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
Nov 21, 2021 • 59min
The Lotus Sutra: Where's the Love?
In this second talk on the Lotus Sutra Michael provides some background about the role the text plays following the emergence of the Mahayana and Tendai traditions, shifting the emphasis from personal liberation to compassion and interdependence. He considers the mythical, fantastical style of the text and how it challenges orthodoxy in order to promote a path of service.
Recorded on March 3, 2011.
Nov 14, 2021 • 30min
Feeling is the Best Technique
This thirty-minute guided meditation focuses on the physical body, and describes how physical choices like setting up the gaze can help to monitor and settle the mind.
Recorded on June 28, 2008.
Nov 7, 2021 • 54min
Anger and the "Contentious" Heart
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael talks about anger, the R.A.I.N. practice, and how to be more skillful in working with afflictive emotions.
Recorded on June 27, 2008.
Oct 31, 2021 • 31min
Who is Breathing?
In this thirty minute guided meditation Michael offers an introduction to investigation, using the question “who is breathing.”
Recorded on June 26, 2009.
Oct 24, 2021 • 40min
Every Breath Is Brand New
A forty-minute guided meditation on the First Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Breathing.
Recorded on June 24, 2009.
Oct 17, 2021 • 48min
The Five Aggregates
In this Awake in the World podcast guest teacher Norman Feldman unpacks part of the Buddha’s First Discourse, with a focus on the ending of dukkha and the five aggregates.
Recorded on June 23, 2009.
Oct 10, 2021 • 30min
Last Night's Rain
In this talk Michael considers the first two of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in terms of the three characteristics (impermanence, interdependence and not-self). He describes how these foundations are techniques we can use to discover and dismantle self-constructed suffering.
Recorded on June 25, 2009.
Oct 3, 2021 • 28min
Confronting & Managing Our Fears, Part 2
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael provides some background about the “Fear and Terror Sutta” (Bhaya-bherava Sutta) and discusses the importance of mindfulness in coping with fear, dread and anxiety.
This talk, shared in two parts, is an excerpt from Michael’s six-week online course, Big Heart Powers, examining topics like the characteristics of fear and anxiety, how they become embodied, common responses to fear, and the Buddha’s recommendations for managing fear.
For more details and to sign up, visit: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/product/big-heart-powers/
Sep 26, 2021 • 20min
Confronting & Managing Our Fears, Part 1
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael provides some background about the “Fear and Terror Sutta” (Bhaya-bherava Sutta) and discusses the importance of mindfulness in coping with fear, dread and anxiety.
This talk, shared in two parts, is an excerpt from Michael’s six-week online course, Big Heart Powers, examining topics like the characteristics of fear and anxiety, how they become embodied, common responses to fear, and the Buddha’s recommendations for managing fear.
For more details and to sign up, visit: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/product/big-heart-powers/
Sep 20, 2021 • 43min
Free, a Genius, an Embarrassment
Using Philip Whalen’s poem “Further Notice” for inspiration, Michael describes how to establish a consistent meditation practice and offers suggestions to help with motivation.
Recorded on June 21, 2009.
