Diggin' the Dharma
Diggin' the Dharma with Jon Aaron and Doug Smith is a relaxed discussion of the Buddhist dharma between friends. Jon's interest centers around practice, while Doug's centers around scholarship of the early material, so their approaches balance practice with study. Their discussions will be approachable to a broad audience of Buddhists and those curious about Buddhism, and they welcome questions and comments. Jon is a teacher at Space2Meditate and NY Insight Meditation Center and a well known teacher and trainer of teachers of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Doug has a PhD in Philosophy and runs Doug's Dharma on YouTube and the Online Dharma Institute, where he gives courses on early Buddhism. Find them at: https://digginthedharma.com/
Latest episodes
Jun 4, 2023 • 27min
Speak Kindly and Don't Carry a Stick!
In these days of divisiveness, it's easy to get into political arguments or, at the very least, think ill thoughts about some of our leaders. The Buddha's words on wise speech can be a useful guide. Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
May 28, 2023 • 24min
Do You Believe in Magic??
A recent comment on our website prompted a discussion about whether certain Buddhist practices (Lovingkindness for instance) involve magical thinking. Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
May 21, 2023 • 25min
The Guardians of the World
Doug and Jon discuss two natural abilities we have to skillfully maneuver through the world. The Buddha discussed them as "guardians of the world" (Iti. 42).Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
May 14, 2023 • 27min
Does Memory have a Role in Mindfulness?
The Pāli word Sati literally means "remember' but also has the meaning of Mindfulness. The question of memory in mindfulness practices is the starting point of our discussion in this week's episode.Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Apr 30, 2023 • 26min
Secular Buddhism. . . Is that a thing?
Recently we discussed a kind of secularized Buddhist practice with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Today we discuss the topic of secular Buddhism. What do we mean by "secular" or "religious"? How can such concepts (and they are just concepts) be helpful or not?Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Apr 23, 2023 • 25min
What Do You Mean It's Not Mine???
"Not mine, not I, not myself" is a phrase that appears in various suttas. It can be a useful reminder to let go. We cling to material things, people, and of course ourselves. When we lose something or someone, or when that idea of who I am suddenly shifts, it can manifest in significant suffering. In this episode, Doug and Jon discuss how they relate to this sutta and how it can be a helpful reminder when we find ourselves in the jaws of dukkha.Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Apr 16, 2023 • 28min
Dualism or Non-Dualism, That is the Question
What is non-dualism all about? Is it a practice? Is it a way of looking at the world? Or is it just words? Yes and. . . We'll discuss the dharma and practice of non-dualism. Was it found in the early texts? How do we understand and use it?Doug's YouTube video on the topic:Non-Dualism and Early Buddhism -- https://youtu.be/43v6lLweukgSupport the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Apr 9, 2023 • 28min
What's the Story with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the idea of Secular Mindfulness
The training called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in the late '70s and could be credited with the concept of "secular mindfulness." It is taught worldwide by hundreds of teachers and has been the topic of well over 1000 scientific research papers. Is it Buddhist? Is it effective? Jon Aaron is one of the prominent teachers of this curriculum and a trainer of new teachers. He and Doug talk about the Buddhist underpinnings of this curriculum as well as it's impact on the secular mindfulness movement. Link to Jon's upcoming MBSR ClassesReceive a 10% discount using: MBSR10Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Apr 2, 2023 • 27min
Does Clinging to Our Views Get Us Anywhere?
What are the Buddha's views about views? How are the ways we hold opinions about politics, people, food, etc, different from clinging to spiritual views? The Buddha had a lot to say about this but how do we put it into practice. How does our clinging to views, most importantly views about ourselves, impede our progress on the path? Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
Mar 26, 2023 • 26min
Signposts Along the Way
The Seven Awakening Factors are a fundamental teaching in the early Buddhist Suttas. In an active form, these factors can be a valuable antidote to any of the Five Hindrances. In a passive way, as we meditate, they can act as signposts informing us both where we are and what is needed at any given moment. Throughout our day, they can work in the same way.Each of these factors warrants its own podcast, but here we discuss them as a whole.Support the showGo to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/
