Sharpening the Mind
Daniel Scharpenburg
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Talks with Meditation Teacher Daniel Scharpenburg. Daniel is located in Kansas City, Missouri. Talks on Chan and Zen Buddhism, Lojong, Bodhisattva life, koans, and mindfulness. A heart-centered meditation podcast.
Find out more at: www.meditationwithdaniel.com
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
3 days ago
Sending And Receiving With The Breath
This is a very short introduction to the meditation practice called Tonglen, or sending and receiving. Our intention with each breath is to inhale suffering and exhale love and compassion. This is from the Lojong Teachings. . If you’re interested in supporting these teachings with a financial donation you can do so by clicking here: https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
5 days ago
After Meditation, Be a Child of Illusion
The spiritual journey isn’t limited to what happens when we’re meditating. We can cultivate a sense of wonder in our lives. This is from the lojong teachings. If you’re interested in supporting these teachings with a financial donation you can do so by clicking here: https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
6 days ago
Rest in the Openness of Your Mind
What if we just calm down and sit in silence for a few minutes? This is from the lojong teachings. If you’re interested in supporting these teachings with a financial donation you can do so by clicking here: https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Mar 31, 2021
Don’t Get Stuck on Peace
How does the path get in the way of the path? This is from the lojong teachings. If you’re interested in supporting these teachings with a financial donation you can do so by clicking here: https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Mar 30, 2021
Examine the Nature of Awareness
Who are you? Who were you before your life told you who to be? This is a talk from the lojong teachings. If you’re interested in supporting these teachings with a financial donation you can do so by clicking here: https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Mar 29, 2021
See Everything As A Dream
What does it mean to see things as dreams? Are the things we’re holding on to as important as we think? This is from the lojong teachings. If you’re interested in supporting this podcast with a donation you can go to https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Mar 26, 2021
Preliminaries: how do we begin and why?
From the lojong teachings. What inspires us to do any of this? If you’re interested in supporting this podcast with a donation you can go to https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Mar 23, 2021
Introduction to the Heart
A short introduction to lojong teachings.
If you’re interested in supporting this podcast with a donation you can go to https://meditationwithdaniel.com/donate
Jan 14, 2021
The Buddha and the Flower
This was a talk given at One Mind Zen.
Dec 20, 2020
Teachings are for the Living
Teachings from Master Silly Mountain (Han Shan Deqing)
This includes the first of Han Shan's Maxims.
Why don't we, as Buddhists, go out and convince people to join us? Should we? Would that be effective?
Also, what's the deal with impermanence? And emptiness?
Let's talk about these things.
if you want to support this work by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Nov 29, 2020
Bodhi Mind and the Four Great Vows
A reading from "The Method of No Method" and commentary on ethics, the four great vows, and the mind of awakening.
if you want to support this workby making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Nov 12, 2020
Impermanence & Death
Everything always changes.
This is a talk I gave at the One Mind Zen Hermitage.
Sep 23, 2020
Fearful and Irresolute (talk + meditation)
“To live in the Great Way is neither easy nor difficult, but those with limited views are fearful and irresolute"
-Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Sep 14, 2020
The Old Mind (talk +meditation)
“When no discriminating thoughts arise, the old mind ceases to exist.” -Sengcan
Talk + MIndfulness of Breathing Practice
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: https://paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Aug 17, 2020
Cherishing Opinions (talk + meditation)
“Do not search for the truth; only cease to cherish opinions. Do not remain in the dualistic state; avoid such pursuits carefully.” -Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Aug 12, 2020
Koans! The Wild Fox Koan
Daniel and Alicia talk about Baizhang and the Wild Fox. I invited my soon-to-be wife Alicia Marley onto the podcast again to talk about the second koan from the Gateless Barrier Collection. This is an odd koan with some magical things going on and the lesson might be a little hard to find. Our conversation ended up taking us pretty far afield from talking about the koan and we ended up asking questions like "is chanting important?" and "Can meditation make you a better criminal?”
