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

Oct 4, 2026 • 49min
Best of Awake in the World: Trauma Sensitivity in Meditation, Mindfulness & Yoga ft. Molly Boeder Harris
Trigger Warning: Talks of Sexual/Assault and Trauma
Molly Boeder Harris co-teaching with Michael on trauma sensitivity during the Meditation Facilitation Program. Vancouver, 46 min. Recorded in 2016
If you would like to learn more about Healing Trauma with the Body, we offer an inclusive six-week online course that offers accessible methods for helping the body to process trauma. Learn more: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/product/healing-trauma-with-the-body/
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.

Sep 28, 2026 • 44min
The Middle Path & The Basics of Buddhism
Michael's talk on the core teachings of the Buddha and how they relate to being a self, letting go, repeating the past, investing too much in the future, and being stuck. Recorded on September 28, 2012. Please note, the end of the talk and discussion is cut-off.

Sep 20, 2026 • 48min
Best of Awake in the World: Buddhism Before Religion
The Buddha’s stance is anti-religious in a certain way. He uses what’s in religious practice to undo religious belief. The Buddha creates strategies, not dogmas. The more you go back into the old texts, the further away you get from religion. What we don’t need at this moment is another religion. Instead, perhaps we could engage a living tradition, and uncover the values of these practices. This means having a conversation with the past, while being rooted in the soil of present experience.
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.

Sep 13, 2026 • 55min
Best of Awake in the World: Zen Koan MU
In this Best of episode, Michael Stone gives his final talk at Centre of Gravity on the famous Zen Koan MU. Michael begins with discussing meditation on the breath and then goes deeply into seeing how practice is about being unconditional with yourself.
Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on May 6, 2014. 1 hour. This is a “must listen” talk if you’re a podcast regular!
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.

Sep 6, 2026 • 60min
Best of Awake in the World: Conscientiousness and the Practice of Attentiveness
A dharma "pep-talk" by Michael Stone. Has the powerful but ineffable energy of strong emotions, attachment and aversion reduced us to servitude? A gruff old man takes up yoga and experiences momentary freedom from painful thoughts. Has anyone else been gripped by sorcery lately?
Recorded on February 12, 2013.
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.

Aug 23, 2026 • 24min
Best of Awake in the World: 20 min. Guided Meditation: Receptive Listening
Michael guides a 20 minute meditation. He brings attention to calm and the body. Exploring the balance between vitality and tranquility in the body while allowing the ears to open to the movements of sound.
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.

Aug 16, 2026 • 38min
Best of Awake in the World: Not Giving Up On Ourselves & Fully Inhabiting Our Lives
Michael teaches from the Lojong Training in Compassion. What’s happening right now in our lives can be the raw material that shows us the path of awakening & compassion. He reminds of the vows we've made to be awake, to wake up others and be available for others and learn skills to reduce reactivity and to realize that our actions have an effect.
Recorded December 2, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
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.

Aug 9, 2026 • 30min
Best of Awake in the World: A True Person of No Status
In this Awake in the World podcast, recorded during the afternoon practice session on New Year’s Eve 2009, Michael gives a few words of encouragement around “realizing the mystery” in the ordinariness of your life.
Recorded December 31, 2009.
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.

Aug 2, 2026 • 34min
Best of Awake in the World: Where’s My Treasure House?
In this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode Michael relates the story of Daiju and Baso from the Gateless Gate (21) and explores the treasure of trusting yourself.
Recorded on December 31, 2009.
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.

Jul 26, 2026 • 1h 5min
Best of Awake in the World: Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of the World
Michael Stone explores the integration of yoga and Buddhism, and how we can live a life fully engaged with the suffering of the world while also taking care of ourselves.
Recorded during a day-long workshop and fundraiser for New Leaf Foundation (newleaffoundation.com) at the University of Toronto in September 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 the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.


