Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

By JoAnn Fox: Buddhist Teacher

What's Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox about?

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox is a weekly podcast that shares how to put the teachings of Buddhism into practice to be happier, more peaceful, or to become the spiritual warrior this world so desperately needs. JoAnn Fox has been teaching Buddhism for 17 years and does so with kindness and humor.

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Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox episodes:

04.14.2024
Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger
For the average person, Moments of anger are inevitable. They can flare up in response to various triggers, from personal frustrations to global injustices. However, according to the Buddha's teachings, there is a powerful antidote to this destructive emotion: compassion....
03.08.2024
Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma
In this episode, we delve into a universal human experience: anger. But fear not! We're not just exploring the problem; we're diving into solutions. Get ready for an enlightening journey as we uncover practical strategies rooted in Buddhist wisdom to...
03.01.2024
Important Announcement
Virtual Classes with JoAnn Fox start this Saturday, March 2nd! You...
02.21.2024
Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions.
Renunciation is the determination to be free from our own cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction. Renunciation is a state of mind, like patience, compassion, or contentment. Much like these virtuous states of mind, developing renunciation leads us to deeper and...
02.02.2024
Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way
In today's episode, we explore the profound concept of renunciation in Buddhism. True renunciation isn't about abandoning pleasure but transforming our relationship with it. Join us as we unravel the complexities of renunciation and explore a path to genuine contentment....
01.21.2024
Episode 189 - Transforming the Three Poisons
In this episode, we explore the antidotes to the three poisons — greed, anger, and ignorance. The three poisons are the fundamental sources of suffering. Join us to discover how generosity counters greed, loving-kindness conquers anger, and the realization of...
01.04.2024
Episode 188 - Practicing Impermanence
Buddha's teachings on impermanence empower practitioners to develop a mindset far less prone to suffering, anxiety, and worry. By embracing the ever-changing nature of existence, we create a wise and resilient approach to life's challenges. In this episode, listeners are...
12.27.2023
Episode 187 - Cleaning up bad karma
There is a way to purify negative karma! Phew. Buddha taught the Four Powers of Purification as a method to purify the negative karma we’ve created in the past. The powers of purification act together or alone. For example, as...
12.05.2023
Episode 186 - Change your view and everything changes
Within Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhists are sometimes referred to as "inner beings." What this means is that we turn inward. We learn to cultivate happiness and solve problems by changing our thoughts and actions. Like a sculptor with clay, our mind...
11.29.2023
Episode 185 - How to Transform through Buddha's Teachings
Learning how to listen to teachings and having respect for the teacher create the right conditions for your mind to change. In this episode, we explore Je Tsongkhapa’s instructions on “How to listen to the teachings by relying on the...
11.11.2023
Episode 184: The Art of Ethical Living
This episode explores the art of ethical living, guided by the practice of restraint. Restraint involves intentionally moderating and controlling one's actions, speech, and thoughts. We cultivate restraint to minimize the harm we cause and to build the foundation for...
11.11.2023
Episode 183 - How to prevent anger
This episode explores the question “Where does anger come from?” Buddhist teacher, JoAnn Fox, also provides several practical ways to prevent anger from arising (when it typically would)! Anger doesn’t come from another person or a situation. Anger comes from...
10.07.2023
Episode 181 - Radiating Compassion
The primary motivation behind wanting to become a Buddha for the sake of all living beings is boundless compassion. This unconditional love and concern for the well-being and liberation of all sentient beings, without exception, takes effort to cultivate. ...
09.23.2023
Episode 180 - Practicing Kindness Toward Ourselves
Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, is a fundamental practice in Buddhism that cultivates feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others. The word "Metta" is a Pali term that translates to "loving-kindness" or "benevolence." In this...
09.13.2023
Episode 179 - Work with your greatest afflictions first
The Lojong slogan "Work with your greatest defilements first" emphasizes the importance of addressing the negative habit that is most deeply disturbing our inner peace and happiness. Lojong, which means "mind training" in Tibetan, is a set of teachings in...
09.04.2023
Episode 178 - Seeking The True Nature of Reality
In this episode we look at the practice of wisdom. In particular, this refers to wisdom realizing the true nature of reality. Little by little we touch reality as we gain wisdom. We come to understand why we suffer, where...
08.26.2023
Episode 177 - Thirst
"The rain could turn to gold and still your thirst would not be slaked' the Buddha said. In this episode we explore the connection between the Buddhist teachings of emptiness and craving. Understanding this connection is fundamental to understanding the...
08.14.2023
Episode 176 - Light up this world like a moon set free
The Buddha said that an earnest practitioner, even when just beginning the path to enlightenment, "lights up this world like the moon set free from a cloud." This episode explores how to relate to being this light in our world,...
08.09.2023
Episode 175 - Make Your Own Destiny
The mind is the creator of everything—all happiness and suffering. Thus, gaining control over the mind is the only real and reliable way to live a happy, peaceful life. Buddha said that "we make our destiny, “therefore, control yourself.” To...
07.29.2023
Episode 174 - Staying calm
In Buddhism, equanimity (upekkha in Pali) is a state of calmness, balance, and non-reactivity in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Equanimity is a quality of mind that is gradually cultivated through spiritual practice. Equanimity is considered...
07.24.2023
Episode 173 - How to begin the path to Nirvana
How do we start the path to enlightenment? After the Buddha attained enlightenment, he spent 45 years walking from place to place to give teachings. Buddha always tailored his teachings to reach people from all walks of life, religions, and...
07.20.2023
Episode 172 - Releasing Negative Self Concepts
In Buddhism, the concept of "emptiness" (Sunyata) is a fundamental teaching that refers to the absence of inherent existence or independent selfhood. All things, including our self, are empty of inherent existence. The notion of a fixed, permanent, and independent...
07.06.2023
Episode 171 - Wisdom, The Antidote To All Suffering
Wisdom realizing emptiness is the realization that leads directly to enlightenment. This wisdom is also the direct remedy for all the misguided notions we harbor about our identity and the true nature of the world. As long as we carry...
