path is paved with a series of mistakes. Dogen's approach to practice is discussed since it embraces our work with continuous mistakes.
ISmile131 – Our Dirty Laundry
October 30, 2006 16:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBThis is the first installment of Michael's discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield.
ISmile130 – The Dharma Eye
October 29, 2006 04:19 - 25 minutes - 22.5 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses practicing in the face of threat. Uncovering stillness even in the face of it all means that we enter into and see out of Dharma eyes. He links his discussion to how Ludwig von Wittgenstein and Karl Popper debated about whether or not there are "problems" or just "situations." Also he discusses Trungpa Rinpoche's deliniation between idiot compassion and true compassion, as well as how we can employ discriminating awareness in our experience instead of judg...
ISmile129 – How to Die Before Death
October 23, 2006 04:07 - 10 minutes - 9.25 MBIn tonight's brief talk, Michael, once again discusses the Sufi teaching of "dying before we die." How, for instance do we deal with living in the "real world" and dying into the Ultimate Reality? As we begin to surf between these two worlds, our stake in all things permanent begins to shift radically. Michael discusses meeting in dokusan with his teacher where this very issue moved his practice substantially. It's here that we become a manifestation of divine grace and ease.
ISmile128 – The Stream, the Return, the Non-returning, & the Great Awakening
October 09, 2006 04:20 - 22 minutes - 19.4 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses concepts brought up in chapter eight of Jack Kornfield's book, After the Ecstacy the Laundry. The discussion centers around having our initial exposure to spiritual work, gives way to returning to our lives, letting go of our lives, and then letting go of the letting go. At the point of any Great Awakening we recognize that our work is never done. The practice, then, never ends. Michael then has his students meet to discuss the reading and the talk from an...
ISmile127 – Ground, Path & Fruition
October 04, 2006 16:08 - 32 minutes - 28.8 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses how the maps of enlightenment are never the territory of Awakening. Then he shows us how the Dzogchen approach of ground, path, and fruition of the Dharma lead us directly to the ultimate teaching of consciously letting go. He also looks at how recognition, resistance, and release correspond to these most sacred teachings pointing toward our interior landscape. Questions and comments deal with how studying our attachments dissolves them; getting frustrated...
ISmile126 – Satori
September 25, 2006 13:05 - 28 minutes - 24.6 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses the issues that can be associated with the enlightenment experience known in Zen as satori. Questions and comments deal with Shunryu Suzuki's assertion that he never had this experience, as well as attaching to the hope of some future satori as a way of blocking its expression in the now.
ISmile125 – Infinite Heart & Mind
September 21, 2006 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.4 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses the internal tendencies that keep us from opening to Awakening. Questions and comments deal with an observing mind acting as an enlightened mind; recognizing ego when it's trying to act as if it is enlightened.
ISmile124 – Direct Clarity and Dogs
September 19, 2006 00:47 - 30 minutes - 26.7 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael discusses Chapter 5 of Jack Kornfield's book, After the Ecstacy the Laundry. In between distractions from Michael's dog Sumi, and a strained sound system, the discussion deals with three open relationships we need to cultivate with our experience in order to Awaken. Those relationships involve thoughts, feelings, and time. Questions and comments deal with the seeming impossibility of finding time to be still; wrapping our minds around practice; and why bother readin...
ISmile123 – Is Peace Possible?
September 12, 2006 06:07 - 28 minutes - 25.2 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael considers the fifth anniversary of September 11th. Listening and seeing both self and others from an expansive rather than a contracted view supports the unfolding of the Peace that is never absent. Questions and comments deal with the experience of engaging those who wish us harm; and meeting conflict with our full presence.
ISmile122 – Taking Care of This Life
August 08, 2006 20:43 - 37 minutes - 31.8 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael considers Eihei Dogen's map of Awakening. First we study the self, then we forget the self, and in doing this we are enlightened by all things. Questions and comments deal with the experience of uncooperative people in our lives; and recognizing when we are pushing ourselves too hard, or perhaps not enough.