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Aug 10, 2020
Appearances and the Root (talk + meditation)
“To return to the root is to find the meaning, but to pursue appearances is to miss the source.” -Sengcan
Jul 9, 2020
Denying Reality (talk + meditation)
“To deny the reality of things is to miss their reality” -Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: https://paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/dscharpy
Jun 23, 2020
Koans! The Dog Koan
Daniel and Alicia talk about Zhaozhou's Dog.
I invited my soon-to-be wife Alicia Marley onto the podcast to talk about the first koan from The Gateless Barrier collection. She has no knowledge of zen koans, so I was wondering if her beginners perspective would help make things clear.
In this episode we talk about the title "The Gateless Barrier" (sometimes called The Gateless Gate, sometimes called The Barrier That Has No Gate)
And we talk about the Koan that is called "Zhaozhou's Dog"
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: https://paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/dscharpy
I wanted to recommend someone else's podcast too. If you're interested in podcasts about koans, go listen to Knot Zen:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knot-zen/id1489124156
Jun 22, 2020
Be Serene (talk + meditation)
"Be serene in the oneness of things and erroneous views will vanish by themselves." -Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
This episode references a text called Faith in Mind. A version of it can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Mind-Rebellion-Chinese-Zen/dp/0861713915/
Jun 18, 2020
Outer Entanglements and Inner Feelings (talk + meditation)
"Live neither in the entanglements of outer things nor in the inner feelings of emptiness" -Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
This talk references a text called Trust in Mind. A version of it can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Mind-Rebellion-Chinese-Zen/dp/0861713915/
Jun 15, 2020
Vast Like Space (talk + meditation)
"The way is perfect like vast space where nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess.
It is our choosing to accept or reject that we do not see the true nature of things." -Sengcan
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
if you want the text i'm reading from, you can get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Mind-Rebellion-Chinese-Zen/dp/0861713915/
Jun 11, 2020
How to be a Buddhist Protester w/ Alex Kakuyo
Sensei Alex Kakuyo came onto the podcast again to talk with me about current events, protests, and the role of Buddhist teachers in the world of politics.
Alex is a lay Buddhist minister in the Bright Dawn Buddhist tradition.
You can read his article "How to be a Buddhist Protester" here:
https://sameoldzen.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-to-be-buddhist-protester.html\
and he wrote this article for Lion's Roar:
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-buddhist-pureland-and-living-under-curfew/
and you can buy his book "Perfectly Ordinary" here:
https://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ordinary-Buddhist-Teachings-Everyday/dp/167376939X/
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
Jun 4, 2020
The Mind's Essential Peace (talk + meditation)
This talk references a text called Faith in Mind.
"When the deep meaning of things is not understood, the mind's essential peace (stillness) is disturbed to no avail." -Sengcan
if you want to support this work by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
Jun 1, 2020
No Opinions? (talk + meditation)
Do our opinions get in our way all the time? Can we hold them more loosely?
"If you wish to see the truth, hold no opinions for or against anything;
To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind."
-Sengcan
This episode references a text called Faith in Mind. A version of it can be purchased here:
Mu Soeng's "Trust in Mind"
And another version can be purchased here:
Sheng Yen's "Faith in Mind"
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 25, 2020
Make Friends with Your Mind (talk + meditation)
The Great Way is not Difficult for those without addiction to preferences... (Talk + Meditation)
This episode references a text called Faith in Mind. A version of it can be purchased here:
Mu Soeng's "Trust in Mind"
And another version can be purchased here:
Sheng Yen's "Faith in Mind"
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 21, 2020
Sensei Alex Kakuyo: Perfectly Ordinary
I had my first long distance podcast guest. Sensei Alex Kakuyo is a lay Buddhist minister and author of Perfectly Ordinary: Buddhist Teachings for Everyday Life.
You can learn about Alex here: sameoldzen.blogspot.com
And you can buy his book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852GYDXX
Alex teaches in the Bright Dawn Tradition, which you can learn about here: Brightdawn.org
I first "met" Alex because I saw his writing at The Tattooed Buddha, which you can see here: The Tattooed Buddha
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 15, 2020
The Buddha Holds Up a Flower
The Buddha Held Up a Flower. Kasyapa Smiled. Case 6 from the Gateless Gate.
