Archive for May 2018
What's the Point of Practice?
It often happens that those of us with a regular — or irregular! — practice will come to a place of wondering: “What’s the point?” We’ll discuss the nature of these completely normal doubts and ways to deal with them. We’ll also try to deal with the question of what the point is of it…
Read MoreEpisode 294 :: Joan and Anne Watts :: The Collected Letters of Alan Watts
Joan Watts Philosopher, author, and lecturer Alan Watts (1915–1973) popularized Zen Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies for the counterculture of the 1960s. Today, new generations are finding his writings and lectures online, while faithful followers worldwide continue to be enlightened by his teachings. The Collected Letters of Alan Watts reveals the remarkable arc of Watts’s…
Read More5/27 Practice Circle: The Five Hindrances, with Amy Balentine
When Practice Circle meets again this Sunday, May 27th, at 6 p.m. Pacific, 7 Mountain, 8 Central and 9 Eastern, we’ll explore the Five Hindrances in meditation practice. Click here to join our free video conference group Sunday night! We all experience obstacles or difficulties in meditation, which can lead to discouragement or a belief…
Read MoreStart With Yourself
We all want to make the world a better place, but doing so can be at times difficult, frustrating, even stressful. Rather than turning towards cynicism, why not start making the world a better place by working with yourself? A good article from the Washington Post notes that work on oneself should not preclude work…
Read MoreBrittle Metta
We may practice kindness, but anger and hatred will take over at times. We’ll deal with one syndrome involving anger and talk about ways to approach it that may be helpful. Thich Nhat Hanh on embracing anger Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreBuddha: The First Humanist?
Robert Thurman is a noted author on Buddhist topics and Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University. In 1990, the Humanist Association of Massachusetts invited Robert Thurman, Professor of Religion at Columbia University to lecture on the similarities and differences between Western philosophical Humanism and Buddhism. His talk was entitled Buddha: The First Humanist?…
Read MorePractice is Weeding
Daily practice along the path is like weeding our yard. Weeds tend to sprout if the ground lies unattended, but by diligent effort we can make a difference. We’ll consider that metaphor in this video. Check out my Patreon page!
Read MoreIs Nirvana Indescribable? Is it Permanent?
Nirvana or the awakened state is often said to be indescribable, and typically understood as permanent. We’ll consider both of these claims, and look at a neat thought experiment by philosopher Frank Jackson along the way. Suttas mentioned: The Unconditioned (SN 43.12, 14-43) (The rest of this sutta appears not to be available online). The…
Read MoreEpisode 293 :: Bonnie Sumana Ryan-Fisher :: Mindful Moment: 52 Weeks of Mindfulness
Bonnie Sumana Ryan-Fisher Bonnie Sumana Ryan-Fisher joins us to speak about her new book Mindful Moment: 52 Weeks of Mindfulness, Exercises and Reflections. When I first heard about secular mindfulness programs like MBSR, I had a judgmental reaction. This isn’t Sati, you can’t condense mindfulness into eight weeks, this is a watering down… all of…
Read MoreControversies Over Clothing and Food
Some of the Buddha’s dictates over clothing and food became controversial in the early history of the saṅgha. Indeed, aspects of them are still controversial today. We’ll discuss those controversies in this video in their historical context and consider how we might approach them today. Suttas mentioned: Āmagandha Sutta (Snp. II.2): Jīvaka Sutta (MN 55):…
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