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
Aug 23, 2020 • 44min
Awareness & Creative Energy (Brahmacharya)
In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the ethic of brahmacharya. Brahmacharya literally translated means to live like Brahma, the creator God. It means acceleration and to have pistons fire and to build cities and make art and neighbours and architecture and grow things. It’s to live like brahma which is to take creative energy and to do something with it. That’s why Thich Nhat Hahn’s encourages us to be aware of what we’re creating.
Recorded in 2011.
Aug 16, 2020 • 41min
Being Satisfied (Asteya)
In this podcast episode, Michael explores the ethic of not stealing (asteya). Dogen, a wonderful Zen master, translates it this way: “The self and things of the world are just as they are. The gate of freedom is open.” This ethic is about being satisfied with what I have. Another way you could translate this is: not taking what’s not given freely.
Recorded in 2011.
Aug 9, 2020 • 36min
Become Honesty (Satya)
In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the ethic of honesty (satya). In the practice of satya, we become honesty, it arises out of the real-time situations of our loves and livings. The deepest value of practice comes through our commitment to honesty. If you look at non-violence or greed, it’s hard to enter those principles unless there’s honesty at the base.
Recorded in 2011.
Aug 2, 2020 • 47min
Wisdom & Spontaneity
In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the relationship in our daily lives between form and formlessness. Wisdom is not separate from who we are. It’s like beads rolling on a tray: sudden, ready, uninhibited.
Recorded in 2008.
Jul 27, 2020 • 49min
Generosity & Not Being Possessive
Michael interviews Simone Moir, Registered Psychotherapist, on the precept of aparigraha (non-greed) and the practice of generosity. They discuss what comes up around possessiveness, addiction and obsession, embracing impermanence, the importance of relationship and knowing the importance of boundaries.
Jul 19, 2020 • 38min
Ahimsa (Non-harming)
Michael interviews Pat Smith, physician and abortion provider, on the precept of non-harming. Michael and Pat discuss ethics versus political ideologies, the relationships between how we are in the world, our belief system, and our values, and the influences of formal meditation.
Jul 12, 2020 • 34min
Fear, Whirlpools & Recalling the Past
The Buddha’s experience of absorption in the forest, and how he turned to the experience of pleasure in his body to stabilize during anxiety and dread.
Recorded in Green Bay, WI, on March 27, 2017.
Jul 5, 2020 • 41min
I Saw You Fall, So I Helped (Portland)
Michael talks about what it means to be deeply involved in a life of care and openness; that you don't need a badge. This lecture is about offering our Bodhisattva spirit to others, no matter what. It's about making a vow to serve others and then spending the rest of our lives trying to figure out how to make that vow a reality.
Recorded December 3, 2016 at The People's Yoga in Portland, Oregon.
Jun 28, 2020 • 47min
Mindfulness & Social Action: Towards a Secular Spirituality
In this simple and profound lecture, Michael explores how the most radical thing that anyone can do is tell the stories that are not being told. He links together contemporary issues like climate change, economic inequality, and the atrophy of intimacy, and offers 12 steps for telling a new story about what it means to live an engaged life.
Recorded in Vancouver on January 28th, 2015.
Jun 21, 2020 • 37min
Nobody's Life Is Just Their Own
A conversation between Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Shoken Michael Stone.
Recorded in October 2014.
