Buddhist Geeks : Discover the Emerging Face of Buddhism

BG 186: A Different Way of Approaching Meditation

Jason Siff — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by meditation teacher Jason Siff to conclude our exploration of the fundamental ideas and practices behind his unique approach of Unlearning Meditation, or what he calls Recollective Awareness. We begin with exploring what recollection, or mindfulness, is and how it can be harnessed through a practice of meditative journaling. Jason continues his deconstruction of the type of prescribed practices which suggest doing something “all of the time” and suggests instead that we find out for ourself what meditation is about and where it is leading. We wrap up the discussion by exploring a different [...] Related posts:

BG 185: Unlearning Meditation

Jason Siff — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “Meditation instructions that disallow thinking, reflection, or being open to the full range of experience usually imply a distrust of the mind.” – Jason Siff We’re joined by meditation teacher and author Jason Siff, to explore what happens when meditation instructions and techniques get in the way. Jason explains that meditation instructions and rules contain within them certain limitations, that can lead to impasses in our practice. We explore Jason’s approach, Recollective Awareness, as well as discussing the role that both trust and intention play in untangling these unhelpful meditation habits. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Episode [...] Related posts:

BG 186: A Different Way of Approaching Meditation

BG 184: Bodhisattva, Superstar

Michael Trigilio — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined this week by filmmaker Michael Trigilo, to explore some of the themes from his newest allegorical documentary, “Bodhisattva, Superstar.” Included in our conversation are questions around what it means to be “spiritual but not religious”, what purpose Religion serves and what difficulties come with it, and why anger is such a hot topic in the Buddhist tradition? We also discuss controversy in spiritual communities—with Michael highlighting his own experience of disappointment and disillusionment—and how these controversies and scandals can become opportunities for a more transparent “cultural conversation” to occur. Finally he shares what he [...] Related posts:

BG 183: The Timeless Tradition of Spiritual Apprenticeship

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Episode Description: In the last part of our discussion with Buddhist teacher and scholar Hokai Sobol, we wrap up our exploration on some of the important influences and forces that shape Western Buddhism. As part of that we discuss the fluid nature of his consumer-client-colleague model. We also talk about the deep problems that have arisen from adopting traditional models, instead of current ones, and how this has generated a multitude of scandals—including scandals of power, sex, and also of the generational problem of their being so few young practitioners today. Finally, we talk about how to reinvigorate “the [...] Related posts:

BG 182: Exchanging Dharma – Client and Colleague Mindsets

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined by Buddhist teacher and scholar Hokai Sobol, as we continue exploring the different mindsets that we often take, while exchanging Dharma here in the West. In the last episode he described the Consumer mindset, and in this one goes on to speak about the Client and Colleague mindsets. He explores the healthy and unhealthy versions of each, as well as how each of the three mindsets differ from one another. This is part 3 of a multi-part series. Listen to part 1, The Invisible Forces that Shape Western Buddhism and part 2, Exchanging Dharma – [...] Related posts:

BG 181: Exchanging Dharma – The Consumer Mindset

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again this week by Buddhist teacher and scholar Hokai Sobol, to continue our exploration of the hidden mindsets and cultural forces that shape Western Buddhism. In this episode Hokai explores a tradition of exchanging knowledge, which is at least 1,000 years old in Europe, that of the “master & apprentice.” Hokai describes the process by which Europeans used to, and in some cases still do, learn a particular trade, by first becoming a novice apprentice, eventually striking out on one’s own as a journeyman, and then finally coming back to become part of the local [...] Related posts:

BG 180: The Invisible Forces that Shape Western Buddhism

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: In the first part of a multi-part discussion with Buddhist teacher and scholar Hokai Sobol, we explore the invisible, and rarely discussed, forces that shape Western Buddhism. In particular what we call “culture” shapes our institutions and communities in ways that we rarely see with clarity. Hokai spends a good bit of this initial discussion exploring the traditional story that has been handed down to us. This story includes the various cultural assumptions surrounding the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, in the different countries and time periods in which they existed. These norms include the what [...] Related posts:

BG 179: An Evidence-Based Spirituality for the 21st Century

Charles Tart — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined by Charles Tart, one of the founders of the branch of psychology known as transpersonal psychology. Dr. Tart’s life work has to do with putting forward an “evidence-based spirituality for the 21st century.” In this conversation we explore the evidence that he explored for phenomena like reincarnation, as well as the “big five” of telepathy, clairvoyance, pre-cognition, psychokinesis, and psychic healing. With all of these phenomena Charles warns about adopting a “scientistic”—as opposed to scientific—view of reality, which says that none of those things can be real, simply because they don’t fit into the mainstream [...] Related posts:

BG 138: Reflections on 21st Century Dharma

BG 178: Growing Up Versus Waking Up

John Welwood — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined this week by clinical psychologist and Buddhist practitioner John Welwood. John has spent his entire adult life exploring the intersection between Eastern and Western psychological approaches. In our discussion we cover the following topics: the three realms of human experience, spiritual bypassing (a term that John coined), the Buddhist perfections, waking up and growing up as different tracks of human development, and the ways that spiritual awareness can be used in service of psychological growth and well-being. Episode Links: Toward a Psychology of Awakening: Buddhism, Psychotherapy, and the Path of Personal and Spiritual Transformation JohnWelwood.com Transcript: Vince: Hello, Buddhist Geeks! [...] Related posts:

BG 177: Working with Sexual Energy

Christopher Titmuss — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by British meditation teacher, Christopher Titmuss, to continue our exploration into the powerful, and often challenging, realm of human sexuality. Christopher shares a couple of stories of monks dealing with sexuality, one a traditional story and the other a story of a 92 year old monk that he practiced with in Thailand. He also explains that if sexual energy, which is a natural part of our humanity, is repressed than it can wreak havoc on how we engage in the world. Finishing up our conversation with Christopher, we ask him if there’s anything he’d [...] Related posts:

BG 176: The Place of the Erotic

Christopher Titmuss — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined this week by Insight meditation teacher and engaged activist Christopher Titmuss. Our main topic of exploration is the place of sexuality, eros, and love in the practice of Dharma. Contained within that topic we explore what is often meant by the word ‘desire’ in English, and how that differs from the what the Buddha taught as the source of suffering, tanha (often translated as thirst or craving). Christopher explains some of the historical reasons that Buddhism has not be able to provide many helpful suggestions concerning sexuality, and also challenges what he sees as a [...] Related posts:

BG 175: The Buddhist Atheist

Stephen Batchelor — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Secular Buddhist teacher Stephen Batchelor joins us to explore some of the ideas presented in his newest book, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. We start off by examining the two Buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth, using the original teachings of the Buddha, especially the “imponderables” as a touchstone for the conversation. Stephen’s basic claim being that the belief in rebirth doesn’t have sufficient evidence behind it, and it actually takes away from the core practices and teachings of the Buddha. We conclude the interview by exploring the difference between agnosticism and atheism, which Stephen claims [...] Related posts:

BG 174: The Mindful Therapist

Trudy Goodman — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak to vipassana meditation teacher, and psychotherapist Trudy Goodman. Trudy completes the story of her early Zen days, and also describes how she transitioned into becoming a vipassana teacher. She also shares some of her training in psychology, wherein she studied with the famous child developmentalist, Jean Piaget in France. She was eventually led her to work with children diagnosed with extreme developmental disorders, and with adults as well. Trudy shares how her practice of meditation was crucial in supporting people in their own therapeutic process, and how the key for all [...] Related posts:

BG 173: Zen, Vipassana, and Psychotherapy

BG 173: Zen, Vipassana, and Psychotherapy

Trudy Goodman — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak to vipassana and Zen teacher, Trudy Goodman. Trudy shares how she got into both Buddhist meditation and psychotherapy, and uses her story to illustrate the powerful ways that these different methods can compliment one another. Trudy also reflects on the differences between her experience in Zen training with Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn, and her practice of vipassana meditation. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, The Mindful Therapist. Episode Links: Zen Master Seung Sahn Insight Meditation Society InsightLA Transcript: Vince: Hello Buddhist Geeks, this is Vince Horn, and I’m joined today in [...] Related posts:

BG 172: The Core of Wisdom

Roger Walsh — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again this week by professor and meditation teacher Roger Walsh. This week we dive into his study of the common practices seen in all of the world’s wisdom traditions. He shares each of these practices, and then also explores with us the ancient tradition of Shamanism, which is estimated to be tens of thousands of years old. We explore how ancient Shamanism relates to the neo-shamanism and core shamanism practices being taught in the West today, how Shamanism might have been repressed during recent times, and also the difference between meditation, mental disorders, and [...] Related posts:

BG 171: A Technology of Transcendence

Roger Walsh — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with professor and teacher Roger Walsh. Roger shares his journey from being a hardcore neuorscientist and psychiatrist to becoming an avid meditator and mystic. Once Walsh discovered that at the core of all the religious traditions was “a technology of transcendence” he jumped head-long into vipassana meditation–bringing, as he put it, his personality into his practice. Following that he practiced Shikantaza in the Zen tradition, and then also spent many years practicing in the Vajrayana tradition, which he now teaches alongside Lama Surya Das. Roger also explores with us a model of [...] Related posts:

BG 170: Enlightened Society

Richard Reoch — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we’re joined by the President of Shambhala, Richard Reoch. Along with overseeing the Shambhala organization, Richard is also a long time human rights, activist, and environmental leader. With this unique background, we thought it would be particularly relevant to explore the topic of “enlightened society.” Enlightened society was an idea presented by Chogyam Trunpa, but which he said was originally taught by the Buddha. We explore what Trungpa meant by the term, and how it has evolved over the past few decades in the Shambhala community. We also look at the parallels, [...] Related posts:

BG 169: The Most Fundamental Duality

Diane Hamilton — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by Zen Master Diane “Musho” Hamilton, this time to explore the most fundamental duality of masculine and feminine. Diane points out that if you have an objection to looking at it in these terms, you can also think of it as the polarity between receptivity and activity or between personal and impersonal. She describes this polarity, how it’s been helpful for her as a Zen teacher, and also how to look at compassion from this perspective. Finally we talk about an approach that goes beyond these dualities, but doesn’t shy away from them. [...] Related posts:

BG 168: Integral Zen

Diane Hamilton — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined by Zen Master, Diane “Musho” Hamilton, to explore an approach to spiritual practice called “Integral Zen.” In our interview we explore several related topics, including the difference between a path of renunciation and one of transmutation. As part of this we also look at the role that the shadow—a term coined by psychologist Carl Jung—plays in our spiritual practice. In addition we examine how different Buddhist traditions have, or have not, incorporated an understanding of the shadow. We also explore the role that community plays in helping wake each other up, and the [...] Related posts:

BG 167: I Vow to Feed All Hungers

Bernie Glassman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined this week by one of the pioneers of the socially engaged Buddhist movement, Zen Master Bernie Glassman. Although he grew up in a family that valued social action, after some years of Zen practice he had an experience that amplified his calling to serve those in need. At that point he made a vow to feed all hungers. We speak about the interconnection—and accordingly to Bernie, the inseparability—between contemplative practice and social action. He shares details of many of the projects he has been part of, including the Greystone project in Yonkers, New [...] Related posts:

BG 011: Models of Enlightenment

BG 166: What Young People Want

Sumi Loundon Kim — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “We always talk about the Sangha as part of the triple gem, but I think it is the least developed part of Buddhism in the West.” – Sumi Loundon Kim We’re joined this week by Sumi Loundon Kim, author of Blue Jean Buddha and The Buddha’s Apprentices, to explore what young people want from spiritual communities. We explore young people’s need for belongingness, their natural spiritual inclination, and the big questions that they are asking. Sumi, who is in her mid-30’s now, gives several suggestions for how Buddhist communities can engage more effectively with a younger population. She points [...] Related posts:

BG 165: I’m Not Babysitting Your Ego

Adyashanti — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We finish up our discussion with spiritual teacher Adyashanti, focusing on several topics relevant to contemporary seekers. We start off by exploring his thoughts on questions of power & hierarchy in the student-teacher relationship. Adya’s approach is to put power back on the student, encouraging them to be their own inner authority from the beginning. We also explore a type of writing meditative inquiry practice that Adyashanti has done, and which he teaches others. He explores how this type of inquiry can be used in conjunction with silent meditation practice to eliminate roadblocks on the spiritual [...] Related posts:

BG 164: Now That’s Zen

Adyashanti — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined by spiritual teacher Adyashanti to discuss his 15 years of training with Zen teacher Arvis Joen Justi. He shares details from his initial awakening at 25–where he realized that he was what he was seeking–to the end of the search several years later at 31. It’s at that point that Arvis asked Adyashanti to begin teaching, and as he shares with us, his teaching evolved and changed fairly quickly. He shares how it changed, and how he saw it as a natural evolution of his Zen training, rather than an entirely new form. [...] Related posts:

BG 163: Can Dharma Help us Turn the Corner?

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we share a public talk given by Integral spirituality teacher Terry Patten and Vajrayana teacher Hokai Sobol, on the question of whether traditional Dharma can (or can not) help us turn the corner in a high-speed world. The talk was given in 2009 at the Boulder Integral Center, and was hosted by Buddhist Geeks. A description from the event: In an imbalanced, accelerating world-in-crisis we face problems that cannot be solved, as Einstein famously said, “from the same level of consciousness that created them.” Many contemporary practitioners have turned to the Dharma as a source of [...] Related posts:

BG 162: Contributing to the Gross National Happiness

Richard Brown — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Richard Brown–a long time Buddhist and contemplative educator–joins us to share some of the details from his recent involvement in helping the small Buddhist country of Bhutan reform their public education system. Bhutan, which since the early 70’s has had as its main goal to increase Gross National Happiness, wants to create an education system that pulls the best from the West. The main principles they’re holding with this reform, include Contemplation, a Holistic approach, Sustainability, Cultural Integrity, and Critical Intellect. They’re aim is to educate their populace in such a way that they’re prepared for [...] Related posts:

BG 161: Happiness – There’s an App For That

Soren Gordhamer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:00:10 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we’re joined by Soren Gordhamer, long time tech writer, and author of Wisdom 2.0: Ancient Secrets for the Creative and Constantly Connected. Soren often writes for the Huffington Post and Mashable (a social media blog) on the relationship between the inner world with technology and social media. He explores with us some of the potential shadow sides of technology, as well as some of the remedies that can be used in balancing our internal life with our external. He suggests that focusing more consciously on our internal world actually puts us in a [...] Related posts:

BG 160: The Jedi Mind Training of Concentration

Stephen Snyder — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:00:05 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we wrap up our discussion with meditation teachers Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder, two of the only lay Western teachers authorized to teach the jhana system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. They share the deeper purpose of concentration practice, which isn’t to attain any particular states, but rather is to serve as a purification of the mind stream, what they describe as the “thinning of the me.” They describe the 8 jhanas as states that progressively reach toward the unconditioned, with the 8th jhana, neither perception nor non-perception, as a realm that is as close as [...] Related posts:

BG 159: Mastering the Jhanas

Tina Rasmussen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:00:57 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with Theravada mediation teachers Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder. In 2005, while on a 2-month retreat, they were the first Western lay practitioners (i.e. non-monks) to complete the traditional concentration practices of Pa Auk Sayadaw–a well-regarded Burmese jhana master. The Sayadaw encouraged them to teach what they’ve learned, and they have, as a result, starting leading retreats and have written a book entitled, Practicing the Jhanas. In this episode they share the progressive practice that they did with Pa Auk Sayadaw, which includes all sorts of traditional practices from the Pali Canon. They [...] Related posts:

BG 158: The Zen of Zen History

James Zito — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:00:30 +0000

Episode Description: James Zito is a Buddhist film-maker, and the director of a newly released documentary on the history of Zen Buddhism, Inquiry Into the Great Matter. James joins us to discuss his new film, focusing primarily on what he learned while making the film. He shares some specifics on the lives of the famous Zen masters, Daito Kokushi and Ikkyu Sojun. While quite different, each masters reflected very important aspects of Zen Buddhism. We conclude our discussion, exploring the state of Zen in Japan today, which compared to times in the past several hundred years, has declined [...] Related posts:

BG 157: Unifying Developmental Enlightenment and Timeless Realization

Kenneth Folk — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again this week by Kenneth Folk, a long-time Theravada practitioner and meditation teacher. Kenneth completes his harrowing spiritual story, all the way to the point, where he says that he, “got off the ride and was done.” He speaks about how uncommon it is, in Western Buddhist circles, to believe that enlightenment is possible, a phenomenon that his teacher Bill Hamilton described as the “mushroom culture.” Kenneth then goes on to describe two different ways of understanding enlightenment: one as a developmental process, much the way his path is described, and then two, as a [...] Related posts:

BG 156: Ordinary People Can Get Enlightened

Kenneth Folk — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined this week by Kenneth Folk, a long-time Theravada practitioner and meditation teacher, who describes in exquisite detail his spiritual journey. It began in earnest at the age of 24, when having done several hits of LSD, he had a life-altering experience that put him squarely on the path of seeking. Several years later, he really began gaining some traction, when he met his teacher Bill Hamilton, who claimed that enlightenment was something that could be systematically attained by applying a technique. By dedicating himself completely to those techniques, and through doing years of intensive meditation [...] Related posts:

BG 155: The Dharma of Second Life

Jiun Foster — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we’re joined by Zen teacher Jiun Foster, who is actively involved in teaching dharma in the virtual world of Second Life. We speak with him about what it’s like being a participant in Second Life, and what the limitations and strengths of Second Life are, compared to other social media technologies. Finally, we patch in Adam Tebbe, the wizard behind the curtain, to share some details of the organization he helped start, that is responsible for getting so many good dharma teachers onto Second Life. Episode Links: Kannonji Zen Retreat Five Mountain Buddhist Seminary Zen Sitting Group of [...] Related posts:

BG 154: The Mountain of Spirit

Michael McAlister — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we’re joined by Zen-inspired dharma teacher, Michael McAlister. Michael is the leader of the Infinite Smile sangha, just east of Berkeley, in what Michael calls, “the hard edge of suburbia.” After many years of Zen practiced with the San Francisco Zen Center, Michael set up to teach a form of dharma that wasn’t bound by tradition. Some of the topics we discussed with Michael include climbing the mountain of spirit–a stirring and ancient metaphor for the spiritual journey, the 7th, 8th, and 9th spiritual senses, and finally the things that Michael has learned while endeavoring [...] Related posts:

BG 153: Feminine Zen

Grace Schireson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Grace Schireson is a Zen master in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and is the abbess of the Empty Nest Zendo in northern California. She joins us today to explore some of the main themes in her recently released book, Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens, and Macho Masters. Among the topics we discuss are what the traditional stereotypes of females in Zen have been, and the recently discovered literature on women in Zen who did not fit these stereotypes. We then look at the unique way these women practiced Zen and how what [...] Related posts:

BG 152: Returning to the Marketplace

Genpo Merzel Roshi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with Zen Master, Genpo Roshi, about the relationship between money and spirituality. It’s a hot topic and one that he is incredibly passionate about. He shares the details of a successful new fundraising campaign that his community puts on called the Big Heart Circle or 5/5/50. 5/5/50 stands for five people for five days, and at the cost of a $50,000 donation do a retreat with Genpo. He shares with us the specifics behind that retreat, including how the money is used, and responds to those people who find what he’s [...] Related posts:

BG 151: Eddies in the Stream

Rick Hanson — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We conclude our uber-geeky conversation with neuropsychologist and dharma teacher Rick Hanson this week, exploring what might be happening in the run-up to the transforming moment of nirvana. In the Theravada tradition of Buddhism the moment or nirvana (or nibbana as it’s called in that tradition), and even the period leading up to it, is spiritually transformative. Using one common map of the experiences leading up to nirvana–the 8 jhanas–Rick explains what he thinks might be happening in the brain as it approaches the “event horizon” of nibbana. He also uses the metaphor of eddies in a stream [...] Related posts:

BG 150: Self is a Network Phenomenon

Rick Hanson — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by Neuropsychologist and Theravada teacher, Rick Hanson. This time we explore the Buddhist proposition of anatta, or selflessness, from the point of view of neuroscience and the brain. Rick explores whether a self actually exists using the following 4 core attributes of how a self is often defined: It is unified & coherent It is stable & enduring It is independent It is the whole of experience Looking at current research on how the self manifests in the brain, as what Hanson calls a “network phenomenon”, he deconstructs each of these four attributes, arguing that “self is not special [...] Related posts:

BG 149: A Crash Course in Applied Neurodharma

Rick Hanson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week, we’re joined by trained Neuropsychologist and Theravada Buddhist teacher, Rick Hanson, to explore what he calls “applied Neurodharma.” We begin by exploring the 1st noble truth of suffering, but from the perspective of evolutionary neurobiology. In other words, why does it appear that we’re hard-wired to suffer, and what are the mechanisms behind it? And just as in the 4 noble truths, where we start with the diagnosis and end with a prescription, after exploring the 1st noble truth, Rick shares some suggestions for training the mind to overcome some of the hardwired tendencies we [...] Related posts:

BG 148: Work, Sex, Money, Dharma

Martin Aylward — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Martin Aylward continues his discussion with us how we can bring forth a more relevant, relational, and potent form of contemporary dharma practice. He begins by exploring the tendency for Western practitioners to rely too much on retreat practice, instead of on the juice that comes from their daily lives, and the need to work more skillfully with our everyday experience. In particular he highlights the areas of money and sex, as being areas of our lives that have a lot of charge, and yet are usually nominalized in dharma teachings. In 2010 Martin will be leading a [...] Related posts:

BG 147: Freestyle Awakening

Martin Aylward — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: The theme of distinguishing between the Buddhist teachings and forms which lead to awakening, and those forms that are culturally inherited and perhaps unsuited for our current Western context, is an ongoing one on Buddhist Geeks. This week, we continue this exploration with Dharma teacher, Martin Aylward. Martin, who lives in southern France, where he runs and teaches as Le Moulin Meditation Centre, has been actively exploring what it means to translate Dharma to the West. He recognizes that we’re still quite early in that process, but is a pioneer when it comes to adapting the forms [...] Related posts:

BG 146: Investing in the Future of American Buddhism

Judith Simmer-Brown — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We continue our discussion with Shambhala acharya, Judith Simmer-Brown, about how we can strategically invest in American Buddhism so that it survives in the long-term. We explored the first three areas of importance in-depth in part 1, which included the translation of core texts, the development of a monastic lineage, and the appointment of dharma heirs. In this part of the discussion we flesh out the details of the fourth area, which is royal patronage. Judith speaks about how, given a lack of that kind of support, most dharma teachers and organizations turn whole-heartedly to the market to [...] Related posts:

BG 145: The Survival of American Buddhism

Judith Simmer-Brown — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week, we’re joined by Shambhala acharya and Naropa University professor, Judith Simmer-Brown. She joins us today to discuss four areas, which she learned about while at Colombia University in the late 60’s, that help determine whether or not Buddhism will take root in a new country. These four are: The translation of core Buddhist texts into English The development of a monastic lineage w/ American lineage holders The training and appointment of dharma transmission holders Royal patronage, or financial support from within the country After describing each area of focus, Judith goes into depth as to how we’re doing with the [...] Related posts:

BG 144: Turning Your Back to the Buddha

Rodney Smith — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Episode Description: Insight Meditation teacher, Rodney Smith, joins us to explore the topic of “urban dharma”–seeing that the transformative potential of one’s life and relationships are on equal footing with silent, more passive forms of meditation. Rodney critiques the common tendency to elevate silent retreat practice above all other aspects of practice. As part of that exploration he also shares a moving story from his time studying with the famous Advaita teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj. Rodney concludes by exploring what it might it mean to be a “Buddhist revolutionary,” updating and contemporizing the Buddhist teachings, while “turning one’s back to the [...] Related posts:

BG 143: Stepping out of Self-Deception

Rodney Smith — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Episode Description: Rodney Smith, the founder of the Seattle Insight Meditation Society, joins us today to discuss several fascinating topics. We start with an exploration of how the Big Bang and the origin of life on Earth (some 3.8 billion years ago) and spiritually significant events. We also discuss the overall compatibility between Buddhist teachings and these new found scientific findings. Finally, Rodney shares with us a powerful mathematical analogy for understanding the spiritual path, that of fractions. The numerator of the fraction represents the appearances of things, and the denominator represents the undifferentiated wholeness underlying appearances. [...] Related posts:

BG 142: Buddha in a Cup of Tea

Kenneth Cohen — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week, we’re joined by Kenneth Cohen, a well-known qi-gong master. Along with his training in the Taoist qi-gong and tai chi chuan, Kenneth has a strong connection to the Zen tradition and to the Japanese tea ceremony. In this episode, he shares with us some of the history of tea (the camellia sinensis plant), its long-standing relationship to the Buddhist tradition, his own training with Japanese tea master Millie Johnstone, and the wonderful profundity of drinking a simple cup of tea. Episode Links: Tao Te Ching KennethCohen.com The Way of Qigong Transcript: Vince: Hello, Buddhist geeks. This is Vince Horn, and [...] Related posts:

BG 141: The Mechanisms of Kensho

James Austin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “A perception, sudden as blinking, that subject and object are one, will lead to a deeply mysterious wordless understanding; and by this understanding will you awaken to the truth of Zen.” – Zen Master Huang-po The above quote, taken from James Austin’s newest book Selfless Insight, is a description of kensho, an “initial awakening” to the true nature of things. We continue our discussion, this week, with James Austin about the importance of both kensho and satori in the Zen tradition, and his hypothesis as to what is happening in the brain, leading up to and during these events. [...] Related posts:

BG 140: This is Your Brain on Meditation

James Austin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with academic nuerologist and Zen practitioner James Austin. Austin, who wrote the well-known book, Zen and the Brain, joins us to explain some of the physical mechanisms underlying both attention and the way we process reality. In terms of attention, he shares with us a very descriptive difference between “top-down” and “bottom-up” modes of attention. He also shares the difference, from the perspective of the brain, between self-centered (egocentric) processing and other-centered (allocentric) processing. He also shares the ways in which these two are related to the different forms of meditation that [...] Related posts:

BG 139: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea

Jaimal Yogis — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week with speak with the author of Saltwater Buddha, Jaimal Yogis. Jaimal, a Zen surfer and journalist, wrote Saltwater Buddha to chronicle his late teens and early 20’s as he learned to surf and delved into Zen. He shares with us some of the highlights from this time of his life, and also shares what a powerful metaphor the ocean has been for his spiritual life, especially given his passion for surfing. He also shares some prescient observations about what it’s like being a young Buddhist, and what he notices that is different about the [...] Related posts:

BG 138: Reflections on 21st Century Dharma

Geeks of the Round Table — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we have a round-table discussion, with members from the NYC-based Interdependence Project, on issues surrounding 21st century dharma in the West. Both Buddhist Geeks and the Interdependence Project tend to attract younger practitioners in their 20s & 30s. So, in this dialogue, where the oldest of us is 31, we take on some interesting questions about how Dharma is changing in the West, what challenges we face in the future, the economics of dharma, and the implications of a generation who are so interconnected with technology and culture. Listen in to hear a genuine [...] Related posts:

BG 137: Artificial Wisdom

Ben Goertzel — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re back again with Artificial Intelligence researcher and Zen-dabbler, Ben Goertzel. We continue our exploration of some of the major themes in his non-fiction story “Enlightenment 2.0″. This precipitates a conversation about whether consciousness is a result of the mechanisms of the brain, or whether it is fundamental. And connected to that, what are the ethical implications of creating an artificial intelligence, if we do indeed see it as having BuddhaNature? Finally, Ben shares what he has discovered while exploring the notion of “artificial wisdom”–including what difference there is between intelligence and wisdom. He also [...] Related posts:

BG 136: Enlightenment 2.0

Ben Goertzel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with Ben Goertzel, an artificial intelligence researcher and Zen-dabbling spiritual seeker. Ben shares with us his introduction to Zen and his on-going relationship to spiritual practice. He also explains what is meant by “strong artificial intelligence” and AGI (artificial general intelligence) and explains why he thinks a fully functioning AI may be as little as a decade away. Finally, we explore the overlap between his work as an AI researcher and his experiences with Zen and other spiritual practices, through discussing a story he wrote entitled, “Enlightenment 2.0″ about an enlightened AI being [...] Related posts:

BG 135: Meditation is Good for Your Life

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we speak with Karma Kagyu teacher, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. He starts off by telling us about how he got into formal Buddhist practice, at the tender age of 9. He also shares some of his initial challenges with anxiety, and how he was able to work with it on his first 3-year retreat. Rinpoche also shares some suggestions for meditators who are fairly new to the path, suggesting that they focus on 1) Wisdom & 2) Method. In addition to that he speaks about what makes a good teacher and whether or [...] Related posts:

BG 134: The Erotic Embrace of Life and Meditation

BG 134: The Erotic Embrace of Life and Meditation

Vidyuddeva — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined today by Vidyuddeva, a young Zen teacher who spent 5 years in monastic training with Zen Master Steve Hagen. Vid is now a teacher in his own right, and teaches with both the iEvolve Practice Community as well as with the Integral Spiritual Center (founded by Ken Wilber). In this episode, Vid shares with us how he came to the dharma, and how it eventually led to his time as a Zen monastic. He also turns the table on the Geeks and begins questioning us as to what the significance is between meditation and life. [...] Related posts:

BG 133: Erik Curren: The Buddhist Politician

Erik Curren — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Erik Curren is a business leader, community activist, author, Buddhist meditator, and politician—who is running for state legislature in Virginia during the 2010 election period. We were contacted by Erik’s campaign manager, who told us that Erik’s Buddhist background was causing a backlash of religious intolerance from some camps, including his fellow Democrats. We spoke with Erik about the importance of religious freedom in American politics, as well as about the way that the Bodhisattva ideal impacts his work as a politician. Finally, we speak with Erik about his first book, Buddha’s Not Smiling, which explored some [...] Related posts:

BG 132: Buddhist Chaplaincy, Buddhist Youth

Danny Fisher — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we’re joined by Reverend Danny Fisher–a Buddhist Chaplain and author. Danny shares with us his reasons for becoming chaplain, where the notion of chaplaincy or service to others comes from in the Buddhist tradition, and what it’s like to undertake a Buddhist-based divinity program. In the 2nd half of our conversation we ask him about his take on the challenges and opportunities that young Buddhists encounter. Being an emerging voice for young Buddhists, and a popular Buddhist blogger, Danny shares with us some of his thoughts on what it’s like being a young Buddhist today. Episode [...] Related posts:

BG 131: Buddhist History 101

Lewis Lancaster — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with esteemed scholar, and the former professor of Buddhist Studies at UC Berkely, Dr. Lewis Lancaster. Lewis shares with us the important history of the Buddhist tradition, focusing in particular on the unique attributes of Buddhism that made it the first “world religion,” a religion that is able to detach from it’s original homeland and language and travel wide and far. We also discuss the recent history of Buddhism transitioning to the West, and how Buddhism continues to morph and change through time. Listen in for a great dose of geeky history! [...] Related posts:

BG 130: Buddhism and the Evolution of Religion

Norman Fischer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:02:00 +0000

Episode Description: Zen teacher Norman Fischer—a teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi—joins us again to speak about the religion, evolution, and Buddhism’s unique role in both. The conversation begins with an overview of American sociologist Robert Bellah’s schema on the evolution of religion throughout the ages. We then discuss the important role that Buddhism can play in the evolution of religion in the West. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 1, Buddhism May Need a Plan B. Episode Links: The Official Buddhist Geeks Newsletter Robert Bellah Everyday Zen Transcript: Vince: You recently gave a talk [...] Related posts:

BG 129: Buddhism May Need a Plan B

Norman Fischer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Episode Description: As Buddhism transitions to the West, we see that it is doing so in a couple different ways. Some forms look more like their original Asian roots, while others are secular and non-Religious in their presentation. Zen teacher Norman Fischer, an early 2nd generation teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, calls the more traditional forms part of “Plan A” and the more secular forms, “Plan B.” In this interview we discuss with Norman the importance of Plan B approaches, like Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. We also discuss his personal experience teaching Plan B at [...] Related posts:

BG 130: Buddhism and the Evolution of Religion

BG 128: Peter Fenner: Entering into Natural Meditation

Peter Fenner — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week, I speak with non-dual teacher and former Tibetan monk, Peter Fenner. Peter was a monk for nearly a decade before he disrobed, realizing that the Buddhist practices he was engaged in weren’t leading him to what he was looking for. He then looked to Western psychotherapeutic technologies, and in the process developed a non-dual teaching that relates in part to Madhyamika, Advaita Vedanta, and Western psychology. He calls this approach Radiant Mind, and in this episode we speak with him about the various aspects of his teaching, from a type of deconstructive inquiry based on [...] Related posts:

BG 127: Pop Buddhism & Satori Porn

Brad Warner — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with Gen-X Zen teacher Brad Warner, author of the newly released Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. We talk a little bit about his book, which leads to a critique of what we might call “Popular Buddhism.” We then ask Brad about an article he wrote called, “Satori Porn”, where he argues that descriptions of enlightenment that make it sound like an experience just aren’t that helpful for students. Even so, at the end of the episode he tries his best to talk about enlightenment, while not describing it in terms [...] Related posts:

BG 126: Natural Wakefulness

Gaylon Ferguson — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak with Shambhala acharya and cultural anthropologist, Gaylon Ferguson. Gaylon speaks about the view of Natural Wakefulness, in short that innate wisdom is there from the beginning. We also discuss the four foundations of mindfulness as they were taught by Chogyam Trungpa, and the differences between emphasizing naturalness and training on the spiritual path. We wrap up by exploring how cultural anthropology and the study of religion fit in with being a practitioner of the dharma. And since Gaylon has done and taught all three, he has a distinctly interdisciplinary approach that you’ll [...] Related posts:

BG 125: Insights at the Edge

Tami Simon — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by Tami Simon–founder of the spiritual media company Sounds True and senior student of Vajrayana teacher Reggie Ray. This week we ask her about her new podcast series, Insights at the Edge, where she has been interviewing many of the best spiritual teachers in the world. Jokingly, Tami said that she wanted to name the show, “Grill the Guru.” Even though that was a joke, there is some truth in it, and she uses her opportunity with these different teachers to ask them tough questions about their lives. We also ask her about [...] Related posts:

