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
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.
Jun 4, 2023 • 44min
The Whisk, the Staff, Three Heads and Eight Arms
In this talk Michael unpacks Dogen’s essay on The Time Being and argues that an unhealthy relationship with time can be one of our biggest discontents. Recorded on September 11, 2009.
May 28, 2023 • 40min
The Problem is the Wanting
Micheal explores the difficulty of being immersed in a culture of desire, our tendency to want to be something other than what we are, and our notion that practice is going to get us somewhere. Recorded on September 9, 2008.
May 21, 2023 • 57min
Best of Awake in the World: Anxiety & Meditation
This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Michael explains how we can cultivate a field in which anxiety can arise and change, surrounded by spaciousness. We have forces of good inside us, we aren't fated to live out our history, and we are loveable just as we are. Recorded in London.
May 14, 2023 • 45min
The Center of the Storm is Calm
In this talk on the Yoga Sutra Michael highlights the fluctuations of consciousness, kaivalya, and four kinds of nirodha. Recorded on September 7, 2009.
