The Middle Path & The Basics of Buddhism

Michael talks about the goal of practice as being yourself. He tells the Zen story of T’ing being slapped and explores trusting yourself, not telling black and white stories about those we love and hate, and how meditation is the same as art. Chapin Mill, New York, 50 min. 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.

Trigger Warning: Talks of Sexual/Assault and Trauma An expansion of the discussion with Molly Boeder Harris as she co-teaches with Michael on trauma sensitivity during the Meditation Facilitation Training in Vancouver, 25 min. Recorded in 2016 If you would like to learn more about Healing Trauma with the Body, we offer an inclusive six-week online course that offers accessible methods for helping the body to process trauma. Learn more: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/product/healing-trauma-with-the-body/ 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.

Trigger Warning: Talks of Sexual/Assault and Trauma Molly Boeder Harris co-teaching with Michael on trauma sensitivity during the Meditation Facilitation Program. Vancouver, 46 min. Recorded in 2016 If you would like to learn more about Healing Trauma with the Body, we offer an inclusive six-week online course that offers accessible methods for helping the body to process trauma. Learn more: https://michaelstoneteaching.com/product/healing-trauma-with-the-body/ 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.

Michael's talk on the core teachings of the Buddha and how they relate to being a self, letting go, repeating the past, investing too much in the future, and being stuck. Recorded on September 28, 2012. Please note, the end of the talk and discussion is cut-off.

The Buddha’s stance is anti-religious in a certain way. He uses what’s in religious practice to undo religious belief. The Buddha creates strategies, not dogmas. The more you go back into the old texts, the further away you get from religion. What we don’t need at this moment is another religion. Instead, perhaps we could engage a living tradition, and uncover the values of these practices. This means having a conversation with the past, while being rooted in the soil of present experience. 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.

In this Best of episode, Michael Stone gives his final talk at Centre of Gravity on the famous Zen Koan MU. Michael begins with discussing meditation on the breath and then goes deeply into seeing how practice is about being unconditional with yourself. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on May 6, 2014. 1 hour. This is a “must listen” talk if you’re a podcast regular! 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.

A dharma "pep-talk" by Michael Stone. Has the powerful but ineffable energy of strong emotions, attachment and aversion reduced us to servitude? A gruff old man takes up yoga and experiences momentary freedom from painful thoughts. Has anyone else been gripped by sorcery lately? Recorded on February 12, 2013. 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.

Michael guides a 20 minute meditation. He brings attention to calm and the body. Exploring the balance between vitality and tranquility in the body while allowing the ears to open to the movements of sound. 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.

Michael teaches from the Lojong Training in Compassion. What’s happening right now in our lives can be the raw material that shows us the path of awakening & compassion. He reminds of the vows we've made to be awake, to wake up others and be available for others and learn skills to reduce reactivity and to realize that our actions have an effect. Recorded December 2, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. 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.

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. 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.