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Copenhagen 4: Being Dear to Oneself
Michael tells the story of King Pasenadi and other Buddhist teachings on caring for ones-self as a means to not hurting others, instructions for meditation on impermanence, aware of awareness, and not clinging to our identity.
Copenhagen 3 pt.2: Ethics in Our Lives
Students from Denmark, Germany and Sweden talk together about working with ethics in the realms of sexuality, marriage, family and work.
Copenhagen 3: The Fire that Feeds Our Life
Michael comments on the Buddhist text The Dhammapada exploring projection on teachers, noticing rigidity, and understanding the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.
Copenhagen 2: Letting Go of Hostility & Resentment
Michael uses the Dhammapada to explore letting go of hostility, it’s effect on kids and families, and his separation. Recorded in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen 1: The Path Of Your Heart
Each moment is a new beginning. Michael talks on speech, actions and opens up about his struggle with depression. He also speaks of Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s overdose.
The Four Tasks
The Four Tasks: 1. Embrace Life, 2. Let go of Craving, 3. Stop & See, 4. Act. Drawing on the academic work of Richard Gombrich and Stephen Batchelor, Michael gives a focused talk on the core concepts/memes of Buddhism as
How Do You Know If Your Practice Is Working?
Michael offers a practical list of psychological changes that happen when you practice: 1. self transience, 2. body becomes sacred, 3. resilience, 4. reliable self-esteem, 5. insight. 4th talk in a series.
Questions And Response Session On Meditation Practice
Michael talks about working with the breath, mantras, language, yoga, feelings in the body, releasing the sense of “me,” and the importance of collaboration in political change.
Craving, Love & Reflections on Suicide
Drawing on the Buddha’s first teaching, Michael talks on craving to be someone, craving to fill something, craving to not-exist, and craving for stimulation. He ties this to greed and the ability to open to frustration.
Summer Silent Retreat pt.4: A Block of Ice Makes A lot of Water
Michael explains Nirvana, the Deathless, Buddhist practice without religion, and a re-thinking of the core teachings of the Buddha. Michael draws on Stephen Batchelor’s idea of The Four Tasks that we can practice as the realization of Nirvana. Recorded at
Mindfulness & Social Action: Towards a Secular Spirituality
In this simple and profound lecture, Michael explores how the most radical thing that anyone can do is tell the stories that are not being told. He links together contemporary issues like climate change, economic inequality, and the atrophy of
Summer Silent Retreat pt.3
When you’re feeling Stuck. Michael gives a talk on the “killing” energy of Mara, the power of being blocked and unfulfilled. He talks about how the Buddha worked with being attacked by the hell realms. Waking up is always followed
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.