In this week's podcast, Gregory chats about doubt as a hinderance, doubt in its skillful uses, and doubt's place in western psychology and human evolution. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to...

We welcome Ayya Santacitta to the Wednesday Wake-Up podcast!  Ayya Santacitta was a guest of the Wise Spirit Buddhist Community, of which Gregory is the guiding teacher.  She is a nun in the Theravada tradition.  In this week's podcast, she gives a moving and insightful talk on climate change and connection to Earth.  There is also a guided meditation at the 41 min mark. You can read more about Ayya Santacitta and the Aloka Earth Room HERE. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western...

We're often told to "let go" in the practice, but often times that is easier said than done.  In this week's episode, Gregory chats about letting go and what that practically means in your meditation practice. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn...

We are elated to welcome Karla McLaren to Wednesday Wake-Up! Karla McLaren, M.Ed., is an award-winning author, social science researcher, and empathy innovator.  She is the author of several books, including the upcoming new edition of The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You out Tuesday June 27th, 2023. Check out this book, it is a game-changer. Gregory and Karla have a delightful conversation about working with traditionally perceived "difficult" emotions such...

We are delighted to welcome Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Mordy Levine to Wednesday Wake-Up! Lama Lhanang and Mordy Levine discuss their new book, Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners: A Guide to Living and Dying, published by Sounds True and is coming out Tuesday June 27th, 2023. The book is a clear and insightful guide to living with simplicity, compassion, and ease, with support for those grappling with their own mortality. Lama Lhanang, Mordy, and Gregory have an insightful and inspiring...

Gregory reviews Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha, their misconceptions and importance in this week's podcast.  It is an especially humorous episode :-) ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in...

Ayya Dhammadipa's visit to Wise Spirit is referenced in the talk, check out the episode HERE for context.  In today's podcast, Gregory chats about the historical relationship of mutual support between the laity and monastics in Buddhism and the importance of supporting nuns in the Theravada tradition. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward,...

Ayyā Dhammadīpā was a special guest of the Wise Spirit Buddhist Community (of which Gregory is the guiding teacher).  She started us off with a guided meditation on the sense doors (you can skip to minute 31:30 if you would like to just hear the Dharma talk).  The talk is a profound one around the five Khandas: Form, Vedana (feeling tone), Perception, Mental Formations, and Consciousness. Please support Ayya and her teachings by giving Dana at https://dassanaya.org/giving. S  

When learning the Dharma, we may run into things that seem confusing, contradictory, or even paradoxical.  How do we resolve this?  Tune in to this week's podcast where Gregory runs down three wisdom tools of the meditator, and how to cut through confusion to get to the illumination. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOFGregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and...

What is the term Dukkha?  Why is the First Noble Truth a difficult topic to chat about and why is it often misunderstood? In today's talk, Gregory goes back to the basics of discussing The First Noble Truth.   ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn...

In today's podcast, Gregory chats about spiritual bypass.  What do we do when we touch down on a something largely distressing in our meditation practice, but we don't address it head on?  Perhaps we tiptoe around it, like a sleeping dragon.  Maybe we even deny that something needs to be worked on, or because it doesn't come up for a while, we believe we've healed it, only to find it was sleeping and awakens later.  Spiritual bypass is a tricky and very common occurrence - tune in to today's...

Many people come to the Dharma to heal psychological wounds, and find solace in meditation and following the eightfold path.  For those who arrive at the shores of the Dharma, and receive revolutionary results in their inner life from practice - is Dharma just another form of therapy?  As Gregory is a practicing therapist and a Dharma teacher, he addresses this question in today's podcast. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The...

What is Buddhism?  Many of us have come from some very negative or challenging experiences with organized religion and the idea of religion can be quite difficult and complicated.  Gregory talks about our cultural ideas around spirituality, religion, and whether one calls themselves "Buddhist".  He also chats about how Buddhism's more unique qualities compare to other major world religions. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison...

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems and the IFS Institute to the Wednesday Wake-Up podcast!   Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished author, with his latest book Introduction to Internal Family Systems (second edition) coming out today, March 7th.   Gregory and Dr. Schwartz discuss IFS, meditation, activism, and his latest books.   You can read more about Dr. Schwartz, his books, and  IFS Institute trainings and offerings HERE. A big thanks to...

What does a disciplined mind have to do with awakening?  What benefits are there in a daily meditation practice, beyond stress-reduction?  Gregory talks about the psychology and science of a daily meditation practice and the power of discipline in today's talk. Come join us for meditation, Thursdays 7 pm PST, online and in-person.  Info on our website. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you...

This talk was recorded live from Portland Friends of the Dhamma. It marks the return of in-person gatherings for the Wednesday Wake-Up community.  (New name for the sangha is forthcoming, stay tuned.)  Gregory chats about the connection between sangha and practice, and future plans for the community. Come join us for meditation, Thursdays 7 pm PST, online and in-person.  Info on our website. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison...

This week, Gregory chats about finding the "right fit" in a practice approach. What happens if you end up getting lost on your path?  Gregory gives practical steps and advice on how to ground yourself, find clarity, and re-establish connection on your spiritual road. ***Special Note*** The Wednesday Wake-Up group that meets live is moving to Thursdays, in-person and online.  If you are in the Portland, OR area, come join us for meditation beginning Thursday Feb. 9th, 2023.  7 pm PST, or via...

Buddhagosa outlined three different personality types based each on craving, aversion, and delusion.  It's more involved than taking a fun personality quiz to find out (although that does exist- see below!)  While different selves arise at different times, this can be helpful way of discerning and reflecting on how you operate in the world -  how you work, your eating habits, how you walk, your posture... even how you make your bed.  Find out about your Buddhist personality type and how it...

This week, Gregory continues part three in his series on Gil Fronsdal’s essay, Skillful Ways to Evaluate Your Practice.     Is the meditation/spiritual practice you are doing (in the way you are doing it) suiting you at this time in your life?  Are you an introvert who enjoys learning and deepening your practice by doing more reading, or are you more extroverted and enjoy a group discussion?  Are you customizing your practice to support you and your own unique needs and ways of learning?...

What does freedom and intentionality have to do with your practice?   In American culture, freedom is often defined by going with the flow – full spontaneity, no calendars, no rules, no goals.  In Buddhism, going with the flow has a very different flavor.  Perhaps one should consider going against the flow?  From Gil Fronsdal’s essay, Skillful Ways to Evaluate Your Practice - “Our practice flourishes when we have intentionality.”  Tune in to this week’s episode as Gregory chats...

This episode, Gregory begins a new series on Skillful Ways to Evaluate your Practice adapted from Gil Fronsdal. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday...

Visualization practices continued!  On today's podcast, Gregory talks about the Tibetan practice of Tonglen, and compares / contrasts it to metta (loving-kindness) practices.  Includes a guided Tonglen meditation around the 30:45 min mark. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on...

This week, Gregory continues his talk about visualization meditation practices.  He includes practical examples of it being used commonly in day to day life, how it produces demonstrable success, and includes several guided meditations in this episode. Minute 20:33 is where the guided meditations begin after the talk. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast...

This week, Gregory reviews mental fabrications and visualization practices. Visualization is not just about what you see!  This is a great episode for gaining a greater understanding of perception, self-talk, and how to use your faculties of imagination for greater compassion and awakening. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can...