Podcasts about buddhist

Discover what the Bible says about Christianity and other world religions in this in-depth biblical apologetics episode. Pastor Dan our Shippensburg campus addresses one of today's most challenging questions: "Are all religions the same?"Drawing from personal experiences visiting a mosque, Hindu temple, and Buddhist monastery, Pastor Dan tackles the popular belief that "all religions lead to the same God" with biblical truth and scholarly insight.In This Episode You'll Learn:Biblical differences between Christianity and Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, JudaismWhy salvation by grace makes Christianity unique among world religionsHow to respond to "all paths lead to God" arguments with ScripturePractical evangelism strategies for sharing Jesus with people of other faithsBiblical answers to tough questions about world religions and salvationThe exclusive claims of Christ and why they matter for eternityPastor Dan unpacks 1 John 4:1-10 to reveal three major biblical distinctions that make Christianity unique: God enters the world through Jesus, salvation redeems rather than escapes the physical world, and salvation is a gift rather than something we earn through religious works.This episode also addresses the difficult theological question of what happens to those who never hear the gospel, providing biblical answers that honor both God's justice and mercy.Perfect for Christians seeking biblical answers about world religions, those interested in Christian apologetics, or anyone questioning whether all religions are the same. This message will challenge your thinking while equipping you to share the gospel with love, understanding, and genuine relationship.Keywords: Christianity vs other religions, biblical apologetics, evangelism, world religions, salvation by grace, Jesus only way, Christian faith defense, gospel sharing, religious differences, Christian educationConnect with us at www.grandpoint.church/nextstepsWatch online on YouTubeFollow us on Facebook and InstagramSign up for our free weekly newsletter

5th June 2025  Ajahn Santutthi hosted this week's meditation session at the Roleystone Family Centre. Roleystone Meditation Group's weekly classes are about an hour long and include a talk on meditation, meditating together, and questions & answers. The sessions are led by a Buddhist monk from Kusala Hermitage in Roleystone (Buddhist Society of WA). Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa BSWA teachings are available: BSWA Teachings BSWA Podcast Channel BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel BSWA YouTube

Send us comments, suggestions and ideas here! In this week's show we have Tim Hacker back for PART 2 of our series on 101 Ways to Become a Ghost Hunter! In this part we discuss what types of ghosts you might encounter with some tips from esoteric Buddhist philosophy and conventional European history to reach a deeper understanding of the phenomena itself. We also discuss how to interact with the living during your investigation and some of the dangers you may encounter. In the second half we discuss The Screaming Boy's Ghost of Kinglsey Wood Essex, the fruitfulness of repeat investigations for extremely haunted sites and what deadly medical condition a ghost may actually be able to give you. Thank you and enjoy the show! In this week's episode we discuss:Residual Hauntings and the Case of Anne BoleynIntelligent HauntingsThe Tibetan Book of the DeadThe Kanglang Flute (yes, again)Equipment Check!Client ConfidentialityThe Case of Andrew Borden In the extended show available at www.patreon.com/TheWholeRabbit we go further down the rabbit hole to discuss:The Screaming Boy's GhostRed FlagsDo's and Don'ts of InvestigationThe Case of Robert LaursenRepeat Investigations and Harry PriceEvaluating the Evidence Each host is responsible for writing and creating the content they present. Tim prepared the 101 points while Luke provided historical context and stories.  Where to find The Whole Rabbit:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0AnJZhmPzaby04afmEWOAVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_whole_rabbitTwitter: https://twitter.com/1WholeRabbitSOURCES:-101 Ways to Find a Ghost-Picture Yourself Ghost Hunting, by Christopher Balzano-The Paranormal Handbook by David Sulton-Locating haunting: a ghost-hunter's guide, by Julian Holloway and James Kneale-Encyclopedia of Haunted Places GHOSTLY LOCALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, by Jeff Belanger-The Everything® Psychic BookSupport the show

From psychedelic breakthroughs to breaking the boundaries of compassion, Duncan Trussell and Raghu Markus offer unfiltered wisdom on the messy magic of waking up.Take the opportunity to support Ram Dass' Love Serve Remember Foundation and step into another dimension with a one-of-a-kind pair of custom Midnight Gospel sneakers. Hand-crafted by The Shoe Surgeon to replicate the iconic shoes worn by Clancy himself in the groundbreaking animated series by Duncan Trussell and Pendleton Ward. All proceeds benefit the Love Serve Remember Foundation and their work to preserve and continue the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba and Ram Dass. CLICK HERE to bid on the shoes and find more exciting one-of-a-kind collector's items at the LSRF Auction HERE.This time on Mindrolling, Duncan and Raghu connect over: The Good Friday psychedelic experiment New MDMA research with octopuses and insights into social neuroscienceBrain scans of Tibetan monks practicing loving-kindness (Metta) meditation‘Making the most' of the neuroplasticity that can occur during a psychedelic experience The most powerful issue we have to deal with: identity Transactional compassion versus offering genuine love and care to all Reversing our own neurosis and breaking through the self-created boundaries of compassionEmbracing spiritual discipline through the daily grind of practiceMoving through what the Buddhists call ‘the original heart of sadness' Maladaptive behaviors that we develop to mask the pain of humanity Alcohol as the west's faulty ‘ayahuasca' and initiation practice Self-compassion and allowing ourselves to be humanToday's episode is sponsored by Psychedelic Science 2025 & Reunion:Join the most important psychedelic gathering of the year......bridging science, spirit & society at Psychedelic Science 2025: THE INTEGRATION, hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Be part of the movement that will shape the next era of mental health, medicine, and consciousness.Featuring speakers like Paul Stamets, United States Representative Tim Ryan, Rick Doblin, founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Richard Schwartz, Pilar Guzman, CEO/Medical Director of the APA Marketa M. Wills, Raghu Markus, comedian Reggie Watts, musicians TYCHO & Jim James, and many more!Listeners get 15% off tickets to the 5-day event with our promo code LSRF15 at PsychedelicScience.orgMindrolling is brought to you by Reunion. Reunion is offering $250 off any stay to the Love, Serve, Remember community. Simply use the code “BeHere250” when booking. Disconnect from the world so you can reconnect with yourself at Reunion. Hotel | www.reunionhotelandwellness.com Retreats | www.reunionexperience.orgAbout Duncan Trussell:Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His popular podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, has been downloaded over 25 million times and is known for its blend of humor, fringe ideas, eclectic guests, and great interviews. The DTFH is the foundation for Duncan's Netflix animated series, The Midnight Gospel, which he co-created with Pendleton Ward in 2020. To learn more about Duncan's work, visit his website at duncantrussell.com.“What do you do when you're passing strangers in the street and you love them completely? It's not bullshit. You feel about them the way you feel about someone you love, like your mother. What happens when the boundary of compassion breaks through and there is no longer this person deserves compassion, this person doesn't. It's like a dam broke." – Duncan TrussellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many wonder if they're "stuck" in a pattern or if healing and growth are possible.Join George Haas as he explores the intersection of attachment theory and meditation, and the path to live a more meaningful life. If you're interested in meditation-based attachment repair for long-term healing, this is for you.Like this? Grab our free video resource called

Dayajoti offers a short talk on climate change, relating it to basic buddhist teachings, followed by a guided 'climate' meditation. From the talk entitled Consensus Trance - Climate given at Bristol Buddhist Centre, 2015. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

Lokabandhu introduces the American Buddhist activist Joanna Macy and her teaching of the 'Work That Reconnects', part of the Southampton Buddhist Centre's series on 21st Century Bodhisattvas. Excerpted from the talk Introduction to Joanna Macy and the Work That Reconnects given in Southampton, 2018. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

Questions? Comments? Text Us!Welcome to What's Your Spiritual Story: a new series from God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, featuring candid conversations with people whose spiritual lives have been reshaped by direct encounters with the divine. In this first installment, Jerry L. Martin speaks with pastor and podcaster Mark Groleau, who returns to the show exactly 100 episodes after his original appearance.Mark's story is one of radical transformation. Raised in a strict Oneness Pentecostal tradition, he was trained to preach, taught to defend doctrine, and discouraged from asking questions. But once he began studying literature and scripture through a critical lens, everything changed. What followed was a deconstruction of his inherited faith, a period of atheism, and an eventual reawakening through a more expansive vision of God.This episode follows Mark's evolving relationship with the divine, from the static, all-powerful deity of classical theism to a God who suffers, listens, and grows. Influenced by thinkers like John Caputo, Jacques Derrida, Greg Boyd, and Terence Fretheim, Mark now embraces process theology, which sees God not as removed from the world but as intimately involved in its unfolding.Jerry and Mark reflect on what it means to believe in a God who changes. They discuss suffering, divine vulnerability, and the tension between doctrine and experience. Mark also shares why Jesus' teachings have become central to his life, and why many Christians, ironically, ignore them. From Hebrew grammar to the Big Bang, from seminary classrooms to Buddhist temples in Korea, this is a conversation for anyone rethinking their faith and seeking something more relational, honest, and alive.If you've ever wrestled with the question of who, or what, God really is, this conversation offers a starting point for something deeper.Mentioned in this episode: Creation Untamed by Terence Fretheim, Not Sure by John Suk, #JesusIsMyGuru, Process Theology, Open Theism, Wikigod Podcast, Bereshit, PatripassianismOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind- Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com

