Dharma Junkie

The Buddha taught that the 5 clinging agrregates lead to suffering. In a sense, identity itself leads to suffering. Trying to be "somebody." Join Dr. Daniel Ingram, Gary Sanders, and myself as we discuss how to navigate this topic and teach the Dharma effectively in world that is, at a glance, obsessed with identity.  It's a tough topic to navigate and one that is NEVER discussed. There's risk involved in even talking about this topic, but fortunatey for all of you I don't care about being cancelled or any of that.  This topic in particular lead to my being ostracized from Wildheart Meditation Center, due to motives that are all their own and I still don't understand.  I teach the Dharma (Dhamma) to help people END their suffering, not create more of it. There's too much enabling in American Dharma and not enough truth and honesty. The kindest thing you can do for someone is be honest with them. This is how we help, not by telling people what they WANT to hear, but telling them what the NEED to hear. Sometimes the truth isn't going to feel good, however.  That being said, I love you all and I hope you enjoy this conversation. ~Justin   gulfcoastdharma.org boundlessheartdharma.com/ .integrateddaniel.info/

This talk was given on 7/29/24 at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida. Please support our mission to spread Dhamma by donating via Venmo to GulfCoastDharma or through Cashapp to $Dharmajunkie       stay blessed!     gulfcoastdharma.org

This talk was given on 3/5/24 at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL.   gulfcoastdharma.org

Gary Sanders lives in Los Angeles, CA where he founded SCV Mindfulness. He was empowered to lead Buddhist meditation and dharma groups at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. He also helped found Refuge Recovery, a Buddhist-based recovery program for all addictions, which has now spread worldwide.  After moving to Portland, OR in 2015, Gary was asked to join the teaching staff at Portland Insight Meditation Community and was empowered to teach in the lineage of the great Ruth Denison. Gary travels frequently, teaching daylongs and workshops all around North America, and specializes in the heart-based practices of The Buddha. Gary originally got sober in 12-step groups using Kevin Griffin's book One Breath at a Time, a non-theistic Buddhist approach to the 12 Steps. Through the years he's been involved in various Buddhist-based and other alternative non-theistic recovery programs. Gary practices Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation and has woven that into a unique mashup of mindfulness and recovery that he offers to others.  Links  www.portlandinsight.org  https://boundlessheartdharma.com/media/  

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 2/26/24. Everything I do as a podcaster and facilitator is donation based. If you enjoyed any of the talks or interviews, I could use your support. Please consider donating via Venmo to Gulfcoastdharma   gulfcoastdharma.org    

After a humble and often tumultuous beginning to his life, Daryl Dittmer has worked relentlessly on himself for almost 40 years. Having hailed from a blue-collar family and upbringing, work-ethic was instilled early and often. Daryl was put to work as a farm hand at an early age, at $1.50 per hour, and learned the immense value of hard work and long days. ​Since those days, Daryl has been a carpenter, sales professional, business owner, builder, landlord, real estate investor, and consultant. Now, we're able to add “author” to that list.   daryldittmer.com/

This guided meditation was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 2/26/24   gulfcoastdharma.org

Jill Sitnick's journey with PTSD began in her childhood, where she faced severe trauma due to an abusive father and a clinically depressed mother. Despite leaving her tumultuous home life at 19 and building a successful career in educational technology, the unresolved trauma from her past caught up with her in her late forties. After the passing of her long-term partner, Jill experienced severe PTSD attacks that left her feeling suicidal and constantly on high alert. After months of talk therapy without significant improvement, Jill's therapist suggested exploring MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA, commonly known by its street names ecstasy or molly, is a synthesized chemical that has shown promising results in treating PTSD. Jill was initially skeptical but decided to give it a try after reviewing clinical trial data from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). The results were nothing short of miraculous. MDMA helped Jill calm her body and mind, allowing her to confront and process her traumatic memories without the overwhelming fear and anxiety that typically accompanied them. Jill's story is a testament to the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy and its potential to offer hope and healing to those suffering from PTSD.   thejourneysage.com

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 2/19/24. If you feel as though you have gained anything or benefited from any of this content, please consider donating via Venmo to gulfcoastdharma   gulfcoastdharma.org

Daniel Ingram, MD is a meditation master (and self-described Arahant, meaning one who has fully awakened) with decades of experience training and teaching worldwide. On this episode we discussed the mission of the EPRC, why it's important, and I ask Elon Musk to pony up some cash for the cause.     The Mission of the EPRC What many might call “spiritual”, “mystical”, “energetic”, etc. experiences and effects, we refer to as emergent phenomena. We refer to practices designed to lead to emergent phenomena, such as meditation, psychedelics, yoga, prayer, etc., as emergent practices. As emergent practices continue to scale up in society, our aim is to give healthcare systems, mental health providers, and those who are helping to teach and promote various practices the information they need to make better decisions about how to both promote the benefits of these practices and manage the different effects that they can produce. The Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium's mission is to use ontologically agnostic, multidisciplinary, first-person, psychometric, neurophenomenological, biochemical, and clinical scientific methods to conduct studies on emergent practices and phenomena to generate clinically relevant information that can add value to practitioners, patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems. By finding the skillful overlap of science, spirituality, religion, clinical medicine, and mental health perspectives, we can generate outcomes that are as beneficial as possible for all concerned.   the EPRC Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha

This talk was given on 2/12/24 at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL.

Ann Swanson is the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA, which has been translated into over 15 languages. Her new book, Meditation for the Real World, illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices to help you find peace in everyday life. She worked alongside Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar and an illustrator for the New York Times to create this science-backed visual guide. However, Ann wasn't a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn't come easy to her.  Overcoming her own chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga and meditation, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science graduate degree in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques you won't just learn – you'll love to live by!   annswansonwellness.com

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 12/18/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

Joel Bouchard is a doctoral student in psychology, a multi-instrumentalist record producer, author, painter, Army veteran, business leader, and host of the philosophy podcast "From Nowhere to Nothing." https://jbouchard.podbean.com/   Much like the last few, this episode was recorded several months ago. Production went on hiatus for a while. If I remember correctly, this episode was recorded the day before Thanksgiving. 

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 12/11/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

Madhu, formerly a monk, is a Holistic Health & Business Lifestyle Coach who has trained hundreds of health and wellness professionals, coaches and influencers in ancient sciences and helps them create 6 & 7 figure online business. He lived and trained for half a decade as a monk in the Bhakti Yoga tradition. During these years, he traveled extensively, studying Vedic arts and sciences under renowned teachers. In his free time he is a professional musician who tours internationally.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/monkmindset

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 10/23/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

Meet Will Rodriguez and Karen Endsley, the real-life husband and wife duo behind 'The Skeptic Metaphysicians'. From unraveling metaphysical enigmas to exploring spiritual awakenings, they dive deep without making it cringy. Their contrasting views—one is a true pragmatist, and the other a wonder-filled explorer—make them the perfect guides for today's journey into the great unknown.   https://www.skepticmetaphysician.com/

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 10/16/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

Amrit Singh has been studying Kundalini Yoga for over 30 years which gives him the ability to deeply understand and connect with his clients. In 1999 Amrit Singh decided to move to India to deepen his exploration of yoga and meditation. After 20 years in India, he recently moved to Valle de Bravo in Mexico. During all these years his true passion has always been in helping people through 1-1 coaching, with a special focus on supporting people to create the freedom they need while doing what they love.   https://www.marriagereconnectionroadmap.com/

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 10/9/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

When she was a 19-year-old cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, Nicole would be forced to learn how to live and love differently following a terrifying and transformative Near-Death Experience. Her memory of the crash came back 20 years later, and it has taken Nicole almost another two decades to align her soul, spirit, mind, and body, proving healing is certainly a non-linear process.   A disabled veteran, Nicole now maintains a part-time private practice primarily using Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) targeting the often overlooked domains of emotional, energy, and spiritual well-being.   https://www.nicolekerr.com/

