Easing Awake with Doug Kraft

Resting in the Waves, Epilogue : This final episode of Resting in the Waves helps us recognize our own habits of mind, move beyond our home base, and engage with the practice.    Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.    Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 8:   This episode considers how to integrate swirls upon swirls of life's interdependent aspects and how to navigate absolute and relative realities—all with fluidity.  Ultimately, it explores the emptiness of fluidity itself.  Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.     |  Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 7:  The practice is not just about meditation, but how clearly and heartfully we relate to the rest of our life. This episode discusses how we can bring awareness and compassion into our daily life as we move through the world around us. Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.     | Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 6:  This episode considers how to tether the wild mind to a home base.  It also compares and contrasts awareness with will, and weaves together four factors that comprise the process of "mind" with the 6 R's. Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.  Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 5: This episode features the prerequisites for spiritual practice and an overview of three branches of Buddhism.  It also examines three essential practices at the root of the Buddha's teachings and the 6 R's of wise effort. Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.   Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 4:  Buddhist meditation is about awareness. This episode explores  indirect experience—exploring phenomena without intellectual bias.   If we can see our actual experience accurately without distortion, that is enough to liberate us from suffering.   The Buddha promoted direct, unmitigated, clear awareness as the bedrock of spiritual practice.  Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.  Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 3: This episode examines awareness, mind, self, and the four ingredients that make up the process that we call mind.Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.    Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 2: This episode offers an introduction to the teachings of the Buddha, how they can be summed up as “everything is in process,” and what that means for us as practitioners.Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.     Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 1, part 2: This episode examines a spectrum of senses of self, from extreme distortion, through coping mechanisms, to freedom of non-identification with self.Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.    Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Chapter 1, part 1:  This episode examines subconscious phenomena in the brain that influence how we perceive the world around us and our own sense of self.Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020.   This portion is read by Amanda Kimball.   Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Resting in the Waves, Introduction: This book begins with an allegorical poem about a duck in the ocean waves. The Introduction then breaks down the title and subtitle of the book in a word-for-word study of what it means to rest in the waves and to welcome the mind's fluidity.Resting in the Waves: Welcoming the Mind's Fluidity was written by Doug Kraft, published by Easing Awake Books, copyright 2020. This portion is read by Amanda Kimball. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Hindrances can be viewed as distortions, obstacles, or demons. They distort consciousness but show us where there's imbalance that hides wisdom. Tension, aversion, and yearning distort our perception, but we don't need to look at these hindrances as a problem. We can see them as crossed intentions, spiritual trainers, and split between self and other. Recognizing, allowing, and returning to uplifted qualities then help clear perception and the mind-heart. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Doug Kraft discusses a wide range of topics with Gary Haskins of The Conscious Perspective Podcast (#29). Their topics include confronting suffering, suffering is to be understood, different ways to express universal truths, turning toward the wholesome, when sending and receiving kindness feel the same, behind it all I'm not separate, the identification process, and ennobling truths. This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded by Gary Haskins of The Conscious Perspective Podcast (#29). Listen online at www.garyhaskins.com. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Meditation is remembering to see the movements of the mind's attention. We don't need to change ourselves; we release and get out of the way. The Buddha left instructions on how to do this. The paradox is that we don't turn away from anything. Instead, we turn toward the mind-heart and relax into it. This is the process of learning how to rest in the waves of life. We see how mind operates, turn toward that realization, and release. Seeing clearly enough will free us. This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded as introduction to a meditation retreat. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Stages of meditative understanding, jhanas, are based on direct experience that unfolds into nibbana. In meditation, jhanas provide arbitrary markers for gradual transitions to nibbana. With uplifted qualities and softening in meditation, we can be clear about the quality of awareness that we cultivate. What liberates is seeing with clear, open, and sensitive awareness.This episode with Doug Kraft is a dhamma talk recorded with the Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group in Sacramento, California. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Clear awareness is possible when the attitude of mind is clear and light. If our minds are full of grasping and aversion, what we see is distorted. We tend not to notice distortion because we look through our attitudes instead of at them. By observing tightness in body and thought, we can discover the mind's distortion. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

This workshop is based on going deeply into the question “What are you?” and responding from a place that is deeper than concept and story lines.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in November 2016, at a retreat given in Hawaii. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The so-called Four Noble Truths are the core of the Buddha’s teaching. They are not capital “T” truths, but simple meditation instructions. The first three could be translated as turning toward, relaxing into, and savoring. And they are powerful.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in November 2016, at a retreat given in Hawaii. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Reconstructing the historical Buddha — who he was, the culture and traditions that shaped him, and how he would have been perceived by his contemporaries — helps give insights into how he thought and what he taught.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in November 2016, at a retreat given in Hawaii. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The essence of what the Buddha taught is universal; it shows up in other places, including contemporary poetry and lyrics. He discovered wisdom deep in human experience. Buddhist practice starts with the notion that nothing needs to be fixed. When we get ourselves out of the way, we turn toward difficulties and then relax into them. There's love, wisdom, clarity, and flow with us already. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Most of humanities problems arise from a hyper-developed sense of self. Yet do we really have a self? A century from now, will my existence have made any difference? What matters? How can we lighten up a sense of self and be nothing?This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in November 2016, at a retreat given in Hawaii.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Dhamma gifts reflect the ways we are already enlightened and the ways we are most vulnerable. Through them we connect with the core of life itself. Ahimsaka’s story illustrates how our natural sensitivities can be both gifts and hindrances.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The jhanas are the Buddha’s map of how the mind-heart unfolds from quiet joy to the edge of enlightenment. Each stage includes and transcends its predecessors. This talk describes how to recognize and work this map and beyond.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

When faced with difficulty, we instinctively tighten up. The tension focuses our attention onto the world around us to go after something we want or get away from something threatening. But sometimes there is no solution out there: There are no other jobs. The disease has no cure. The relationship strain is unresolvable. The friend who died just isn’t returning. These are the truly difficult times. To thrive during truly difficult times we have to turn our attention inward and learn how to be with the instinctual tightening in a relaxed and open way.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a service given by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

This three-part talk is a 3-way conversation between our direct experience, the Buddha’s comments on experience, and science. It explores the components of phenomena (khandas), how to work with them, and ways to skillfully alleviate suffering. This episode is part 2 of 2.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

This three-part talk is a 3-way conversation between our direct experience, the Buddha’s comments on experience, and science. It explores the components of phenomena (khandas), how to work with them, and ways to skillfully alleviate suffering. This episode is part 1 of 2.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

We will never fully overcome the hindrances that obstruct our meditation until we can view them as genuine friends rather than foes to be vanquished. This presentation uses story and dialog to explore how hindrances can help strengthen awareness.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

This discussion uses the Four Noble Truths as the core of four ennobling questions to be explored in dialog. They are: • How does life rub you the wrong way? • How do you relate to difficulty? • Where do you find contentment? • What helps?This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Everything has a cause, and that cause has a cause. Like following a string of dominoes, Dependent Origination traces suffering to its roots. This talk shows how to recognize and work with these links. It’s the Buddha’s core teaching.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2017 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The awareness jhānas are the Buddha’s map that leads from ordinary awareness to freedom from a self, from joy to profound peace, from effort to ease. This talk provides a general orientation to the jhānas as well as the specific stages.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

This talk explores 8 specific techniques for working with persistent hindrances: feelings not thoughts, crossed intentions, secondary hindrances, subtle intentions, dispassion, seeing impersonally, labels & language, and how hindrances want to self-destruct.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Subtle intentions are attitudes that quietly direct thoughts and feelings in various directions. They often operate behind the scenes and can throw us off balance. Becoming aware of them helps lighten the mind and bring contentment and clarity.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

We can try to hold the “good” and push away the “bad.” This gives us more holding and pushing. Or we can look at what causes happiness to arise and cultivate those qualities. The Buddha showed us how to do this and find deeper well-being.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Hindrances may seem to obstruct our meditation. However, when we are aware of the present moment and the context of that moment at the same time, there are no hindrances. Whatever arises can become an object of awareness. This is how wisdom grows.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

We arise out of the web of all life. In time, we dissolve back into it. Self is only an ephemeral construct. Given this, where do we find contentment? What matters? There is no freedom for yourself. There is only freedom from a self.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded in 2016 at a retreat given in San Juan Bautista, CA.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The Buddha said to Bahiya of the Bark-cloth, “There is no hearer, just hearing; no seer just seeing.” Then Bahiya became fully enlightened. The nature of pure awareness explains how this happened and how we can awaken.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

If the self is infinite, nothing essential separates us. If there is no self (anattā), there is nothing to separate us. It is often easier to expand out to include everything than to shrink down to nothing. I think the Buddha would agree.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Buddhism is a way of turning toward and relaxing into what life brings. It doesn’t protect us from misfortune. But it does give us resilience. And it doesn’t fix us, because we aren’t broken. It’s a way of discovering what’s already here deep within. This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. This is part 2 of "Turning Toward Life."Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Buddhism is a way of turning toward and relaxing into what life brings. It doesn’t protect us from misfortune. But it does give us resilience. And it doesn’t fix us, because we aren’t broken. It’s a way of discovering what’s already here deep within. This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. This is part 1 of "Turning Toward Life."Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Dependent Origination maps the causal links that give rise to any experience. To relieve suffering, we need to see the subtle, hidden causes, and relax them rather than blame ourselves. This is the core of the Buddha’s teaching.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The Buddha described the awareness jhānas as a map of how the mind-heart unfolds from ordinary awareness to full awakening and the end of suffering. By following his guidance, these stages are more accessible than we might imagine.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015. Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Within our greatest vulnerabilities lie our greatest gifts. Angulimala was a serial killer and a healer. The Buddha showed him how to find within his deepest confusion the path to full awakening. There are lessons here for all of us.This episode with Doug Kraft was recorded at a retreat given at the Auburn Mercy Center in November 2015.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Buddha’s Map, Chapter 2, “Beginnings,” read by Daniel Cohen: The Buddha’s instructions came in the form of meditation practices. One of the practices he talked about most has two aspects: loving-kindness (mettā) and insight (vipassanā). They aren’t separate or even sequential practices. Rather, both are done at the same time and are intended to be integrated together. The Buddha described this path in stages (or jhānas). This audio chapter is taken from the book Buddha's Map, written by Doug Kraft.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

The 6Rs are a tool for meditation. In meditation, there is nothing actively to be done but deepen awareness. But in life in the world, sometimes we must engage actively. The 7Rs add an extra step that allows the 6Rs to be bought into an active life. On the last day of the retreat we discuss the 7Rs and 6 precepts in everyday life.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

With compassion, the place where the rubber meets the road is when someone who is suffering has done something wrong to bring it on themselves. The place where self-compassion is most difficult is when we are hurting because of something we’ve done wrong. To go deeply into compassion we must go deeply into forgiveness. And forgiveness without confession is tepid. So on the last evening of this retreat, before returning to our lives in the world, this talk explores compassion, confession, and forgiveness.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

If suffering is the illness, the Buddha's diagnosis is sobering: the disease is incurable. Anguish is an inherent part of the relative world in which we live. So he proposed a radical solution. If we can't get rid of the disease, let's get rid of the patient. If there is no one to suffer, there is no suffering. Brilliant! But hardly the answer we were looking for. We shy away from the topic. Meanwhile, many of the difficulties we face as a species are rooted in a hyper-developed sense of self. This talk considers ways to take ourselves more lightly.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Day 5 Retreat: Impersonal natural laws set the parameters within which we live. When we see these laws clearly, we see the impersonal nature of all phenomena. But many of these laws are so subtle and complex that it’s difficult to understand them. When we don’t understand, we take things personally and suffer. To help us understand how life works, the Buddha drew a map called “the laws of dependent origination.” This talk explores how this map works in the nitty-gritty of life and in meditation.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Day 4 Retreat: In the earliest texts the Buddha described a path to awakening that goes through several stages called "jhanas". These are not the absorption jhanas that have been talked about in the West so often. Rather they are stages of deepening awareness. On this path, the meditation techniques change as we progress. They led to a powerful well-being that is more accessible than most people imagine. This talk traces this path from joy to peace to spaciousness to cessation to freedom.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Day 2 Retreat: Doug responds to a range of questions related to deepening meditation practice.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Day 3 Retreat: Buddhism is not a religion, philosophy, or even spirituality as much as it’s a way of engaging life. It’s a way of looking with a quiet, unflinching smile at whatever comes along. It’s turning toward the waves that crash toward us. The Buddha described this as four ennobling truths: (1) Life is sometimes unsatisfactory; (2) The source of our experience of discomfort is craving (tanha); (3) When we abandon the craving, suffering ceases; (4) There is a path we can follow to cultivate well-being.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)

Day 2 Retreat: An aikido student on a Tokyo train encounters a belligerent drunk and an elderly gentleman. The story illustrates a few of the ways we relate to the distractions and distortions that arise naturally in the mind-heart. What we do with these “hindrances” has a profound effect on our meditation practice and life. If we view them as a problem to be defeated or fixed, life becomes difficult. If we view them with kindness, they cease to be a problem. This talk explores three ways of viewing them: (1) as mixed intentions, (2) as spiritual trainers with Asperger’s syndrome, and (3) as a split between self and other. It also explores the Upakkilesa Sutta where the Buddha spoke about 11 common hindrances. If we view the contents of the mind-heart clearly and impersonally, there are no hindrances.Support the show (http://www.easingawake.org/donations.html)