05.12.2023
Episode 170 - Freedom from Envy
In Buddhism, envy is considered a painful state of mind because it arises from a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality and the origin of happiness. Envy is rooted in the belief that one's own happiness and well-being are...
04.29.2023
Episode 169 - Transforming Ordinary Life Into Spiritual Training
Many of us may have a spiritual practice but often struggle to maintain it amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. Whether it's work, family, or simply the demands of modern life, it can be challenging to find...
04.26.2023
Episode 168 - Purifying Our Speech, Purifying Our World
04.20.2023
Episode 167 - How Not To Cause Harm
One of the principle tenets of Buddhism is to try to avoid harming living beings. To avoid harming others we generally need to practice restraint out of lovingkindness. It’s just too easy to inadvertently hurt others, or not foresee the...
04.10.2023
Episode 166 - Restraint
The practice of restraint is a crucial part of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. It involves abstaining from harmful thoughts, speech, and actions that lead to suffering for oneself and others. In this episode, we look at the practice of...
04.06.2023
Episode 165 - The Jewel of Spiritual Community
Wealth destroys those who lack in wisdom, But not those who seek the beyond. Craving wealth, those lacking wisdom Destroy themselves As well as others. (355) Weeds are the ruin of fields; Passion is the ruin of people. So...
03.29.2023
Episode 164 - Taking Refuge in Dharma
Taking refuge in the Dharma means we turn to the spiritual teaching of Buddha to help us solve our problems to alleviate pain. It means we commit to working on ourselves. Having taken refuge in the Dharma, reality itself becomes...
03.23.2023
Episode 163 - Refuge in Buddha
At the start of this three part series on Refuge, this episode explores what it means to take refuge in Buddha. The most simple way to take refuge in Buddha means relying on Buddha as a teacher. This requires studying...
03.13.2023
Episode 162 - Overcoming Fear
Fearlessness is much talked about in Buddhism, particularly the idea of becoming fearless. In this episode we look at that which causes us fear, antidotes to fear, and tapping into our own bravery. It’s important to begin a discussion on...
03.04.2023
Episode 161: Manifesting Dreams and Goals
Sometimes we find it hard to reach goals or put effort into things we desperately want to improve. Why is this—when the wish is there? Attachment to what is meaningless or nonvirtuous might be the obstacle when the wish to...
02.08.2023
Episode 160 - Attachment To What Is Non-virtuous
Buddha said, “with effort, we have all attainments.” We can achieve any goal, no matter how lofty, with enough continued effort, even becoming a bodhisattva and attaining enlightenment. So why do such noble goals seem so hard to achieve? Because...
01.30.2023
Episode 159 - Let Go Of The Past Present and Future
One way of practicing non-attachment can be expressed with the popular phrase, “Let go.” In verse 348 of the Dhammwpada, Buddha says, “ Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present.” But what...
01.02.2023
Episode 157: Constant Craving Versus Letting Go
Buddha taught that no chains are as powerful as attachment, and nothing bonds us to suffering like our attachment. In the First Noble Truth, Buddha didn't just say, "Life is pervaded by suffering," but defined suffering: In short, the...
12.13.2022
Episode 156 = Practicing Non-attachment with Family
We must work on our minds to overcome the habits of attachment--which always bring suffering--whether one is a monk or a family man. The context of a monastery versus a home with young children will make the practice different in...
11.17.2022
Episode 155 - The Heart of Awakening
When we’re being selfish, our actions are motivated by attachment to our happiness, reputation, opinion, expectations being met, etc. As we practiced after the last episode, we again practice cherishing others as an opponent to attachment. This time, however, we...
10.30.2022
Episode 153 - Root of Attachment
In this episode and subsequent mindfulness practice, we are working toward severing the root of craving (also known as attachment). What is the root of craving? Suffering is said to have three roots: anger, attachment, and--the root of anger and...
10.25.2022
Episode 152 - Examining Attachment To Our Self
Attachment to the self causes suffering, just as suffering invariably follows attachment to any object. In general, attachment arises when we perceive an object we find attractive and become fixated on it; we exaggerate its qualities until we become glued...
09.19.2022
Episode 151 - The Three Steps To Lessen Attachment
In this episode, we look at a three-step process to lessen attachment. The first step is to notice the craving mind and examine it. The craving mind focuses on its object of desire, exaggerates its good qualities, and fixates on...
09.07.2022
Episode 150 - Happiness and Attachment
Once Buddha was staying near the Himalayas in a place where the people were being very poorly treated by three cruel and ruthless kings. Buddha had the thought, ‘I wonder if there is a way to get the kings to...
08.14.2022
Episode 149 - Friendship and Buddhism
With stories of yogis who spent years practicing alone in isolated mountain caves, it might seem like Buddhism promotes a solitary path. But in reality, Buddha spoke many times of the importance of good friends. Friends that are a good...
08.08.2022
Episode 148 - Mindfulness for a Happy Life
Mindfulness can be used to train the mind: to make the mind more peaceful and see your world differently. Mindfulness, in this way, is used to remember things we’ve learned and intend to put into practice. For example, we may...
08.01.2022
Episode 147 - Be Grateful To Everyone
The practice of Lojong has the literal translation of “mind training.” The great Buddhist master Atisha taught mind training over 1,000 years ago in the form of slogans. These 59 slogans are designed to be practiced in the hustle and...
07.24.2022
Episode 146 - Caring For Our Parents
The Buddha taught that certain factors strengthen the karmic results of our actions. One example is that the effects of actions we do toward certain types of people are intensified because of their special relationship to us and the benefits...
07.18.2022
Episode 145 - The Nature of The Mind
The word enlightenment is a translation of two Pali words that mean “awakened” and “freed from all fetters.” To become enlightened then means we wake to the true nature of reality, and we free our mind from all the shackles...
07.13.2022
Episode 144 - How To Turn The Other Cheek
Many of the great religious leaders have asked us to practice non-retaliation, to turn the other cheek, and practice nonviolence. The Buddha explained that non-retaliation is not only important for the person who harms us, but for the protection of...
07.05.2022
Episode 143 - Right Thinking
This episode is the last of a three part series on the ten nonvirtuous actions, and the focus is on actions of mind. Actions of mind you say! Yes, actions of mind do create karma. In fact, mental actions are...
06.20.2022
Episode 142 - Mindful Speech
When the Buddha explained the ten nonvirtuous actions to abandon, four are devoted to our speech. Our words are an incredibly powerful tool; they can build ourselves and others up. Or they can tear ourselves and others down. In...

