Awake In The World Podcast

Guest speaker, Dr. Lauren Corman gives a gripping talk on animals and non-violence, given during a 12-day intensive at Centre of Gravity, Recorded on July 19, 2012. Through classes in the area of Critical Animal Studies, which engages an intersectional approach to, "the question of the animal." Dr. Corman's interdisciplinary scholarship draws on animal rights/liberation, post-humanist, feminist, critical race, labour and environmental theories and practices. Much of her graduate work focused on an analysis of Canadian and US slaughterhouses, with emphasis on the industrialized exploitation of pigs. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

In this Awake in the World podcast Michael begins by stating that “this practice is a matter of life and death” and describes how yoga can help us see our patterns of conditioning, and help us to embrace both the light and the dark aspects of our lives. Recorded on January 23, 2007. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

In this Best of Awake in the World episode Michael explores the difference between mindfulness and being self-conscious, Shantideva's practices for exchanging your self with others, and suggestions for long-term practice. Recorded on March 12, 2013. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

In this Best of Awake in the world episode Michael leads a thirty-minute guided meditation focuses on noticing and letting go of commentary. Recorded on November 4, 2008. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

in this Best of Awake in the World podcast episode based on a koan (Case Forty-five from the Gateless Gate) this talk explores the complex ways that we create a self and create an “other,” and how the two processes can be deeply intertwined. Recorded on October 12, 2008. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

In this “Best Of” episode, we revisit a powerful conversation where Michael breaks down the fundamentals of Jhana practice (the 4 stages of deep concentration). He explores the inner “maps” that guide absorption and offers insight into how practitioners can move into increasingly profound states. As stillness deepens, the familiar reference points we use to understand our lives begin to fall away, opening the door to a very different kind of awareness. Recorded on May 18, 2014 at the Kayagatasati Sutta during a workshop in Madison, Wisconsin. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

In this Best of episode Michael explores the magic mantra that concludes the Heart Sutra, one of the most famous teachings in the Buddhist tradition. In this one-hour talk, he reflects on how this ancient mantra points to a profound shift in the way we meet our lives. Through stories, reflections, and practical insights, Michael discusses how the teachings of the Heart Sutra help us transform fear into openness, and how the practice of cultivating compassion can change the way we relate to ourselves and others. He also looks at the often overlooked power of not-knowing, the willingness to step beyond fixed ideas and meet experience with curiosity and humility. Along the way, Michael explains how mantras work, why they have been used for centuries as tools for awakening, and how the closing mantra of the Heart Sutra can serve as a reminder to keep moving beyond our limitations and into greater freedom. Recorded in London, England. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our am

On Silent Retreat Michael Stone explores the Zen koan “Why Can’t the Tail Pass Through” along with thoughts on hope, optimism, and despair. He describes “mindfulness as a political tool” and how we don't need a revolution, we need “embodied, moment-to-moment rebellion.” True North Insight, 45 min. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

One of the last days of the 6 month Precepts course. Following chanting the Heart Sutra, five students present on the five ethical values of the course, and then Michael discusses three ways of thinking about ethics. And how to look at a flower and smile. Recorded on April 7, 2011. This episode is an excerpt from Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," which transforms Buddhist and yogic ethics into practical guidelines for aligning your actions with your values. If you’re interested in taking the full course, visit: https://edu-michaelstone.com/product/embodying-ethics-vows-in-modern-life/

In this episode, Michael explores the intersection of mindfulness and situational ethics, unpacking how awareness can guide us through the complex moral landscapes of everyday life. Drawing from a 2015 lecture in an earlier version of his online course, Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life, exploring in practical detail the two wings of the practice: calming (samatha) and insight (vipassana) With practical examples and grounded insight, he shows how these complementary practices support wise, responsive action—not as abstract ideals, but as lived ethics in real time. Whether you’re deepening your meditation practice or navigating difficult choices in modern life, this episode offers thoughtful guidance on embodying awareness where it matters most. This episode is an excerpt from Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," which transforms Buddhist and yogic ethics into practical guidelines for aligning your actions with your values.à If you’re interested in taking the full course,

In this week's episode, we continue our deep dive into The Five Ethics with a modern exploration of brahmacharya, often translated as the wise use of energy. What does this ancient ethical guideline have to do with our sexuality, relationships and personal boundaries? We are joined by Jessy Wollen, a Certified Sexual Health Educator and founder of Shift Education, for a frank and compassionate conversation that moves this practice beyond simplistic notions of celibacy to explore: How consent is a foundational practice of brahmacharya, teaching us to encounter all beings with respect and dignity. Why exploring our own sexuality and values is vital for self-awareness and healthy relationships. Practical ways to approach conversations about bodies, boundaries, and respect with young people. This episode is an excerpt from Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," which transforms Buddhist and yogic ethics into practical guidelines for aligning your actions with your values. If you’re

Michael interviews Simone Moir, Registered Psychotherapist, on the precept of aparigraha (non-greed) and the practice of generosity. They discuss what comes up around possessiveness, addiction and obsession, embracing impermanence, the importance of relationship and knowing the importance of boundaries. From the 5th video in Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," a nine-week program weaving Buddhist and yogic ethics into the fabric of daily life. For the next few weeks, we'll be posting more excerpts and "Best of" episodes focused on The Five Ethics: • Ahimsa (Non-Violence) • Satya (Honesty) • Asteya (Non-Stealing) • Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Energy) • Aparigraha (Non-Greed) Join us to learn how these ethical principles can ground you in modern life. If you’re interested in taking the full course, visit: https://edu-michaelstone.com/product/embodying-ethics-vows-in-modern-life/

In this week’s Best Of episode, Michael explores the ethic of not stealing, (asteya). The Zen master Dōgen offers a beautiful translation: “The self and the things of the world are just as they are. The gate of freedom is open.” At its heart, this teaching is about being content with what we have. Another way to say it is this: not taking anything that isn’t freely given. Recorded in 2011. From the 4th video in Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," a nine-week program weaving Buddhist and yogic ethics into the fabric of daily life. For the next few weeks, we'll be posting more excerpts and "Best of" episodes focused on The Five Ethics: • Ahimsa (Non-Violence) • Asteya (Non-Stealing) • Satya (Honesty) • Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Energy) • Aparigraha (Non-Greed) Join us to learn how these ethical principles can ground you in modern life. If you’re interested in taking the full course, visit: https://edu-michaelstone.com/product/embodying-ethics-vows-in-modern-life/

In this week’s Best Of episode, Michael reflects on satya, the practice of honesty. Satya isn’t an abstract ideal, it’s a lived experience that arises in real time through our relationships and daily lives. At the core of all meaningful practice is a commitment to honesty; without it, principles like non-violence or non-greed can’t fully take root. Recorded in 2011. From the 3rd video in Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," a nine-week program weaving Buddhist and yogic ethics into the fabric of daily life. For the next few weeks, we'll be posting excerpts and "Best of" episodes focused on The Five Ethics: • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): I will do no harm, recognizing that I am connected to all living beings. • Satya (Honesty): I will speak the truth as I perceive it and not deceive anyone. • Asteya (Non-Stealing): I will be satisfied with what I have and only take what is freely given. • Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Energy): I will encounter all beings with respect and dignity. • Apari

Michael sits down with physician and abortion provider Pat Smith for a thoughtful conversation on the principle of non-harming. Together, they explore the space where ethics meet politics, how our beliefs and values shape the way we move through the world, and the role formal meditation can play in clarifying ethical life choices. This excerpt comes from the second video in Michael’s nine-week online course, Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life, which weaves Buddhist and yogic ethical teachings into the rhythms of everyday living. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more excerpts and “Best of” episodes centered on the Five Ethics: • Satya (Truthfulness): Speaking honestly as we perceive it, without deception. • Asteya (Non-Stealing): Cultivating contentment and taking only what is freely given. • Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Energy): Meeting all beings with respect and dignity. • Aparigraha (Non-Greed): Living generously and working skillfully with all that life offers. Join us as we explore how these

In this week’s episode, we explore a deceptively simple question: How do you be interconnectedness? It’s drawn from the first video in Michael’s online course, "Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life," a nine-week program weaving Buddhist and yogic ethics into the fabric of daily life. We are living in a time when people are asking big questions. Exhausted by the news and often feeling fear, sadness, or anxiety, we wonder: What do we do? How do we stay plugged into our values, and how can we be of service? For the next few weeks, we'll be posting excerpts and "Best of" episodes focused on The Five Ethics: • Ahimsa (Non-Violence): I will do no harm, recognizing that I am connected to all living beings. • Satya (Honesty): I will speak the truth as I perceive it and not deceive anyone. • Asteya (Non-Stealing): I will be satisfied with what I have and only take what is freely given. • Brahmacharya (Wise Use of Energy): I will encounter all beings with respect and dignity. • Aparigraha (Non-Greed): I will use

In this talk, Michael explores anatta (not-self) and emptiness as lived practices rather than abstract ideas. He shows how our thinking is often shaped by storytelling and emphasizes the role of sitting practice in moving beyond language to directly examine the mental habits that cloud understanding. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Using the metaphor of time travel, Michael explores the inner journey described by the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th limbs of yoga. Rather than traveling through years or lifetimes, this “time travel” moves inward, through memory, identity, awareness, and ultimately into stillness. In this talk, Michael offers a clear and grounded exploration of the self, the ego, and the subtle emptiness of the things we cling to for stability. He examines how personality is something we continuously construct, often in an attempt to create a sense of permanence in a world that is constantly changing. At the core of this construction is a quiet resistance to impermanence: a desire to fix what is, by nature, fluid. Through the lens of yogic philosophy, the conversation invites listeners to notice how attention, concentration, meditation, and absorption gradually loosen our grip on rigid identities. What emerges is not loss, but freedom, a deeper understanding that we don’t need to solidify ourselves in order to exist meaningfully.

Michael invites the sangha to take a good look at the elephant in the room by sharing their habits, strong emotions, and patterns of reactivity while exploring the “Lookout Tower” and “Riding the Wave” practices. He makes a powerful connection between formal sitting meditation and everyday life, illustrating how what we practice on the cushion can help when things feel large and heavy. Michael also shares a personal story about navigating a month-long houseguest, setting boundaries, and doing his best to keep the balance-even when the situation starts to stampede. So what should we do with our anger? Trying to “let off steam” often turns out to be like stirring up a herd of elephants, it rarely calms things down. Explosive expressions of anger tend to increase emotional arousal, leaving us feeling more upset rather than relieved. Recorded March 5, 2013. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of

In this podcast episode, Michael discusses the relationship in our daily lives between form and formlessness as it relates to creativity and karma. Wisdom is not separate from who we are. It’s like beads rolling on a tray: sudden, ready, uninhibited. Recorded in 2008. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.