The Gateless Gate is a classic text. My favorite version can be purchased here:
Passing Through the Gateless Barrier by Guo Gu
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 13, 2020
Different Forms of Meditation
Different forms of meditation described. Plus, my favorite: Silent Illumination.
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: Donate
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 11, 2020
Clarity and Turning the Mind
Short explanation of Chan Buddhism.
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: Paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
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May 7, 2020
Start Where You Are
Start Where You Are. Where else could you start?
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: Paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
May 4, 2020
Four Immeasurables
Kindness - Compassion - Joy - Equanimity. Dharma Talk and Guided Meditation.
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
a version of this talk was given as a video on the Tattooed Buddha Facebook page. You can like that page here: facebook.com/thetattooedbuddha
Apr 30, 2020
The Wild Fox
Baizhang and the Wild Fox.
Case 2 From “the Gateless Gate”
The Gateless Gate is a classic text. My favorite version can be purchased here:
Passing Through the Gateless Barrier by Guo Gu
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
Apr 27, 2020
Anxiety and Iphones
“We teach best what we need to learn” -Michael Stone
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
Apr 24, 2020
Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature?
What does that even mean? Source: “the Gateless Gate” Case 1 The Gateless Gate is a classic text.
My favorite version can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Through-Gateless-Barrier-Practice/dp/1611802814
if you want to support this podcast by making a donation you can do so by clicking here: paypal.me/danielscharpenburg
Go like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/dscharpy
Apr 23, 2020
37 Practices of a Bodhisattva - Conclusion
From the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 22, 2020
Mindfulness and the Benefit of Others
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 21, 2020
Negative Emotions
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 20, 2020
Give Up Harsh Words
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 19, 2020
Honor and Status and Shantideva
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 18, 2020
The Faults of Others
From the 37 Practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 17, 2020
Examine Your Confusion
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 16, 2020
Training in Wisdom
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 15, 2020
Training in Meditative Concentration
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 14, 2020
Diligence and Community
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 13, 2020
Training in Patience
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 12, 2020
Training in Discipline
From the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 11, 2020
Training in Generosity
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 10, 2020
The Object of Aversion
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 9, 2020
The Object of Attachment
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 8, 2020
Free From Delusion
From the 37 practices of Bodhisattva
Apr 7, 2020
Bringing Attachment onto the Path
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 6, 2020
Bringing Anger Onto the Path
From the 37 practices of a bodhisattva
Apr 5, 2020
Bringing Prosperity onto the Path
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 4, 2020
Bringing Decline onto the Path
From the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Apr 3, 2020
Bringing Defamation Onto the Path
From the 37 practices
Apr 2, 2020
Bringing Ingratitude Onto the Path
From the 37 Practices
Apr 1, 2020
Bringing Harsh Words Onto the Path
From the 37 practices
Mar 31, 2020
Bringing Disgrace Onto the Path
from the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva
Mar 30, 2020
If Someone Were To Cut Off Your Head
From the 37 practices
Mar 29, 2020
Bringing Loss Onto The Path
from the 37 Practices
Mar 28, 2020
A Mind Intent on Benefitting Others
from the 37 Practices of A Bodhisattva
Mar 27, 2020
What Use Is Our Own Happiness?
From the 37 practices
Mar 26, 2020
Happiness is Like a Dewdrop
From the 37 Practices
Mar 25, 2020
Path of Lesser Beings? Don’t Be a Jerk
From the 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
Mar 24, 2020
59: Taking Refuge
From the 37 practices
Mar 23, 2020
58: Relying on a Spiritual Friend
From the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva
Mar 22, 2020
57: Bad Company
From the 37 Practices
Mar 21, 2020
56: Giving Up Concern for This Life
This one is a little dark.
