Awake in the World Podcast

Michael interviews Pat Smith, physician and abortion provider, on the precept of non-harming. Michael and Pat discuss ethics versus political ideologies, the relationships between how we are in the world, our belief system, and our values, and the influences of formal meditation.

The Buddha’s experience of absorption in the forest, and how he turned to the experience of pleasure in his body to stabilize during anxiety and dread. Recorded in Green Bay, WI, on March 27, 2017.

Michael talks about what it means to be deeply involved in a life of care and openness; that you don't need a badge. This lecture is about offering our Bodhisattva spirit to others, no matter what. It's about making a vow to serve others and then spending the rest of our lives trying to figure out how to make that vow a reality. Recorded December 3, 2016 at The People's Yoga in Portland, Oregon.

In this simple and profound lecture, Michael explores how the most radical thing that anyone can do is tell the stories that are not being told. He links together contemporary issues like climate change, economic inequality, and the atrophy of intimacy, and offers 12 steps for telling a new story about what it means to live an engaged life. Recorded in Vancouver on January 28th, 2015.

A conversation between Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Shoken Michael Stone. Recorded in October 2014.

Michael talks how meditative practice is about dropping our stories to become more engaged in our lives, politics, cities, families, and communities. Paying attention is really powerful. Recorded at Naada Yoga in Montreal, April 2014.

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael speaks about the three characteristics: dukkha, impermanence, and emptiness. Recorded at The Yoga Hub in Dublin, October 2013.

Michael speaks at Occupy Vancouver on November 6, 2011. "We are failing in our culture from a lack of imagination. And what we're achieving here is space for imagination." Originally shot by Ian MacKenzie (https://vimeo.com/31735800) and watch the post-speech piece Love & Shadow in the Occupy Movement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2akehtL-Ac).

The evening begins with Priya Thomas covering Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," then Michael reads the Fire Sermon and gives a talk on the way we burn with lust, hatred and delusion and how the Buddha offers a public path of practice. We practice even when we're on fire. Recorded Sept 22, 2010 at Centre of Gravity, Toronto.

Michael Stone explores the integration of yoga and Buddhism, and how we can live a life fully engaged with the suffering of the world while also taking care of ourselves. Recorded during a day-long workshop and fundraiser for New Leaf Foundation (https://newleaffoundation.com) at the University of Toronto in September 2010.

This was the final talk during silent retreat at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island, August 2016. Michael talks about the relationship between emptiness, Buddhism, and the need for healing with First Nations. It was an inspiring and powerful end to the retreat.

A wide ranging talk by Michael Stone on using language in meditation practice, labelling thoughts, and the way kids and adults use language to mediate their internal states. [NOTE: The recording unfortunately was cut off before the end of the talk. We apologize for the error.] Recorded on April 8, 2014.

Michael talks about how our work should be energetic, industrious, diligent and skilful. We should live within our means and keep good company. When you really, really want something, you might ask: How central is this for becoming a good version of myself? Recorded on March 1, 2014.

Michael offers teachings from the Buddhist tradition on how to make a living, and how to make ethical decisions around money in a financial world that revolves around extraction and exploitation. Recorded on March 1, 2014.

Michael explores two questions: 1) Who Are You? and 2) What Should You Do? Using the old Zen koan, "What's the price of rice?" Michael talks about wrestling with questions, compassion, empathy, and how to care for people without getting credit. Recorded on February 4, 2014.

Even when we advance in spiritual practice, something is always missing. Maybe nirvana is about having troubles without falling into defense or burnout? Michael also gives a strong critique of the economic stories that drive us. Recorded on January 14, 2014.

Michael talks on loneliness, paying attention, and the importance of small ideas that can network and build a new culture. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on December 3, 2013.

Michael Stone gives a talk on the importance of paying attention, youth, and how deep yoga is a political practice. Recorded December 1, 2013 at Yoga Shala Calgary.

Michael Stone explores the bleakness of loneliness, the puzzle of modern isolation, and how to work with being alone and feeling lonely. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 26, 2013.

A Q&A discussion with Joshua Stephens after his talk, Gentle with Each Other, Dangerous Together (https://soundcloud.com/michaelstoneteaching/gentle-with-each-other-dangerous-together-with-joshua-stephens). Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto, on November 12, 2013.

Often when we see Buddhist practice put into conversation with radical social transformation, commitments like forgiveness, patience, and non-attachment appear in one of two ways: as pillars of self-care, or resigned—almost theological—faith in inaction in the face of the intolerable. In fact, these practices are not merely tactical approaches to our immediate experience; they are key, prefigurati...

Michael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles co-teach a popular retreat integrating Jewish & Buddhist practice. Michael gives an afternoon talk reflecting on God, gratitude, mind, compassionate action, and the encounter between what can and can't be talked about. Recorded in Quebec on November 3, 2013.

Michael Stone and Rabbi Miriam Margles discuss the intersection of Jewish practice and Buddhism. Rabbi Margles explores internalised anti-semitism and Michael talks about his attempts to bring practice to issues like climate change, economic injustice and working with young people. Recorded in Quebec on November 1, 2013.

Neuroscientist Willoughby Britton, PhD. and Michael Stone, present a detailed workshop on dangers on the path. In this talk Dr. Britton explores loss of identity, gender difference in meditative effects, and questions about whether these signs and symptoms are progress or pathology. A fascinating talk geared towards clinicians and mindfulness educators. Recorded in November, 2013.

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." Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto. October 29, 2013.