Awake in the World Podcast
Michael Stone
Awake 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).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 10, 2019 • 1h 1min
Mountains & Rivers, Part 1
Who Was Dogen? What were his main teachings? Michael Stone introduces the teachings of 13th century Japanese Zen master Dogen and his essay, Mountains and Rivers. Dogen loses both his parents and wants to understand impermanence. Recorded on January 18, 2012.
Feb 3, 2019 • 1h 13min
Basics of Buddhism, Part 2
Michael Stone gives commentary on Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths in a series on the basic teachings of the Buddha. Craving, Suffering, Enlightenment, and the 8-fold path. Craving closes down the path. Recorded on January 13, 2012.
Jan 27, 2019 • 30min
Basics of Buddhism, Part 1
A clear tour through early Buddhist texts and why the Pāli Canon matters. Guided attention to raw bodily sensation and how the mind layers stories over experience. Traces meditation stages and how practices evolved into Zen and Vajrayana. Discusses bringing practice into everyday life, difficult situations, and links between Dharma, social action, and science.
Jan 20, 2019 • 1h
Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Devotion to Present Experience
Treat each movement of the mind as something we devote ourselves to, like the beloved, and then forgiveness happens naturally. Meditation is about going to the places deeper than ourselves, the place where forgiveness comes from. The final talk on Chapter 3 of the Yoga Sutra. Recorded on January 10, 2012.
Jan 13, 2019 • 51min
Guided Meditation
Guided meditation with a focus on the subtle body, breath, palette, tongue and skull. Given during the first night of year-end silent retreat. Recorded in Midland, Ontario on Dec 28, 2011.
Jan 6, 2019 • 52min
Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: The Silence Museum
Michael comes home from practice in Thailand and talks about travels, not buying things in plastic, and details about meditation techniques. Some very good meditation instructions in this talk. Recorded on December 20, 2011.
Dec 30, 2018 • 41min
Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Compassion is a Superpower
It's cool to be kind - it's the new black dress. Lovingkindness is a ratio. If it's about you, it's about clinging. If it's only about the other, you lose yourself. The best kind of love is actually conditional. At the core of every heart, even those who cause trauma for others, is the desire to be happy. Recorded on November 29, 2011.
Dec 23, 2018 • 1h 4min
Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: Superpowers
Meditation opens us up to levels of experience that are non-human. Michael Stone goes through Patanjali's description of superpowers and how they happen in meditation practice. Then he talks about calmness and what can lead people into trouble if they don't have stability in practice. Recorded on November 22, 2011.
Dec 16, 2018 • 49min
Yoga Sutra, Chapter 3: A Moment in Time
Can you see each thing in your life—whether objects or the people around you—as a moment in time? The mind is like a tourist constantly taking photos; meditation allows for the coming and going of everything. What's happening is really just a moment in time. Recorded on November 8, 2011.
Dec 9, 2018 • 1h
So, What Really Matters?
Michael Stone begins talking about the death of his mentor, maverick psychologist James Hillman. When death comes the only thing that's important is your heart, not your accomplishments. So what really matters? Recorded on November 1, 2011.
