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.
What is the Great Meaning?
Roshi Pat Enkyō O’Hara gives a morning dharma talk during a weekend retreat with Centre of Gravity. Recorded at Hart House, Toronto on February 26, 2011.
Roshi Enkyo O’Hara on Zen Poetry
An incredible talk by Roshi Pat Enkyō O’Hara on Zen poetry and practice during her annual visit to Centre of Gravity. Recorded at Hart House, Toronto on February 25, 2011.
Eight Stages of Practice, Part 5 – Appreciation
After surviving “the dry place”, slowly our relationship transforms and appreciation arises. Appreciation leads to love and finally to letting go. Recorded on February 22, 2011.
Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Sexual Energy)
Michael teaches the in-person ethics course on the wise use of energy (brahmacharya) – encountering all with respect and dignity. Recorded February 17, 2011.
Being With Others
Cathleen Hoskins, Psychotherapist/Philosopher, gives a lecture on the work of Martin Heidegger, philosophy, interconnectivity and being. Martin Heidegger is widely acknowledged as an original and important, yet controversial, philosopher in the 20th century.
Eight Stages of Practice, Part 4 – The Dry Place
Michael begins talking about the reasons for bowing. Then he dives into what it’s like to be caught in the dry place during relationship with practice and with others. Fear and its transformation. How to heal the wounds of abandonment.
Not Stealing (Asteya)
Michael teaches the ethics course and discusses not-stealing, right after his computer is stolen at the NYC airport. Not taking what is not given freely and being satisfied with what we have. Recorded February 3, 2011.
Eight Stages of Practice, Part 3
Michael goes through detailed instructions on sitting meditation posture and talks about lineage. Then he discusses our urges to run away when commitment arises and how commitment has departure built into it. Recorded February 1, 2011.
Eight Stages of Practice, Part 2
Drawing on Norman Fischer’s essay Michael explores how the honeymoon period of practice comes to an end and about the ten obstacles that show up which we tend to miss in deep practice. Psychologically, there are so many ways we
Eight Stages of Practice, Part 1
Drawing on Norman Fischer’s essay on monastic practice and it’s maturation, Michael talks about the eight stages that we all encounter during any relationship. He discusses how we get wounded and repeat our relational wounds in our relationship with our
Learning from the Insentient
Drawing on Instructions to the Cook, Michael offers a talk on the teachings of the insentient. The snow and silence are teaching us. Can you give attention to the way the insentient teaches us? Recorded December 29, 2010.
The Way Seeking Heart
Michael offers an introduction to the annual five-day New Year’s Silent Meditation Retreat. He talks about what can show up on retreat and Dogen’s idea of the Way Seeking Heart. Recorded December 28, 2010.
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.