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
Mar 26, 2023 • 1h 29min
Vande Gurunam
In this talk inspired by “bowing to reality,” Michael covers impermanence, story-telling and his view of the three most common ways we try to deal with our dukkha. Recorded on September 21, 2007.
Mar 19, 2023 • 32min
Let It Be
Michael talks about Patanjali, subject/object duality, and the meaning of nirodha. Recorded on September 29, 2007.
Mar 12, 2023 • 23min
Focus on the Calm Part of the Breath
A twenty-minute guided meditation on breath-centered mindfulness. Recorded on October 31, 2009.
Mar 5, 2023 • 30min
Peace in the Breath, Stillness in the Ground
In this guided mindfulness-of-the-body practice Michael focuses on feeling the ground, the breath, the support of the posture and a sense of buoyancy within stability. Recorded on October 30, 2009.
Feb 26, 2023 • 54min
"To Swallow Myself in Ceaseless Flow"
Michael explains Patanjali’s take on subduing the causes of suffering in their gross and subtle forms (Pada 2, 10-12) and how this differs from our modern psychological viewpoint. Recorded on October 28, 2008.
Feb 19, 2023 • 43min
The Dharma Is Like an Avocado
Based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra (1.19) and a poem by Gary Snyder Michael talks about death, self-concept, rebirth versus reincarnation, karma, abhinivesa and “aiming for the gap.” Recorded on October 27, 2009.
Feb 12, 2023 • 45min
Religion as Conversation
Michael talks about applying a lens of Western Psychology to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and the Dharma, and how these different thought-systems can compliment and converse with one another. At the same time we must remain aware that this process is a reinterpretation and superimposition. He uses lines 1.17 and 1.18 of the Yoga Sutra as an example of a place where old and new ways of thinking about the mind can be explored from multiple perspectives. Recorded on October 20, 2009.
Feb 5, 2023 • 59min
Tell Me, Who Is That Other?
Based on a koan (Case Forty-five from the Gateless Gate) this talk delves into the complex ways that we create a self and create an “other,” and how the two processes can be deeply intertwined. Recorded on October 12, 2008.
Jan 29, 2023 • 31min
Concealed and Wrapped in Thought
Michael explores the line from the Rig-Veda that he chose as the epigraph to The Inner Tradition of Yoga. (The recording is cut short, but we thought it was still worth a listen.) Recorded on October 9, 2008.
Jan 22, 2023 • 49min
What’s Left (When You’re Not Thinking)
Beginning with a quote from Gary Snyder, Michael teaches about non-reactivity, letting go of clinging and how awareness is revealed through practice. Recorded on October 6, 2009.
