In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael shares a story of never disparaging Buddha and Mark Ragosian who lived in Woodstock New York. There is nowhere you can stand that is not a place the Buddha hasn't practiced. The Buddha was enlightened right where you are standing. If you can see others as a Buddha you are a Buddha—even animals and trees. Recorded June 28, 2011. While some of the audio podcast episodes may be lost, you can read transcripts and notes from the talks in the...

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Grant Hutchinson and Carina Stone give a talk on Chapter 15 and 16 of the Lotus Sutra based on their study group. Seeing what is actually in our lives, not just what we want to see. If your kids won't take medicine how do you give it to them? Recorded June 21, 2011. Episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection will be added (as we uncover them) to a playlist here: soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/sets/lotus-sutra The Awake in the World podcast...

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Mike Holboom and Christine Koch give talks on Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra. One day I can have such a killer exhale that I end as a puddle of bones on the floor and time passes instantly. Recorded June 14, 2011. Episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection will be added (as we uncover them) to a playlist here: soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/sets/lotus-sutra The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing...

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael unpacks some parables to explore the story of an 8 year old girl who wakes up and touches every place in the Universe. There is no such thing as an atom. Everyone continually breaks down infinitely. How fast can a young woman get enlightened, especially if she is underwater? Recorded June 7, 2011. Episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection will be added, as we uncover them, to a playlist here:...

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael talks about fear, community and how it grows. He shares a poem by Leonard Cohen and then he reads his own poem about his mother. Recorded May 31, 2011. As we uncover some of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection we’ll be adding podcast episodes as they go up to a playlist here: soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/sets/lotus-sutra While some of the audio podcast episodes may be lost, you can read transcripts and notes...

Michael talks about people who can rub our back and say "it's ok" and everything they do is jewelled. Recorded May 24, 2011. As we uncover some of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection we’ll be adding podcast episodes as they go up to a playlist here: soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/sets/lotus-sutra While some of the audio podcast episodes may be lost, you can read transcripts and notes from the talks in the text section of the community library. The Awake in the...

In this recently found Lotus Sutra podcast episode, Michael shares a story about a man who falls asleep at a party and someone sews a jewel in his coat. Some have done this for you too. Can you realize your treasures? Recorded May 17, 2011. As we uncover some of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection we’ll be adding podcast episodes as they go up to a playlist here: soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/sets/lotus-sutra While some of the audio podcast episodes may be lost,...

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael talks about Milton Friedman, Emmanuel Levinas, and how when we don't see another's face, face to face, it's easy to kill. This talk happens after Osama Bin Laden's death and the Canadian election. It goes back and forth between internal practices and community life. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings...

Michael talks about the precepts ceremony, the illusion of time, decay, and the way we set up goals for ourselves, like phantom cities, only to be shocked when we realize that they're not as real as we once thought. How do we respond when we realize that our goals are actually ideas, phantom cities, that are helpful, but ultimately unreliable. Recorded April 26, 2011. As we unearth some of these long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection we’ll be adding podcast episodes as they go...

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael asks some important questions. How many kalpas, ages, eons, did the Buddha sit still before he could wake up? Why did it take so long? It takes a while for the light to shine into the darkest places. What is our relationship to time? Recorded on April 12, 2011. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings...

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael uses the parable of a son who leaves his father and 50 years later the father finds ways of healing the son's low self-esteem. You don't have to be good or walk on your knees for a hundred miles, just love what you love. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on April 5 2011. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of...

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael begins by discussing death and Japan's earthquake. Using the image of the burning house and a father trying to save his children, he teaches how we need to leave our burning houses on our own steam, nobody can do it for us. The father in the parable, like the Buddha, uses skillful means to teach a path of freedom. And, is it ok to lie to uphold compassion? Recorded on March 29, 2011. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you...

This Best of Awake in the World podcast episode is a Question and answer period with Michael after Lotus Sutra, Part 4 talk. None of the teachings are true! Even the ones about your own life. Part 2 of 2. Recorded on March 22, 2011. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Michael talks about Fukushima, Japan, and Libya in this Best of Awake in the World podcast, and how lucky we are to practice in a place that is safe. How Mahayana Buddhism developed after the death of the Buddha with an emphasis on serving others and putting off personal enlightenment to serve the world. The talk ends with a moving story about a high school student rubbing the back of an elderly man at an evacuation centre in Japan. Part 1 of 2. Recorded on March 22, 2011.

In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael teaches that it's not enough that our intentions are clear, our actions need to make a difference. Being a Bodhisattva means serving all beings including one's self, yet this can only occur when we see all beings as Buddhas. Recorded on March 16, 2011. As we unearth some of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection we’ll be adding podcast episodes as they go up to playlist here:...

Guess what? After a deep-dive into our archives, we've unearthed some hidden gems! Most of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection are now found. In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael introduces the first section of the Lotus Sutra where the Buddha casts a light from the centre of his eyebrows and wakes up 18,000 worlds. Is this a reminder that the light of the awakening goes everywhere, leaving nothing out. Maybe we can put off enlightenment in order to serve...

As we approach the end of the year We will be sharing talks from Michael’s New Year’s Silent Retreats. In this episode, Michael offers an introduction to the five day silent New Year's Retreat. Michael talks about what can show up on retreat, and Dogen’s idea of the Way Seeking Heart. Recorded December 28, 2010. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to...

We will be sharing talks from Michael’s New Year’s Silent Retreats as we approach the end of the year. In this episode, Michael gives a talk on depression, mental health, the negativity bias in the brain, and how we can have reverence for every moment of our lives. He talks about the Dalai Lama, photographer Nan Goldin, neuroscientist Rick Hanson, Yun-Men, and how to find your light. New Year's Silent Meditation Retreat 2014-15 at Chapin Mill in Upstate New York. Photo by Andréa de...

As we approach the end of the year we will be sharing talks from Michael’s New Year’s Silent Retreats. In this episode, Michael gives a talk on Dogen and how to practice meditation without memory and imagination. Learn to step back and turn your light inwards. Living in your small grass hut, covered in weeds. This podcast episode is from our archive and was recorded on Dec 30, 2012. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making...

In this talk, Michael summarizes his teachings and introduces a key passage on dealing with obstacles to practice from the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the...

In this talk, Michael explains the last two steps of the SAIN method and reintroduces the 3 Characteristics as part of the process of investigation and non- identification. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in the World podcast...

In this talk, Michael introduces the acronym SAIN as a method for applying mindfulness techniques to our daily lives in order to help free us from our addictive and unskillful behaviour. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in the...

In this talk, Michael shares a video of Richie Davidson presenting his research on addiction, adolescence and delaying gratification to the Dalai Lama. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by...

In this talk, Michael focuses on samskaras or the psychological grooves formed of habituated behaviour, how those contribute to addiction and how spiritual practice can free us from both. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in...