Toward Light: Practical Buddhism for the Modern World

Sometimes the teachings can feel inaccessible. Maybe anger or depression or doubt has taken over. I explore what that can look like, and some tools we can access in those moments. I also share a story from Ajahn Brahm's book Don't Worry Be Grumpy

What does it mean to be ethical? How do ethics, sila, point us toward freedom? Going through the 5 precepts (training rules) for lay people I look at these questions and more.  Here is the adaptation of the precepts that I discuss in the episode and here are Thich Nhat Hahn's words for another perspective on the teaching.

In this episode I explore the factors that allowed 55% of White women to vote for Trump, and that allow us all to make decisions that are not in our own best interest. I look at the importance of cultivating community and compassion.

How can we  set goals, make plans, and live our day-to-day-lives, while also accepting the reality of impermanence? How can opening to impermanence reduce the hold that greed, hatred, and delusion, have on our lives?

Death reflection and meditation is an integral part of the Buddhist path. In this episode I explore the Contemplations of Atisha and how this phrase-based practice can support our understanding of the Dharma.

I've been pretty impatient recently so I thought it was important to look at this paramis of patience and explore ways we can work to cultivate it in our lives. And here is a beautiful article by Michele McDonald if you would like another perspective.
 

We see the world through so many different lenses, and often those perceptions close us off from connection and compassion. Using different examples, I explore ways to bring mindfulness to our perceptions so we can better understand how they may be limiting our view.

In this episode I explore karma and how we can see it in our daily lives and in our culture. I share quotes from Ajahn Sucitto, Bhikkhu Analayo, Ruth King, and others as I help us to navigate this complex and important topic.

Worry and sloth are two of the five hindrances. While seemingly opposites, they are often interrelated. In this episode I explore how they manifest, why they might arise and how to work with them.

A few hours after returning from meditation retreat I recorded this episode. I share my personal reflections of my experience. I also explore why we do meditation retreats, how they can benefit our practice, and ways to craft them while many retreat centers are closed. Here is a blog post about self retreat resources and here is an article by Chris McKenna about doing a short retreat at home.