BG 124: You Will Get the Dharma You Need

BG 124: You Will Get the Dharma You Need

Tami Simon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we speak with Tami Simon–founder of the spiritual media company Sounds True and senior student of Vajrayana teacher Reggie Ray. Tami shares us with us the intimate details of her initial meeting with Reggie, and the amazing results that followed. She also describes what she has learned from beginning to teach the dharma to others, while also making a vow to only teach that which she truly knows. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, Insights at the Edge. Episode Links: Dharma Ocean Reggie Ray on Buddhist Geeks Meditating with the [...] Related posts:

BG 123: Dharma Music Can Sound Like Anything

Ravenna Michalsen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we speak to the Buddhist-inspired musician Ravenna Michalsen. She explains why dharma music need not sound the way we think it should (think monks chanting in Asian in a cave). Instead, Ravenna’s music crosses musical genres and stretches our notion of what dharma music is. We also discuss the life and teachings of Machig Labdron, one of Tibet’s most famous female masters and the inventor of the Chöd lineage of practice. At the end of the interview we end with a song from Ravenna’s album Dharma Song called “Ki Ki So So.” [...] Related posts:

BG 122: The Evolution of the Mind and Life Dialogues

Adam Engle — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week, Adam Engle, the business mastermind behind the Mind and Life Institute, joins us to discuss both the evolution of the project as well as its larger impact. The first Mind and Life Dialogue was held in Dharamsala, India in 1987 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since then, Adam says, it has done more than any other organization to help “legitimatize the scientific study of meditation.” Listen in to hear more about how they’ve gone about creating an active collaboration between scientists and contemplatives, and what kind of fruit that collaboration has borne. Episode [...] Related posts:

BG 121: The Great Work of Western Magick

Alan Chapman — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Alan Chapman is a Western magick practitioner, and the author of the newly released book, Advanced Magick for Beginners. Alan found his way into the field of Chaos magick through the work of Aleister Crowley and since has worked with a powerful technique called “the Holy Guardian Angel,” which very much like the guru yoga techniques of the Vajrayana schools, allows one to surrender to an external guide on the path to enlightenment. Alan shares with us the details of the Western occult tradition, including its core purpose of enlightenment, which he calls “the great work” of magick. [...] Related posts:

BG 120: The Mystery of the Mind: Ten Zen Questions

Susan Blackmore — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Episode Description: Dr. Susan Blackmore–a psychologist and long-time Zen practitioner–shares with us the discoveries that she made while writing her latest book, Ten Zen Questions. Listen in to find out what she discovered after many, many hours of asking questions, such as: “Am I conscious now?”, “What was I conscious of a moment ago?”, & “There is no time. What is memory?” Also, listen in to hear how she feels this type of exploration, often called Koan training in the Zen Buddhist tradition, can illuminate and inform the traditional scientific study of consciousness. Episode Links: The Headless Way Ten Zen Blog Dr. [...] Related posts:

BG 119: The Dharma Overground

Daniel Ingram — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Episode Description: Daniel Ingram, Theravada meditation teacher, joins us today to discuss the online community he and Buddhist Geeks host, Vince Horn helped create, The Dharma Overground. Daniel shares how the Dharma Overground has been a grand experiment in discussing practical, down-to-earth, and empowering dharma out in the open and the results of that experiment thus far. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book. Episode Links: The Dharma Overground Interactive Buddha Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha Transcript: Vince: So in addition to writing this book and trying to help people out [...] Related posts:

BG 118: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book

Daniel Ingram — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Daniel Ingram, a Theravada meditation teacher and one of our most popular guests, joins us again to discuss his recently published book, Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha. In discussing the book we dive into some of the more foundation distinctions he makes, including that of the three trainings. Daniel claims that the trainings in morality (or ethics), concentration (or meditation), and insight (or wisdom) are distinct trainings, each having their own unique gold standard. He explores each of these gold standards and pays particular attention to the gold standard of insight, which has to [...] Related posts:

BG 117: Western Buddhism: Megatrends & Scandals

Sarah Harding — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Lama Sarah Harding, Tibetan translator and student of the late Kalu Rinpoche, joins us again to discuss some of the major trends in Western Buddhism. Having taught a class on “Buddhism in America” for the past several years, Sarah is uniquely positioned to share some key insights on this topic. We cap the conversation off discussing the regular, and unfortunate, occurrence of scandal within different Buddhist communities in the West, and what some of the major causes seem to be. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, The Traditional 3-Year Retreat: [...] Related posts:

BG 116: The Traditional 3-Year Retreat: Intensive Training for a Nonexistent Job

Sarah Harding — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Lama Sarah Harding, Tibetan translator and student of the late Kalu Rinpoche, joins us to discuss the experience of doing a traditional 3-year retreat in the Tibetan tradition. She was part of a small group of people, who in the mid 70’s did the first 3-year retreat held for Westerners. Listen in to find out more about the practices one does during the traditional retreat, what the biggest challenges can be, and what the benefits are (especially when compared with shorter periods of practice). This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, [...] Related posts:

BG 115: The Buddha Didn’t Have a Credit Card

Diana Winston — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Insight Meditation teacher, Diana Winston, joins us to discuss an extremely relevant topic: Buddhism & Money. We explore whether or not spirituality and money are incompatible (as they are often seen) and if not how they might go together. Diana shares with us some of the original, though not so well known, teachings that the historical Buddha gave on money. She also discusses why both Buddhist teachers and practitioners should work with money and become familiar with it, and recounts her own journey with spiritual practice and money and how she has been able to bring the [...] Related posts:

BG 114: Different Types of Jhana: Sutta, Vishudimagga, & Vipassana

Richard Shankman — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We continue our discussion with insight meditation teacher and author, Richard Shankman. In this episode we continue to dissect the different kinds of samadhi and their respective fruits–what in the Theravada tradition are called jhana (or “meditative absorption”). According to Shankman there are two ways of approaching the attainment of jhana, one as was taught in the original canonical texts of the Theravada, the Pali Suttas, and the other from the later commentaries on the Buddha’s teachings, the Vishudimagga. As a result we get two different forms of jhana–one called Sutta jhana and the other called [...] Related posts:

BG 113: The Power of Samadhi

Richard Shankman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Richard Shankman–a teacher in the insight meditation tradition and the author of the recently released book The Experience of Samadhi–joins us to discuss the various teachings and approaches to what in the Theravada tradition is called samadhi or concentration meditation. During this episode Richard shares some of his personal background with samadhi practice and also explains two different forms of deep samadhi, called jhana in the Theravada tradition–one from the time of the Buddha as captured by the Pali Suttas and another which arouse hundreds of years later and which is captured in the authoritative text, the Visuddhimagga. [...] Related posts:

BG 112: Vajrayana in Plain English

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode, we continue our dialogue with Shingon teacher Hokai Sobol. We begin our conversation by dropping a difficult question on Hokai, asking him how the Vajrayana traditions (both the Japanese and Tibetan) can maintain relevance in our post-modern and rapidly changing world. He suggests that we must develop a “Vajrayana in Plain English,” one that is germane to the particularities of this time and space. And as the 1st generation of Buddhist teachers and leaders near retirement-age, now is the only time that we have to do so. Listen in to hear [...] Related posts:

BG 111: Japanese Shingon: The True Word School

Hokai Sobol — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we are joined by one of our favorite Buddhist Geeks, Hokai Sobol. Hokai who is a teacher in the Shingon Buddhist tradition–a form of Vajrayana found in Japan–joins us today to speak about the Shingon school. Hokai shares with us a brief history of Shingon tradition and its main teacher Kukai, the artistic dimension of Shingon, and also begins to explain the basic teachings and practices of the lineage. Similar to the Tibetan Vajrayana approaches Shingon harnesses things like mudras (gestures), mantras (sounds), and mandalas (visualizations)–which lines up with the three-fold Body, Speech, & [...] Related posts:

BG 110: Embodied Zen

Gerry Shishin Wick — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “Meditation is the royal road to the unconscious.” – Carl Jung Gerry Shishen Wick, Roshi joins us today to finish the discussion on koan training, Rinzai and Soto Zen, and on a method of training he uses to help people deal with certain psychological issues–called the Great Heart Way. He sees all of these methods as leading toward a more genuine and embodied Zen. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Koan Training and the Different Styles of Zen. Episode Links: The Great Heart Way: How To Heal Your Life and Find Self-Fulfillment Great Mountain Zen [...] Related posts:

BG 109: Koan Training and the Different Styles of Zen

Gerry Shishin Wick — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Gerry Shishen Wick, Roshi is a dual-lineage holder of both the Soto and Rinzai schools of Zen. His teacher Maezumi Roshi passed along both lineages, and so we take this unique opportunity to ask Roshi to compare these two different approaches. He talks about shikantaza (Just Sitting) and also about koan practice–sometimes referred to as logical paradoxes. He explains that the koan system includes many different kinds of koans, each with different purposes. Some are meant to reveal the oneness of reality, while others are point to the multiplicity within that oneness. He also discusses [...] Related posts:

BG 108: Joseph Goldstein on The Science of Insight

Joseph Goldstein — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Joseph Goldstein–one of the primary figures in the development of the Insight Meditation movement–finishes up his conversation with us by sharing his perspective on the recent cross-pollunation of the Buddhist meditation with scientific investigation. He shares some of the recent studies that he has contributed to–including an in-depth study at the Insight Meditation Society–and also discusses a few research possibilities that he has recommended to scientists. Finally he shares an interesting idea he had for creating a “virtual bardo machine.” This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Joseph Goldstein on the [...] Related posts:

BG 107: Joseph Goldstein on the Benefits of Long Term Practice

Joseph Goldstein — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Joseph Goldstein–one of the primary figures in the development of the Insight Meditation movement–joins us today to discuss the unique benefits of long-term practice. He touches in on the need the train the mind, and hence the need for long periods of dedicated training. He also shares some of the background and vision behind the long-term retreat facility that he helped start called the Forest Refuge–a place where people can come and do long, self-guided retreat practice. Finally, we touch in on the future of the insight meditation tradition, and really the development of Western Buddhism in general. This [...] Related posts:

BG 106: Tibetan Buddhist Lineage in the West

Reginald Ray — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Reginald Ray, Tibetan Buddhist scholar and teacher, is backhitw us this week to discuss some pretty big topics. We explore the break that he made, several years ago with the Shambhala tradition, and the larger implications of becoming a Western teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Connected with that we explore the whole issue of Westerners not being regularly empowered to be teachers, and several of the factors involved in that dynamic. We also touch on whether or not Westeners make the best practitioners, and what seems to keep them from going deep. This is part [...] Related posts:

BG 105: The Forest Dwelling Yogi

Reginald Ray — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “Enlightenment is found in the Body and nowhere else.” – famous Dzogchen saying We’re joined in this interview by Reginald Ray–author of numerous books on Tibetan Buddhism and teacher in the lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In this episode we discuss the forest dwelling meditator, a category of practitioner outside of the normal lay / monastic dichotomy. In particular we look at the role that retreat–both group and solitary–plays for the type of practitioner that does intensive retreat but is not a full-time practitioner. We also discuss Reggie’s teaching emphasis on the shamanic aspect of Vajrayana Buddhism, [...] Related posts:

BG 104: Enlightenment for the Rest of Us

Shinzen Young — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Shinzen Young joins us again to discuss the possibility of a new way to deliver classical enlightenment to the masses. He discusses the classic delivery systems, which included monastic and lay life. He then builds on that to show a hybrid two-fold delivery system that would incorporate his artificial intelligence system with virtually led home retreats. This Home Practice Program is what is currently being offered at BasicMindfulness.org. Finally Shinzen discusses the “crowning glory” of his mission to unify Western and Eastern technologies, and that is to help nurture the emergence of a “neuro-scientific paradigm for [...] Related posts:

BG 103: Building a Dharma Successor

Shinzen Young — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Shinzen Young, professional meditation instructor and geek-extraordinaire, continues his discussion with us on the unique approach he has taken to combining the best of the scientific approach with the best of the contemplative modalities of the East. The result of this combination appears to be a delivery system for enlightenment that uses an interactive and algorithmic approach to guiding a student in their practice. In short, instead of appointing a human dharma successor, he is trying to build one. Listen in to find out more about this artificial intelligence system, which he refers to as “virtual Shinzen,” and [...] Related posts:

BG 102: Shinzen Young: The Hybrid Teacher

Shinzen Young — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Shinzen Young, professional meditation instructor and geek-extraordinaire, joins us today to share his unique journey as a contemplative. From discontinuing his PhD studies to become a full-time shingon practitioner to taking up Japanese Zen and finally discovering the mindfulness practices originating from Theravada Buddhism, Shinzen has gone deep with several contemplative techniques. In addition to his training in the contemplative traditions of the East, Shinzen took time to train himself to become a relatively qualified mathematician and scientist so that he could one day be poised to bring together the best of the East (contemplative practice) with the [...] Related posts:

BG 101: Hollow Bones Zen

Jun Po Denis Kelly — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Jun Po Roshi, an American Zen Master in the Rinzai Zen tradition, joins us again this week to discuss the limitations of Japanese Zen as it enters contemporary American culture. He also shares the way that his Hallow Bones Zen community has re-organized the core teachings of the Buddha in their five training elements: Sacred stewardship Philosophical re-indoctrination Emotional maturity & integrity Conscious embodiment Genuine insight These five training elements are a re-working and re-presentation of the original 8-fold path, but one that was designed specifically for our time and place. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, [...] Related posts:

BG 100: Psychotropics and NeuroLinguistic Zen

Jun Po Denis Kelly — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Jun Po Roshi, an American Zen Master in the Rinzai Zen tradition, joins us to discuss his fascinating history with psychotropic drugs, including a form of LSD, called Clear Light, that he helped to create and distribute a long time ago. We also speak with him about his new form of Koan practice that uses NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to help anchor spiritual realization in one’s linguistic structures. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, Hollow Bones Zen. Episode Links: Hollow Bones Zen School Transcript: Coming Soon…. Related posts:BG 101: Hollow Bones Zen BG 110: Embodied Zen BG 015: Is Zen [...] Related posts:

BG 099: The Zen Tree Fort in the Sky

Stuart Davis — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Ken Wilber coined the terms “ascending” and “descending” to describe two possible orientations to spiritual practice. The ascending path has to do with transcending the world, leaving samsara behind, and fusing with the infinite. The descending path has to do with finding spirit in the world–in the midst of everyday life. Both approaches are important, and both have been clearly highlighted in Stuart Davis’s journey as a Zen practitioner. Listen in to hear Davis’s radical flip-flop between these two approaches. Where Davis once found himself sitting up in his “Zen tree fort in the sky” [...] Related posts:

BG 098: Stuart Davis: Bodhisattva Rocker

Stuart Davis — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we’re joined by prolific musician, artist, writer, & comic Stuart Davis. Davis, a long-time Zen practitioner, shares with us his background as a creative and the resulting unique understanding that he has of the Bodhisattva’s path. Specifically, we discuss his current creative projects, including a language called IS that he is in the process of developing & and a spiritual talk-show that he’s hosting entitled Sex, God & Rock ‘n Roll. We also cover the topic of re-incarnation, and the spiritual tutelage he has received from his wife Marci. We hope you enjoy this interview [...] Related posts:

BG 097: The Dhamma Brothers: Vipassana Meditation in Prison

Jenny Phillips — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: We are joined this week by Jenny Phillips, Director and Producer of the newly released documentary, The Dhamma Brothers. The Dhamma Brothers gives an in-depth look at how a trial program of vipassana meditation courses radically transforms the lives of inmates in a the maximum-security prison facility in Alabama. In our interview with Jenny we explore the story behind the film, her intentions for creating it, and the potential ramifications of introducing these powerful meditation practices into an environment where genuine positive transformation is almost unheard of. Put another way we discuss what happens when “East meets [...] Related posts:

BG 096: The Particularities of Awakening

Geeks of the Round Table — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: The Geeks of the Round Table are back, continuing our discussion of Judy Lief’s article Glimpses of Awakening. We speculate on the language and culture surrounding enlightenment both here in the West and in various countries in the East–including Japan, Burma, and Thailand. We also speculate on how likely it is that people can have initial breakthroughs in their practice (the first glimpses of enlightenment) and how useful it would be to have an empirical, longitudinal study that tracked these kind of breakthroughs. And if you make it all the way to the end of this [...] Related posts:

BG 095: The Buzz Lightyear Model of Enlightenment: To Infinity and Beyond

Geeks of the Round Table — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:50:00 +0000

Episode Description: In this episode we bring back the Geeks of the Round Table segment. Joining us is one of our regulars Duff McDuffee, and a new geek to the lineup, Mike LaTorra. Mike is the resident teacher of the Soto Zen Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During this conversation we discuss an article written by Shambhala Acharaya Judy Lief entitled, Glimpses of Awakening. We discuss the ideals surrounding awakening, and use the classic three trainings model (of ethics, concentration, & wisdom) to explore what enlightenment is about. This is part 1 of a two-part [...] Related posts:

BG 094: Horizontal and Vertical Enlightenment

Ken Wilber — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:25:00 +0000

Episode Description: Philosopher and long-time Buddhist practitioner, Ken Wilber, continues his discussion of the meditative terrain and of his spiritual philosophy in general. He finishes off his discussion of the meditative maps with an exploration of what it actual takes–both in terms of time and effort–to master these various stages of consciousness. He also explains the difference between what he is now calling “horizontal enlightenment” (which is basically everything we’ve explored up to this point) and “vertical enlightenment” which encompasses other areas of human development that can’t been developed while on the cushion. According to him the traditional notion [...] Related posts:

BG 093: The Meditative Maps: Happy Mornings and Dark Nights

Ken Wilber — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Philosopher and long-time Buddhist practitioner, Ken Wilber, shares with us a 10,000 foot view of the terrain of meditative experience. He describes several of the most common Buddhist maps and their progression, including the one presented in the Visuddhimagga (one of the most prevalent in the Theravada tradition), the 10 ox herding pictures in the Zen tradition, and the Anuttara Tantra from the Tibetan tradition. He also gives an overview of the very difficult stages of practice called the Dark Nights. These are periods where after being plunged into a whole new experience of reality we have it stripped from [...] Related posts:

BG 092: Buddhist Studies in the West

Jeffrey Hopkins — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, one of the most important figure in the development of Tibetan Buddhist Studies in the United States, joins us to discuss the importance of academic studies. We explore what Buddhist studies are like in the West, the relationship between being a scholar and practitioner, and the broader role that Buddhist academia plays in Western Buddhism. This is part 2 of a two-part series Listen to part 1, The Practice Adventures of Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins. Episode Links: Tsong-Kha-Pa’s Final Exposition of Wisdom Light of Berotsana Translation Group Transcript: Coming Soon…. Related posts:BG 091: The Practice Adventures of Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins BG 037: Tibetan Buddhist [...] Related posts:

BG 091: The Practice Adventures of Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins

Jeffrey Hopkins — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Today we speak with Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, Professor Emeritus of Tibetan & Buddhist Studies at University of Virgina. Dr. Hopkins is a prolific translator–with 40 books translated in his career–and a committed meditation practitioner. In this episode we ask him to share some of the details of his early practice. He shares with us his experience doing sky meditations and dark retreats, all of which he did before being exposed to Tibetan Buddhism. He also shares some of the details of his meeting the Dalai Lama and working with him on translating some of his books to English, as [...] Related posts:

BG 090: The Logistics of Being a Bodhisattva

Ven. Robina Courtin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Join us as we finish up our dialogue with Venerable Robina Courtin, the highly energetic Tibetan Nun, who some refer to as a “Dharma CEO”. In this episode she continues to share the specific logistics behind her approach to balancing wisdom and compassion in today’s world. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Venerable Robina Courtin: Bodhisattva CEO. Episode Links: Happiness and It’s Causes Conference Liberation Prison Project Chasing Buddha Pilgrimage Transcript: Coming Soon…. Related posts:BG 089: Venerable Robina Courtin: Bodhisattva CEO “Bodhisattva, Superstar” Excerpts Related posts:

BG 089: Venerable Robina Courtin: Bodhisattva CEO

Ven. Robina Courtin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Join us this week as we converse with one of the most energetic and high-powered Nuns that we know, Venerable Robina Courtin. A long-time Nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Robina shares with us the importance of approaching work in the world, from the “Bodhisattva perspective” while also maintaining a firm grounding in emptiness. Listen in to find out more about the work that Robina does, and more importantly, how she approaches her work. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, The Logistics of Being a Bodhisattva. Episode Links: Happiness and It’s Causes Conference Liberation Prison Project Chasing Buddha [...] Related posts:

BG 088: Technology Makes our Delusion More Functional

Nova Spivack — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:14:00 +0000

Episode Description: We’re joined again by CEO and Founder of Twine.com, and long-time Dzogchen practitioner, Nova Spivack. In this episode we discuss the short-comings of the Western traditions understanding and pursuit of consciousness, especially with regards to finding an ultimate particle in physics. We also explore the strengths and limitations of technology to aid in the process of awakening. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Does the Web have Buddha Nature? Episode Links: The Buddhist Geeks Twine The Chinese Room Radar Networks Twine Transcript: Coming Soon…. Related posts:BG 087: Does the Web have Buddha Nature? BG 078: Cyborg Buddhas & Techno-Utopian Pure Lands! Related posts:

BG 087: Does the Web have Buddha Nature?

Nova Spivack — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: This week we are joined by CEO and Founder of Twine.com and long-time Dzogchen practitioner Nova Spivack. Nova has been a student of many of the world’s most well-known Rinpoches while simultaneously being one of the first pioneering entrepreneurs on the web. In this episode Nova shares with us his background as a Buddhist practitioner and launches into a discussion on the intersection between Buddhist practice, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and the future of the world wide web. He shares a unique perspective on the evolution of the web and tackles the question of whether or not the web will [...] Related posts:

BG 086: How Did Descartes Die?

Peter Grossenbacher — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Join us this week as we speak with Dr. Peter Grossenbacher, director of the Consciousness Laboratory at Naropa University, about the difference between Eastern and Western modes of inquiry, sensory awareness practice, and of the importance of contemplative education. Peter ties together the Eastern and Western schools of thought by pointing out that they are both loosely interested in the empirical, or what is observable. He also explains the sensory awareness practice that he guides students through, and in our first guided practice here on Buddhist Geeks, leads us through a few minutes of sensory awareness practice. We finish our [...] Related posts:

BG 085: The Consciousness Laboratory

Peter Grossenbacher — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Join us this week as we speak with Dr. Peter Grossenbacher, director of the Consciousness Laboratory at Naropa University, about his research on meditation and contemplative spirituality. Along with finding out about the specific work that Dr. Grossenbacher is engaged in in the Consciousness Lab, listen in as we ask we ask such questions as: Can awareness be defined through empirical methods? And if so, what methods might those be? And finally, can the emphasis on objectivity found in much of mainstream science be applied to subjective research? This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, How [...] Related posts:

BG 084: Dream Practices: Comparing Dream Yoga and Lucid Dreaming

B. Alan Wallace — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: B. Alan Wallace joins to us to compare and contrast two fantastic dream practices. One comes from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, going all the way back to India, with the yogi Naropa. This practice, called Dream Yoga, is a type of insight practice which utilizes the dream state in order to wake up. The other practice, called Lucid Dreaming, comes out of the pioneering research of Dr. Stephen LaBerge. Lucid dreaming breaks down the same goals that Dream Yoga aspires to, but into smaller and more attainable goals. It is also firmly grounded in the scientific method. Listen in to [...] Related posts:

BG 083: The Yogas of Dream and Sleep

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, an esteemed teacher in the Bon Buddhist tradition of Tibet, joins us again to continue describing the importance of dream yoga as part of the larger system of the 6 yogas of Naropa. Rinpoche guides us through the three different kinds of dreams that we can have, including samsaric dreams, dreams of clarity, and clear light dreams. He also discusses the importance of dream practice, for those that have a naturally tendency toward being active in their dreams, comments on the methodology of lucid dreaming, that Western dream research Stephen LaBerge has created, and explains the importance [...] Related posts:

BG 082: Sleep as a Spiritual Journey

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “Look to your experience in dreams to know how you will fare in death. Look to your experience of sleep to discover whether or not you are truly awake.” – Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, an esteemed teacher in the Bon Buddhist tradition of Tibet, joins us to discuss the importance of sleep in relation to the spiritual path. Since we spend nearly a third of our lives asleep, the focus on sleep and dream practice becomes of utmost important for those practitioners that want to make the best of the time they have. Listen in to find out more [...] Related posts:

BG 081: The Inevitable Tension: Going Deep vs. Spreading Wide

Melvin McLeod — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Melvin McLeod, Editor-in-Chief of the Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines, concludes his conversation with us, this time discussing the inevitable tensions that arise in Buddhist media. These tensions center primarily around going deep vs. spreading wide. Listen in to hear how these magazines find the middle ground between condemning Buddhism to the irrelevant on the one hand (too much depth) and selling out on the other (too much breadth). Also at the end Melvin shares the specific ways that their publications are looking to integrate new media technologies into their projects. Exciting times! This is part 2 of a two-part series. [...] Related posts:

BG 080: Peering Under the Hood of Buddhist Media

BG 080: Peering Under the Hood of Buddhist Media

Melvin McLeod — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “Buddhism offers the most profound critique or criticism of life imaginable in it’s analysis of the role of ego, and of the nature of samsara, as well as in its basic doctrine of emptiness. There could hardly be a more profound critique of life then to say that neither your nor it exists.” – Melvin McLeod Melvin McLeod, Editor-in-Chief of the Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines, joins us to share his perspective on the differences and similarities that Buddhist media sources have with more traditional media. Listen in to find out more about the philosophical underpinnings of a publication that [...] Related posts:

BG 081: The Inevitable Tension: Going Deep vs. Spreading Wide

BG 079: Existential Threats and Risks: We Can’t Escape Impermanence!

