Diggin' the Dharma
Jon Aaron and Doug Smith
Diggin' the Dharma with Jon Aaron and Doug Smith is a relaxed discussion of the Buddhist dharma between friends. Jon's interest centers around practice, while Doug's centers around scholarship of the early material, so their approaches balance practice with study. Their discussions will be approachable to a broad audience of Buddhists and those curious about Buddhism, and they welcome questions and comments. Jon is a teacher at Space2Meditate and NY Insight Meditation Center and a well known teacher and trainer of teachers of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Doug has a PhD in Philosophy and runs Doug's Dharma on YouTube and the Online Dharma Institute, where he gives courses on early Buddhism. Find them at: https://digginthedharma.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 1, 2026 • 28min
Practicing With Language, Languaging Practice
Send a textJon and Doug discuss how language can both help and hinder our practice.Doug's Dharma Video:A Poem That Isn’t: Buddhist Mindfulness and Rumi's "Guest House" -- https://youtu.be/1E79pU6GzNsSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Feb 22, 2026 • 25min
Finding Humor in Our Practice and the Teachings
Send a textSometimes we take ourselves (particularly our minds) too seriously. Jon is taking stand-up comedy classes in Chicago, so he and Doug discuss the role of humor in our practice. Doug's Dharma video: Playfulness on the Path: The Buddha and Humor -- https://youtu.be/toZ-U26iCbcThe Late Wes 'Scoo' Nisker's - Crazy Wisdom Saves the World (again)Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Feb 15, 2026 • 27min
Realms of Existence
Send a textJon and Doug discuss the idea of the "realms of existence" in Buddhism. What are they, and how can we work with them?Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Feb 8, 2026 • 33min
Engaging in Compassion: A Chat with Ben Connelly of the Minnesota Zen Center
Ben Connelly, guiding teacher at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and Soto Zen priest, discusses faith-rooted organizing and frontline presence in Minneapolis. He recounts mutual aid, rapid interfaith mobilizing, and clergy street actions. He reflects on singing, somatic healing, working with anger, and how Flower Garland teachings shape engaged practice.
Feb 1, 2026 • 28min
How Much is Too Much . . . News! Guarding the Sense Doors
Send a textThe news nowadays can be overwhelming. Jon and Doug discuss ways we can practice with it, and some tips from Buddhism that can help us with navigating today's media landscape.Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Jan 25, 2026 • 28min
Walking as Practice: The Buddhist Peace Walk
Send a textJon and Doug discuss the Buddhist peace walk from Texas to DC that is underway now. How can it inspire us in our practice?Walk for Peace Blog PageInterested in taking a class with Jon?Check out:When the Sh*t Hits the Fan- Broken Heart DharmaSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Jan 18, 2026 • 30min
Investigating Investigation
Send a textJon and Doug discuss the role of "investigation" in our practice, one of the key factors of enlightenment or awakening. What are we actually investigating and how does this investigation lead provide energy and even joy?Interested in taking a class with Jon? Check out:When the Sh*t Hits the Fan- Broken Heart DharmaSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Jan 11, 2026 • 26min
Taking Refuge in a New Year
Send a textRefuge is an evergreen topic in our practice. How can reorienting ourselves towards refuge help in the new year?Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Dec 7, 2025 • 30min
Finding a Teacher, Relating to Teachers, Being a Teacher
Send a textIn this episode, Jon and. Doug discuss different styles of teaching meditation and dharma; how to find a teacher, and what it means to be a teacher.Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Nov 23, 2025 • 44min
Practicing Kindness with Guest Bodhipaksa
Send a textJon and Doug discuss practicing kindness and elements of the other Brahmavihāras with their guest Bodhipakṣa, who has a new book out: The Heart’s Awakening: 108 Steps to a Life of Love. Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
