5 Minute Dharma Podcast

Education and entertainment are the topic of this episode. There are two basic orientations in life, those who seek truth and those who seek pleasure. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are going to do either of these very well, you are going to have to dedicate your life to one. They really are mutually exclusive, if you want to do either very well. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, let’s look at the meaning and implications of entertainment. B. Second, let’s look at the meaning and implications of education. C. Third, we each must choose which path we will travel. Conclusion

Ignorance and apathy is the topic of this episode. “In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.” Although we need more than just information to really wake up. The world as we know it is changing, and at an increasing pace. There are three kinds of people in the world, those that make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who wonder what happened. Which are you? Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, let’s look at apathy in three basic areas. B. Second, let’s examine some of the reasons for this epidemic of apathy. C. Third, let’s look at the root cause of apathy. Conclusion

Explaining to you how to do a simple breathing meditation is the topic of this episode. You know about the benefits of meditation, but do you meditate? What excuses do you use? I don’t have enough time. I’m uncomfortable sitting for too long. I can’t stop my mind from thinking. With this simple meditation practice, your excuses are gone. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, you can always find the time to take three breaths. B. Second, you need to prepare yourself for the Three Breaths Meditation Practice. C. Third, you begin the actual practice of the Three Breaths Meditation. Conclusion

Explaining the meaning of Right View is the topic of this episode. Right View is the view that is conducive to awakening. Right View is one of the steps in the Noble Eightfold Path. But it’s important to realize that the steps are not sequential, they are interconnected. This is most evident in Right View, which is both a starting point and an arrival point. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, we need to understand what View is. B. Second, let’s look at a few illustrations to help you better understand what a View is. C. Third, we need to understand what Right View is. Conclusion

Spiritual growth and spiritual maturity is the topic of this episode. By spiritual growth I am talking about one’s personal and spiritual evolution. Spiritual growth is much like physical growth. We start off dependent and unskilled, and grow to be independent and skilled. But the path to spiritual maturity is not a straight line. Many lessons in life can only be learned by experience, in the school of hard knocks. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. The first stage of spiritual growth is dependence. B. The second stage of spiritual growth is independence. C. The third and highest stage of spiritual growth is interdependence. Conclusion

Knowing and accepting yourself is the topic of this episode. Accepting yourself sounds like good advice. But you may find it much harder than you may first realize. Accepting yourself requires that you first know yourself. You can’t accept yourself as you are unless you know yourself as you are. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, we must learn to know ourselves as we really are. B. Second, we must learn to accept ourselves as we really are. C. Third, we must forgive ourselves for all our mistakes and missteps. Conclusion

Dealing with pain through meditation is the topic of this episode. The wise say that pain in life is inevitable, but suffering is not. Pain is caused by what happens to you, suffering is your mind's response to it. Your mind adds to the pain, causing further tension and constriction in the mind and body. I have had several opportunities to work with pain, from migraine headaches to toothaches. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. The First method of dealing with pain is to give it our full attention. B. The Second method is used if the pain is too much to bare. C. The Third method is to switch back and forth from an intense focus on the pain to a more relaxed focus. Conclusion

Not judging others and not judging yourself is the topic of this episode. Not judging sounds like pretty good advice. bet you can name a number of friends and relatives that you wish would stop judging you. But this message is not for them, it's for you and you alone. Let’s be honest, it's a message everybody wants to give, but too few want to hear. Podcast Outline: Introduction A. First, we should realize the consequences of judging ourselves and others. B. Second, we should not judge others. C. Third, we should not even judge ourselves. Conclusion

In this episode we want to talk about what is means to be a Buddhist parent. Parenting is not a task or a duty, it should be looked on as a spiritual discipline. a practical way to practice the Dharma. Parenthood can be a path of spiritual grown, if we approach it with the right attitude. As you teach them Buddhism, focus on the practical teachings of the Dharma. Focus on developing in them compassion, patience, and simplicity of life. Podcast Outline Introduction A. First, we should approach discipline from the principle of the Middle Way. B. Second, we should teach the Dharma to our children. C. Third, we should live the Dharma in everyday life. Conclusion

In this episode we want to examine the teaching that there is no self. One of the fundamental insights that the Buddha discovered was that there is no self. It is also one of biggest stumbling blocks for most Westerners. Most of us have been influenced by Christianity to believe that each person has an immortal soul. Buddhism not only denies the existence of an immortal soul, but teaches that such a belief is the great illusion that keeps us from seeing reality as it truly is. Podcast Outline Introduction A. First, let’s examine the meaning of the Pali word anatta, which is translated as not-self or no-self. B. Second, the belief in a self is the source of selfishness. C. Third, if there is no self, what continues to be reborn. Conclusion

In this episode we want to explore the perils of lay practice. When Buddhism began, it began as a monastic movement. It was expected that those who were really serious about following the Buddha’s teachings would become monks and nuns. In the West, Buddhism is primarily a lay movement. Buddhism in the West is in the process of trying to adjust to this new reality. Podcast Outline Introduction A. The First Peril, is the belief that monasticism is the only way to enlightenment. B. The Second Peril, is dividing the sacred and profane. C. The Third Peril, is believing enlightenment requires a long journey. Conclusion

In this episode we want to talk about the Solitary Buddhist. We live in a society where the loner is feared and ridiculed. Those who are socially withdrawn as labeled as odd, strange, or worse. But if the truth be told, if you are going to travel the path to enlightenment, you’re going to have to travel it alone. Too few are willing to leave the comforts of society and think outside the box. Podcast Outline Introduction A. First, Buddhism encourages the loner. B. Second, you find your path by making one. C. Third, Buddhism teaches the middle way. Conclusion

In this episode we want to talk about love and marriage. The simple fact is that more than half of all marriages end in divorce. And I would guess that at least half of those, that don’t end in divorce, are in an unhappy marriage. It seems everyone who is married wants to be single, and everyone who is single wants to be married. There are, of course, exceptions. Podcast Outline Introduction A. First, Let’s talk about our unrealistic expectations in marriage. B. Second, we need to reconsider the purpose of marriage. C. Third, how do we find the perfect partner. Conclusion

This is a Special Announcement for the Summer of 2013. The summer of 2013 is upon us. Summer is a time for vacations and outdoor fun. I am planning on enjoying the summer with my son while he is on summer vacation. This is the main reason that I am going to take some time off from doing the podcast this summer. So the podcast will be on temporary hiatus until the fall - at least that’s the plan.

In this episode we want to explore the meaning of the law of karma. Scholars who study Buddhism believe that karma is fundamental to the Buddha’s whole view of life. Karma is, in fact, the lynchpin the holds all the other teachings of the Buddha together. It is therefore vitally important to understand what the Buddha meant by karma. Podcast Outline Introduction A. First, Let’s define what the law of karma is. B. Second, our intentional choices form habits, habits that reap what is sown. C. Third, we want to understand the Mahayana concept of store consciousness Conclusion