Infinite Smile » Commuter Zen http://www.infinitesmile.org Michael McAlister's secular, non-dogmatic and often amusing Buddhist teachings work to inspire awakening in this lifetime. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:12:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Copyright © by The Infinite Smile Sangha, Inc. 2010 michael@infinitesmile.org (Michael McAlister) michael@infinitesmile.org (Michael McAlister) 1440 http://www.infinitesmile.org/v2/wp-content/uploads//2010/10/IS-itunes.png Infinite Smile http://www.infinitesmile.org 144 144 http://www.infinitesmile.org/category/podcasts/feed/ Michael McAlister's secular, non-dogmatic, and often amusing Buddhist teachings work to inspire awakening in this lifetime. Buddhism, Infinite, Smile, Michael, McAlister, enlightenment, Dharma, spirituality Michael McAlister Michael McAlister michael@infinitesmile.org no no This is not your grandmother’s Zen, is it? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/02/this-is-not-your-grandmothers-zen-is-it/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/02/this-is-not-your-grandmothers-zen-is-it/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:10:52 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5839

Commuter Zen #72

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/02/this-is-not-your-grandmothers-zen-is-it/feed/ 0 How do we let go of letting go? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/how-do-we-let-go-of-letting-go/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/how-do-we-let-go-of-letting-go/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:13:01 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5816

Commuter Zen #77

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/how-do-we-let-go-of-letting-go/feed/ 0 Is there such a thing as enlightened dating? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/is-there-such-a-thing-as-enlightened-dating/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/is-there-such-a-thing-as-enlightened-dating/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:22:49 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5804

Commuter Zen #76

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/is-there-such-a-thing-as-enlightened-dating/feed/ 3 To what extent should I keep my spiritual guard up? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/5777/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/5777/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:14:40 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5777

Commuter Zen #75

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/5777/feed/ 0 What is Spirit? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/what-is-spirit/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/what-is-spirit/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:02:50 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5767

Commuter Zen #74

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2012/01/what-is-spirit/feed/ 2 How does one balance discipline with kindness? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/how-does-one-balance-discipline-with-kindness/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/how-does-one-balance-discipline-with-kindness/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:00:01 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5702

Commuter Zen #73

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/how-does-one-balance-discipline-with-kindness/feed/ 0 After all of this sitting, why am I still so screwed up? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/after-all-of-this-sitting-why-am-i-still-so-screwed-up/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/after-all-of-this-sitting-why-am-i-still-so-screwed-up/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:51 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5692

Commuter Zen #72

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/after-all-of-this-sitting-why-am-i-still-so-screwed-up/feed/ 0 What do we do when our practice plateaus? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/what-do-we-do-when-our-practice-plateaus/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/what-do-we-do-when-our-practice-plateaus/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:38:39 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5658

Commuter Zen #71

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/12/what-do-we-do-when-our-practice-plateaus/feed/ 0 Where does the ego come from? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/where-does-the-ego-come-from/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/where-does-the-ego-come-from/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:33:48 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5636

Commuter Zen #70

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/where-does-the-ego-come-from/feed/ 0 Does Emptiness Evolve? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/does-emptiness-evolve/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/does-emptiness-evolve/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:35:43 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5624

Commuter Zen #69

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/11/does-emptiness-evolve/feed/ 0 The Personality: Before and After Awakening http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/the-personality-before-and-after/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/the-personality-before-and-after/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:03:40 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5538

Commuter Zen #68

(Story of Betinho Massero should have been attributed to Jeff Foster)

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/the-personality-before-and-after/feed/ 0 How does your teaching change depending on who’s sitting in front of you? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-does-your-teaching-change-depending-on-whos-sitting-in-front-of-you/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-does-your-teaching-change-depending-on-whos-sitting-in-front-of-you/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:17:13 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5516

Commuter Zen #67

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-does-your-teaching-change-depending-on-whos-sitting-in-front-of-you/feed/ 0 How do we best deal with hypersensitivity? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-do-we-best-deal-with-hypersensitivity/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-do-we-best-deal-with-hypersensitivity/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:16:34 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5502

Commuter Zen #66

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/how-do-we-best-deal-with-hypersensitivity/feed/ 0 Does ego help us realize egolessness? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/does-ego-help-us-realize-egolessness/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/does-ego-help-us-realize-egolessness/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:24:34 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5477

Commuter Zen #65

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/10/does-ego-help-us-realize-egolessness/feed/ 0 How do we know that we’re on the right path? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/how-do-we-know-that-were-on-the-right-path/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/how-do-we-know-that-were-on-the-right-path/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:10:32 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5449

Commuter Zen #64

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/how-do-we-know-that-were-on-the-right-path/feed/ 2 Are mantras silly? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-mantras-silly/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-mantras-silly/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:39:43 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5422

Commuter Zen #63

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-mantras-silly/feed/ 0 Are we supposed to transcend the ego? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-we-supposed-to-transcend-the-ego/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-we-supposed-to-transcend-the-ego/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:41:04 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5407

Commuter Zen #62

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/are-we-supposed-to-transcend-the-ego/feed/ 0 The good, the bad and the ugly… and the beautiful http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-and-the-beautiful/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-and-the-beautiful/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:14:46 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5390

Commuter Zen #61

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/09/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-and-the-beautiful/feed/ 0 How might we define soul? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-define-soul/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-define-soul/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:24:12 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5371

Commuter Zen #60

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-define-soul/feed/ 0 How might we speak of our spiritual work so that others can hear? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-speak-of-our-spiritual-work-so-that-others-can-hear/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-speak-of-our-spiritual-work-so-that-others-can-hear/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:45:16 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5355