Hello Beloved. ”THE MYSTERIES OF GOD HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”For those that knock - and demand the truth….text everything and bring it into light. Today we dip our toe into the lost books of teh bible and how the walk of Jesus far outstretched in what is portrayed in the bible according to the validity of the Essenes ( lost books of the bible discovered ). This is not a religious belief conversation, it is a historic overview of curiosity and deeper revelation of truth through a open mind and heart. That said…..LET'S HOP IN! POINT BLANK: One of the greatest spiritual enigmas of all time—the kind that makes you tilt your head and whisper, “Wait, what?”—is the missing 18 years of Jesus's life.You know the ones.The Gospels tell us about his birth, his moment of brilliance at age 12 in the temple, and then… silence.Until he reappears at 30, ready to turn the world inside out.It's as if the most formative years of the most influential spiritual teacher in history were tucked away behind a curtain.But what if that curtain is ready to be pulled back?Exploring the Lost YearsNow, I'm not here to sell you on conspiracy theories or fringe ideas just for the thrill of it.But I am here to explore the beautiful, messy, and fascinating mosaic of possibilities that suggest Jesus's “lost years” were anything but idle.There's a growing body of scholarship, oral tradition, and even ancient manuscripts that hint Jesus may have spent these years not in obscurity, but in study, in pilgrimage, and in deep spiritual practice across some of the most sacred lands on Earth.The Essene ConnectionLet's start with the Essenes.These weren't your average desert dwellers.They were a mystical Jewish sect living near the Dead Sea, devoted to ritual purity, communal living, and a prophetic vision of a coming teacher who would uplift humanity.Some scholars, like Edmund Bordeaux Szekely in The Essene Gospel of Peace, suggest Jesus was trained by them—immersed in their practices of fasting, healing, and spiritual discipline.The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947 at Qumran, echo teachings of divine justice, purity, and a “Teacher of Righteousness” that feel uncannily similar to Jesus's later message (see: Vermes, G., The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English).Echoes of KabbalahAnd then there's the thread of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that dives deep into the nature of God, the soul, and the cosmos.Lawrence Gardner, in The Magdalene Legacy, proposes that Jesus was not just a preacher but a mystic—someone who understood the Tree of Life, the sacred geometry of creation, and the divine spark within all beings.When Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I and the Father are one,” he's not just being poetic.He's articulating a mystical truth that resonates deeply with Kabbalistic teachings on unity and divine emanation.Journeys to EgyptBut the trail doesn't stop in Judea.It winds its way south to Egypt, where the ancient Mystery Schools taught the secrets of resurrection, inner alchemy, and soul initiation.Gerald Massey, in The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ, draws parallels between Jesus and Osiris—the Egyptian god of death and rebirth.Manly P. Hall, in The Secret Teachings of All Ages, even suggests Jesus may have been initiated in the Great Pyramid itself, undergoing the sacred rites of transformation.Egypt wasn't just a place of pyramids and pharaohs—it was a spiritual university, and Jesus may have been one of its most dedicated students.The Indian SojournAnd then—this is where it gets really juicy—there's India.Yes, India.The land of sages, yogis, and the Upanishads.The connection begins at his birth, with the Magi—wise men from the East, possibly Hindu rishis—who followed a star not just in the sky, but in their inner vision.In Indian spiritual tradition, the “star in the east” refers to the third eye, the gateway to divine insight.Their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were traditional offerings for newborns in India, not just symbolic tokens.Fast forward a few decades, and we find the most intriguing account of all: The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ by Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch.In the late 1800s, Notovitch claimed to have discovered Tibetan manuscripts in a monastery in Ladakh, describing the life of “Issa”—a name used for Jesus—who traveled through India, Nepal, and Tibet.These texts describe a young man fleeing societal expectations, studying the Vedas in Puri, challenging the caste system, and preaching universal love and nonviolence.Later, in Tibet, he studied Buddhist sutras—teachings that echo in his later messages about humility, renunciation, and inner peace.Now, Notovitch's claims were met with skepticism, of course.But Swami Abhedananda, a respected Indian monk, later traveled to the same monastery and corroborated the existence of the texts.Paramahansa Yogananda, in his spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, also referenced Jesus's time in India, emphasizing the harmony between Christ's teachings and the yogic path of self-realization.This wasn't about borrowing ideas—it was a soul recognizing truth across borders.The Aquarian GospelAnd if you're still with me (thank you), let's talk about The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, written by Levi H. Dowling in 1908.Dowling claimed to have transcribed the book from the Akashic Records—a kind of cosmic memory bank.The Aquarian Gospel offers a sweeping narrative of Jesus's travels through India, Persia, Greece, and Egypt, learning from every major spiritual tradition of the time.Whether or not you believe in the Akashic Records, the book paints a compelling picture of a Jesus who was not only divine but deeply human—curious, humble, and committed to understanding the universal truths that bind us all.Mainstream PerspectivesOf course, mainstream Christianity has struggled with these ideas.The Gospels are silent on these years, and the Church has historically resisted narratives that suggest Jesus learned from other traditions.But let's be honest: the Bible has been edited, translated, and reinterpreted countless times.Can we really say we have the whole story?Or is it possible that what we've been given is just one chapter in a much larger, richer tale?A Bridge Between WorldsBecause here's the thing: When we allow ourselves to explore these possibilities—not as dogma, but as sacred curiosity—we begin to see Jesus not just as a figure of worship, but as a bridge.A bridge between East and West.Between the mystical and the practical.Between the divine and the human.His teachings on inward prayer, fasting, and the kingdom of God within mirror the meditative practices of yoga and the self-inquiry of the Upanishads.His parables echo the allegorical wisdom of Egyptian initiation rites.His message of love, compassion, and inner transformation is, in essence, the heart of every great spiritual tradition.And maybe, just maybe, that's the point.That truth is not a possession, but a path.That divinity is not a hierarchy, but a homecoming.And that Jesus, in his lost years, wasn't lost at all—but walking the long, sacred road that would prepare him to light the way for us all.Your thoughts? xo Kassandra. PS: Look for the next drop on our Lady Sophia and her uprising of the Divine feminine.Sources:* Szekely, E. B. (1981). The Essene Gospel of Peace.* Vermes, G. (2004). The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English.* Gardner, L. (2005). The Magdalene Legacy.* Massey, G. (1900). The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ.* Hall, M. P. (1928). The Secret Teachings of All Ages.* Notovitch, N. (1894). The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ.* Abhedananda, S. (1922). Journey into Kashmir and Tibet.* Yogananda, P. (1946). Autobiography of a Yogi.* Dowling, L. H. (1908). The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ.Thank you for being open to this journey.Keep seeking, keep questioning, and above all—keep your heart open to the divine mystery that is always unfolding.Love KassandraThe Light Between is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Light Between at thelightbetween.substack.com/subscribe

Jack and Ocean continue their deep conversation, exploring how to create positive change in the world without losing our spiritual center and loving essence. Today's podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/heartwisdom and get on your way to being your best self.“Neither meditation nor activism has to be a grim duty. These are invitations to open the heart and be present for everything. In activism you stand up because you care and you love, and then you bring your best to it.” – Jack KornfieldIn this episode, Jack and Ocean mindfully explore:Activism and creating positive change in the worldHow to save the world without losing yourselfActing beautifully without attachment to the fruitsHow not not to let the immense suffering of the world get to usWes Nisker, Gary Snyder, and saving the world because you love itActing in this world with peace, love, courage, and nobilityHonoring our emotions, grief, and fears, but not letting them control usBecoming what you want the world to beHis Holiness the Dalai Lama and meeting our lives with honesty and joyFighting for freedom and justice, but having fun doing itMaking activism fun, joyful, and beautifulEmphasizing the positives acts in the worldLife changing wisdom from the BuddhaHolding it all in the great heart of compassionAdding your voice, love, energy, and compassionIf your grief is big, hold it from something biggerThis episode was originally recorded for the Food Revolution Network in November of 2024. Discover Your Buddha Nature with Jack Kornfield, an online journey for reclaiming our dignity, compassion, and generosity, beginning June 2.“It says in the Bhagavad Gita, the essence is to act beautifully without attachment to the fruits of the actions. What it means is, you don't get to determine how it turns out, but you do get to plant your seeds of goodness. And as Thoreau says, ‘Convince me you have a seed there, and I'm prepared to expect miracles.' You get to plant the seeds, and eventually, in their own time, they bear fruit. That's not your job. Your job is to make a beautiful garden, to plant beautiful things, and to tend them.” – Jack KornfieldAbout Ocean Robbins:Ocean Robbins is an American entrepreneur and author, best known for his role as the co-founder of Food Revolution Network, Inc. This California-based company is dedicated to advocating for a whole foods, plant-based diet. Check out Ocean's book, 31-Day Food Revolution, to learn more about healing the body and transforming the world. You can keep up with Ocean on his website, HERE.About Jack Kornfield:Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack's entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community members, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.“If we don't look, if we don't acknowledge the children who are hungry, if we don't acknowledge not just Ukraine and Gaza, but Sudan, and the Congo, and Myanmar, and the Rohingas—if we turn our gaze away in denial, we can't make a difference. Our heart has to be big enough and our dignity strong enough that we're willing to see it. And then some of us are called to do that work in the way that we can.” – Jack KornfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Daily Buddhist by Brendan Barca and Pema Sherpa Today I read some selected passages from The Daily Buddhist. Authors Pema Sherpa and Brendan Barca have written a wonderful book whose essence is in total concert with Zen Commuter. Their book helps us life a fuller, calmer and more loving life by incorporating Buddhist principles and beliefs with our day to day lives. Come listen. What You'll Discover in This Episode: How to connect with others A method for becoming less self-focused Ways for becoming kinder to people thoughts about the illusion of separateness Resources & Mentions: The Daily Buddhist on Substack – https://thedailybuddhist.substack.com/ The Daily Buddhist online - https://thedailybuddhist.net/ The Daily Buddhist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daily.buddhist THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this episode brought you value, please share it with someone who might benefit from a little more calm and clarity. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: Zen Commuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and Review the Show: zencommuter.com/review  

Best Selling Author Will Johnson and his latest book “The Radical Path of Somatic Dharma: Radiant Body, Radiant Mind” Inner Traditions (January 7, 2025). Will is the director of the Institute for Embodiment Training and the founder of Bambu Hueco, a retreat center in Costa Rica that views the body as the doorway to spiritual growth and transformation. Book Description: The modern practice of seated meditation is in serious need of reformation. What began as a living, vibrant, and felt practice—the primary practice of the Buddhist path to spiritual realization—has painted itself into a corner of frozen stillness, divorced from lived, bodily experience. Presenting an accessible and deeply felt guide to sitting meditation as an active exploration, Will Johnson offers a revitalized understanding of this essential spiritual practice through deeper connection with the body. Johnson argues that the thought-focused mode of consciousness of modern rigid seated meditation introduces patterns of holding and tension into our bodies and virtually guarantees that awakening will not occur. He explains how our focus on thought, rather than embodied experience, results in a numbing of our connection to our physical self and the dimming of the body's natural somatic radiance, which in turn leads to the nagging presence of chronic pain, a general sense of malaise, and the inability to get comfortable in our own bodies. However, this “consciousness of separation” can be overcome. Johnson presents a wide range of practices, including 14 meditations, to support the awakening of breath and presence in the body, drawing on techniques from Buddhist, Sufi, and somatic wisdom traditions as well as methods from his studies with Ida Rolf and Judith Aston. Through the radical path of conscious sitting, Johnson shows how to transform your sitting meditation practice into a fully natural mudra of greater grace from which radiance will naturally flow. As the egoic perspective is dissolved, and chronic pain and discomfort are lessened, practitioners begin to feel a new, enlightened, bodily radiance—what Johnson calls “The Great Wide Open.” Thoughts about Will Johnson and his new book: Every time the Buddhist dharma (teachings) have moved to a new territory the form of the teachings have changed due to its interaction with the cultural/spiritual reality of the new territory. The gentle Chinese monks arrive on the shores of Japan where they encounter the samurai, and zen becomes fierce. The teachers from northern India climb up onto the Tibetan plateau where they encounter the shamanistic and animistic culture of the indigenous Bon-po, and suddenly images of wrathful and peaceful deities enter the Buddhist world. The teachings are now moving to the West, and there is no way that a uniquely Western Dharma—different from the forms coming over from Asia—won't be created. Will Johnson's new book is a forward visioning presentation of just what those changes will look like.

