Awake in the World Podcast

Michael talks about what it means to be deeply involved in a life of care and openness; that you don't need a badge. This lecture is about offering our Bodhisattva spirit to others, no matter what. It's about making a vow to serve others and then spending the rest of our lives trying to figure out how to make that vow a reality. Recorded December 3, 2016 at The People's Yoga in Portland, Oregon.

In this simple and profound lecture, Michael explores how the most radical thing that anyone can do is tell the stories that are not being told. He links together contemporary issues like climate change, economic inequality, and the atrophy of intimacy, and offers 12 steps for telling a new story about what it means to live an engaged life. Recorded in Vancouver on January 28th, 2015.

A conversation between Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Shoken Michael Stone. Recorded in October 2014.

Michael talks how meditative practice is about dropping our stories to become more engaged in our lives, politics, cities, families, and communities. Paying attention is really powerful. Recorded at Naada Yoga in Montreal, April 2014.

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael speaks about the three characteristics: dukkha, impermanence, and emptiness. Recorded at The Yoga Hub in Dublin, October 2013.

Michael speaks at Occupy Vancouver on November 6, 2011. "We are failing in our culture from a lack of imagination. And what we're achieving here is space for imagination." Originally shot by Ian MacKenzie (https://vimeo.com/31735800) and watch the post-speech piece Love & Shadow in the Occupy Movement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2akehtL-Ac).

The evening begins with Priya Thomas covering Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," then Michael reads the Fire Sermon and gives a talk on the way we burn with lust, hatred and delusion and how the Buddha offers a public path of practice. We practice even when we're on fire. Recorded Sept 22, 2010 at Centre of Gravity, Toronto.

Michael Stone explores the integration of yoga and Buddhism, and how we can live a life fully engaged with the suffering of the world while also taking care of ourselves. Recorded during a day-long workshop and fundraiser for New Leaf Foundation (https://newleaffoundation.com) at the University of Toronto in September 2010.

This was the final talk during silent retreat at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island, August 2016. Michael talks about the relationship between emptiness, Buddhism, and the need for healing with First Nations. It was an inspiring and powerful end to the retreat.

A wide ranging talk by Michael Stone on using language in meditation practice, labelling thoughts, and the way kids and adults use language to mediate their internal states. [NOTE: The recording unfortunately was cut off before the end of the talk. We apologize for the error.] Recorded on April 8, 2014.

Michael talks about how our work should be energetic, industrious, diligent and skilful. We should live within our means and keep good company. When you really, really want something, you might ask: How central is this for becoming a good version of myself? Recorded on March 1, 2014.

Michael offers teachings from the Buddhist tradition on how to make a living, and how to make ethical decisions around money in a financial world that revolves around extraction and exploitation. Recorded on March 1, 2014.

Michael explores two questions: 1) Who Are You? and 2) What Should You Do? Using the old Zen koan, "What's the price of rice?" Michael talks about wrestling with questions, compassion, empathy, and how to care for people without getting credit. Recorded on February 4, 2014.

Even when we advance in spiritual practice, something is always missing. Maybe nirvana is about having troubles without falling into defense or burnout? Michael also gives a strong critique of the economic stories that drive us. Recorded on January 14, 2014.

Michael talks on loneliness, paying attention, and the importance of small ideas that can network and build a new culture. Recorded at Centre of Gravity, Toronto on December 3, 2013.