Awake in the World Podcast

Even when we advance in spiritual practice, something is always missing. Maybe nirvana is about having troubles without falling into defense or burnout? Michael also gives a strong critique of the economic stories that drive us. Recorded on January 14, 2014.

Michael talks on loneliness, paying attention, and the importance of small ideas that can network and build a new culture. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on December 3, 2013.

Michael Stone gives a talk on the importance of paying attention, youth, and how deep yoga is a political practice. Recorded December 1, 2013 at Yoga Shala Calgary.

Michael Stone explores the bleakness of loneliness, the puzzle of modern isolation, and how to work with being alone and feeling lonely. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 26, 2013.

A Q&A discussion with Joshua Stephens after his talk, Gentle with Each Other, Dangerous Together (https://soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/gentle-with-each-other-dangerous-together-with-joshua-stephens). Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 12, 2013.

Often when we see Buddhist practice put into conversation with radical social transformation, commitments like forgiveness, patience, and non-attachment appear in one of two ways: as pillars of self-care, or resigned—almost theological—faith in inaction in the face of the intolerable. In fact, these practices are not merely tactical approaches to our immediate experience; they are key, prefigurative building-blocks worth re-thinking not just through the lens of the Buddha's teachings, but the accounts of actors on the ground in contemporary struggles. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on November 12, 2013.

Michael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles co-teach a popular retreat integrating Jewish & Buddhist practice. Michael gives an afternoon talk reflecting on God, gratitude, mind, compassionate action, and the encounter between what can and can't be talked about. Recorded in Quebec on November 3, 2013.

Michael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles discuss the intersection of Jewish practice and Buddhism. Rabbi Margles explores internalised anti-semitism and Michael talks about his attempts to bring practice to issues like climate change, economic injustice and working with young people. Recorded in Quebec on November 1, 2013.

Neuroscientist Willoughby Britton, PhD. and Michael Stone, present a detailed workshop on dangers on the path. In this talk Dr. Britton explores loss of identity, gender difference in meditative effects, and questions about whether these signs and symptoms are progress or pathology. A fascinating talk geared towards clinicians and mindfulness educators. Recorded in November, 2013.

Looking at early Pali texts, Michael tries to recover the original and fuller meaning of mindfulness from its current usage in the west. "Mindfulness establishes the presence of the object and thereby makes it available to scrutiny and discernment." Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto. October 29, 2013.