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Now Is the Teaching
In this talk on the first few lines of the Yoga Sutras Michael explains that the present moment is the teacher. He argues that the “chitta vrittis” are sacred and not meant to be eliminated, but rather it’s our relationship
I Don’t Care About Your Enlightenment
In this short talk Michael describes non-harming (ahimsa) as the natural response to understanding interdependence, and states that yoga must become a form of ecological and social awareness—otherwise it’s not helpful.
The Internal Practice of Ashtanga Yoga
This wide-ranging talk, delivered in Vienna (2007), covers the internal, psychological and potentially transformative aspects of Ashtanga practice. Touching on Freud, the yamas, karma, interdependence and impermanence Michael argues for a yoga of relationship, creativity and change.
Sudden, Ready, Uninhibited
In this 2008 talk on the nature of the self Michael considers a framework of “four selves,” the Buddha’s teachings on not-self, and Hakuin’s assertion that, with practice, the self becomes wisdom and compassion–as spontaneous as “beads rolling on a
A Journey of Return
In this talk Michael covers our tendency to compose narratives that create a separate self (and then judge it), and a paradox: we have to take care of ourselves in order to forget ourselves.
This Posture Can Support You
Michael leads a thirty-minute meditation mainly focused on feeling the body.
What Are You Committed To? Part Two
Michael explains ahimsa, the importance of attention, the role of asana, and the meaning of samadhi. (The talk ends abruptly. We suspect the recorder ran out of battery).
What Are You Committed To? Part One
Michael gave this talk in France in 2007. He presents yoga as a practice of intimacy and argues that its goal is compassion and relationship rather than unity.
Best of Awake in the World: From Fear to Sympathy
This week we’re revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. How to meet others who are in fear or anxiety, how to help anxious kids, how to validate the feelings of other people without exacerbating what’s going on
Best of Awake in the World: Patience is a Practice of Attunement
This week we’re revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Long-term practice requires patience more than discipline. Practice frustrates our results oriented mind. You need patience to stay with life for the long haul. The paradoxes of karma.
Eliminate “Why”
In this Remembrance Day talk Michael considers the relationship of stillness and action, bearing witness, non-violence and letting go of “why?”
Heart Sutra: Vacuum Cleaner (eBook)
In this talk, Michael discusses how life is imperfect, how the Buddha was enlightened and had problems, and that our job is to engage the circumstances of our life.
About the Community Library
Michael was a great archivist and the Community Library was—and continues to be—a labour of love. Everything in the Community Library is available for free. Anyone, anywhere can have instant access to material that will help them deepen their practice and contribute to a culture of compassion and collaboration.
Libraries are places where we gather alone together. They are known to be places of refuge for seekers, as well as those who are marginalized. This library is no different. It helps us nourish our beautiful, international community without walls. Now, it will also help keep Michael’s legacy alive.