Awake in the World Podcast

Drawing on Norman Fischer's essay Michael explores how the honeymoon period of practice comes to an end and about the ten obstacles that show up which we tend to miss in deep practice. Psychologically, there are so many ways we get caught in practice and can't see how we are caught. Recorded Jan. 25, 2011.

Drawing on Norman Fischer's essay on monastic practice & it's maturation, Michael talks about 8 stages that we all encounter during any relationship. Also, how we get wounded & repeat our relational wounds in our relationship with our body, with others & with our spiritual practice. Recorded Jan. 18, 2011.

Drawing on Instructions to the Cook, Michael offers a talk on the teachings of the insentient. The snow and silence are teaching us. Can you give attention to the way the insentient teaches us? Recorded December 29, 2010.

Michael offers an introduction to the the five day silent New Year's Retreat. Michael talks about what can show up on retreat, and Dogen’s idea of the Way Seeking Heart. Recorded December 28, 2010.

Michael talks about how the person in us who is sick has the resources to take care of the parts of us that are not sick. This paradox is the entry point of maturing meditation practice. Recorded December 21, 2010.

Michael begins talking about the snow and the differences between people and birds, and then ends up speaking about the map of what to look for in meditation practice over time. Recorded Dec 14, 2010.

Annual Poetry Evening. Erin Robinsong, Sarah Selecky, Michael Stone read from their favourite poems. A wonderful evening of words to support practice. Recorded Nov. 30, 2010.

Michael talks about the G20, the power of shared attention, and how letting go of fixed views opens us up to community. When we are attentive to suffering we are more tender and connected. A self connected with others is a political self. Recorded November 16, 2010.

A talk by Michael on how even the best meditators have old wounds that need attention. He talks about how we need support for working with old patterns of our psychology that spiritual practices may not reach. Recorded Nov 09, 2010.

A talk and group exercise for working with thorns when they begin to grow on the branches of our practice and in our lives. Recorded Nov. 2, 2010.

Michael continues his month-long discussion about masks and how they shouldn't stick to your face. He gives the sangha some homework. Recorded Oct 11, 2010.

Michael introduces Case 12 of the Mumonkon, "The Master". He ties waking up with social action and the teachings of the Burmese Monks who visited the evening prior. A funny and lively talk with practices you can use in your life. Recorded Oct 5, 2010.

Michael tells the story of Angulimala, a murderer who met the Buddha and changed his ways though was still stoned to death. This teaching illustrates how we are never free of karma and that our conduct always shapes our lives. Recorded Sept 28, 2010.

Jen Whitney investigates a favourite koan of hers and relates it to the passing of Michael and how the community can move forward from here. Recorded at the Eight-Day Silent Meditation Retreat in France, August 2017.

Part two of Michael describing how to "enter the path of practice" and become a committed student at Centre of Gravity. Recorded Sept. 15, 2010.