James Hughes — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “At any moment the Yellowstone caldera could blow up, wipe out %99 of the life on the surface of the planet, and probably all humans, and in our last minutes the degree of equanimity with which we face that prospect is the test of our dharmic fortitude and wisdom.” – James Hughes In our final episode with professor James Hughes we tackle the less rosy side of Transhumanism, which has to do with massive existential threats and risks. Though there are many natural risks that could threaten humanity as a whole, including large asteriod collisions, gamma bursts, and super volcanoes, [...] Related posts:

BG 078: Cyborg Buddhas & Techno-Utopian Pure Lands!

James Hughes — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: With radical advances in science in technology would it be possible for us to turn our world into a so-called, “Buddha Realm” or would it be more likely that we create some sort of God Realm, where awakening is discouraged because the conditions are so radically pleasant? And how specifically could these advances help us develop spiritually, on the path toward Buddhahood? This week, we discuss this and other questions with professor James Hughes, author of the upcoming book Cyborg Buddha. If you want to have your views regarding technology and it’s relation to the Buddhist path challenged, please listen [...] Related posts:

BG 077: Transhumanism and the Authentic Self

James Hughes — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “The longer our lives, the more we’ll have a chance to see that there’s no self living them.” – James Hughes What is Transhumanism and how is it related to Buddhist practice? Will technology enable us to radically extend our lifespans, help us control our thoughts and emotions, and bring about the potential to upload our consciousness into virtual reality spaces? And if so, what are the deeper implications for our contemplative traditions. Will these advances actually support the deepening of wisdom? According to professor James Hughes, a Buddhist practitioner and leading voice in the Transhumanist movement, these advances will [...] Related posts:

BG 076: Rebirth and Suffering: How Important Are They?

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: “I do not believe in an after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear.” – Woody Allen The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche joins us again, this time to discuss the importance of the teachings of rebirth in the Western context. He also gives many detailed suggestions on how to work with suffering in practice, especially when your awareness of it becomes more acute–a common occurrence in practice. We finish off this fantastic dialogue with Rinpoche hearing his thoughts on transplanting Buddhism to the west to form a genuine form of western buddhism. This is part 3 of a three-part series. [...] Related posts:

BG 075: The Best Preparation for Dying Well is Living Well

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is the only Rinpoche we know who owns and uses a Blackberry! Rinpoche shares with us the different ways that he has adopted modern technology into the work that he does and into his teaching style. We also speak with Rinpoche about his most recent book, which explores the Bardo teachings, Mind Beyond Death. Rinpoche explains to us that death, one of the greatest sources of suffering, gives us a palpable opportunity to live well. He also points out that in terms of the trained mind, both death and life are but two sides of [...] Related posts:

BG 074: Analytical Meditation: Going Beyond Coffee Table Dharma

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, one of the foremost teachers in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, joins us to discuss his efforts in creating a genuinely Western form of the traditional shedra tract of Buddhist learning. This traditional scholastic training system is being translated and slightly altered for Westerners so that they can learn the full system of monastic training. In this episode we spoke with Rinpoche about the ways that these systems are being altered for Westerners, how this in-depth training is different from “coffee table dharma”, and how analytic meditation—using the mind to analyze the [...] Related posts:

BG 073: The Darker Side of Zen: Institutions Defining Reality

Stuart Lachs — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: What the teacher really offers the student is literally living proof that all this talk and the seemingly impossible goals [of Zen] can be realized in this lifetime.” – Baker Roshi in the Introduction to Zen Mind, Begineer’s Mind Stuart Lachs, who for many decades has studied Zen from within and from without, challenges the legitimacy and authority of the Zen Master by deconstructing the structures and invisible institutional systems that grant this authority to the Zen Master. Listen in to find out how Noam Chomsky’s notion of “useful doctrinal fabrications” applies to Zen, how the story of an unbroken [...] Related posts:

BG 072: Zen Masters: Dressing the Donkey with Bells and Scarves

Stuart Lachs — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Long-time American Zen practitioner Stuart Lachs has spent some 40 years practicing Zen. First with Suzuki Roshi at the Tassajara Monastery in California and then with Eido Shimano Roshi, Walter Nowick, and finally with Ch’an Master Sheng-yen. In all of these communities Stuart ran up against strange and unfortunate dynamics playing out between the Zen Master and their communities. After getting heavily involved with the academic and sociological study of Zen, Stuart began seeing some of the cultural (and invisible) reasons that these communities would falter, whether from sexual scandals, the intense vanity of the teacher, or worse. In this [...] Related posts:

BG 071: Mind Like Space

Susan Piver — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Our conversation with Susan Piver continues this week as we wrap our discussion on the relationship between meditation and writing. We also also explore the role that intention plays in offering or marketing the dharma. Finally, we wrap up the conversation by touching in on personality theory and productivity. Find out which enneagram type the Buddha was, and why productivity systems can bring about more bliss than meditation, in one of our geekiest (and fun) conversations to date! This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Susan Piver: The Fearless Writer. Episode Links: Susan Piver Getting Things Done: [...] Related posts:

BG 070: Susan Piver: The Fearless Writer

Susan Piver — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: When Susan Piver’s book, The Hard Questions, hit the top of the NY Times Bestsellers list (and stayed there) she decided that she needed to deepen her practice immediately. Listen in this week as speak with Susan about her journey as a popular author and Buddhist practitioner. And if you have an interest in writing, or the creative process, you won’t want to miss out on her description of the “meditation for writers” retreats that she leads, where writers of all backgrounds are able to combine their interest in writing with the power of the retreat environment. Are creativity [...] Related posts:

BG 071: Mind Like Space

BG 069: Every Generation Creates the Dharma Anew

Geeks of the Round Table — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: The Round Table Geeks continue their exploration of Whitney Joiner’s article, “Dive-bar Dharma”. In a flurry of paradox, perspectives, humor, and exploration they tackle questions of integrating dharma into life, the Buddhist secular movements, contemplative practices in other traditions, and the historical and sociological dimensions of Dharma’s spread to the West. We hope you enjoy this dynamic and fun conversation between fellow Buddhist geeks. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Dive-bar Dharma: Making it Fresh or Sensationalizing it?. Episode Links: Dive-bar Dharma Transcript: Coming Soon…. Related posts:BG 068: Dive-bar Dharma: Making it Fresh or Sensationalizing it? BG 011: Models of [...] Related posts:

BG 068: Dive-bar Dharma: Making it Fresh or Sensationalizing it?

Geeks of the Round Table — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Episode Description: Join the Geeks of the Round Table as we discuss an article published on Salon.com entitled, Dive-bar Dharma. The geeks explore several questions, sparked by this article, including whether or not we should update ancient metaphors with more contemporary metaphors? Also of interest is how far teachers should go in adapting the teachings of the Buddha to the culture and counter-cultures that they teach within? How do we discover the fine between making the dharma more fresh and relevant and of sensationalizing it? This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, Every Generation Creates the Dharma [...] Related posts:

BG 067: Everything Arises in the Mind of the Yogi

John Daido Loori — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Episode Description: Real creative expression, to me, is a process of discovery … It’s entering the mystery - Daido Roshi John Daido Loori, Roshi continues his discussion with Robert Spellman on the intersection between contemporary art and contemplative awareness. The two teachers share revealing stories about their understanding of the importance of meditative awareness in the creative process, and of specific exercises that one can do to tap into deeper ways of seeing, participating, and merging with the creative process. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Zen Mountain Monastery: Zen and the Arts. Episode Links: The Eight Gates of [...] Related posts:

BG 066: Zen Mountain Monastery: Zen and the Arts

John Daido Loori — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:06:00 +0000

Episode Description: John Daido Loori, Roshi abbot of the Zen Mountain Monastery in NY and well-known Buddhist author, joins us to discuss the history and development of his teaching, especially with regards to the key role that Art plays in Zen practice. Naropa University teacher Robert Spellman joins us as guest host to ask Daido Roshi about the 8 gates of zen, Roshi’s training with Minor White, the difference between Western and Eastern forms of art, how the wildness of nature relates to Buddha-Nature, and ethical issues of taking responsibility for one’s state of mind and their art work. This is part [...] Related posts:

BG 065: The Three Faces of Spirit: Where is Awareness Locating Itself?

Diane Hamilton — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:54:00 +0000

Episode Description: Where does awareness tend to locate itself? And how is this important in our experience and understanding of the Buddhist path of awakening? This week Diane Musho Hamilton—Zen sensei and Big Mind lineage holder—joins us again to discuss the importance of what Ken Wilber calls the three faces of spirit. Using this powerful notion as a lens we explore questions about how and why lineage is passed down, the way that Buddhism adapts to new cultures and why it is particularly vulnerable to being destroyed, how cultural development impacts the tradition, issues surrounding the master-disciple relationship, and finally whether or [...] Related posts: