Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver

Buddhist Cosmology: The Six Realms of Being


Listen Later

Which one are you in right now?

In this episode, I explore the six realms of Buddhist cosmology which can be understood as both literal places of rebirth and psychological states we all experience. I also mention how this might help us contextualize the chaos and cruelty of our current political situation in the US. The realms include:


The God Realm - A place of complete abundance where beings have everything they desire but no motivation to seek enlightenment


The Jealous God/Asura Realm - Beings with power and resources consumed by covetousness and aggression, always fighting for more. And more. (Sound familiar?)


The Human Realm - The most fortunate realm with the right balance of suffering and ease for spiritual development. Yay us!


The Hungry Ghost Realm - Represents insatiable desires and cravings that can never be fulfilled


The Animal Realm - Characterized by basic survival needs and limited spiritual capacity, yet capable of love and connection


The Hell Realm - A place of constant suffering with no relief, glimpsed through our experiences of heartbreak and witnessing suffering


Resources Mentioned:

  • "A Guided Tour of Hell" by Sam Bercholz - Featuring descriptions and visual depictions of the hell realms
  • Join my meditation community, the Open Heart Project Sangha, to practice together and learn how to apply these teachings to everyday life. Would be great to see you there!



For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me.

If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com.

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Citizens of Sound

Music by: Derek O'Brien

©Open Heart Project

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan PiverBy Susan Piver

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

22 ratings


More shows like Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver

View all
On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

On Being with Krista Tippett

10,214 Listeners

Tara Brach by Tara Brach

Tara Brach

10,443 Listeners

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

1,843 Listeners

Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

Good Life Project

3,318 Listeners

Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

Tricycle Talks

357 Listeners

Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

1,471 Listeners

Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg by Be Here Now Network

Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

691 Listeners

Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein by Be Here Now Network

Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

945 Listeners

The Wisdom Podcast by The Wisdom Podcast

The Wisdom Podcast

327 Listeners

Untangle by Untangle

Untangle

835 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,625 Listeners

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

2,474 Listeners

Emergence Magazine Podcast by Emergence Magazine

Emergence Magazine Podcast

465 Listeners

Mind & Life by Mind & Life Institute

Mind & Life

271 Listeners

The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

The Way Out Is In

1,297 Listeners