Posts by Ted Meissner
Episode 23 :: Katherine MacLean :: Meditation Effects on Concentration
There are a lot of scientific studies on the effects of meditation. Today we speak with Katherine MacLean about one of the good ones — and why it’s good.
Read MoreEpisode 22 :: Losing My Religion :: Coming Out As An Atheist
Bug Girl Panel discussion on coming out to one’s family and friends as an atheist. We talk with panelists PZ Myers, Bug Girl, Jennifer Ouellette, Lyra Lynx, Maria Walters, Jen Mana, Ted Meissner, Debbie Goddard, Carrie Iwan, and Dave Walbridge. Religious tolerance is a very different thing from acceptance. Sometimes we’re able to come out…
Read MoreEpisode 21 :: Rita Gross :: Roles of Women in Buddhism
Rita Gross Although early Buddhism certainly acknowledges the equality of women in ability to attain liberation, and even went so far as to start an ordination for women as monastics, the actual equality of women is, in practice, something which has suffered from cultural biases and age-old views. Nuns, even those with tremendous experience and…
Read MoreEpisode 20 :: Secular Coalition for America :: Part Two
Sean Faircloth Today we’ll conclude our interview with Sean, started last week. Quotes “… the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…” — Treaty of Tripoli “Our team, if you will, has I think a very enlightened world view to present, but we’re not presenting…
Read MoreEpisode 19 :: Secular Coalition for America :: Part One
Sean Faircloth Hi, everyone. I hope you’re having a good holiday weekend, if you’re in the states. And, I just realized through happy accident, today’s episode is about the very independence we’re celebrating. See what happens when I get a whole four hoursof sleep! As Buddhists, part of our practice is seeing things as they…
Read MoreEpisode 18 :: Interreligious Symposium :: Part Two
Rodrigo Rodriguez Hi, everyone. Glad to have you back, and welcome, new listeners! Before we get to the regularly scheduled episode, I wanted to extend a special thanks to Rodrigo Rodriguez, who has very generously allowed me to use several works from his not-yet-released CD, Shakuhachi Meditations, which should be in stores soon. In the…
Read MoreEpisode 17 :: Labels, or Mindful Sinning
Linda Blanchard Labels are invaluable as a tool in human communication. How we refer to ourselves and to our practice can help us find fellow students, and helps others understand what our point of view might be. But they can also hinder us as we either become to attached to our designations, or as we…
Read MoreEpisode 16 :: Jim Eubanks :: Center for Pragmatic Buddhism
Jim Eubanks, DC, MS, CSCS Finding practical applications for our Buddhist practice is one of the hallmarks of our modern cultural movement. Today we speak with the Director of Buddhist Studies from the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism, Sensei Jim Eubanks. Abbot, Order of Pragmatic Buddhists (OPB) President and Director of Buddhist Studies, Center for Pragmatic…
Read MoreEpisode 15 :: Dr. Walter Bera :: Narrative Therapy
Dr. Walter Bera Today we will be speaking with Walter H. Bera, PhD, LP, LMFT, LADC. Walter is Center Director and Founder with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He holds Minnesota Licensure as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Walter has authored articles, books, videos and curricula and…
Read MoreEpisode 14 :: Revitalization Movements :: Part Two
We will conclude part two of our interview with the Triple Gem of the virtual secular sangha, Linda Blanchard, Jan Ford, and Dana Nourie on the topic of revitalization movements, and how that’s impacting us in the early stages of the development of secular buddhist practice. Linda Blanchard Linda Blanchard founded the Skeptical Buddhists’ Sangha…
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