Groundless Ground Podcast

Episode 6 features a dharma talk given by Lisa Dale Miller at Marin Sangha on May 6, 2018. Lisa treads on the somewhat problematic territory of karma and reincarnation as understood in the early Buddhist teachings.

Lisa’s interest in the actuality of karma and reincarnation is purely speculative. She does not find belief in past lives necessary for recognizing right view, ascertaining right intention, or aligning with the Buddha’s instructions for ethical conduct. And of greatest importance, the existence or non-existence of past lives matters little when it comes to the many forms of superlative meditation practices featured in the Theravada, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism.

If you are interested in more in-depth engagement with this topic, Bhikkhu Analayo has just released a new book comparing Rebirth in Early Buddhism and Current Research on past lives and near death experiences.

Lisa’s dharma talks will now be released as Groundless Ground episodes. All past dharma talks are available on her website http://lisadalemiller.com and as iTunes podcasts.

This episode features Jose Calderón-Abbo, MD. A native of Mexico City, Dr. Calderón is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine, with an additional certification in mind-body medicine. In addition to his private practice in New Orleans, Dr. Calderón has served as Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at LSU School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Faculty with Tulane University Department of Psychiatry, and is national faculty for the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. Last month, Dr. Calderón embarked on a major career transition taking the helm as Medical Director of Behavioral Health for Louisiana with Optum/United Health Group.

Our conversation dives into practice and delivery of mental health care in America covering many topics including: Integrative mental health, the opioid addiction crisis, economic disparity and poor healthcare access, medication use in complementary psychiatry, effects of climate change on healthcare needs, trauma-informed diagnosis and treatment, the application of mindfulness and Buddhist psychology in psychiatric practice, and career/life transitions.

Episode links:

Dr. Calderón's website: mindfulpsychiatry.com

Climate Psychiatry Alliance  http://climatepsych.wpengine.com/

(ITRC) International Transformation Resilience Coalition http://www.theresourceinnovationgroup.org/intl-tr-coalition/

Book by Anna Lembke, MD Drug Dealer MD

Disclaimer: The information in this episode or on groundlessground.com is intended for information and entertainment purposes only, and does not claim to be or constitute therapeutic advice or mental health treatment.

About 220 million people will experience a traumatic event and 20% of them will subsequently develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Rates of PTSD are even higher among US combat veterans. This dialogue on Embodied Contemplative Interventions features clinical psychologist and researcher Richard Miller, the Founder and Executive Director of the Integrative Restoration Institute. The episode begins with a description of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and then Richard offers an in-depth look at the iRest Yoga Nidra Program and its extensive use in military contexts and the Veterans Administration to help soldiers and veterans alleviate the negative symptoms of PTSD. For more than 40 years, Richard Miller has devoted his life and work to integrating Western psychology with the nondual wisdom teachings of Yoga, Tantra, Advaita, Taoism and Buddhism. It is an honor to have him on the Groundless Ground Podcast. For more information on the iRest Yoga Nidra Program and access to Richard's books and videos, please visit https://www.irest.us/

Disclaimer: The information in this episode or on groundlessground.com is intended for information and entertainment purposes only, and does not claim to be or constitute therapeutic advice or mental health treatment.

Welcome back to the Groundless Ground Podcast! This first in a series of dialogues on the clinical use of embodied contemplative interventions features Peter Payne, researcher at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, and the co-founder of Bodymind Science and creator of Bodymind Training. Long-time master qigong teacher and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Peter has been a key contributor to theoretical modeling of the interoceptive, kinesthetic and proprioceptive mechanisms of Somatic Experiencing Therapy.

Peter shares his exciting clinical research into the use of Bodymind Training targeted qigong for easing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and informs us about the history and use of traditional qigong. Then we get a taste of the qigong his research subjects practice by engaging in a simple standing qigong exercise. Lisa and Peter continue their lively discussion with an exploration of neurophenomenology, embodied contemplative nondual interventions and embodied neuroscience.

To find out more about Peter Payne and his research please visit bodymindscience.info

Groundless Ground Podcast is available now on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, Spotify and TuneIn! 

Disclaimer: The information in this episode or on groundlessground.com is intended for information and entertainment purposes only, and does not claim to be or constitute therapeutic advice or mental health treatment.

Though I recorded this episode over two weeks ago, the most recent horrific school shooting has once again highlighted the importance of actively working to end violence in America; especially gun violence. This episode is an exploration of the value of non-harming and its practice in daily life. Learn about the Buddhist psychological view of the causes of human harming and how to avert them, and then engage in a mind training exercise to cultivate equanimity.

From a Buddhist psychological perspective, all acts of harm arise from distorted views and their resulting injurious reactivity. The Buddha famously taught, Hatred never ends through hatred; By non-hate alone does it end. The same can be said of harming which never sees its final end through more harm. That is an awakened view arising from an awakened mind: one that recognizes everything that comes to be, arises dependently upon many causes and conditions. The key to actuating the Buddha’s insight in our daily lives is aspiring to embrace non-violence in body, speech and mind and cultivating equanimity no matter what conditions we may meet. Learn how to accomplish that in this second episode. 

Groundless Ground is now on iTunes Google Play and Stitcher! More information on this episode can be found on the blog page at groundlessground.com 

Welcome to the first episode of The Groundless Ground Podcast! I have worn many creative hats in my life and I recently decided, in addition to seeing patients in my private practice, why not do what I love most for a wider audience: disseminate leading-edge information that awakens, transforms and heals, and dialogue with really smart, deeply thoughtful researchers, clinicians, and academics. This inaugural episode introduces integrative psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology—two potent modalities for actualizing genuine mental health. In addition to introducing myself, I explore core concepts like wise view, innate reification, 4E cognition, and innate, embodied well-being.