Awake in the World Podcast

In this talk, Michael summarizes his teachings and introduces a key passage on dealing with obstacles to practice from the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 i...

In this talk, Michael explains the last two steps of the SAIN method and reintroduces the 3 Characteristics as part of the process of investigation and non- identification. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based o...

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. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectur...

In this talk, Michael shares a video of Richie Davidson presenting his research on addiction, adolescence and delaying gratification to the Dalai Lama. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and...

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. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectu...

This week Michael focuses on the cycle of samsara as a model to understand the psychology of human experience, relationship and behaviour. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his boo...

In this talk, Michael focuses on the cycle of samsara as a model to understand the psychology of human experience, relationship and behaviour. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his...

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 yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapter...

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 Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and...

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 and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based...

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 recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters...

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 that the body is the natural world and listening with the heart, so that “knowing” or too much technique don’t become obstacles to intima...

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael considers the final lines of the first pada of the Yoga Sutra through the lens of a Buddhist koan: Case 62 of the Book of Serenity. Recorded on May 25, 2010.

Michael gives a talk about the importance of form, and the importance of not becoming caught by form, and how this insight expands out to allow spontaneity, creativity, and freedom to be whatever you need to be moment by moment. Recording date unknown.

In this talk on awareness, Michael uses the metaphor of a nest to describe our accumulation of narratives, memories and viewpoints, and argues that non-attachment (vairagya) is crucial and “viewpoint interruption” is a practice in itself. Recorded on September 29, 2009.

Michael leads a thirty-minute meditation focusing on the finer points of the posture (form), and explains how physiological details and psychological states affect one another. Recorded on September 26, 2009.

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. In this talk, Michael highlights the hindrances to practice described in line 30 of the Yoga Sutras and then offers some techniques to work with them. Recorded on February 9, 2010.

In this talk on the Third Foundation of Mindfulness (from the Satipatthana Sutta), Michael covers the kleshas, karma and learning to discern skilful versus unskilful mind states. Recorded on September 25, 2009.

Michael gives a talk about the Buddha’s “Fire Sermon,” and connects it to practice, being in relationship, and the cultivation of generosity, creativity and loving action. Recorded on September 22, 2010.

In this talk Michael covers part of the Ariyapasasana Sutta (the Buddha’s own account of his awakening), the difference between Patanjali’s definition of yoga and the Buddha’s Second Truth, recognizing and working with (or against) the momentum of culture, and navigating our relationship with our ego/storyteller. Recorded on September 16, 2008.

Michael argues that “yoga citta vritti nirodha” can be interpreted as “the ending of our misidentification with the movement of consciousness” and that our attempts to ground or reify our self-identity lead to dissatisfaction and anxiety. Recorded on September 15, 2009.

Using a Haiku by Basho as a jumping off point, Michael continues his exploration of Dogen’s essay The Time Being. Recorded on September 13, 2009.

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Michael uses an old Zen tale, a troubled story about him falling in love with his wife, and quotes from Shunryu Suzuki, to describe the practice of not-knowing and not holding onto anything. He ends with a very interesting and subtle meditation instruction on breathing. Chapin Mill, New York. Recorded December 31, 2016.

This week we're revisiting a favourite Awake in the World podcast episode. Michael explores the sensitive topic of knowing when to pull out of relationships, kindness to one’s self, emptiness, love, and a story about appreciating that you and others are divine. Chapin Mill, New York. Recorded December 30, 2016.

Michael talks about dukkha, self-care, and activism. He also describes several kinds of burnout and some methods to prevent being afflicted by them. Recorded on September 12, 2010.