What's Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox episodes:

Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger

Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma

Important Announcement

Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions.

Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way

Episode 189 - Transforming the Three Poisons

Episode 188 - Practicing Impermanence

Episode 187 - Cleaning up bad karma

Episode 186 - Change your view and everything changes

Episode 185 - How to Transform through Buddha's Teachings

Episode 184: The Art of Ethical Living

Episode 183 - How to prevent anger

Episode 181 - Radiating Compassion

Episode 180 - Practicing Kindness Toward Ourselves

Episode 179 - Work with your greatest afflictions first

Episode 178 - Seeking The True Nature of Reality

Episode 177 - Thirst

Episode 176 - Light up this world like a moon set free

Episode 175 - Make Your Own Destiny

Episode 174 - Staying calm

Episode 173 - How to begin the path to Nirvana

Episode 172 - Releasing Negative Self Concepts

Episode 171 - Wisdom, The Antidote To All Suffering

Episode 170 - Freedom from Envy

Episode 169 - Transforming Ordinary Life Into Spiritual Training

Episode 168 - Purifying Our Speech, Purifying Our World

Episode 167 - How Not To Cause Harm

Episode 166 - Restraint

Episode 165 - The Jewel of Spiritual Community

Episode 164 - Taking Refuge in Dharma

Episode 163 - Refuge in Buddha

Episode 162 - Overcoming Fear

Episode 161: Manifesting Dreams and Goals

Episode 160 - Attachment To What Is Non-virtuous

Episode 159 - Let Go Of The Past Present and Future

Episode 157: Constant Craving Versus Letting Go

Episode 156 = Practicing Non-attachment with Family

Episode 155 - The Heart of Awakening

Episode 153 - Root of Attachment

Episode 152 - Examining Attachment To Our Self

Episode 151 - The Three Steps To Lessen Attachment

Episode 150 - Happiness and Attachment

Episode 149 - Friendship and Buddhism

Episode 148 - Mindfulness for a Happy Life

Episode 147 - Be Grateful To Everyone

Episode 146 - Caring For Our Parents

Episode 145 - The Nature of The Mind

Episode 144 - How To Turn The Other Cheek

Episode 143 - Right Thinking

Episode 142 - Mindful Speech