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
6 snips
Aug 13, 2023 • 48min
Best of Awake in the World: The Good Enough Meditator
The podcast explores the hindrances to meditation practice and offers techniques to work with them. Topics include integrating meditation into daily life, embracing distractions and obstacles, exploring laziness and the power of change, categorization, attention, and presence, and the importance of friendliness in mindfulness and relationships.
Aug 6, 2023 • 56min
Knowing the Unknowable
In this talk on the Third Foundation of Mindfulness (from the Satipatthana Sutta), Michael covers the kleshas, karma and learning to discern skilful versus unskilful mind states. Recorded on September 25, 2009.
Jul 30, 2023 • 57min
An Army of Coolness
Michael gives a talk about the Buddha’s “Fire Sermon,” and connects it to practice, being in relationship, and the cultivation of generosity, creativity and loving action. Recorded on September 22, 2010.
Jul 23, 2023 • 49min
A Ball Thrown into a River
In this talk Michael covers part of the Ariyapasasana Sutta (the Buddha’s own account of his awakening), the difference between Patanjali’s definition of yoga and the Buddha’s Second Truth, recognizing and working with (or against) the momentum of culture, and navigating our relationship with our ego/storyteller. Recorded on September 16, 2008.
5 snips
Jul 16, 2023 • 50min
A Case of Mistaken Identity
The podcast discusses the concept of misidentification in consciousness and its impact on satisfaction and anxiety. It explores the benefits of learning techniques for tranquility and studying original source material. It delves into critiquing others and the importance of being present for compassion and creativity. The podcast also explores the true self and false self in modern psychology and discusses the relationship between pain and suffering. Lastly, it touches upon the psychology of lack and its effects on the social, economic, and ecological world.
7 snips
Jul 9, 2023 • 1h 11min
Stormy Sea and Heaven’s River
Using a Haiku by Basho as a jumping off point, Michael continues his exploration of Dogen’s essay The Time Being. Recorded on September 13, 2009.
Jul 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
Best of Awake in the World: Not Picking & Choosing
This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Michael uses an old Zen tale, a troubled story about him falling in love with his wife, and quotes from Shunryu Suzuki, to describe the practice of not-knowing and not holding onto anything. He ends with a very interesting and subtle meditation instruction on breathing. Chapin Mill, New York. Recorded December 31, 2016.
8 snips
Jun 25, 2023 • 58min
Best of Awake in the World: Seals, Owls, and Letting Go of Destructive Relationships
This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Michael explores the sensitive topic of knowing when to pull out of relationships, kindness to one’s self, emptiness, love, and a story about appreciating that you and others are divine. Chapin Mill, New York. Recorded December 30, 2016.
Jun 18, 2023 • 1h 12min
Whatever is Needed
Michael talks about dukkha, self-care, and activism. He also describes several kinds of burnout and some methods to prevent being afflicted by them. Recorded on September 12, 2010.
Jun 11, 2023 • 1h 10min
Self-Portraits
Starting with Dogen’s Self-Portrait, Michael explores different ways of viewing self-hood and argues for a “useful” doubt in respect to the self (not the kind that leads to indecision, but the kind that opens us up to new possibilities). Recorded on September 12, 2009.