This week's Q&A dives deep into expanding our pneumatological horizons with Grace Ji-Sun Kim as we gear up for Pentecost Sunday. We tackle some fantastic questions about the Hebrew "ruach" versus Greek "pneuma," unpack how Greco-Roman philosophy (thanks, Plato!) shaped early Trinitarian debates, and explore the fascinating gender fluidity of Spirit language throughout church history - spoiler alert: the Spirit was feminine in early Syriac and Hebrew texts before patriarchal translations masculinized everything. Grace brilliantly connects the Asian concept of chi to global understandings of life-giving spirit found everywhere from Africa to indigenous Hawaiian traditions, making the case that syncretism isn't scary when you realize Easter and Christmas are already pagan mashups. We discuss how starting with pneumatology instead of Christology opens up interfaith dialogue, since everyone from Muslims to Buddhists has some concept of divine breath or energy. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of how embodied Spirit theology intersects with liberation work - because apparently all roads lead to the Spirit, whether you're fighting for climate justice, racial justice, or just trying to figure out why we keep praying "Come, Spirit, come" when the Spirit's supposedly already here. You can ⁠join the class and get Grace's lectures here⁠ and ⁠watch the conversation on YouTube here.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Grace Ji-Sun Kim⁠⁠ is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and host of the ⁠⁠Madang podcast⁠⁠. Previous Episodes with Grace Before There Was a Bible & the Messy Origins of Spirit Doctrine⁠ Jumping Vatican Barriers and Chasing the Spirit⁠ ⁠⁠Feminist Christology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠When God Became White⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Surviving God⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Godly QnA⁠⁠ ⁠⁠a Theology of Visibility⁠⁠  ⁠⁠What is Intersectional Theology⁠⁠ ⁠⁠The Prophetic Life of the Spirit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Embracing the Other and Reading the Bible⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Keeping Hope Alive⁠⁠ Upcoming Online Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buddhism in the Everyday: Brendan Barca's Insights for Modern Life What happens when ancient wisdom meets modern living? In today's episode, I sit down with Brendan Barca, co-author of The Daily Buddhist, to talk about how Buddhist principles can bring more peace and clarity to your everyday routine. We explore the value of simple, consistent practice and how mindfulness can shift your experience of stress, uncertainty, and daily life. What You'll Discover in This Episode: How The Daily Buddhist came to life—and what inspired it Practical ways to bring Buddhist wisdom into your daily life Why consistency matters more than intensity in spiritual practice How mindfulness can help when life feels overwhelming Resources & Mentions: The Daily Buddhist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daily.buddhist The Daily Buddhist on Substack – https://thedailybuddhist.substack.com/ Brendan's Website – https://brendanbarca.com/ The Daily Buddhist online - https://thedailybuddhist.net/ THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this episode brought you value, please share it with someone who might benefit from a little more calm and clarity. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: Zen Commuter Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and Review the Show: zencommuter.com/review  

(This episode originally aired on Sept. 19, 2023)  In Buddhist psychology, a lot of emphasis is placed on the process of perception because the way we perceive —and misperceive — has tremendous consequences  •  in grade school we are taught an oversimplified view of what it means to have a sense perception: there's an object out there, and there's the eyeball, and the brain, and boom, just like that, a perception  •  you might say, I saw an apple, but of course you never just see an apple — you see everything around the apple as well  •  all of that came into your little eyeball, and you just decided to say, I saw an apple  •  you made a choice; that's an example of a filter  •  in addition to filtering, we engage in framing: we place things within a particular frame — a frame of assumptions, a frame of agendas, biases, and prejudices, simple associations, or memories  •  and finally there are blind spots, which is when we just don't see things at all, and we don't realize we don't see them  •  as we look into patterns of perception and misperception, we can see how many of our troubles start out just on a simple level of how we first see things  •  by recognizing and seeing through such patterns, there's a chance that our perceptions might begin to be a bit more free and open.

Rebecca Nie talks about the common misconception that China is an ethnic monolith, and how she identifies with her Huaren heritage. Although her spiritual path was discouraged in her early life, she discusses being connected to a centuries old heritage of a resilient Dharma that allows us to dream without limitations even through turbulent times.Rebecca also mentions a book-in-progress which will be a translation of Chan Zen Master poems responding to turbulent historical moments, pointing out how there is much more to Zen poetry than peaceful monks in serene mountains.GUEST BIO:ZEN MASTER REBECCA DAWN NIE is the founder of MV Sanctuary and Vice President of the Maitreya Association for Buddhist College Chaplains. As Stanford's Chaplain-Affiliate, she oversees the Buddhist religious and spiritual life for students, faculty, and staff. Her offerings ranges from Continental Zen to Buddhist Yoga, offering healing wisdom for contemporary life through dharma teaching, translation, and new media art.Learn more about Rebecca athttp://mvseon.com/Highlighted WorksYin Mountain: The Immortal Poetry by Three Daoist Women (2022, Shambhala). Heart Sutra: A Network Audio Technology-Assisted Visual Music CompositionHOSTREVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies. 

Can you eat animal meat as a Buddhist? Do you have to be vegetarian? This is a common question and debate. Learn more in this episode!Read the article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/animals-in-buddhism/Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

This week we're sharing a previously recorded episode from The Lot1 Podcast After Show vault with one of our fan-favorite guests, Yoko Okumura!–Yoko Okumura (she/her) is a genre-fluid writer and director who thrives in the intersection of grit and glamour. Born in a Buddhist temple in Japan and raised in the frostbite of Minneapolis, she is obsessed with telling rebellious stories through underrepresented perspectives. She directed the feature thriller Unseen for Blumhouse, and her episode Ball of Twine for Sam Raimi's horror anthology 50 States of Fright is streaming as a Roku Original. Yoko has also directed numerous one-hour episodes for Freeform.She is a sponsored director under the Women In Film + Sundance ReFrame Rise Program. She has participated in top directing initiatives for Apple, Warner Brothers, Ryan Murphy Half Initiative, and Fox. Her films have won numerous accolades including a DGA Award and a Webby. Yoko has a BFA from CalArts and an MFA from AFI, and lives and works in Los Angeles. She belongs to the DGA and WGA.Connect with Yoko:➡️ TikTok: @directoryoko➡️ Instagram: @fouryokowww.yokookumura.comAbout The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.☕Tourist Hat Coffee Companyhttps://touristhatcoffeecompany.com/

Across cultures, rites of passage often honor a transition from one cycle of life to another. On today's show, three Nashvillians share their own experiences and how it felt entering a new stage of life. From performing a bat mitzvah to living as a Buddhist monk — and even undergoing a "croning" — each of these ceremonies left an impact on our guests. Join us as we learn how different cultures mark these milestones.This episode was produced by Char Daston and Josh Deepan. GUESTS: Zoe Sparks — Hume Fogg '29 Debi Young — Interfaith Celebrant Stefanie Kisselburg — Administrative Professional Don Srisuryo — MTSU Student Engagement Coordinator

Discover the fascinating tale of Jesus' alleged grave in Japan, a story that intertwines history, myth, and cultural intrigue. This unique narrative suggests that during the so-called 'lost years' of Jesus, he traveled across Eurasia to Japan, where he studied with Buddhist masters. The legend continues with a dramatic twist: on the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus' brother Isuki took his place on the cross, allowing Jesus to escape back to Japan. There, he supposedly lived a peaceful life as a garlic farmer, married, and had children. This story is rooted in a small Japanese village, where two mounds are said to contain Jesus' body and a lock of his brother's hair. While this tale may seem far-fetched, it reflects the deep cultural exchanges and historical mysteries that continue to captivate imaginations worldwide.

This episode is about those moments when life doesn't go according to plan: when things go wrong, fall apart, or just feel too heavy to bear. At these times, mental strength becomes our most valuable refuge. But what does it really mean to be mentally strong? How can we cultivate that strength without becoming rigid or emotionally shut down? We'll be exploring one of my favorite quotes from the great Buddhist master Shantideva: "If something can be done, why worry? If nothing can be done, why worry?" This deceptively simple teaching holds the key to freedom from anxiety, overwhelm, and emotional reactivity. In this episode, we explore practical strategies to move through worry and return to peace, even in the middle of life's messiness. 1. If Something Can Be Done, Why Worry? When facing a challenge that has a solution, taking action (even a very small steps) restores our sense of agency. Can you make a call? Write something down? Apologize? Ask for help? Tiny acts of courage move the mind from helplessness to confidence. But often, we don't take action because our own minds get in the way. 2. If Nothing Can Be Done, Why Worry? Sometimes, there's nothing we can do to change a situation. We have no control over a loss, an illness, or someone else's behavior. This is where mental strength blossoms, not from resistance, but from acceptance. Here are a few practices for these moments: Limit your worry window. Give yourself 20–30 minutes to think it through, write it out, or talk it out. Then gently close the door on worry for the day. This boundary creates emotional breathing room. Let other people be who they are. Much of our suffering comes from trying to manage others' choices. We can still love them and maintain boundaries, but we cannot fix or control them. Let them. Don't believe every thought. Especially the ones that say, "This will never get better," or "I can't handle this." Thoughts are not facts. Watch them arise like clouds, but don't let them storm your peace. Mental strength isn't the absence of emotion or difficulty. It's the quiet courage to respond rather than react—to act when we can and let go when we must. So next time something goes wrong, take a breath and ask yourself: "Can something be done?" If yes, begin. If not, release. That's the wisdom of worry-less living.