From the 37 Practices
Mar 20, 2020
55: Abandoning Negative Places, Free From Distraction
From the 37 Practices
Mar 19, 2020
54: Attachment and Hatred. Give That Up
From the 37 Practices.
Mar 18, 2020
53: Make Life Meaningful
This is a talk from the 37 Practices it All Bodhisattvas
Feb 26, 2020
52: Fear
Fear and overcoming fear.
Go to my website: kansascitymeditation.com
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Feb 19, 2020
51: As Good As It Gets
Is this as good as it gets?
Is any moment better than this one?
Go to my website: kansascitymeditation.com
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Feb 11, 2020
50: Signs of Spiritual Maturity
In this talk I reference Jack Kornfield's "A Path with Heart" which you can buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Path-Heart-Through-Promises-Spiritual/dp/0553372114
Feb 7, 2020
49: What If I'm Too Busy to Meditate?
I'd like to address a question people ask sometimes.
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Go to my website: kansascitymeditation.com
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Feb 4, 2020
48: Don’t Be a Jerk, Be Nice, Train the Mind (talk and discussion)
This talk was recorded at Monday Meditation on 2/3/20. ————————————————————————-Go to my website: kansascitymeditation.com
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Feb 2, 2020
47: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
In this talk I explore a fundamental Buddhist teaching called "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness". Can being mindful of our bodies, feelings, thoughts, and the world around us help us to live in a better way? I think so.
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Go to my website: https://kansascitymeditation.com
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Jan 21, 2020
46: Being Present and Suffering
This talk was recorded at Monday Meditation on 1/20/20. We talked about suffering, shopping carts, and horses. ——————————-
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: https://PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Jan 7, 2020
45: In Our Own Way - Talk and Discussion.
This was recorded at Monday Meditation on 1/6/20. We talked about how often we get in the way of our own efforts to improve ourselves. We also talked about the three poisons: greed, aversion, and delusion. And we had a lively discussion
Jan 6, 2020
44: Indira Grace - Religion is Like Ice Cream
Indira has been a Buddhist for 20 years. She has worked as a spiritual advisor, reiki healer, and teacher (including teaching inmates in prison). She writes for the Tattooed Buddha. She is currently working on a Unity Minister degree. We talked about Unity Church, which you can learn about here: www.unity.org and Oneness which you can learn about here: www.omoneness.com
Dec 31, 2019
43: Guided Meditation and 2020 Vision w/ Whitney Sause
This talk was recorded at Fountain City Meditation on 12/30/19. Guided Meditation: 0:00-24:00. Discussion: 24:00-49:00. Whitney led the practice for the first time. At the beginning she introduces herself, then there’s a guided meditation followed by a discussion that includes: goals for the year, renewable energy, MS, and other things.
Dec 23, 2019
42: Desire - Talk and Discussion
This talk was recorded at Fountain City Meditation on 12/23/19. We talked about desire. Can we relate to our desires in a more meaningful way? Do you want to be a dog or a tiger? ——————————-
if you feel moved to make a donation to support this work you can do so here:
Paypal: https://PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Dec 10, 2019
41: The Thing About Meditation is... (talk and discussion)
This talk was recorded at Fountain City Meditation on 12/2/19. We talked about believing in our practice and common obstacles.
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if you feel moved to make a donation you can do so here:
Paypal: https://PayPal.me/DanielScharpenburg
venmo: @DScharp
Nov 25, 2019
40: The Second Arrow
This talk was recorded at Fountain City Meditation on 11/25/19. We talked about how we sometimes make our own suffering worse.
Nov 17, 2019
39: Katarina Elaine - Temple Scarlet Founder
I sat down with my friend Katarina Elaine. She is a Wiccan, a spiritual teacher, and an event coordinator who runs a yearly retreat called Temple Scarlet. We talked about festivals, meditation, pathworking, sacred sexuality, paganism, and the meaning of the word “witch”.
Nov 12, 2019
38: Why Bother Meditating?
This talk was recorded at a public Meditation on 11/11/19.
