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.

Suffering, Acceptance & Freedom

In this talk, Michael introduces the acronym SAIN as a method for applying mindfulness techniques to our daily lives in order to help free us from our addictive and unskillful behaviour.

An image of a teen walking down a school corridor.

Adolescence & Delaying Gratification

In this talk, Michael shares a video of Richie Davidson presenting his research on addiction, adolescence and delaying gratification to the Dalai Lama.

Craving, Addiction & Reactivity

In this talk, Michael focuses on samskaras or the psychological grooves formed of habituated behaviour, how those contribute to addiction and how spiritual practice can free us from both.

Working with Reactivity (Part2)

In this talk, Michael focuses on the cycle of samsara as a model to understand the psychology of human experience, relationship and behaviour.

Working with Reactivity (Part 1)

In this talk, Michael focuses on the cycle of samsara as a model to understand the psychology of human experience, relationship and behaviour.

Consciousness & Interdependence (Part 2)

In this talk, Michael continues to explore the Buddhist and Yogic perceptions of consciousness as well as how the mind and senses function to form a sense of self. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of

Consciousness & Interdependence (Part 1)

In this talk, Michael explores the Buddhist and Yogic perceptions of consciousness as well as how the mind and senses function to form a sense of self. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and

Mindfulness & Intimacy (Part 2)

In this talk Michael continues to present his approach to spiritual practice with grounded psychological insight into key practices of both the yogic and Buddhist traditions. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism

Mindfulness & Intimacy (Part 1)

In this talk Michael presents his approach to spiritual practice with grounded psychological insight into key practices of both the yogic and Buddhist traditions. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were

Best of Awake in the World: In that Lump of Flesh and Bones

This week we’re revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael argues that yoga and mindfulness are best practiced via the body versus striving for the attainment of philosophical or intellectual concepts. He encourages trusting