How do we negotiate the Buddha's teachings on craving and clinging with our deep love of family and friends?   What is the difference between true love and "attached love," and when does attached love lead to dukkha?   This is an ongoing question.  The Buddha did expect monastics to be celibate and to leave their families but he did not expect this of householders.   Later traditions had other options.   Still, the teaching asks us to beware of love based on attachment and clinging.

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Buddha Nature is a concept that arises primarily in the Mahayana Buddhist teachings, though without using that language, specifically,  could certainly be interpreted within the early teachings as well.   The most famous Koan on this is "Does a Dog of Buddha Nature?"

Doug and Jon have a spirited and at times confusing discussion on this.  Join in with us!

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The present moment seems to come and go, but is that the case?  What is the present moment anyway?  This is a deep philosophical question and certainly a central point of Buddhist practice.   Doug and Jon look at the topic from a number of different points of view .  It's always a fun discussion!

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In these days of divisiveness, it's easy to get into political arguments or, at the very least, think ill thoughts about some of our leaders.    The Buddha's words on wise speech can be a useful guide.  

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A recent comment on our website prompted a discussion about whether certain  Buddhist practices (Lovingkindness for instance)  involve magical thinking.   

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Doug and Jon discuss two natural abilities we have to skillfully maneuver through the world. The Buddha discussed them as "guardians of the world" (Iti. 42).

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The Pāli word Sati literally means "remember' but also has the meaning of Mindfulness.  The question of memory in mindfulness practices is the starting point of our discussion in this week's episode.

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Recently we discussed a kind of secularized Buddhist practice with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Today we discuss the topic of secular Buddhism. What do we mean by "secular" or "religious"?  How can such concepts (and they are just concepts)  be helpful or not?

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"Not mine, not I, not myself" is a phrase that appears in various suttas.  It can be a useful reminder to let go.  We cling to material things, people, and of course ourselves. When we lose something or someone, or when that idea of who I am suddenly shifts, it can manifest in significant suffering. In this episode, Doug and Jon discuss how they relate to this sutta and how it can be a helpful reminder when we find ourselves in the jaws of dukkha.

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What is non-dualism all about?  Is it a practice? Is it a way of looking at the world?  Or is it just words?  Yes and. . . 

We'll discuss the dharma and practice of non-dualism. Was it found in the early texts?  How do we understand and use it?

Doug's YouTube video on the topic:
Non-Dualism and Early Buddhism -- https://youtu.be/43v6lLweukg

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