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Keido Troy Fernandez, a 13th generation native New Mexican and Zen priest at Upaya, tenderly weaves together ancestral wisdom, land-based practice, and Buddhist teachings. Drawing from […]

Prayer Moment 1 of 5 in JunePrayer for Global Workers in Cambodia1. More Global Workers: Pray that God would send more laborers into the harvest field of Cambodia.2. Strong Teams: Pray for new workers to build teams that are united in spirit and purpose throughout Cambodia.3. Adaptation: Pray for new global workers to adapt well to the new languages and cultures of Cambodia.

In this profound episode, I sit down with Steve Palmer to explore an experience few dare to discuss openly: the struggle to conquer ego-dystonic autogynephilia. Steve experiences his compulsions to cross-dress and engage in paraphilic behavior as contradictory to his sense of self and the moral values by which he chooses to live.Steve's story is one of remarkable resilience, tracing a journey from adolescent confusion through drug-induced psychosis to a hard-won spiritual transformation. A heterosexual man with a strong masculine core, he shares candidly about how early sexual imprinting and personal challenges created a complex internal landscape. Despite bullying, intrusive thoughts, and deep internal conflict, he chose a path of radical honesty and personal accountability.Through faith, discipline, and commitment to his marriage and family, Steve has found a way to manage these impulses without letting them define him. His journey challenges simplistic narratives about gender and sexuality, offering a nuanced perspective on overcoming deeply ingrained psychological patterns. He speaks openly about the role of spirituality in healing, the importance of gratitude, and the ongoing work of maintaining his sense of self.For men struggling with similar experiences, Steve offers a message of hope and resilience. His story demonstrates that recovery is possible – not through suppression, but through honest confrontation, spiritual guidance, and personal growth. While compulsions may persist, they need not control one's life or identity.This episode provides a profound exploration of masculinity, sexual identity, and human transformation. Steve's candid discussion offers compassion and understanding for those wrestling with similar struggles, showing how one can navigate complex internal experiences with integrity and purpose.Steve Palmer knows something of the pain and affliction common to men that struggle with autogynephilia. He has experienced near unrelenting inner conflict and pressure to conform to daily AGP desires since age 12. Years of inner struggle slowly led him to consider that embracing these desires fulltime was the only way to silence the storm within.  Steve pursued answers through psychedelic experimentation and Buddhist practice in his early twenties. Drug induced and recurrent psychotic episodes followed. In his darkest hours he was willing to consider that maybe he was wrong about God. For the last 18 years he has trusted Jesus to show him how to live anew. Steve offers from experience how men struggling with AGP need not allow it to destroy their masculinity, their marriages, or their lives.Steve's Youtube Channel, Grace By Which I Stand[00:01:48] Hope and healing in struggles.[00:05:00] Hormone use and identity clash.[00:08:58] Internal struggles and self-identity.[00:12:09] Sexual addiction and recovery.[00:13:04] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and conscientiousness.[00:17:36] Experiencing Buddhism through meditation.[00:20:55] Drug-induced psychosis recovery.[00:24:00] Truth vs. personal desire.[00:25:57] Spiritual vs. biological components of schizophrenia.[00:30:31] Spiritual agreements and deliverance.[00:32:10] Spiritual realm experiences and authority.[00:39:12] Nature of evil in ideology.[00:40:06] Grace requires honesty.[00:42:40] Gender identity and personal testimony.[00:46:35] Repression and identity struggle.[00:51:47] Erotic target location error.[00:56:55] Parallel play in relationships.[00:58:33] Overcoming personal struggles and growth.[01:01:25] Marriage as a gift from God.[01:06:40] Ego-dystonic vs. ego-syntonic.[01:09:40] Learning from transition experiences.[01:12:24] Support for men seeking honesty.[01:15:20] Forgiveness and personal growth.[01:19:12] Relationship transparency and struggles.[01:22:36] Masculine drive and self-soothing.[01:26:50] Overcoming personal challenges.[01:29:11] Consequences of personal choices.ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at

Send Us a Message!The sacred tree has fallen, but the wellspring flows on. Could this be nature's message about the future of Reiki?When Christine returned to Mount Kurama in Japan for her second pilgrimage, she wasn't expecting to witness a profound metaphor about energy practices worldwide. Standing at the birthplace of Reiki, Christine observed how a precise typhoon had taken down only the sacred masculine symbol—a centuries-old Kami tree—while leaving the companion feminine symbol—an ever-flowing spring—completely untouched.Christine's insights illuminate a potential evolution in Reiki practice—what she calls "Reiki Fusion"—honoring the traditional structure while embracing intuitive flow. Her journey challenges us to reconsider whether our spiritual practices have overemphasized masculine energy (structure, hierarchy, perfection) while neglecting the feminine (intuition, inner wisdom, natural flow). In today's episode, we cover:The highlights of Christine's Pilgrimage to the birthplace of ReikiHow the Buddhist roots of Reiki transformed Christine's perspectiveExploring spiritual balance between structure and flowComparing this trip to Christine's first pilgrimageContrast between mainland Japan temples and Okinawan forests The stark contrast between masculine and feminine energiesWhy we need to embrace our intuition and inner wisdomPersonal transformation through nature and travelFall of the sacred tree on Mount Kurama as a metaphor for energy shiftsCall to balance tradition with authentic self-expressionReady to discover what happens when we honor both the structure and the flow in our Reiki practice? Listen now!...........Why Did Usui Go to Mount Kurama on June 5th: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5X-ujPueQQufyjdCwMeoUQReiki Masters Class: https://moonrisinginstitute.circle.so/c/reiki-master-teacher-training/Moon Rising Shamanic Institute Links:Website: https://moonrisinginstitute.com/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/moonrisinginstituteFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/moonrisingmysticsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonrising.instituteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@moonrisinginstituteBook a session with Isabel: https://calendly.com/into-the-deep/scheduleBook a FREE 15 minute connect call with Izzy: https://calendly.com/moonrisinginstitute/connect Book a session with Christine: https://calendly.com/christinerenee/90-minutes-intensiveBook a FREE 10 minute connect call with Christine: https://calendly.com/christinerenee/10-minute-connect-call-srpt

Vaddhaka introduces David Loy and his thoughts about how to bring our Buddhist practice out into the streets and engage with the world. In the full talk he also introduces Bhikkhu Bodhi, a prolific translator of the Pali Canon and respected teacher in the East, deeply rooted in the Buddha's teachings, who returned to the USA and re-engaged with his activist roots challenging a self-oriented and withdrawn mode of Buddhist practice. From the talk entitled David Loy and Bhikkhu Bodhi, given on the World on Fire retreat at Adhisthana, 2015. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

How ethically sensitive are we? Could we rejoice in our ethical behaviour? Ratnaghosha gives a short talk reflecting on the practices described in the Dasadhamma Sutta: Discourse on the Ten Dhammas. Excerpted from the talk Going Forth, Going Beyond: Short Talks that was given at the Triratna Buddhist Order convention on the theme Going Forth, Going Beyond, 2022. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: Bite-sized clips - Buddhist inspiration three times a week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

When Willy, her playful cat, tears a stuffed frog apart, Margaret Meloni is thrust into an emotional journey that prompts deep introspection Throughout the episode, Margaret skillfully navigates her feelings of sorrow and frustration as she grapples with the loss of the stuffed animal. This emotional response serves as a springboard for a wider discussion on the nature of attachment, exploring how we imbue objects with meaning based on our relationships and memories. Listeners will resonate with her insights as she reflects on the significance of sentimental items and how they often link us to our loved ones, highlighting the emotional complexities involved in our connections to them. Margaret's experience serves as a living Dhamma lesson, illustrating the Buddhist principles of impermanence and equanimity. She shares her evolving perspective, moving from a desire to repair the frog to a deeper understanding of letting go. This contemplation not only sheds light on her personal attachment to the stuffed animal but also invites listeners to examine their own relationships with meaningful objects. Ultimately, Margaret emphasizes that releasing physical items does not erase the love associated with them; instead, it can lead to greater peace and an enriched understanding of our emotional landscapes.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 28, 2021 Breht is joined by Dr. Daniel M. Ingram, author of "Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha", to discuss what Enlightenment is in the Buddhist tradition, what it feels like from the inside, what it can and cannot offer the individual and society, spirituality and mysticism on the fascist right, perennialism, the adaptability of capitalism, tips and advice for starting a spiritual journey, and so much more! Check out Daniel's website: https://www.integrateddaniel.info/ His book "MTCB" (free): https://www.mctb.org/ Dharma Overground: https://www.dharmaoverground.org/ The EPRC: https://theeprc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/ Outro Beat Prod. by flip da hood

Perhaps one of the reasons all the various religions in the world are fighting and killing each other is because they never took the time to clarify to one another what, precisely, they meant by the term "God"? Often when atheists criticize religion, they only conceive of God along Abrahamic lines, and poorly at that. But the Abrahamic notions of God (while also being more diverse than many realize), are but a small part of the discourse. In India, during the course of our 9000 year (or so, by conservation estimates) civilization in which we have focused the main efforts of cultural life on spirituality, many very subtle and refined notions of God were realized! For example:1. Nirguna Nirākara, God who is Impersonal and Formless like what the Buddhist and the Advaita Vedantin proposes2. Saguna Nirākara, God who is Personal but Formless like we find in Abrahamic religion 3. Saguna Sākara, God who is both Personal and with Form (like Kālī, Krishna etc.) 4. The Avatāra, God as an incarnation on earth (Rāma, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Chaitanya, Ramakrishna)To name a few! Some traditions on the subcontinent favor one of these over the others. Some take an exclusive view, some prefer a more hierarchical, inclusive approach and yet others, like our tradition, maintain a pluralistic position: all these conceptions (and in fact all conceptions of God) are all equally valid since God, the Absolute Reality, can never be limited! There is no end to what we can discover in Her, no end to what She can reveal to us! Having said that, what is the Tāntrik view on God? Since Tantra is largely a theistic tradition (oriented around the idea of God), in this lecture, we track some of the various concepts of God that have emerged over the years. This is part of an introductory series of lectures on the foundational ideas of Tantra. You can watch the other videos in this series here.Support the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Siam had been dealing with Christian missionaries for centuries, but from the 1830s a new wave of Protestant missionaries began to work in Siam, just as the European imperial powers were encroaching on Southeast Asia. They brought with them modern science and technology, which was of interest to the Siamese elite, but at the same time they challenged Siam's official Theravada Buddhist religious tradition. Coincidentally, a reform movement in Siamese Buddhism got underway in the 1830s, led by Prince, later King, Mongkut (r.1851-68), then still a monk. The missionaries were largely unsuccessful in converting Thais to Christianity, but to what extent did the new Protestant Christianity influence the Buddhist reform movement?  This is the question that Sven Trakulhun seeks to answer in his new book, Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand (U Hawaii Press, 2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Siam had been dealing with Christian missionaries for centuries, but from the 1830s a new wave of Protestant missionaries began to work in Siam, just as the European imperial powers were encroaching on Southeast Asia. They brought with them modern science and technology, which was of interest to the Siamese elite, but at the same time they challenged Siam's official Theravada Buddhist religious tradition. Coincidentally, a reform movement in Siamese Buddhism got underway in the 1830s, led by Prince, later King, Mongkut (r.1851-68), then still a monk. The missionaries were largely unsuccessful in converting Thais to Christianity, but to what extent did the new Protestant Christianity influence the Buddhist reform movement?  This is the question that Sven Trakulhun seeks to answer in his new book, Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand (U Hawaii Press, 2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