Oct 20, 2019
37: Sergio Moreno: Buddhist Chaplain
I sat down with my friend Sergio who is a Buddhist and a Chaplain in Kansas City. We talked about how his career in spiritual wellness and his life as a Buddhist influence each other. We also talked about right livelihood and being fully present for people that need it.
Oct 17, 2019
36: Hakuin and the Accusation
A zen story about facing difficult circumstances
Sep 28, 2019
35: Zen Mind Workshop
This talk was recorded on 9/28/19 at Aquarius KC, a metaphysical store in Kansas City. I introduced zen meditation, gave some guidance, and took questions. It went really well. Go to https://aquariuskc.com to learn more about this store. I really appreciate that they invited me to give a talk there.
Sep 22, 2019
34: Anxiety and Attachment with Alicia Marley
On this episode I talked with my guest and partner Alicia about letting go of anxiety and attachment. We recorded this in the car during a road trip.
Sep 17, 2019
33: The Great Treasure - Dharma Talk and Discussion
There is silence and calm beneath all the stuff we’re carrying. “The Great Treasure” is a story from the text “Dropping Ashes on the Buddha.” This Talk was recorded at a public meditation on 9/16/19
Sep 16, 2019
32: Laziness and Goals. With guest Alicia Marley
I had a discussion with Alicia Marley about laziness, empowerment, Facebook, and goals.
Sep 14, 2019
31: Laziness. Dharma Talk and Discussion
This was recorded at a Meditation Gathering on 9/14/19.
Sep 9, 2019
30: The Three Kinds of Laziness - Dharma Talk
What is laziness and how does it stop us from reaching our potential and developing ourselves? This talk was given at Fountain City Meditation on 9/9/19.
Sep 2, 2019
29: Patience - Dharma Talk and Discussion
This talk was recorded at a public meditation event on 9/2/19. We meditated and talked about Patience, as well as what to do when you feel itchy, giving in to your desires, and our fixation on doing things “the right way”
Aug 27, 2019
28: Encouraging Each Other To Practice- Dharma Talk And Discussion
This was recorded at a public meditation event on 8/26/19. We meditated and discussed things like keeping your eyes open, hearing sounds, and why this is called zen.
Aug 14, 2019
27: Difficulties in Meditation
This is a talk and discussion about when and why meditation is hard.
Aug 7, 2019
26: Silent Illumination
A description of a Formless meditation practice as well as a little guidance.
Jul 17, 2019
25: Meditation Instruction and Guidance
This talk is meditation instruction I gave at a Meditation Gathering. It was an outdoor event so there is a lot of ambient noise. Notes on posture - healing breath practice - following the breath - silent illumination
Jul 10, 2019
24: Things That Weren't Supposed To Happen
We all have these experiences in life where we face unexpected difficulties. These things happen in big and small ways. Does it help to remember we're all going through these things? What can we do about it?
Jul 3, 2019
23: Self Image and Compliments with Alicia Marley
This is a discussion I had with Alicia Marley on Self Image, Compliments, and Empowerment
Jun 26, 2019
22: The Wood Collector: a zen story
Huineng was a poor person from the southern part of China. No one could have expected him to become an influential Zen Teacher. This is a very short version of his story
Jun 12, 2019
21: A Flower and a Smile
A Zen Story that can tell us a few things about expectations and perception.
Jun 2, 2019
20: Feelings During Meditation
When we meditate we’re going to have feelings of serenity but also feelings of frustration. In both cases it’s important to not cling to these feelings. -this talk was recorded at a meditation gathering at the Nelson Museum on 6/1/19
May 29, 2019
19: Why Don't We Just Call It "Meditation Buddhism"?
Exploring where the Zen tradition comes from and what "zen" really means.
May 23, 2019
18: The Buddha and the Truth About Suffering
The Buddha is sometimes described as a doctor. He saw the was we suffer as a disease to be treated. His teaching is a treatment plan. This is a tiny bit about his life story, but more importantly about the central Buddhist teaching of the Four Noble Truths.
May 18, 2019
17: Uncertainty and Worry.