ISmile121 – Reviewing the Path
July 01, 2006 16:11 - 33 minutes - 29.2 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael reviews the basic steps of our Path leading toward Awakening. He begins with our sense of separation and then points to that which is beyond it. Opening lessens the intensity of our craving and resistance patterns. From here our relationship to birth and death shifts in ways that support our ability to engage the world from a place of total awareness. Questions and comments deal with the experience of grief; the definition of a bodhisattvas; the criticism of too muc...
ISmile120 – Preference and Choice
June 19, 2006 17:01 - 25 minutes - 22.6 MBWhen we really begin to let our lives become spiritual laboratories, we can uncover our preferences. When we uncover our preferences, we can expose our attachment to the veils that keep Spirit from our conscious experience. In tonight's talk, Michael points out that the Objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand, while epitomizing the clinging and contraction of ego, offers us a way to the Path of Awakening since her work, ironically, can help us see past the personal preferences of ego. Questions an...
CommuterZen19 – Confusing Experience With Realization
June 10, 2006 23:50 - 6 minutes - 14.1 MB VideoEither click HERE to watch Michael's talk in a separate window, or click the video below. In order to get these podcasts updated regularly, download the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Religion & Spirituality list. ____ In this video response Michael discusses how important it is for practitioners to recognize that trances and other spiritual states are only pointers along the Path to Awakening.
ISmile119 – The Three Marks of Existence
May 31, 2006 04:18 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MBAccording to the Buddha all life is characterized by suffering, impermanence, and no self. In tonight's talk, Michael uses the poem "Invictus" by Wm. Earnest Henley in order to point us in the direction of these Three Marks of Existence, thus offering us a way to uncover our true nature. Despite the fact that the audience microphone was on the fritz this evening, and the questions and comments can barely be heard, the responses might be of interest.
ISmile118 – How Does Stillness Feel?
May 25, 2006 06:00 - 30 minutes - 26.7 MBThere's a huge difference between what we think about things that arise in life and how we feel about them. In tonight's talk, Michael offers us some suggestions on how we can practice relaxing in the space between thoughts. Questions and comments deal with the difficulty in bringing "release" into the world when everyone else is getting in the way; the non-linear development along the developmental Path of Spirit; and coming to stillness of mind through the movement of body.
ISmile117 – Seduction
May 16, 2006 23:52 - 38 minutes - 33.7 MBWhat should we do about seduction as we walk the spiritual Path? Not just physical seduction, but intellectual, emotional, and even spiritual seduction. In tonight's talk, Michael suggests that seduction is the natural magnetism that shows us our attachments. Questions and comments deal with what to do after ego is exposed yet still is able to pull life's levers; the difference and sameness of "surrender" and "acceptance"; getting seduced by negativity as well as getting seduced by activity.
ISmile116 – Clinging
May 10, 2006 06:30 - 34 minutes - 30.3 MBThe Buddha taught that enlightenment is nothing other than the "end of suffering". In tonight's talk, Michael points out that "forgiveness" is nothing other than letting go of stories, identities, and our ideas of enlightenment. This letting go is the end of suffering. To this end, this talk deals with how attachment shows up in mind and in body in order to create suffering for ourselves and others. Questions and comments deal with recognizing the difference between mind and body; recognizing...
ISmile115 – Bursting Out In Laughter
April 24, 2006 07:35 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael suggests that cutting through the veils that hang between ourselves and Awakening involves getting beyond the inertia of habitual mind patterns. "Hal", as is said in Sufiism, is the gift of Awakening. But "maquam" is what is earned on the way to the embodiment of this Awakening. Questions and comments deal with what the heavy lifting of embodiment looks like and how getting clever in relationship to practice can inhibit our growth; the difference of being fully pres...
ISmile114 – Facing Our Mess
April 21, 2006 16:50 - 41 minutes - 14.2 MBWhat happens when we confuse the map with the territory? In tonight's talk, Michael suggests through the words of Suzuki Roshi, that our stillness practice is a "general housecleaning of our mind." Questions and comments deal with identifying the stones that block the flow of life; personal enlightenment versus non-personal enlightenment; the suggestion that any awakening experience, or satori, is a map but not the territory of enlightenment; and the difference between sages and normal people.
