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
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.
Jan 15, 2023 • 31min
The Breath Is Doing the Breathing
Michael leads a thirty-minute guided meditation on mindfulness of breathing. Recorded on October 6, 2008.
Jan 8, 2023 • 54min
The Groundless Ground
In this talk Michael describes how practice helps us become conscious of our viewpoints and can show us where we are caught. He argues that we’re waking up from restricted, self-centered views as opposed to awakening to an elusive something other-than-this somewhere other-than-here. Recorded on October 5, 2008.
Jan 1, 2023 • 48min
The Faith to Doubt
In this talk about the first pada of the Yoga Sutra (line 20), Michael considers the relationship between faith (sraddha) and doubt, as well as the importance of enthusiasm (virya), mindfulness (smrti), samadhi and wisdom (prajna) to the project of reducing our suffering. Recorded on November 17, 2009.
Dec 25, 2022 • 1h 7min
And Yet, and Yet
Michael gives a talk on silence, impermanence, the nature of mind and love. Recorded on November 17, 2009.
