Podcast
Latest Podcast Episode
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or SoundCloud // Support the podcast on Patreon
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.
Mindfulness, Memory, and Fantasy
Looking at early Pali texts, Michael tries to recover the original and fuller meaning of mindfulness from its current usage in the west. “Mindfulness establishes the presence of the object and thereby makes it available to scrutiny and discernment.”
Lack, Impermanence and Not Self
During a workshop in France, Michael teaches on the 3 characteristics — a teaching found in both the yoga and Buddhist traditions. This talk is in both French and English.
Renunciation & Relationship, Talk 7
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 6
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 5
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 4
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 3
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 2
During a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael gives a series of talks based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship. Themes include love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go.
Renunciation & Relationship, Part 1
During a public talk at the beginning of a six day retreat in Copenhagen, Michael talks on love, betrayal, commitment, the dry stage, and letting go. These talks are based on Norman Fischer’s essay on the eight stages of relationship.
The Glare Behind You
Michael works with a koan called “This Buddha, That Buddha,” in which he talks about how to stop. Our culture needs to stop. Michael compares calming practices and insight practices.
Oyster Swallows the Moon
Michael gives a talk based on the koan “Oyster Swallows the Moon,” exploring how we need to respect our hard shell, learn how to open, and practice simplicity. He also talks about consumerism and insomnia.
Buddha’s Last Words
In the Zen tradition, there is a saying, “Reaching the mystery is nothing but breaking through and grabbing an ordinary person’s life.” The mystical experience turns out to be this present moment. Part of a series of talks on the
Support the Library
The Community Library will continue as long as we have supporters. The more support we have, the more we can ensure that the teachings Michael left behind can be available for free to anyone in the world.