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 10/2/23.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

Transformation Catalyst | Humanistic Psychologist | Writer | Podcaster | Free Thinker | Intuitive Healer | Conscious Dance facilitator | Pellowah teacher | Mentor | Organisational Transformation Strategist | Cat lover   https://truthandtranscendence.buzzsprout.com/

Chris Grosso is an independent culturist, freelance writer, spiritual aspirant, recovering addict, and musician. He serves as spiritual director of the interfaith center The Sanctuary at Shepardfields, writes for the Huffington Post, Rebelle Society, and Intent blog, and is a correspondent for the Where Is My Guru radio show. He created the popular hub for all things alternative, independent, and spiritual with TheIndieSpiritualist.com and continues the exploration with his debut book titled Indie Spiritualist (Beyond Words/Atria Books, February 2014). A self-taught musician, Chris has been writing, recording, and touring since the mid-1990s.    

Troy Hadeed was born in Trinidad, wrote his first letter to the editor at 10, has taught yoga internationally for over 15 years, and has founded several successful businesses, including a hemp store, a waste oil recycling business, and a yoga studio. He has walked coast-to-coast across Central America, navigated the world on a ship, spent prolonged periods in silence, and is continuously seeking to make sense of the human experience. In all things, Troy hopes that his life will assist others in rediscovering a relationship with the God of their understanding while inspiring people to embody more compassion, understanding, and love.   troyhadeed.com

This talk was given at Empathi Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 9/25/2023. I share these teachings freely because they are priceless, however if you would like to support my work, you can donate via Venmo to gulfcoastdharma

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 9/11/2023.   http://www.gulfcoastdharma.org

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 9/4/2023.

Susan Gold is magical. Navigating a ferociously challenging upbringing while bravely moving forward as an adult to face ingrained, outdated, and patriarchal programming head-on, Susan now shares a unique perspective in viewing life challenges as occasions for transformation. Through her book, Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom, Susan turns the standard paradigm on its head courageously leading others through her own journey of abuse, addiction, and surviving narcissism, all while creating a distinctly empowering personal and professional life. LONG A BIO: Susan Gold was raised in a challenging and chaotic family system, the middle child of five. To fully thrive, she bravely chose to meet the demons of her upbringing that were continuing to repeat. Her book, "Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom" is about that journey.   susangold.us

Max Komes elegantly bridges the gap between the realms of psychotherapy and movement practice. Originally trained as a healthcare practitioner within the department of oncology, Max became a direct witness to the correlation between unresolved mental health conditions and physical ailments. This realization led him to the major philosophy that drives his work in the field of mental health: that the source of humanity's modern malaise is disconnection from our own minds, bodies, communities, planet, and all of Life. With his extensive training in mental health counseling, martial arts, and yoga, Max provides resources and services that allow individuals to feel a genuine sense of aliveness and reconnection with their mind-body complex and beyond. Max is now a master's degree student and mental health counseling student intern in Pensacola, Florida. He is the founder of the wellness platform Clarity Mind & Body, where he offers psychosomatic wellness services such as mental health counseling, mind-body coaching, and basic self-defense training. Learn more about Max, his story, and his products and services at MaxKomes.com

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL on 7/31/23.

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL on 7/17/23.

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 7/10/23.   gulfcoastdharma.org

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 7/3/23.   gulfcoastdharma.org

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 6/26/23.   gulfcoastdharma.org

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 6/12/23.

This talk and guided practice were given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 6/5/23.

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 5/8/23.

This meditation was given in Pensacola, Florida at Empathic Practice on 5/1/23.

This talk was given in Pensacola, Florida at Empathic Practice on 5/1/23

This meditation was given at Empathic Practice on 5/1/23

A talk on deconstructing sensory experience with Vipassana. Given at Empathic Practice on 4/10/2023.