This episode we look at time and direction and the influence of geomancy--theories of Yin and Yang and a little bit of how people viewed the world through that lens.  For more, check out the blog page:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-127 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua, and this is episode 127: Time and Direction in Ancient Yamato   Officers of the court stood in the pavilion.  The soft trill of water could be heard trickling from one reservoir to the next.  They watched closely, as the figure of a court official, one hand out, pointing at a measuring stick, slowly rose along with the water.  Eventually, the figure's outstretched arm indicated a line with a single character next to it. On cue, one of the officials began to beat the large drum that was nearby.  The rhythm was slow, but deliberate, and the sound was loud, echoing out to the mountains and back, showering the nearby palaces in a layer of sound.  Across the palace, people briefly paused, took note of the number of strokes, and by that they knew the time of day.  Without giving it much more thought, they then went about their business.     This episode we find ourselves partway through the reign of Naka no Oe, aka Tenji Tennou—his formal reign started in 668, but he had been pretty much running things since the death of Takara Hime in 661 and, arguably, for much longer than that.  668, however, saw Naka no Oe ascend the throne in his new palace of Otsu no Miya, officially making him the sovereign.  And although 645 is the year Naka no Oe and others had started the Taika Reforms, it's not wrong to say that  that 668 and the start of Naka no Oe's official reign, brief as it would be, that he finally had the ability to bring it all together and set it into stone. We've talked about many of these reforms before on the podcast, but a lot of them were associated with the continued push to incorporate continental concepts into Yamato society, covering everything from court ranks to how to organize agricultural production.  Of course, there was also Buddhism, which we've covered numerous times, but there were other concepts coming across as well, including ideas about history and writing, as well as ancient STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  This included architects, and new ways of constructing buildings.  And it also meant ways of seeing the world, including things like directions and time.  And this is what I want to focus on this episode, taking a break from the primary narrative to spend some time on what we might call Yamato concepts of science, especially how they thought about the structure of reality organization of time and the universe – their cosmology, as it were.  After all, to better understand the reasoning and motives of people, it is helpful to try and understand how they saw the world, not just for translation—understanding what it means when an entry says something like the “Hour of the Horse” on an “Elder Wood” day—but also for understanding how things actually worked in their eyes.  For instance, the idea of ”auspicious” and “inauspicious” times and directions is something that most listeners probably don't incorporate much into their daily lives, but the Chroniclers and the people of Yamato absolutely did, so understanding concepts like this can sometimes be the key to unlocking why historical people may have taken the actions that they did.  In particular, we'll talk about things like yin and yang, five elements, ten stems and twelve earthly branches, and what all this meant for the Yamato ideas of organizing time and space. A large part of Yamato cosmology is tied to something called Onmyoudou, literally the Way of Yin and Yang, which in the organization of the Ritsuryo state fell under a particular ministry, known as the Onmyo-ryo.  If you've heard of Onmyoudou before, you likely have heard about the “Onmyouji”, practitioners who studied the flow of yin and yang—and who could reportedly do miraculous things with that.  A 10th century Onmyoji, the famous Abe no Seimei, is perhaps the most well-known, with numerous stories about his exploits, which were then turned into a fantastical series of stories by the award-winning author, Baku Yumemakura.  Those were then turned into Manga, movies, and more.  Abe no Seimei is like Japan's Merlin, or Gandalf, at least in the stories. Back to the organization we mentioned, the Onmyou-ryou was responsible for Yin-Yang theory, or Onmyou-dou, which included divination, as well as astronomy, or Tenmon-dou, and calendar making, or reki-dou.  While some of this was based on straight up natural observances, a lot of it was explained through older concepts of Yin and Yang theory.  Today, you might encounter a lot of this in the theories around Feng Shui, and this can also be referred to as “geomancy”, or earth divination.   To give a broad overview of Onbmyoudou and its origins, it is part of a large corpus of concepts focused around a concept of energy known as qi or ki—which forms the basis for a lot of Chinese and Japanese cosmology, or their concept of how the world worked.  Much of this is tied up in concepts that are modernly broadly called “Daoist” or associated with so-called Daoist practices.  That term can be a bit misleading, as strictly speaking, Daoism refers to the teachings of the legendary philosopher Laozi, in his book, the Dao De Jing, as well as works attributed to later authors, like the Zhuangzi. There is some controversy as to when and to what extent this strict Daoism came to Japan.  However, in the broader sense, the category of “Daoist “ practices includes an entire panoply of various folk practices, including concepts of Yin and Yang – and in the archipelago, many of these concepts were imported with the various books that people had acquired on the mainland, even if they weren't strictly tied to Daoist religious practice.  For example, there were aspects that were borrowed by various Shinto shrines, and others formalized into ritual practices under the new government.  And of course many of these became linked to various Buddhist teachings and practices, as well.   But what did this actually look like in concept and practice for practitioners of Onmyoudo in Japan? Let's start with the idea of yin and yang.  One of the earliest references comes from the Zhou Yi, the Zhou Book of Changes, the core of what we also know as the Yijing, the Book of Changes.  Here we see the idea that the universe began with a single force that split into two, and those two forces make up all of creation in one way or another.  Yin and Yang, or In and You—or even Onmyou—refer to these forces, which are characterized as shadow and light, moon and sun, female and male, cold and hot, etc.  So these forces are opposites, but it should be noted that they are not necessarily good or evil.  After all, too cold is just as bad as too hot.  Likewise too much darkness is as blinding as too much light. As most people have seen, yin and yang are often depicted as a circle divided into two comma shapes, with a smaller circle in each.  One side is white with a black circle and the other is black with a white circle.  This is the “Tai Chi” diagram, but the diagram itself doesn't seem to have been depicted like this prior to the 11th century, at least that we are aware. But the concepts are much older.    Now if you've heard of the Yijing, where it came from is something of a mystery.  One theory is that it started as a written account of folk wisdom, and may have even given instructions for things like when to plant and when to harvest, based on changes in various heavenly phenomena.   But overall it is organized into 64 chapters, each associated with a particular hexagram.  Start with a line, that can either be a full line – representing yang – or a broken line representing yin.  Stack three of these on top of one another and you get a trigram.  If you chart out every single possible combination of yin and yang lines, you get 8 unique trigrams, sometimes referred to as the baqua.  Stack two trigrams atop one another and you get a hexagram, a combination of 6 lines that can have 8 by 8 or 64 unique variants.   It's theorized that the Yijing resulted from taking all of the collected sayings or aphorisms and bits of advice and cataloguing and dividing them into 64 chapters, each one associated with a given hexagram. Going further, each line of the hexagram is  associated with particular line in Yijing, and various meanings are ascribed to it and its association.  It's a complex and fascinating system and I don't have time to go into it fully, but I would note that this was used as a form of divination—yarrow stalks or other means of random lot drawing that gives you a binary outcome – zero or one, yin or yang – could be used to determine the six lines of any given hexagram.  This, in turn, would reference a chapter in the Yijing which was then interpreted as a sign as to how to read a given situation that you might find yourself in. What's really important to understanding the worldview of the time is this idea, represented by the hexagrams in the Yijing, that you can encompass everything about the universe by making and cataloging different amounts and arrangements of yin and yang. It's a science, as it were – a systematic approach to understanding the differences in the world by breaking it into component parts.    And if this seems preposterous, consider this:  today we understand that all things are made up of tiny atoms.  And these atoms are all made up of the same material—protons, neutrons, and electrons.  And yet, how those atomic particles combine create atoms with wildly different qualities.  And how those atoms then combine into molecules and so on and so forth describe how we explain everything around us.  So is it really so far-fetched? I'm not saying that we should suddenly start to figure out the measurements of yin and yang in everything, but if we want to understand how the people of the time saw their world, it may be helpful to hold an open mindand understand the assumptions that they were working from and where they came from.  As human beings, we naturally look for connections in the world around us, and this was no exception.  People would observe facts, know how that it worked, and often then would back into the reason for it.  This is a tale told across cultures, and we still see it, today.  At the same time, we've developed structured approaches to test out our theories, empirically. So for the moment, let's leave the trigrams and hexagrams, and talk about another idea that also gained traction as people were trying to figure out how the world worked.  This was the five elements theory also known as Wuxing, or Gogyou, in Japanese.  The five elements in this case are Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth.  Some may notice that these, along with the sun and the moon, are used in Japanese for the days of the week:  Nichi (sun), getsu (moon), ka (fire), sui (water), moku (wood), kin (metal), do (earth). Buddhists, by the way, also had an elemental system with only four elements,  Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, possibly connected with some Greek influence, and brought along with Buddhist practice.  For now, however, let's focus on the five elements. The idea in wuxing is similar to that of yin and yang in that everything in creation is made up of these five elements in some degree and configuration.  Furthermore, there are creation and destruction cycles.  So fire creates ash, or earth.  Earth gives birth to metal.  Metal creates water—look at a cold piece of metal in a warm environment and see how the water droplets form on it, and imagine what that looks like without understanding humidity and how there could be water vapor in the air.  And then water creates wood, or plants—any farmer could tell you that without water the plants die.  And wood is where we get fire from. Of course, the reverse cycle is the opposite.  Fire eats the wood.  Wood drinks up the water.  Water rusts metal.  Metal tools plough the earth. And Earth can be used to douse fire. Finally, there is another cycle of weakening. ,. Because fire heats and weakens metal, metal chops down wood, the trees roots break up rocks, the earth soaks up water, and water likewise puts out or weakens fire. So the theory went, if these elements make up all matter, these relationships continue on a more complex scale in everything.  So if something was thought to contain a lot of “fire” element, then it would be potentially helpful if you needed “Earth” but destructive or at least weakening to metal and wood.  Properly accounting for these elements was important to achieve the results you were looking for, whatever that may be.   These were the kinds of things that were incorporated into traditional medicine practices, but also applied to auguries or divination about things like where and how to build a building.  Even today, Shrines will sell calendars that help people know the prominence of certain elements, and some folk remedies may look to balance elements, much as medieval European medicine was often designed to balance the four humors that ancient physicians believed were present in the human body. The chart of these five elements and their relationships is something you may have seen.  It is a five pointed star, often inside of a circle.  Of course this is also similar to a western pentagram, though typically drawn with the point of the star up, but it has nothing to do with Christian values or Satan, or anything similar.  Rather, it is just a way to represent these five elements, and you'll see it frequently in reference to Onmyoudou. The elements were used to categorize many different areas into groupings of five.  This includes grouping the various directions into five directions.  Of course, you may be wondering about that, since most societies usually mark four cardinal directions, and in this case, they did the same, but added the fifth as “center”.  And so you get things like the north is water.  It is related to cool, or cold weather.  It is represented with the color black. To the south, opposite of the north, is fire.  It is hot, and the color is red.  Of course, this probably doesn't take a huge leap to see the connections they drew: since these civilizations are in the northern hemisphere, the farther north you go, the colder it gets, and the farther south you travel, the warmer it gets, generally speaking, at least until you reach the equator. Meanwhile, the west was related to metal, and the color white, while the east was related to woods and forests, and the color…. Blue.  Alright, that last one, in particular, probably doesn't make sense to a lot of us.  After all, we likely associate blue with water, and wood, or trees, would be associated with brown or, possibly, green.  Well, in this case, it goes beyond that.  The north is water, but it is also associated with darkness—shorter days in the winter, and things like that Sothe association of north with black makes sense, but many also look at the ocean and don't necessarily see it as “blue”, or dark or even black, like Homer's famous “wine-dark sea”. Furthermore, although they have a word for it (midori), “green” was not a primary color in Japan, instead  considered more of a shade of “aoi”, or blue.  Even today they refer to a “green” traffic light as an “aoi shingo, not “midori” shingo.  So if you asked someone in the Asuka period to describe the wooded hills and fields, they would have likely used “aoi”.  And of course, we are missing the fifth element.  In the center we have the element earth and the color yellow. A lot of these different concepts were brought together during the Han period, when they were trying to syncretize all of the various philosophies and attempts to describe the world and bring them all together into a single system.  This meant that the Yijing, the wuxing theory, and others were mixed together with various other philosophies and theories of how the world work.  Things like the Shanhaijing, the Classic of Mountain and Seas, along with stories about immortals, the Queen Mother of the West, and more were all rolled together, and basically assumed to be true.  This included various real-world observations.  Therefore, there were many attempts to try and reconcile these various theories together. One of the other concepts, which we've discussed before, was the system of ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches.  We've mentioned this before regarding the sexagenary style of counting the years, but we'll recap here.  The ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches are concepts that go back to at least the legendary Shang period, and even show up in various bronzes Andit wasn't until later that they would be associated with other ideas.  The ten heavenly stems were each associated with one of the five elements, with each element being represented by a greater and lesser, or elder and younger, stem.  And then each of the twelve earthly branches were associated with animals—what we often call the Chinese Zodiac. We talked about how this applied to the calendar, in that it was used to track years in 60 year cycles, but also it was used to track days of the year.  The twelve earthly branches were also used for earthly directions.  The first, the rat, was in the north, and the order continued clockwise to the east, the south, west and then back to the north.  Now this means that the four cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—all match up nicely with one of the twelve earthly branches, but as for northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest?  Those were all combinations of two branches.  So, for instance, the northeast was a combination of the ox and the tiger, or ushi-tora. Speaking of eight directions, where have we also heard the number eight come up recently? That's right: the eight trigrams, or bagua.  So each one of those trigrams, each representing a different concept, got associated with a direction as well.  This makes it easier to see where practices of geomancy came from.   You had a system with complex, overlapping associations between concepts and the physical world, and in the Tang dynasty, they used all of this  to understand not only  how things had happened, but also how the world would be in the future—in other words, they tried to use it to make predictions.  Hence the “mancy”. In the Yamato state, all of this became an official part of the government under the Onmyoryou: a branch of the government whose job is to make observations and figure things out from there, for the good of the state and the people.  They made observations of the heavens to figure out how the calendar should be aligned—which months should come at what time, and when there should be “leap months”, or intercalary months, to keep various astronomical phenomena in the correct seasons, which were also further divided up into 24 periods.  