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 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.
Feb 14, 2021 • 52min
Open, Open
In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael begins unpacking the first line of the Heart Sutra with an emphasis on what it means to live from the heart, some background on Avalokiteshvara, and the Buddha’s teaching to Bāhiya.
Recorded December 23, 2008.
Feb 7, 2021 • 38min
The Moon In The River
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael offers encouragement to follow the path of love and to find the faith and motivation to keep practicing, even in the face of restlessness, worry, and pain.
Recorded December 20, 2009.
Jan 31, 2021 • 53min
The Fish Really Need You
In this Awake in the World Podcast Michael talks about the Buddha’s enlightenment as described in the Ariyapariyesana Sutta, plus the importance of avoiding both active and passive nihilism, interconnection as action, and how to take care of anger.
Recorded on December 16, 2008.
Jan 25, 2021 • 28min
Mild, Moderate or Intense?
In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael discusses commitment to practice, showing up, and Case 33 from the Mumonkan (What is Buddha?).
Recorded on December 15, 2009.
