What do you have to be thankful for? How can a practice of gratitude impact your life for the better? Thanksgiving week is a good time to reflect upon such questions.

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What are some techniques we can use to develop a regular meditation practice? Doug and Jon's guest Bodhipaksa has taught a course on this and is in the process of writing a book about it. Lots of good advice in this episode!

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Doug and Jon have a spirited discussion with our guest,  writer and Buddhist meditation teacher, Bodhipaksa, on Fake Buddha Quotes. How important is it to get the Buddha right? What is a "Fake Buddha Quote" anyway?

Bodhipaksa's Websites:
https://www.wildmind.org/
https://fakebuddhaquotes.com/

Book:
https://fakebuddhaquotes.com/buy-i-cant-believe-its-not-buddha/

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Is there such a thing as collective karma? Doug and Jon will consider the picture of karma given in early Buddhism, and compare it to the idea of collective karma, or alternately to a notion of 'aggregate' karma. How does karma work among groups of people?

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The world events of the past week,  added, perhaps to our own personal challenges, may bring up the question of how to respond.    Meditation is not meant as an escape from these challenges.  Rather, when integrated with the teachings of the Dharma, it can set the groundwork for an appropriate response to arise within any circumstance.

This week, Doug and Jon explore how this works for them in practical and and spiritual ways.

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Among the factors of the Eightfold Noble Path is Right Effort.  This is part of the meditation path, and for many, finding the right energy in our meditation practice is a big challenge.
Doug and Jon discuss how they approach this and hopefully give some useful tips.

Right Effort

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Many folks with western religious upbringings find discomfort when faced, at least in a practice context, with a Buddha Rupa (statue) or other images and of course even more so when bowing or offerings are encouraged.   

In this episode we'll talk about Buddha images: their history, practices we might use with them, as well as discuss the show on display at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC on early Buddhist artwork.

Two of Doug's Videos:
Buddhism and Icons: Prohibition to "Idolatry" -- https://youtu.be/qRqxuxS1qUg
Tree & Serpent: New Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum -- https://youtu.be/RG3VjmMe6tY

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We decided this week to speak about the Two Truths-- the Relative and the Absolute, or the Mundane and the Ultimate.   Are they real or just another construct?  How did they find their way into the Buddhist teachings?  How can we practice with them today? Is there even something to practice?

Doug's Videos on the Two Truths:
The Buddhist Doctrine of Two Truths: Origins -- https://youtu.be/qL_sspJzQx8
The Buddhist Doctrine of Two Truths: Abhidharma and Nagarjuna -- https://youtu.be/yBKK1HvieqU
Is the Two Truths Doctrine a Problem for Early Buddhism? -- https://youtu.be/q5nHLz1xoSU

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There are many ways of investigating experience, including the six elements of earth, water, fire, air (wind), space, and consciousness.   In this episode, we discuss how these practices can lead to a direct insight into the nature of self.   

Playlist of Doug's Dharma videos on the elements:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0akoU_OszRhAhUt9nXmf4wfgkBdHRAfx

Book Recommendation: Living as a River, by Bodhipaksa 

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Exercise is important for our bodies and minds. How do we approach exercise as a meditation ? Can we exercise mindfully, and what would that look like?  In fact, any activity we do can be a meditation practice if we remember.

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