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Tonight’s dicussion centers around the sense that we are always lacking something that will make us complete. In this psychological space ego is totally at home, especially since fear can arise so easily when we feel like we are lacking. Michael relates this idea to how Carl Jung says that the most frightening thing any of us goes through is to “accept ourselves completely.” Questions relate to everyday fears; Awakened mind; surrender as opposed to giving in; and the contagiousness of unconsciousness.

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This is the second installment of Michael’s discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield. This conversation centers around how the Path is paved with a series of mistakes. Dogen’s approach to practice is discussed since it embraces our work with continuous mistakes.

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This is the first installment of Michael’s discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield.

Click HERE in order to listen to Michael’s talk.

Get the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Buddhist and/or Philosophy sections of the Religion & Spirituality list.
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In tonight’s talk, Michael discusses practicing in the face of threat. Uncovering stillness even in the face of it all means that we enter into and see out of Dharma eyes. He links his discussion to how Ludwig von Wittgenstein and Karl Popper debated about whether or not there are “problems” or just “situations.” Also he discusses Trungpa Rinpoche’s deliniation between idiot compassion and true compassion, as well as how we can employ discriminating awareness in our experience instead of judgement. Questions and comments deal with the Dalai Lama’s approach to stress.

Click HERE in order to listen to Michael’s talk.

In order to automatically download new discussions on a regular basis, get the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Buddhist and/or Philosophy sections of the Religion & Spirituality list.
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In tonight’s brief talk, Michael, once again discusses the Sufi teaching of “dying before we die.” How, for instance do we deal with living in the “real world” and dying into the Ultimate Reality? As we begin to surf between these two worlds, our stake in all things permanent begins to shift radically. Michael discusses meeting in dokusan with his teacher where this very issue moved his practice substantially. It’s here that we become a manifestation of divine grace and ease.

Click HERE in order to listen to Michael’s talk.

In order to automatically download new discussions on a regular basis, get the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Buddhist and/or Philosophy sections of the Religion & Spirituality list.
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In tonight’s talk, Michael discusses concepts brought up in chapter eight of Jack Kornfield’s book, After the Ecstacy the Laundry. The discussion centers around having our initial exposure to spiritual work, gives way to returning to our lives, letting go of our lives, and then letting go of the letting go. At the point of any Great Awakening we recognize that our work is never done. The practice, then, never ends. Michael then has his students meet to discuss the reading and the talk from an impersonal place. Questions and comments deal with how Krishnamurthi’s teaching methods might correspond with what is being done with Infinite Smile; how satori supports compassion.

Click HERE in order to listen to Michael’s talk.

In order to automatically download new discussions on a regular basis, get the new iTunes software and subscribe to this podcast from the Buddhist and/or Philosophy sections of the Religion & Spirituality list.
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In tonight’s talk, Michael discusses how the maps of enlightenment are never the territory of Awakening. Then he shows us how the Dzogchen approach of ground, path, and fruition of the Dharma lead us directly to the ultimate teaching of consciously letting go. He also looks at how recognition, resistance, and release correspond to these most sacred teachings pointing toward our interior landscape. Questions and comments deal with how studying our attachments dissolves them; getting frustrated with people; appropriate responses when things get hot; as well as exploring who is the “I.”