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

Jan 7, 2024 • 1h 1min
Lotus Sutra, Part 2
Guess what? After a deep-dive into our archives, we've unearthed some hidden gems! Most of the long-lost episodes of the 2011 Lotus Sutra collection are now found.
In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael introduces the first section of the Lotus Sutra where the Buddha casts a light from the centre of his eyebrows and wakes up 18,000 worlds. Is this a reminder that the light of the awakening goes everywhere, leaving nothing out. Maybe we can put off enlightenment in order to serve others. Recorded March 8, 2011.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Dec 24, 2023 • 46min
Best of Awake in the World: The Way Seeking Heart
Exploring the concept of the way-seeking heart inspired by Dogen's teachings, the podcast delves into daily mindfulness practices and the importance of spiritual growth. It highlights the significance of attentiveness, purity, and finding spiritual meaning in everyday tasks. The episode also touches on loss, support for the podcast, and the impact of retreat environments on personal growth.

6 snips
Dec 17, 2023 • 45min
Best of Awake in the World: Reverence
We will be sharing talks from Michael’s New Year’s Silent Retreats as we approach the end of the year. In this episode, Michael gives a talk on depression, mental health, the negativity bias in the brain, and how we can have reverence for every moment of our lives. He talks about the Dalai Lama, photographer Nan Goldin, neuroscientist Rick Hanson, Yun-Men, and how to find your light. New Year's Silent Meditation Retreat 2014-15 at Chapin Mill in Upstate New York. Photo by Andréa de Keijzer.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Dec 10, 2023 • 38min
Best of Awake in the World: Learn How to Stop Breaking Things
Learn how to practice meditation without memory and imagination, letting go and encountering difficulties in meditation, exploring sitting positions and monitoring physical sensations, moving beyond stabilization into non-dual awareness, and empathizing with others and spreading emotions.

Dec 3, 2023 • 54min
Compassion And Equanimity
In this talk, Michael summarizes his teachings and introduces a key passage on dealing with obstacles to practice from the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Nov 27, 2023 • 45min
Investigating Our Experience Without Identifying
In this talk, Michael explains the last two steps of the SAIN method and reintroduces the 3 Characteristics as part of the process of investigation and non- identification.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Nov 17, 2023 • 50min
Suffering, Acceptance & Freedom
In this talk, Michael introduces the acronym SAIN as a method for applying mindfulness techniques to our daily lives in order to help free us from our addictive and unskillful behaviour.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Nov 12, 2023 • 55min
Adolescence & Delaying Gratification
In this talk, Michael shares a video of Richie Davidson presenting his research on addiction, adolescence and delaying gratification to the Dalai Lama.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Nov 5, 2023 • 47min
Craving, Addiction & Reactivity
In this talk, Michael focuses on samskaras or the psychological grooves formed of habituated behaviour, how those contribute to addiction and how spiritual practice can free us from both.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Oct 29, 2023 • 35min
Working with Reactivity (Part2)
This week Michael focuses on the cycle of samsara as a model to understand the psychology of human experience, relationship and behaviour.
These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga.
The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.