In this episode, I have a conversation with the lovely human being, Deborah Eden Tull. Deborah is a Dharma Teacher and the author of three books. She is an authority on the topic and practice of Relational Mindfulness, as well as the Dharma itself. We had a wonderfull conversation that I hope you all will enjoy.   DeborahEdenTull.com floweringlotusmeditation.org

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL. on 4/3/2023. All of my work as a podcaster and meditation instructor is freely offered. If you enjoyed and of these talks or interviews, please consider donating via Venmo to @gulfcoastdharma

Guided Anapana Sati and Vipassana meditation. Given 4/3/2023 at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL.

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL on 3/27/2023

On this episode I am joined by my friend, Rachel Tanner-Smith, and my friend, teacher, and mentor Mikey Noechel! We talk about their upcoming “Practice Intensive” on Buddhist Psychology and the Five Aggregates happening April 15th at Wildheart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN. We also talk about how the Dharma came into their lives, 90's hip-hop, sideways mullets, and Mikey and Rachael unpacks what the Five Aggregates are and explains how by clinging to them, all of our suffering is created. We basically nerd out on the Dharma, which is one of my favorite things to do! This is one not to be missed and I hope that you enjoy it!   Info for April 15th Practice Intensive @ WHMC Info for July 6-9 "Interdependence Day" Retreat Rachael Tanner-Smith is a long time dedicated practitioner in the nashville community and the former co-director of Wild Heart Meditation Center.  Her teaching integrates Buddhist wisdom and Western psychology, with an emphasis on extending practice off the cushion.    Having practiced across traditions, she weaves somatic, heart centered, and creative practices together to support awakening through body, speech, and mind. Her personal practice is supported by regular retreat and the accountability of working with a meditation mentor. Rachael is most at ease outside and finds great joy in parenting.     -- Rachael Tanner-Smith, PMHNP, LPC-MHSP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Professional Counselor   Teaching Council, Wild Heart Meditation Center https://wildheartmeditationcenter.org/   Founding Partner, Experience Therapy Group https://www.experiencetherapygroup.com/   Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS is the guiding teacher and co-director of Wild Heart Meditation Center. In 2020, Mikey received lay ordination and empowerment to teach as a Dharmacharya (Dharma Teacher) in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions through the authorization of Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni and Ven. Pannadipa Bhikkhu. Mikey was given the name Rogahari Sokatura which means “healer of the brokenhearted.” Through this empowerment, he is committed to bringing the Buddha's teachings into nontraditional settings such as addiction treatment centers, jails, and a variety of settings.   Mikey also regularly teaches residential retreats, weekly classes, and workshops. He holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Troy University and has been trained to facilitate meditation groups through Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation Society under the guidance of JoAnna Hardy and Vinny Ferrero. Mikey lives in Nashville, TN, with his wife Cassie, their dog Durt McGurt and their kitty cat Mafia.  

On this episode, my guest is author, educator, martial artist, and the host of podcasts, The Drunken Taoist and History on Fire, Daniele Bolelli! We talk about Zen, the Tao, failure, the lack of connection in America and more!

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, FL., on 3/13/23. All of my work as a podcaster and Buddhist Meditation Instructor is offered freely. If you find any value in this content and would like to support me and my work, please consider donating. You can donate via Venmo to @gulfcoastdharma . I hope you enjoy it!

This talk was given at Empathic Practice in Pensacola, Florida on 03/06/23. In this talk I explore what faith means from a Buddhist perspective, why we ought to have faith in this path, and some ways that we can grow our faith in this practice and ourselves. All of my work as a podcaster and Buddhist meditation instructor is freely offered and donation based. If you find value in any of these talks or interviews and you wish to support me, and my work, you can donate via Venmo to @gulfcoastdharma or via CashApp to @Dharmajunkie thanks for listening and I hope that you enjoy this talk.