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How to Guide Your Own Meditation Part 1: Do Something, Don't Just Fall Asleep
Episode 47
We sometimes get stuck in simplistic meditation instructions and therefore sell our meditation short. It's valuable to learn how to guide your own me…
8 years, 6 months ago
Dogen's Genjokoan Part 5: Birds Fly, Fish Swim, a Zen Master Waves a Fan
Episode 46
In this episode we finish up the Genjokoan, focusing first on the rather long passage comparing our path of practice to the way a fish swims in the w…
8 years, 6 months ago
The Value of Buddhist Prayer Part 3: Prayer for Personal Transformation
Episode 45
In this 3rd episode of three on Buddhist prayer, I talk about how prayer for personal transformation and change. I discuss why change is so hard, how…
8 years, 6 months ago
The Value of Buddhist Prayer Part 2: Aid-Seeking If There's No God
Episode 44
I continue our exploration of Buddhist prayer with a discussion of "aid-seeking" prayer, or prayer for a positive result. In particular, in this epis…
8 years, 7 months ago
The Value of Buddhist Prayer Part 1: Paradox of Prayer in a Nontheistic Spiritual Tradition
Episode 43
You might be surprised to know many Buddhists pray, given that Buddhism is fundamentally a nontheistic religion. It's possible to be an avowed atheis…
8 years, 7 months ago
Buddha's Teachings Part 4: Right Speech - Factual, Helpful, Kind, Pleasant, and Timely
Episode 42
Right speech is an essential part of Shakyamuni Buddha's very first teaching of the Noble Eightfold Path, his prescription for spiritual liberation a…
8 years, 7 months ago
Dogen's Genjokoan Part 4: Moon in a Dewdrop and Views of the Ocean
Episode 41
In this 4th episode of 5 on Zen master Dogen's Genjokoan (written in 1233), I discuss the image of the moon reflected in a dewdrop (ultimate reality …
8 years, 8 months ago
Being Beneficial Instead of Right: The Buddhist Concept of Skillful Means
Episode 40
The Buddhist concept of "upaya," skillful or expedient means, arose around the dawn of the common era – about 2,000 years ago. It emphasizes that eve…
8 years, 8 months ago
Buddhist History 7: Indian Buddhism After the Buddha - The First 200 Years
Episode 39
This episode covers the first 200 years or so of Buddhism, beginning with the traditional account of events immediately after the Buddha's passing. T…
8 years, 8 months ago
The Two Sides of Practice: Samadhi Power and Karma Relationship
Episode 38
Buddhist practice can be seen as consisting of two sides, and both are essential. The first side is cultivating "samadhi power," or our ability to pe…
8 years, 9 months ago