Life has a way of throwing us a curveball when we least expect it, and when we think we can’t withstand any more, something else happens. Author and mindfulness teacher Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John shares the parable of the "second arrow" – a metaphor for the extra suffering we cause ourselves – and five ways to work with habitual thoughts so we can start rolling with the punches, and stop kicking ourselves.

The Second Arrow of Suffering with Dr. Valerie Mason-John

Meditations, interviews, dharma talks and features from Lion's Roar Magazine and Buddhadharma: The Practioner's Quarterly.

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White Lotus and Sopranos actor Michael Imperioli is also a novelist, screenwriter, director and musician. He and his partner Victoria Imperioli, a well-known interior designer, talk about how Buddhism informs their life together as artists and entrepreneurs. The Lion's Roar Podcast is taking a momentary pause. In the meantime, enjoy our library of 126 interviews, practices, talks and panels on a diverse range of topics.

Meditation 103 with Michael and Victoria Imperioli

Judy Lief, a Buddhist teacher in the Tibetan tradition, talks about how you can work with your desires to find peace. Then Cheryl Fraser, a sex therapist and dharma teacher, shares her article, How to Have Mindful Sex. To close, professor, minister, and author of Living Nembutsu: Applying Shinran’s Radically Engaged Buddhism in Life and Society, Jeff Wilson, talks about the radically inclusive founder of the Jodo Shinshu tradition, Shinran.

The Wisdom of Desire with Judy Lief, Cheryl Fraser and Jeff Wilson

Sam likes to chill, and Rex likes to play. When Sam wants to take a break from playing, Rex wonders ‘what’s so great about being still?’ Author Catherine Bailey talks about these characters in her children’s book, Dinos Don’t Meditate, and shares a thirty second practice you can do with your kids. Then, Vanessa Zuisei Goddard talks about her book, Weather Any Storm, in which  “the Wildering Billies”serve as a metaphor for waves of emotion that create an inner storm. Plus, Zuisei shares a short breathing practice for kids.

Meditation for Kids, Adults, and Dinosaurs with Catherine Bailey and Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

Feelings of grief, panic and helplessness can lead one to do unpredictable, irrational things. In this selection from Lion’s Roar’s online course, Medicine for Fear, dharma teacher Mushim Patricia Ikeda of the East Bay Meditation Center talks about the art of “feeling all the feelings” without causing harm to yourself and others, and why the smallest act of kindness can be a powerful form of activism.  

Fear, Forgiveness and Self-care with Mushim Ikeda

The Center for Humane Technology is featured in the Emmy award winning Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, and co-founded by Randima Fernando. He talks about the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence; the existential questions it inspires, how Buddhism is uniquely suited to answering them, and how you can approach this new technology that has the power to change what it means to be human. For more on the future of technology and spirituality, find What A.I. Means for Buddhism at lionsroar.com.

The Second Arrow of Suffering with Dr. Valerie Mason-John

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