Toward Light: Practical Buddhism for the Modern World

In this episode I share 9 ways that we can practice mindfulness on the go. Whether it's formal moving practice, or throughout our daily activities, developing continuity of mindfulness is an important part of the path.  I share a movement class I attend, and the link to that class is here.

In this episode I discuss the Theravada Buddhist tradition I am rooted in and the lineage of teachers that I learn from. For more reading on Buddhism I recommend Buddhism: A Concise Introduction by Smith and Novak. Some of the teachers I mention in this episode include Gil Fronsdal, Michele McDonald, Jack Kornfield, Ruth Denison, Sayadaw U Pandita, Joseph Goldstein, JoAnna Hardy, Mary Stancavage, and Dipa Ma. Living Buddhist Masters is an excellent book about teachers that have influenced many of my teachers. I share about my practice at The Insight Meditation Society and two of the traditions that I have learned about there; The Thai Forest Tradition and the Mahasi Tradition

In this episode I explore how to work with physical pain both in our formal practice and in our daily lives. I reference Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a framework for helping us understand why meditation can be difficult when we're in physical pain. Two resources that may be helpful if you're working with physical pain is this post from Tara Brach and this article from Shinzen Young

In this episode I explore the importance of being with the truth of dukkha, the reality that there is difficulty in life, and the dangers that come from not accepting this truth. I share quotes from the Buddha's first teaching, Krista Tippett and more.

“Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training. That’s why we train so hard.” -Archilochus  This week I explore the ways we train in the three poisons, greed, hatred and delusion, and how we can train in their opposites; generosity, compassion and presence.

In this episode I explore the ten fetters, and how this list of barriers can help us to stay on the Dharma path. I share quotes from Sharon Salzberg, Ruth King, Matthew Brensilver and more. 

In this episode I explore how generosity can help combat the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion and some avenues for cultivating generosity.

This week I look at the practice of taking refuge in the Triple Gem, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the sangha. I share ways that we can search for refuge that don't always work, and how the Triple Gem can guide us to a true sense of safety and peace. I reference the book, True Refuge, by Tara Brach

In this episode I explore the different ways that we can avoid or minimize grief and the importance of accepting this mind state. I share quotes from Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Michelle Obama, Bruce Springsteen and others. I also share two suttas from the teachings about the death of the Buddha's two disciples Sariputta and Moggallana

This week I explore what it means to guard the sense doors. How we relate to things as they arise, and how we make choices about what we do and don't let into our lives. I also share my interpretation of the Bahiya Sutta