Posts by Ted Meissner

Shaila Catherine Shaila Catherine returns to the podcast to speak about her new book Beyond Distraction: Five Practical Ways to Focus the Mind. Hi, everyone. You may have noticed this podcast has been on pause. After ten years of weekly episodes, this or Present Moment Mindfulness, I needed a break to shift my focus to…

Paul Keddy Paul Keddy joins us to speak about Darwin Meets the Buddha: Human Nature, Buddha Nature, Wild Nature. The interconnectedness of all life sometimes takes a back seat in Buddhism, with the spotlight going to lists in service of release from rounds of rebirth. The earning of that freedom, however, happens in samsara, and…

Ajahn Sona Ajahn Sona joins us to speak about Bloom: Buddhist Reflections on Serenity and Love. While not all of us will choose the monastic path, those who do have an amazing opportunity to live a life steeped in thousands of years of tradition. And from that foundation, the rest of us get to learn…

Matteo Pistono Matteo Pistono returns to the podcast to speak about his new book Roar: Sulak Sivaraksa and the Path of Socially Engaged Buddhism Buddhism is ostensibly about ending suffering by extinguishing attachment, and that may seem in conflict with the complexities of social justice, inextricably part of samsara or conditioned existence. That doesn’t look…

Pamela Weiss Pamela Weiss joins us to speak about A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism. One of the challenges to Buddhism in its encounter with modernity is its relationship to gender equality. The ordination of Bhikkhunis during Gotama’s lifetime was certainly ground breaking and progressive for the time, but times have changed, and…

Lama Rod Owens Lama Rod Owens returns to the podcast to talk about Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger. This topic reminds me of a meme I’ve been seeing for several years and agree with, “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” Anger is frequently condemned in Buddhism, confused with hatred…

Barbara Bonner Barbara Bonner joins us to speak about Inspiring Forgiveness. Forgiveness is a term that can mean different things to different people, whether we’re Buddhists or not, from welcome lightening of burdens to harmful judgments about having to practice it. From the guest in today’s interview, “As we go through this time and we…

Alex Kakuyo Alex Kakuyo joins us to speak about Perfectly Ordinary: Buddhist Teachings for Everyday Life. There can be a tremendous allure to leading the monastic life, relinquishing wordly possessions, and fully immersing in learning and practice. But sometimes during this very different way of living one’s life, another realization occurs: Zen is not separate…