Commuter Zen #59

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/how-might-we-speak-of-our-spiritual-work-so-that-others-can-hear/feed/ 2 Why is questioning so important? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/why-is-questioning-so-important/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/why-is-questioning-so-important/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:32:14 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5329

Commuter Zen #58

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/08/why-is-questioning-so-important/feed/ 0 If the essence of awakening is beyond words, why talk about it? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/if-the-essence-of-awakening-is-beyond-words-why-talk-about-it/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/if-the-essence-of-awakening-is-beyond-words-why-talk-about-it/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:05:46 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5289

Commuter Zen #56

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/if-the-essence-of-awakening-is-beyond-words-why-talk-about-it/feed/ 0 What should a beginner expect from our meditation group? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/what-should-a-beginner-expect-from-our-meditation-group/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/what-should-a-beginner-expect-from-our-meditation-group/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:30:35 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5255

Commuter Zen #55

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/what-should-a-beginner-expect-from-our-meditation-group/feed/ 0 Is there wisdom in anxiety? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/is-there-wisdom-in-anxiety/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/is-there-wisdom-in-anxiety/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:45:39 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5231

Commuter Zen #54

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/07/is-there-wisdom-in-anxiety/feed/ 0 On cellphones, space and the present moment… http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/on-cellphones-space-and-the-present-moment/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/on-cellphones-space-and-the-present-moment/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:36:53 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5209

Commuter Zen #53

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/on-cellphones-space-and-the-present-moment/feed/ 0 Why did you leave your community? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/why-did-you-leave-your-community/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/why-did-you-leave-your-community/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:30:45 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5187

Commuter Zen #52

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/why-did-you-leave-your-community/feed/ 0 Got Any Suggestions for Getting Back Into Meditation? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/got-any-suggestions-for-getting-back-into-meditation/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/got-any-suggestions-for-getting-back-into-meditation/#comments Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:40:45 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5172

Commuter Zen #51

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/06/got-any-suggestions-for-getting-back-into-meditation/feed/ 0 What is our duty to others? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/what-is-our-duty-to-others/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/what-is-our-duty-to-others/#comments Tue, 31 May 2011 15:35:40 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5128

Commuter Zen #50

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/what-is-our-duty-to-others/feed/ 2 Communicating Through Insecurities http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/communicating-through-insecurities/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/communicating-through-insecurities/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 20:14:39 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5099

Commuter Zen #49

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/communicating-through-insecurities/feed/ 0 How does meditation practice develop over time? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-does-meditation-practice-develop-over-time/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-does-meditation-practice-develop-over-time/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 15:59:14 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5071

Commuter Zen #48

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-does-meditation-practice-develop-over-time/feed/ 2 How do we stop craving? http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-do-we-stop-craving/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-do-we-stop-craving/#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 22:02:58 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5049

Commuter Zen #47

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/how-do-we-stop-craving/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #46 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/commuter-zen-46/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/commuter-zen-46/#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 16:41:32 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=5002

When to do what in relationship…

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/05/commuter-zen-46/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #45 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-45/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-45/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:56:34 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4977

The Relationship Hand-puppet Dance

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-45/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #44 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-44/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-44/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:00:19 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4947

What is mind?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-44/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #43 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/4892/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/4892/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:49:45 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4892

How does this work reveal light?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/4892/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #42 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-42/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-42/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:00:19 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4839

What would the middle way feel like?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/04/commuter-zen-42/feed/ 3 Commuter Zen #41 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-41/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-41/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:22:07 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4765

How does mind serve awakening?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-41/feed/ 3 Commuter Zen #40 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-40/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-40/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:02 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4665

Can we really be fully participating in life if we are just watching?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-40/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #39 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-39/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-39/#comments Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:00:08 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4647

Does the nondual always have to show up as duality?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-39/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #38 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-38/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-38/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 23:59:59 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4620

How do you know when you’re enlightened?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/03/commuter-zen-38/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #37 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-37/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-37/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:30:25 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4581

What does this teaching say about “faith?”

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-37/feed/ 1 Commuter Zen #36 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-36/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-36/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:30:11 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4541

What happens when things really fall apart?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-36/feed/ 1 Commuter Zen #35 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-35/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-35/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 05:43:16 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4459

Now that you’ve been practicing a while, where does the freedom show up that it didn’t before?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/02/commuter-zen-35/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #34 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-34/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-34/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:51:10 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4428

Could you explain how when we don’t like what’s going on in life, that this is an example of separation?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-34/feed/ 1 Commuter Zen #33 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-33/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-33/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:11:59 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4253

How can a full-throated, fire-filled response be spiritual?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-33/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #32 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-32/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-32/#comments Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:53:28 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4187

How does differentiation occur in the teacher / student relationship?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2011/01/commuter-zen-32/feed/ 2 Commuter Zen #31 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-31/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-31/#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:06:43 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4134

If they’re all about “non-attachment,” can Buddhists be political?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-31/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #30 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-30/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-30/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:50:35 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4102

How do we uncover the “felt sense” of the Witness?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-30/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #29 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-29/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-29/#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:56:53 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=4046

What’s the best time to meditate?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-29/feed/ 0 Commuter Zen #28 http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-28/ http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-28/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:14:53 +0000 admin http://www.infinitesmile.org/?p=3978

Why are people afraid of you?

]]> http://www.infinitesmile.org/2010/12/commuter-zen-28/feed/ 3