Podcast

The joke used to be that every time Michael opened his mouth what he said was archived here. We couldn’t be more grateful for that now because it is one of the best ways Michael’s teachings will live on.

The Awake in the World Podcast is the heart of the Community Library. Talks are on a wide-range of topics, including: bringing mindfulness and meditation practice into daily life; personal and community issues regarding mental health; and social change.

This podcast has been created so that anyone can have instant access to Michael’s teachings. It has been made possible due to generous donations from members of the community. In the six years that the podcast has been available, over half a million people have pressed play as a way to be more—like the name says—awake in the world.

Each podcast is between 30-60 minutes long. As always, you’re encouraged to follow along weekly as part of your practice. The podcasts were recorded at live events so you might hear coughing, airplanes, cars, sirens, laughter, and peoples’ questions—all part of the intimate experience.

Best of Awake in the World: Kushala 3

This week we’re revisiting a favorite Awake in the World podcast episode. The mind in meditation, dream yoga, and the Buddha’s teaching on “The Arrow.” Michael Stone gives an in-depth talk on the Buddha’s approach to embracing suffering, letting go,

Put Down Your Load

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael focuses on dukkha: how we create it both individually and collectively, and how we can be more skilful in managing it.

Hold and Release

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael teaches about equanimity (upeksha) and how it relates to creativity, art, practice and anger.

Nothing is Hidden

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael explores the human desire to create and cling to transcendental narratives at the expense of our lived reality. He asks if we can practice in a way that is deeper than our

The Good Enough Meditator

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael highlights the hindrances to practice described in line 30 of the Yoga Sutras and then offers some techniques to work with them.

Hope Lives in the Means, Not the End

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael begins with a passage by Wendell Berry regarding the importance of process. He applies this idea to mindfulness practice and suggests that we tune in to the quality of our noticing without

Great Bewilderment, Great Awakening

In this Awake in the World podcast episode Michael describes the value of uncertainty and its role in helping us gain insight into the part of our mind that creates suffering.

Best of Awake in the World: Guided Meditation (40 min.)

This week we’re revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this guided meditation by Michael Stone, the focus is on the tongue, palette, position of fingers, and subtle physical tricks to open the mind in Vipassana practice.

Where’s My Treasure House?

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael relates the story of Daiju and Baso from the Gateless Gate (21) and explores the treasure of trusting yourself.

A True Person of No Status

In this Awake in the World podcast, recorded during the afternoon practice session on New Year’s Eve 2009, Michael gives a few words of encouragement around “realizing the mystery” in the ordinariness of your life.

Drawing Water and Carrying Firewood

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael speaks to a poem by Pan Yung which includes the lines, “My supernatural power and marvelous activity/Drawing water and chopping wood.” In this talk (given at the 2009 New Year’s Retreat) Michael

Your Life Is Your Life: What Nurtures You?

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael begins with the poem “The Laughing Heart,” by Charles Bukowski, and talks about trusting yourself, knowing what nourishes you, and practicing in a way that allows creativity, spontaneity and eccentricity.