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Shifting Our Stories
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael speaks about the power of story-telling and how the stories we construct, individually and culturally, can either heal and transform us—or shut us down. Once we get still enough to see the
The Two Darts: A Buddhist Psychology of Pain
In this Awake in the World Podcast Michael explains the teaching of “The Two Darts” (the Sallatha Sutta) and asserts that the Buddha offers a useful and supportive model for working with pain—whether it is physical, emotional, or cultural in
Ducks’ Legs Are Short, Cranes’ Legs Are Long
In this Awake in the World Podcast Michael covers the ninth part of the Genjokoan that begins, “A fish swims in the ocean, and no matter how far it swims there is no end to the water.” He argues that
Cherishing All Life
This week’s Awake in the World podcast is a bit of a mystery. In July 2009 Michael invited a guest teacher to give a talk on sila, the ethical foundations of the eightfold path (wise livelihood, wise behaviour, and wise
Ordinary Mind is the Way
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael talks about the tendency we have to amplify suffering by creating a self that we think is separate and “special,” and how in our quest to be enlightened we can often get
Water Holding and Nestling the Moon
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael muses about the section of the Genjokoan that starts, “Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water….” Along the way he weaves in Kannon, koans, zen poetry, and Bob Dylan.
Eyes You Have Seen Seeing You in the Face of Others
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael focuses on emptiness or boundlessness as a way of talking about interdependence, and Dogen’s views (from the Genjokoan) about enlightenment and delusion. The talk includes a reading of Robert Bringhurst’s poem, “Dogen.”
Only Insofar as One Is Speechless…Part Two
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael continues his exploration of Dogen’s Genjokoan and ponders the question, “How do you know you’re awake?”
Only Insofar as One Is Speechless…Part One
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael delves into the capacity of questioning to pull us back into our lives, but only if we can practice in the paradoxical space of not-seeking, not conceptualizing, and not clinging to our
Make Yourself Available
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael muses about understanding in the poetic sense—what’s under the point of view we choose to stand in? He touches on karma, habits, projection, doubt and our fraught relationship with time.
The Mind as a Process
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael gives advice and practical tips for dealing with some of the struggles that come up during sitting practice, such as sleepiness, rumination, or difficult emotions like anger.
The Neighbour’s Dog is Barking
In this Awake in the World podcast Michael begins by stating that “this practice is a matter of life and death” and describes how yoga can help us see our patterns of conditioning, and help us to embrace both the
About the Community Library
Michael was a great archivist and the Community Library was—and continues to be—a labour of love. Everything in the Community Library is available for free. Anyone, anywhere can have instant access to material that will help them deepen their practice and contribute to a culture of compassion and collaboration.
Libraries are places where we gather alone together. They are known to be places of refuge for seekers, as well as those who are marginalized. This library is no different. It helps us nourish our beautiful, international community without walls. Now, it will also help keep Michael’s legacy alive.