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
Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 31min
Nothing is Hidden
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael explores the human desire to create and cling to transcendental narratives at the expense of our lived reality. He asks if we can practice in a way that is deeper than our opinion, and without getting trapped by the habit of seeking for what’s not here at the expense of what is.
Recorded on February 18, 2008
Apr 18, 2021 • 48min
The Good Enough Meditator
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael highlights the hindrances to practice described in line 30 of the Yoga Sutras and then offers some techniques to work with them.
Recorded on February 9, 2010.
Apr 11, 2021 • 38min
Hope Lives in the Means, Not the End
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael begins with a passage by Wendell Berry regarding the importance of process. He applies this idea to mindfulness practice and suggests that we tune in to the quality of our noticing without getting derailed by thoughts, stories or a quest for meaning.
Recorded on February 2, 2008.
Apr 4, 2021 • 22min
Great Bewilderment, Great Awakening
In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael describes the value of uncertainty and its role in helping us gain insight into the part of our mind that creates suffering.
Recorded on February 1, 2008.
Mar 28, 2021 • 44min
Best of Awake in the World: Guided Meditation (40 min.)
This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this guided meditation by Michael Stone, the focus is on the tongue, palette, position of fingers, and subtle physical tricks to open the mind in Vipassana practice.
Recorded on silent retreat at True North Insight, Ontario, on April 19 2014.
Mar 19, 2021 • 34min
Where’s My Treasure House?
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael relates the story of Daiju and Baso from the Gateless Gate (21) and explores the treasure of trusting yourself.
Recorded on December 31, 2009.
Mar 14, 2021 • 30min
A True Person of No Status
In this Awake in the World podcast, recorded during the afternoon practice session on New Year’s Eve 2009, Michael gives a few words of encouragement around “realizing the mystery” in the ordinariness of your life.
Recorded December 31, 2009.
Mar 7, 2021 • 30min
Drawing Water and Carrying Firewood
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael speaks to a poem by Pan Yung which includes the lines, “My supernatural power and marvelous activity/Drawing water and chopping wood.” In this talk (given at the 2009 New Year’s Retreat) Michael encourages staying in the physical practice and yoking the mind back to the breath instead of trying to figure out your life.
Recorded on December 31, 2009.
Feb 28, 2021 • 49min
Your Life Is Your Life: What Nurtures You?
In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael begins with the poem “The Laughing Heart,” by Charles Bukowski, and talks about trusting yourself, knowing what nourishes you, and practicing in a way that allows creativity, spontaneity and eccentricity.
Recorded on December 30, 2009.
Feb 21, 2021 • 48min
Emptiness Is a Pair of Glasses
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael returns to the Heart Sutra, beginning with the line, “Here, Shariputra, form is none other than emptiness…” He argues that there is no such thing as emptiness, but the philosophy of emptiness gives us a lens that can show us how to see (time, our nature, impermanence and so on).
Recorded on December 30, 2008.