They also kept track of the movement of bodies like the various planets, because those planets were also assigned values, and thought to affect the flow of energy within this framework.  And so comets, storms, eclipses, and more were all important because of the theory that everything in the heavens impacted and were reflections of how things were happening on the earth.  Similarly, these various discussions of white animals and other omens were likely captured and catalogued by these officials as well, attempting to figure out what they meant. All of this also influenced things like how palaces, buildings, and even capitals, would be built and laid out.  For the palace, it was important the the sovereign be in the north, looking south.  In fact, many maps would have south at the top because that is how a sovereign would be viewing it, were it stretched out before them.  And one would need to consider various features, including mountains and streams, as all of those things carried various meanings, but it wasn't as simple as just finding the one thing that could affect a person.  As they observed differences they would also have to catalogue what happened and try to determine what the cause could be, based on their understanding of the world.  And in the archipelago this would also include an understanding of Buddhist and local kami-based wisdom and knowledge as well. One of the things in the Chronicles that inspired this episode was something I actually mentioned last time,  a record from 666  talking about Chiyu, a Buddhist priest of the Yamato no Aya family, who presented a south-pointing chariot to the sovereign, Naka no Oe.  this appears to be the same Chiyu from a similar record in 658, which also refers to him building a south pointing chariot.  So did it take him eight years, or is he just now presenting it to the sovereign?  And what, exactly, is a south-pointing chariot? Well, as the name implies, a south-pointing chariot is a two-wheeled chariot that always points south.  More appropriately stated, it is a wheeled device with a figure on top, much like a weather vane, which always points south.  This is usually described as the figure of a person or an official pointing in the appropriate direction.  This was a mechanical, rather than a magnetic compass. As the chariot, or carriage, is wheeled around, the two wheels spin.  The wheels themselves are independently connected to a series of gears.  If the wheels spin at the same rate, then their movement cancels each other out.  However, if one wheel turns more than the other, then it will cause the figure on the top to rotate.  Of course, as the chariot turns to the right, the left wheel, traveling along the outer diameter, will travel farther than the right.  This will cause the figure to turn counter-clockwise to the left, but from an outside observer's perspective, it will continue to point in the same direction, even as the chariot itself turns.  Turning to the left would cause the opposite effect. Though it may have been used earlier, there appears to be reliable written evidence of a South Pointing chariot starting from the third century.  The first one was based on much earlier stories of a similar device, but it is unclear if it was a chariot, some other device, or even just a legend that was told as historical fact.  From the third century on the design appears to have been continuously improved upon. I should point out that all we have is descriptions—we don't have any actual south pointing chariots, let alone diagrams showing how the mechanisms worked.  There is the possibility that it used a kind of differential gear to work automatically, but we don't have any actual evidence.  There are other theories that it may have required some kind of manual switch, so that it would attach to one wheel or the other as needed.  That would require that the chariot be moving in either a straight direction or turning in one particular direction, which seems rather unwieldy. I noted some of the problems with this, and even moreso in a place like Japan, where 70% of the terrain is mountains.  Up and down hills, along paths that are likely anything but the smooth, paved surface we have for roads today—and even those have plenty of irregularities and potholes that could throw off any such device. And if you want to use it for any real distance, then you have to factor in other things, including the curvature of the earth.  After all, with the earth being a sphere, any chariot traveling due west to east or east to west, other than at the equator, would have one wheel traveling farther than the other one.  Granted, at the scale we are talking about, it probably is all but negligible, and the rough terrain and simple slippage of what were most likely wooden gears probably entered a lot more variability than the earth's curvature. One of the other issues is that the chariot only points “south” if you set it up to do so.   And if you know that, well, why do you need a south-pointing chariot?  Ultimately, it seems that this is more of a novelty item, good for impressing crowds and demonstrating some engineering principles, rather than an actual, useful invention.  After all, it was forgotten about and recreated multiple times, often centuries apart.  Had it been a truly useful invention, it probably would have been kept in constant use.  Meanwhile, I suspect that there were a fair number of farmers and others who knew that you could more easily and reliably use the sun and stars, as long as the weather was clear. There is also some evidence of an understanding of magnetic compasses since at least the 2nd Century BCE.  Early Han sources suggest that a spoon made of naturally magnetized ore could be placed on top of a polished bronze surface, and it would align itself north to south.  We don't have any actual surviving examples, however—there are later versions that you can find, where the plate is divided up into various directions, and then a magnetized “spoon” is placed on top, but nothing has actually come from Han tombs.  Furthermore, this seems to mostly be for geomantic purposes.  A more practical compass, with a magnetized needle, seems to have been developed by the 11th century, which could then be used for actual navigation. By the way, the “spoon” as a compass pointer may be in reference to the “Big Dipper” constellation, which was envisioned as a spoon, or ladle, in shape.  The seven stars were often used in geomancy, likely because of their importance, at least in the northern hemisphere, of pointing to the north.  So there's some thought that the “needles” of these early compasses weren't litterally  spoon shaped, but symbolically representive of the Big Dipper or the Northern Ladle.  Quick astronomy lesson, here.  If you are in the northern hemisphere, particularly from the 35th parallel to the north pole, you can see the seven stars that make up the constellation or asterism we know as the Big Dipper.   In English we sometimes also refer to this as Ursa Major, though technically the familiar seven stars are just a part of that larger constellation.  In Japan, the same constellation is often referred to as Hokuto Shichisei, the Seven Stars of the Northern Ladle.  It can be seen further south, but parts of it may dip below the horizon during the autumn season. It is important for several reasons.  One is that it is made up of particularly bright stars, which you can generally see even when other stars may not be visible.  Second, its distinctive shape lends itself to being easy to find in the sky.  And finally, if you draw a line between two of the stars at the end of the “cup” of the ladle, you can follow that line to find Polaris or hokkyokusei, the north star, which means you know which direction is north- and once  you know that, you can use it to figure out any other direction.  And Polaris is less than a degree off of true north, making it even more accurate than most magnets, as the magnetic pole can be quite different, depending on its current position, and magnetic north changes over time as the magnetic field around the earth fluctuates. That said, this was not necessarily the case in ancient times.  Four thousand years ago, the star closest to true north would have been the star Thuban, in the constellation Draco, a star that most of us probably haven't heard of.  Polaris, in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear, also known as the Little Dipper) apparently took over as the north star around 500 CE.  However, even before then, the mouth of the dipper could still be used to indicate north.  In fact, if you draw a line between two of the stars in the back of the constellation, then you also end up finding Thuban.  So even if the north star itself wasn't accurate, finding the dipper would still help you orient yourself, especially if you can find true north during the day and then compare that with the constellation at night. Which helps to understand why astronomy, or Tenmondou, was so important in the Onmyouryou.  Though it wasn't just a study of stars, but of the way of the heavens in general.  And the changes in the heavens, brings us to another important concept—the flow of energy across the seasons.  From the bright days of summer, filled with sunshine and yang energy, to the dark yin energy of winter's long, cold nights. It wasn't enough to just know what happened, and where, but when was also important. Obviously you need to know when to sow seeds, flood the fields, and harvest the rice.  Beyond that, though, you have other concepts, such as how the the day and hour of an event could be symbolically important. And of course, all of these had their own associations with various concepts of the flow of yin and yang energy. Now knowing the year, the month, and even the day is largely just a matter of counting.  But let's talk about something a little more tricky:  How do you know the hour? This brings us to the vignette at the top of the episode, about the clepsydra, or water clock, that Naka no Oe is said to have built. Now we talked about some of the fountains and similar things that have been discovered in the Asuka region back in episode 118.  One thing that they believe they also found evidence of is something called a water clock, which is, as its name suggests, a clock powered by water.  It is typically depicted as a series of three or more boxes or reservoirs that each hold an amount of water.  Water is placed in the top reservoir, and then a hole towards the bottom is unplugged and it is allowed to drain into the box beneath.  The hole is of a particular size, and thus the water flows at a constant rate, filling up the container below, which has a similar hole, etc. all the way to a reservoir at the very bottom.  The multiple boxes mean that the water level in the intermediate boxes stays relatively constant, resulting in relatively consistent pressure and flow rate.  The last reservoir has a measuring stick on a float, so that as the last box is filled with water, the measuring stick raises up.  Since it is rising at a constant rate, one can use that to tell how much time has passed, regardless of anything else.  Thus you can keep time even at night. There is a record of Naka no Oe making one in the fifth month of 660, and he would have another one built in 671, which we will discuss later.  It is interesting that both of these inventions appear twice in the narrative—once during the reign of Naka no Oe, aka Tenchi Tenno, and once during the previous reign, that of Takara Hime, aka Saimei Tenno.  In this case it is said that 671 is the first time that the water clock, or roukoku, was actually used. From what I can tell, there is nothing that definitively indicates that the Mizuochi site in Asuka was definitely the site of Naka no Oe's water clock.  There isn't much in the Chronicles telling us what it was like or where, exactly, it was built, and there wasn't anything found at the site naming it as the location of the roukoku.  However, the site is in a prominent enough place, with channels for water and a pavilion of some sort.  They definitely found evidence of pipes, remnants of lacquered wood, and reservoirs for water, among other things, that suggest something to do with moving water happened in this area.  So it seems a very strong choice, as it all fits with theoretical archeological reconstructions. A water clock like this is excellent for keeping accurate time at all hours of the day.  However, it does have a slight problem in that anyone without a clock is still going to have to use the sun and similar heavenly cues to know what time it is.  So how do you let them know?  Well, it turns out that the continent had an answer for that as well, and instituted various systems of drums and bells to let people know the hour.  In fact, some of these practices continued, in one form or another, right up to the modern day—with or without a water clock.  After all, the key was to give the community some sense of the passing of time, but I doubt anyone was using it to time things more precisely than a general idea of an hour—though they did have the concept of their own minutes and seconds.  Which brings us to just how they saw time back then. The system of time that the Chronicles seems to use also came over from the continent, where there appear to have been several different methods for telling time prior to accurate clocks.  And while there was an idea of dividing the entire day into twelve segments, the time as it was announced was not always consistent with those twelve segments, or hours.  Rather, time was based around the key parts of the day.  So, for instance there was sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight.  And while noon and midnight remain exactly twelve hours apart, sunrise and sunset change with the seasons.  So if you call out sunrise, and then divide the time between sunrise and noon into equal segments of time, the size of those time segments change with the seasons.  On top of that, because of the tilt of the earth and our slightly irregular orbit around the sun, the sun appears to “move” across the sky faster or slower throughout the year, with a difference of about 30 minutes total between the extremes.  This isn't going to affect most people's daily lives, but would have been noticeable to those taking accurate measurements. In ancient Han, this appears to have been common in cities and towns, with a watch that would call out as they progressed on their rounds at set points in the day and night, relying largely on heavenly cues—which I suspect did not lead to the most accurate timekeeping, but it was sufficient for what most people needed.  The telling of time in this manner was partly to help with keeping track of the time of day, but was just as much an announcement that the watch was on duty and a warning to would-be criminals. Now a water clock was an excellent device for keeping track of a standard, absolute time, such as it were, but it required constant maintenance.  If you already have a watch calling out the time, perhaps they can also keep the water clock properly set, but you did have to have someone constantly filling it up and draining it at known points of the day.  Plus there was the problem that you only knew the time if you could check it, and this wasn't like a clock tower or something similar. And so in 671 it appears that Nak no Oe instituted the continental idea of drums and bells to announce the time to the people—or at least to those at the court.  We don't have a record of exactly how they were, used, but we can infer from other sources on the continent, and what we do know that some tradition of announcing the time with drums and bells continued to be employed in Japan until the Meiji era, though perhaps not without interruption:  Temples and the like had bell or drum towers, and as the day progressed they would beat out the time.  It was not, however, telling time as we might think of it, with one stroke at the first hour, two on the second, etc..  In fact, in many ways they counted backwards, and they only counted 12 hours, not our modern 24.  By the Edo period it seems that it was common practice to toll the bells nine times at noon and at midnight.  From there, they would count down, with 8 bells at roughly 2 o'clock, 7 bells at 4 o'clock, and 6 bells at 6 o'clock.  That would be another issue.  From 6 o'clock, the number of bells that would be tolled continued to decrease, so that at 8 o'clock it would be 5 bells, then 4 bells at 10 o'clock.  It would then jump back up to 9 and start over again. Why these numbers were used for the different hours we are not entirely sure, and I have no idea if these numbers were the same ones used back in the 7th century—though it does seem to match similar continental traditions.  Even the hours themselves were known by the twelve signs that came to be associated with the zodiac:  the hour of the rat, the hour of the ox, the hour of the tiger, etc.  Midnight fell in the middle of the hour of the rat, and noon fell in the middle of the hour of the horse, with each hour being almost exactly 2 hours by modern reckoning. There were other systems in use as well.  One divided the entire day up by 100 and then each of those divisions by another 10.  The key was whether or not it was an absolute or relative measurement. Something like the roukoku would indicate an absolute measurement.  After all, the fall of water from one reservoir to another was not affected by the change in seasons—at least as long as the water didn't freeze.  The flow was constant, as was the measurement of time. For those using other forms of reckoning, such as celestial phenomena or even a sundial, things might be a bit less accurate.  This was especially true when using concepts like “sunrise” and “sunset”.  Still, through observing the changes over the year, people eventually figured out charts and rules to help reconcile absolute forms of measurement with solar time.  There were other methods for telling time, as well.  Perhaps one of the more pleasant was the use of incense sticks.  By the time of the Tang dynasty, incense in stick form was relatively common, and it had been noticed that sticks of incense could burn at a fixed rate.  This meant that you could use incense sticks like candles were used in Europe, counting down how far they had burned to tell what time it was.  If you were really fancy, you could make a single stick out of different types of incense, so that as it hit a new hour, the scent would change, alerting you to the time through your olfactory senses. Speaking of time, we are coming to the end of ours for this episode.  We do have some more information on this on our website, Sengokudaimyo.com, and we'll have links to those sections of the website accompanying our blog. Next episode we will focus more on the reign of Naka no Oe, aka Tenji Tennou, from his seat at Otsu no Miya. Until then, thank you once again for listening and for all of your support. If you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  