I struggle with uncertainty and worry. How about you? This talk was recorded right after I had to cancel a meditation gathering event because of a thunderstorm.
May 13, 2019
16: Transforming Suffering.
The spiritual path isn't all just for fun. We're trying to do something here. We're trying to reduce our suffering and change the way our suffering spills out of us and on to other people. But how do we do that?
May 6, 2019
15: Barefoot Bran
Barefoot Bran is my guest. He’s a buddhist folk musician in Kansas City. He’s a member of the Rime Buddhist Community and the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. We talk about spirituality, music, dreams, and community, as well as the intersection between paganism and buddhism
May 2, 2019
14: The Daydream
We’re all dreaming. We’re going through life missing things because we’re dreaming. And we’re not seeing reality clearly. How do we wake up?
Apr 26, 2019
13: Introduction to Chan Buddhism
I’d like to Introduce you to Chan Buddhism. This is a path that is practical and it’s about training our minds so we can engage the world in a more meaningful way.
Apr 12, 2019
12: Why Meditate?
This is a talk I gave at Fountain City Meditation. There were 17 in attendance, including one child and one dog. Because it was the first outdoor meditation of the season, I decided to just briefly talk about the basics. Why do we meditate?
Apr 7, 2019
11: Spiritual Community with guest Daniel Symes
My childhood friend Daniel Symes joined me on the podcast to talk about spiritual communities.
Daniel has been my friend since I was 11 years old and he's a member of pagan and freemason communities. We discussed what those communities, and Buddhism, do well and also where they struggle. I talked some, but not much, about my experience at a temple I used to attend called the Rime Center. He talked some about his experience with the pagan communities: Camp Gaea and Gaia Community (and I marveled at the fact that there are two pagan communities in Kansas City with essentially the same name). And we also talked about semi-spiritual communities like Freemasonry and Scouts BSA.
And we talked about Fountain City Meditation, which I think is a project but may actually be a community.
Mar 30, 2019
10: Anger and Screens of Confusion
This is a recording of a live talk I gave online in the Tattooed Buddha Community Facebook group. I went over a teaching from Hongzhi in “Cultivating the Empty Field” then I addressed some questions and comments about anger.
Mar 25, 2019
9: Grieving and Death
We all have to face death. Impermanence is a part of our lives and one thing we all have in common is that we lose the people we care about. What can help us with our grief? In this episode I get personal and talk about my own story. ——Recommended Reading: “Awake in the World” by Michael Stone and “No Death, No Fear” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Mar 20, 2019
8: Insecurity Part 2: with Daniel and Alicia
Daniel and Alicia talk about: Insecurity, Introspection, and Brain Weasels.
Mar 10, 2019
7: Insecurity Part 1: with Daniel and Alicia
Part one of a series. Insecurity is something we all struggle with it. In this episode Daniel and Alicia explore Daniel’s insecurity regarding hosting events.
Mar 5, 2019
6. With Thoughts Clear, Sitting Silently
What’s holding us back? Often it’s ourselves. We’re not broken, or at least no more broken than anyone else. With quotes from “Cultivating the Empty Field”
Feb 15, 2019
5: Generosity
True Charity, True Sharing, True Giving. With a quote from Mirror of Zen
Feb 4, 2019
4: Perceptions and Reality
How does the way we see things shape our experience? This talk includes a story about a young monk who tried to walk from Korea to China and learned something about the power of our minds.
Jan 30, 2019
3: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
We are telling ourselves stories all the time. We re-create our past. We worry/have expectations about the future. And we tell all sorts of stories about ourselves and others. Is this helpful?
“You can no longer deceive yourselves as sincerely as you did before. You have now got the taste of truth.” -Ouspensky
Jan 25, 2019
2: Alicia Marley
Alicia Marley came to the podcast. We talked a little bit about Buddhism, but mainly we discussed Facebook, having a sense of wonder, and Geocaching.
Jan 23, 2019
1: The Three Essentials
Great Faith, Great Doubt, Great Determination.
Trying to practice without all three of these present is like having a table that's missing a leg.