ISmile113 – How Long Should We Meditate?
April 10, 2006 05:45 - 34 minutes - 31.1 MBIs ten minutes enough time to meditate in order to apprehend the Middle Way? How about twenty minutes? An hour? In tonight's talk, Michael suggests through the words of Descartes, the Koran, and Mohammed, that we need to stay comfortable but not too comfortable with our stillness practice if transformation is to occur. Questions and comments deal with being available to Spirit; seeing one's meditative practice just like a golf swing; having chutzpah as well as softness in one's practice; and ...
ISmile112 – The Eightfold Path in Brief
April 06, 2006 19:11 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBSo how do we support an intimacy with the Infinite when we face a continual crash of the real world? In tonight's talk, Michael offers us a brief description of the Buddhist version of what puts us in the direct light of Awakening. He breaks down the Eightfold Path into three sections and points out that our concepts of enlightenment are what keep us from enlightenment. Questions and comments deal with how we stay close to stillness; and meditative practice getting supported throughout the day.
ISmile111 – The Awakening Experience and Its Impediments
April 05, 2006 20:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBWhat happens when we have an experience of Awakening? In tonight's talk, Michael offers us a description of those things that veil us from these events. He also points out how the process of opening ourselves to a meditation practice and the raw nature of the unfamiliar can turn us into an "Oscar the Grouch" of consciousness. Even so, studying this experience opens us to the Absolute. Questions and comments deal with the practice of not being "safe" all the time; and the sense of "stepping up...
ISmile110 – No Self and Near Enemies
March 30, 2006 16:00 - 32 minutes - 30.3 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael deals with the Buddhist teachings of No Self and Near Enemies. When we see that our work towards that which is beyond a contracted sense of self, is exactly what pushes us past anything personal, the near enemies of affection, pity, greediness, and indifference show themselves as qualities of ego. Questions and comments deal with "personal" versions of the Path; roles and the small things we identify with in life; grief and attachment to loved ones who are dying; an...
ISmile109 – Nondivision
March 29, 2006 06:22 - 31 minutes - 28 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael suggests that living in the world from an undivided spaciousness is the only way to manifest peace. This extends to any particular way we might engage as activists in the world. A comment deals with the ease of communicating from a place of undivided attention.
CommuterZen18 – Right and Wrong Informed by the Infinite
March 24, 2006 00:00 - 7 minutes - 15.6 MB VideoEither click HERE to watch Michael's talk in a new window, or click on the video screen below. To subscribe to this podcast, paste this address directly into a podcast aggregator. This will automatically download new discussions on a regular basis. The easiest option is to download the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Religion & Spirituality list. ____ In this video response to a listener's question, Michael discusses how important it is for practitioners to let ...
ISmile108 – Nothing Guaranteed
March 23, 2006 00:07 - 28 minutes - 25.5 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael points out that there are no guarantees. From here we can begin to surrender consciously to all that is presented to us. Questions and comments deal with becoming obsessive about the witnessing of our thoughts; intention in our lives and our practice; light, medium, and deep practice as reflections of patience and energetic discipline.
ISmile107 – Observation Instead of Evaluation
March 22, 2006 07:23 - 31 minutes - 27.8 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael suggests that teaching is often about relentlessly pointing toward the source of our sense of "I" and "me". While this may sound weird and be very uncomfortable to the ego, it is the key to Awakening. Uncovering what is always already available to our Observing Mind is the Path that leads us past our habitual egoic evaluations. From Observation we recognize that we are part of the All, and our activity becomes consciously infused with Spirit. Questions and comments ...
ISmile106 – The Three Reflections of Spirit
March 12, 2006 11:12 - 27 minutes - 23.4 MBIn tonight's talk, Michael points out how Spirit shows up on the path to Awakening. First, we uncover the essence of the self. Second, there is an uncovering of the essence of other. And third, the essence of the all uncovers itself. As this process of "uncovery" deepens so too does the Truth within our experience. Questions and comments deal with differing views of the Path; where death fits in to the whole process of seeking; letting go of the letting go; and what grace and ease really look...