Siam had been dealing with Christian missionaries for centuries, but from the 1830s a new wave of Protestant missionaries began to work in Siam, just as the European imperial powers were encroaching on Southeast Asia. They brought with them modern science and technology, which was of interest to the Siamese elite, but at the same time they challenged Siam's official Theravada Buddhist religious tradition. Coincidentally, a reform movement in Siamese Buddhism got underway in the 1830s, led by Prince, later King, Mongkut (r.1851-68), then still a monk. The missionaries were largely unsuccessful in converting Thais to Christianity, but to what extent did the new Protestant Christianity influence the Buddhist reform movement?  This is the question that Sven Trakulhun seeks to answer in his new book, Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand (U Hawaii Press, 2024). Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/southeast-asian-studies

Sri Lanka is the teardrop-shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean in South Asia. Seven of 10 Sri Lankans identify as Buddhists, and other prominent religious affiliations include Hinduism and Islam. In the aftermath of the country's civil war that claimed thousands of lives, people are looking for real answers to life's challenges.And even though the Christian community makes up only a small percentage of the country's population of 22 million, God is truly at work through Bible League programs and believers like Amir Gideon who is reaching others for Jesus Christ. Hear how this remarkable church planter personally leads three churches and eight Bible studies and has the vision for even more.Join host Michael Woolworth and his Bible League colleagues -- Jason Lauthers, Bobby Thomas and Ryan Castillero -- to learn more about their recent trip to Sri Lanka. Subscribe and invite others to listen with you. Length: 24:45.

