This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Cortland Dahl. Cortland is a scientist, translator, and meditation teacher who offers workshops and leads retreats around the world. He has practiced meditation for nearly three decades, spent time on retreat in monasteries and at retreat centers throughout Japan, Burma, and India, and spent eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in Kathmandu, Nepal. He works as an Instructor for the Tergar community and is the Executive Director of Tergar International. In addition, Cortland serves as a Research Scientist and the Chief Contemplative Officer at UW-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds and the center’s affiliated non-profit, Healthy Minds Innovations. Cortland is actively involved in scientific research and has published articles on the impact of meditation practices on the body, mind, and brain.

In this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Cortland discuss:

• the Healthy Minds App and Cortland’s role in its development;
• the intersection of science and spirituality;
• living the Dharma in daily life;
• using technology for mindfulness; and
• much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Cortland’s Wisdom Dharma Chats episode;
• Vajrayana Online;
• The Joy of Living an online meditation course and training with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Cortland Dahl: Mahamudra and Daily Life (#184) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Born in the Himalayan border regions between Tibet and Nepal, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a rising star among the new generation of Tibetan Buddhist teachers. His candid, often humorous accounts of his personal difficulties have endeared him to audiences around the world.

During this Wisdom Dharma Chat host, Daniel Aitken, and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche discuss:

• Dorje Drolö, a Buddhist practice meant specifically for use during difficult times in human history;
• Rinpoche’s upcoming teachings in Nepal this June;
• the imaginative power of the mind;
• wrathful deities; and
• much more!

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: Dorje Drolö and the Power of the Mind (#183) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest, Peter Skilling. Peter is a special lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, and an honorary associate, Department of Indian Sub-Continental Studies, University of Sydney, Australia. Until his retirement in 2017, he was a professor of the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO) based in Bangkok. He is an honorary member of the Siam Society, Bangkok, and in 2017 he was elected an honorary fellow of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. He has published widely on the Buddhist literature, history, and epigraphy of South and Southeast Asia. In this Wisdom Dharma Chat host Daniel Aitken and Peter discuss Peter’s new anthology, Buddha’s Words for Tough Times, and more.

During this episode, Daniel and Peter discuss:

• Peter’s newest release Buddha’s Words for Tough Times;
• his inspiration for writing the book; 
• the important roll images play for us as readers;
• heedfulness (appamāda) and its relation to mindfulness;
• how the Buddha’s words remain relevant in today’s climate; and 
• much more!

Images discussed in this episode: 

• Four apramāda seals: Apramāda seal from Lower Burma, Mandeville collection. Apramāda seals from India, Cunningham collection at the British Library. Page 242.
• Frontispiece: Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust, licensed under CC0. Page ii
• Frontispiece Buddha after excavation in Sultanganj in 1862 and, on the right, E. B. Harris with some of the Sultanganj images. Source: Harris, Description of Buddhist Remains Discovered at Sooltangunge. See also figures 9 and 11. Page v.
• Image of the Buddha teaching, with etching of a stūpa in outline on reverse. Seventh century, Bihar. Height, 33 cm. British Museum (acc. no. 1854,0214.1). For the text of the inscription, see appendix 2, figure 54. Pages 25–26.

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Peter Skilling: Buddha’s Words for Tough Times (#182) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

To our valued listeners, an unfortunate outcome of live events is that you only get one take to get things right, technical difficulties can and do happen and as a result, the audio recording in this podcast fails to meet the Wisdom standard. However, we wish for all of our supporters to be able to enjoy the wonderful content included in this conversation. Please be advised some poems have been replaced with an updated recording, to enhance the listening experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest John Brehm. John is the author of several books of poems, The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy and The Dharma of Poetry, Sea of Faith, Help Is On the Way, and No Day at the Beach. He is the associate editor of The Oxford Book of American Poetry and his poems have appeared in Poetry, The Southern Review, New Ohio Review, The Sun, The Gettysburg Review, Gulf Coast, The Writer’s Almanac, The Norton Introduction to Literature, Best American Poetry, and many other journals and anthologies. He lives in Portland, Oregon, and teaches for Literary Arts and Mountain Writers Series in Portland and for the Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, Colorado.

In this episode, host Daniel Aitken and John discuss:

• John’s process for writing poetry;
• The art of appreciative reading and how to incorporate this in your practice; 
• John selects poems from his newest collection, Dharma Talk, to read and guides us through reflecting on them; and
• much more!

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post John Brehm: Dharma Talk (#181) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest, Thupten Jinpa. Jinpa-la was educated in the classical Tibetan monastic academia and received the highest academic degree of Geshe Lharam (equivalent to a doctorate in divinity). He also holds a BA in philosophy and a PhD in religious studies, both from the University of Cambridge, England. Since 1985, he has been the principal translator to the Dalai Lama, accompanying him to the United States, Canada, and Europe. Jinpa-la is currently the president and the editor-in-chief of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to translating key Tibetan classics into contemporary languages. He also currently chairs the Mind and Life Institute and the Compassion Institute.  

During this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Jinpa-la discuss:

•  his latest translation work in the Library of Tibetan Classics series, Stages of the Path and the Oral Transmission;
• how he chose to structure Stages of the Path and the Oral Transmission;
• the evolution of modern Western language and its impact on translation;
• the list of 51 mental factors and the commonly misunderstood factors;
• his Wisdom Academy course, How the Mind Works; 
• how to raise joy in your daily life; and 
• much more!

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Thupten Jinpa: Stages of the Path (#180) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat, features special guest, Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi is an American Buddhist monk from New York City. After completing his university studies he traveled to Sri Lanka, where he received novice ordination in 1972 and full ordination in 1973, both under the leading Sri Lankan scholar-monk, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi has many important publications to his credit, either as an author, translator, or editor. These include The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha, and The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha. In 2008, together with several of his students, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi founded Buddhist Global Relief, a nonprofit supporting hunger relief, sustainable agriculture, and education in countries suffering from chronic poverty and malnutrition. 

During this episode host, Daniel Aitken, and Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi discuss:

• his most recent anthology from the Pāli canon, Noble Truths, Noble Path, now available in hardcover and paperback;
• the Teachings of the Buddha series;
• understanding the Buddha’s teachings and the logic behind the arrangement of the suttas within the nikāyas;
• misunderstanding of dependent origination;
• nibbana, and how the Buddha categorized nibbana; and
• much more!

Episode Notes:

• The other volume discussed at the start of the episode is Reading the Buddha’s Discourses in Pāli.
• When Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi mentions a previous anthology, he is referring to In the Buddha’s Words.
• Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi’s final recommendation for the order to read these works that he outlines at the end of the episode is
  1. In the Buddha’s Words
  2. Noble Truths, Noble Path
  3. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha and he mentions his audio teachings in connection to this which can be found here.

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi: Noble Truths, Noble Path (#179) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Dr. Richard J. Davidson. Richard is the William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds, and director of the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. In 2006 Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.” He is also co-author with Daniel Goleman of Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body.

In this episode, host Daniel Aitken, and Richard discuss:

• his lab tests with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on the effects of meditation;
• technology’s advancements with the ability to find correlates;
• brain waves associated with flow states;
• meta-awareness; and
• much more!

If you enjoy the episode, check out Richard’s course, The Science of Flourishing, presented by Healthy Minds Innovations. The Science of Flourishing is an online, self-paced course designed to help you understand the skills of well-being, the science behind them, and how to apply those skills in your daily life. Fans of the Wisdom Podcast receive a 20% discount with code TWE20 when used before December 31, 2023.

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Dr. Richard J. Davidson: Meditation and the Effects on the Brain (#178) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features Geoffrey Barstow. Geoff is an assistant professor of Philosophy and Religion at Oregon State University. He has been a student of Choky Nyima Rinpoche for more than 20 years and he spent over six years conducting research in Nepal, China, and Tibet. His studies focused on animal ethics, the relationship between humans and animals, and what that can teach us about Tibetan Buddhism. In this episode, Daniel and Geoff discuss vegetarianism in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as, a common topic of debate in Buddhist circles, should all Buddhists be vegetarian?

Additionally, they also discuss: 

• Geoff’s book The Faults of Meat;
• the origins of Geoff’s interest in Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism; 
• vegetarianism and its relation to the threefold purity; and
• much more!

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Geoffrey Barstow: Was the Buddha Vegetarian? (#177) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast, recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat features special guest, Alejandro Chaoul. During this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Alejandro discuss the practice of Tibetan yoga, (trul khor, “magical movement”). Alejandro provides demonstrations of some of the movements and guides the listener through how to practice them as well. Alejandro and Daniel also discuss:

• pervasive breath (khyab lung) and movements that work with it;
• the five winds;
• Alejandro’s upcoming Wisdom Academy course, Tibetan Yoga, Part 2;
• and much more.

Alejandro provides detailed descriptions and instructions for the movements he demonstrates during this episode. If you would like to see the movements as well you can watch the recording of the live event on our website here.

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Alejandro Chaoul: Trul Khor (#176) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast features an interview with Charles Manson. Charles is a master woodcarver and author who spent several years as a Buddhist monk and in meditation retreats. He holds a master’s in theological studies from Harvard University and works as a librarian for the Tibetan Collections at the Bodleian Library at Oxford University and at the British Library in London.

In this episode, Charles and host Daniel Aitken discuss:

• his book The Second Karmapa Karma Pakshi;
• his eight-year retreat;
• Karma Pakshi’s impact on Möngke Khan court;
• Kublai Khan’s capture and exile of Karma Pakshi;
• lungsem breathing meditation practice;
• and more!

Items mentioned in this podcast: 

– Early 14th-Century Portrait of Karma Pakshi
– 16th Karmapa in the Karma Pakshi pose at Tsurpu Pre-1959
– Karma Pakshi Travel Map
– Om Ma-Ni Pe-Me Hung Sheet music
– Om Ma-Ni Pe-Me Hung Recording of Nick Perry playing medieval shawm
– Charles during retreat at Karma Pakshi cave

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Charles Manson: The Second Karmapa (#175) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.

This episode of the Wisdom Podcast was recorded live as a Wisdom Dharma Chat with special guest, Anne C. Klein. Anne is a professor and former chair of the religion department at Rice University. She is also a lama in the Nyingma tradition and a founding director and resident teacher of Dawn Mountain, a center for contemplative study and practice in Houston. Her publications include Path to the Middle, Unbounded Wholeness (coauthored with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche), Knowledge and Liberation, Strand of Jewels, and Being Human and a Buddha Too (Wisdom, 2023).

During this episode, host Daniel Aitken and Anne discuss:

• her Wisdom Academy course Longchenpa’s Sevenfold Mind Training;
• her book, Being Human and a Buddha Too, which the course is based on;
• the relationship between lojong and dzogchen generally, and specifically within this text;
• Adzom Paylo Rinpoche’s and Jigme Lingpa’s commentaries on this texts;
• the metaphor of the sunlit sky;
• and more!

Remember to subscribe to the Wisdom Podcast for more great conversations on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. And please give us a 5-star rating in Apple Podcasts if you enjoy our show—it’s a great support to us and helps other people find the podcast. Thank you!

The post Anne C. Klein: Being Human and a Buddha Too (#174) appeared first on The Wisdom Experience.