Siam had been dealing with Christian missionaries for centuries, but from the 1830s a new wave of Protestant missionaries began to work in Siam, just as the European imperial powers were encroaching on Southeast Asia. They brought with them modern science and technology, which was of interest to the Siamese elite, but at the same time they challenged Siam's official Theravada Buddhist religious tradition. Coincidentally, a reform movement in Siamese Buddhism got underway in the 1830s, led by Prince, later King, Mongkut (r.1851-68), then still a monk. The missionaries were largely unsuccessful in converting Thais to Christianity, but to what extent did the new Protestant Christianity influence the Buddhist reform movement?  This is the question that Sven Trakulhun seeks to answer in his new book, Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand (U Hawaii Press, 2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies

29 May 2025  Ajahn Jhanarato hosted this week's meditation session at the Roleystone Family Centre. Roleystone Meditation Group's weekly classes are about an hour in length and includes a talk on meditation, meditating together, and questions & answers. The sessions are led by a Buddhist monk from Kusala Hermitage in Roleystone (Buddhist Society of WA). Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa BSWA teachings are available: BSWA Teachings BSWA Podcast Channel BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel BSWA YouTube

Bested by the Buddha: Does Ancient Theory Outperform Modern-Day Psychology for Habit Change and Addiction Treatment?In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer explores the intersection of ancient Buddhist teachings and modern psychology to tackle habits and addictions. Drawing on his personal journey and clinical research, Dr. Brewer illustrates how mindfulness targets reinforcement learning, disrupting addictive cycles by fostering awareness and curiosity. This discussion highlights how strategies like exploring gratification to its end can outperform willpower-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. With practical applications for smoking cessation, overeating, and anxiety management, this episode offers transformative insights into habit change and addiction treatment.Full Reference:Brewer, J. A. (2024). Bested by the Buddha: Does ancient theory outperform modern-day psychology for habit change and addiction treatment? Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02361-2Let's connect on Instagram

Saraha addresses the UK & IE Triratna Buddhist Order convention, exploring the collective practice of taking part in Order chapters. The Buddha went forth to seek an end to suffering, to go beyond what binds us to the samsaric world. The theme of this event also encompasses ‘going beyond' and the ways in which we are approaching that as an Order. This talk was given at the Triratna Buddhist Order convention on the theme Going Forth, Going Beyond, 2022. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967

Dave tackles the big Buddhist question of the hour - are we really learning traditional Buddhism over here or are we making up our own thing and covering it up with a set of appropriated robes? Is it actually a problem if we are (and would it be possible not to)? Are lay people even supposed to be meditating? Is the East/West cultural divide too wide to bridge, or too fascinating not to try?? Find out here!!

Many wonder if they're "stuck" in a pattern or if healing and growth are possible.Join George Haas as he explores the intersection of attachment theory and meditation, and the path to live a more meaningful life. If you're interested in meditation-based attachment repair for long-term healing, this is for you.Like this? Grab our free video resource called

Patience extends beyond yourself to your interactions with others. This session focuses on cultivating a deep, compassionate presence when engaging with those around you, especially when faced with differing opinions, or challenging behaviors. Ancient Wisdom Weave: Draw on the Buddhist concept of (compassion) and the importance of loving-kindness in all relationships. THIS WEEK'S THEME: "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness" Welcome to "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness," a 7-part meditation series designed to help you rediscover the profound power and peace found in patience. In a world that often demands instant gratification, true tranquility lies in our ability to wait, to observe, and to trust in the natural unfolding of life. Drawing upon the timeless wisdom of ancient traditions, this series will guide you to cultivate patience not as passive waiting, but as an active, compassionate engagement with the present moment. Each episode offers a unique lens to understand and embody this vital virtue, fostering inner resilience and a deeper connection to the rhythm of existence. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 5 of a 7-day meditation series titled, "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness" episodes 3311-3316. Day 1:  Patience Visualization Day 2:  Patience Affirmation: "I unfold with patience, presence, and peace." Day 3:  Patience Breathing Visualization Day 4:  Lotus Mudra for Patience Day 5:  Fourth Chakra focus for Patience Day 6:  Patience flow meditation combining the week's techniques. Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure. WEEKLY CHALLENGE: The Pause Pivot Challenge THE PAUSE (Awareness): When you feel that familiar tug of impatience (the urge to rush, frustration, annoyance, a sigh, tapping your foot, etc.), immediately internally say to yourself: "Aha! A Patience Opportunity!" Take one deep, intentional breath. Notice the sensations in your body and mind without judgment. This is your "Pause." THE PIVOT (Choice): After that single breath, consciously choose a patient response, even if it's small. This isn't about solving the problem instantly, but shifting your internal state. SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS   Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me at https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/thedailymeditationpodcast FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques posted at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ A DIFFERENT MEDITATION TECHNIQUE EVERY DAY FOCUSED ON A WEEKLY THEME: Get ready for an exciting journey with a new meditation technique daily, perfectly tailored to the week's theme! Infuse these powerful practices into the most stressful moments of your day to master difficult emotions. These dynamic techniques will help you tame the "monkey mind," keeping your thoughts from interrupting your meditation and bringing peace and focus to your life. FREE TOOLS: For free meditation tools to help you meditate please head over to my website at www.SipandOm.com, and there you'll find free resources to help you on your Meditation Journey. Enjoy access to more than 3,000 guided meditations without ads on the Sip and Om app. Try it for 7 days of free access to the full app! Listen on iTunes for 1-Week Free! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   1-week Free Access to the Android app! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sipandom.sipandom   ***All meditations are Mary Meckley's original copyrighted content unless otherwise stated, and may not be shared without her written permission.   RESOURCES Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.   I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU I'd love your feedback! Please let me know how you're enjoying the meditations by leaving me a review on iTunes.   **All of the information shared on this podcast is for your enjoyment only. Please don't consider the meditation techniques, herbal tea information, or other information shared by Mary Meckley or any of her guests as a replacement for any medical or psychological treatment. That being said, please enjoy any peace, energy, or clarity you may experience as you meditate. SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS   Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me at https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/thedailymeditationpodcast FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques posted at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ A DIFFERENT MEDITATION TECHNIQUE EVERY DAY FOCUSED ON A WEEKLY THEME: Get ready for an exciting journey with a new meditation technique daily, perfectly tailored to the week's theme! Infuse these powerful practices into the most stressful moments of your day to master difficult emotions. These dynamic techniques will help you tame the "monkey mind," keeping your thoughts from interrupting your meditation and bringing peace and focus to your life. FREE TOOLS: For free meditation tools to help you meditate please head over to my website at www.SipandOm.com, and there you'll find free resources to help you on your Meditation Journey. Enjoy access to more than 3,000 guided meditations without ads on the Sip and Om app. Try it for 7 days of free access to the full app! Listen on iTunes for 1-Week Free! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   1-week Free Access to the Android app! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sipandom.sipandom   ***All meditations are Mary Meckley's original copyrighted content unless otherwise stated, and may not be shared without her written permission.   RESOURCES Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.   I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU I'd love your feedback! Please let me know how you're enjoying the meditations by leaving me a review on iTunes.   **All of the information shared on this podcast is for your enjoyment only. Please don't consider the meditation techniques, herbal tea information, or other information shared by Mary Meckley or any of her guests as a replacement for any medical or psychological treatment. That being said, please enjoy any peace, energy, or clarity you may experience as you meditate.  

Apologies, recording started late due to technical issues. Atomic Habits by James Clear was discussed in relation to the spiritual path by Ayya Karunika at the book club on Saturday, 24th May 2025. Ayya explored how the concept of the “aggregation of marginal gains” (p. 13) can be used to enhance our daily practice. She offered a brief yet insightful overview of the four laws of behavior change (pp. 43–55), showing how they can support the cultivation of wholesome habits while helping us abandon unwholesome ones. She also introduced practical strategies such as habit stacking (pp. 72–79) as effective methods for integrating the Buddha's teachings into daily routine. In addition, she explained in detail how to apply the noble eightfold path in daily life and discussed the importance of focusing on systems rather than goals (pp. 23–28) in order to achieve better results in meditation and to strengthen overall progress on the spiritual path. Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades. Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades. She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.  Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa BSWA teachings are available: BSWA Teachings BSWA Podcast Channel BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel BSWA YouTube

It's Thursday, May 29th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Christianity growing in Asia despite persecution International Christian Concern reports that Christianity is growing in Asia despite severe persecution. In 2024, there were 415 million Christians in Asia, making up 8% of the continent's population. That's up from 3% in 2010. Since 2020, Christianity's growth rate in Asia has been 1.6% per year. The church is growing in Communist, Buddhist, and Islam-dominated countries like China, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. All this growth continues despite persecution in the from of harassment, anti-conversion laws, restrictions on Bibles, arrests, imprisonments, and even violence and murder.  In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, the Apostle Paul wrote, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed .  … persecuted, but not forsaken … always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 50% of kids in United Kingdom do not live with both biological parents Research from the Marriage Foundation found that nearly half of children in the United Kingdom do not live with both of their biological parents. The report showed a record 45% of teenagers are not living with both parents by the age of 14.  This trend is not driven by divorce which is at its lowest level since 1970. Instead, family breakdown is driven by a collapse in marriage rates. Harry Benson, the Research Director for the Marriage Foundation, said, “The level of family breakdown in the UK is at epidemic proportions and is set to get worse.” French House voted to legalize assisted suicide France's National Assembly voted in favor of a bill to legalize assisted suicide on Tuesday.  The measure allows adult patients with painful and incurable illness to take a lethal substance. The bill must also pass in France's Senate. Matt Vallière, the Executive Director of the Patients' Rights Action Fund, warned, “The French National Assembly cast a fateful and terrible vote that will put a great many at risk of deadly harm and discrimination under an unprecedented euthanasia regime.” Proverbs 12:10 says, “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Supremes declines case of Christian kid's t-shirt affirming 2 genders In the United States, the Supreme Court declined to hear a free speech case Tuesday. The case involves a Massachusetts public school student named Liam Morrison. In 2023, he wore a T-shirt to class that said, “There are only 2 genders.” In response, the school banned him from wearing the shirt. The Morrison family challenged the decision; however, the courts ruled against them. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito authored a dissenting opinion to the court's decision to not hear the case. He said the free speech case “presents an issue of great importance for our Nation's youth.” Listen to viral comments from Liam, the boy at the epicenter. He made them before his school board. MORRISON: “What did my shirt say? Five simple words. ‘There are only two genders.' Nothing harmful, nothing threatening. Just a statement I believe to be a fact. “I have been told that my shirt was targeting a protected class. Who is this protected class? Are their feelings more important than my rights? … “Not one person, staff or student, told me that they were bothered by what I was wearing. Actually, just the opposite. Several kids told me that they supported my actions and that they wanted one too.” Defense Secretary Hegseth affirms homeschooling for military families Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth  ordered the department to review how well it supports homeschooling for military families.  The directive follows an executive order from President Donald Trump on supporting school choice in the military.  Hegseth wrote, “Homeschooling offers an individualized approach for students and highlights the significant role parents play in the educational process.” Liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) keeps losing members The Presbyterian Church (USA) lost nearly 50,000 members last year according to its latest report.  The liberal denomination has been losing a similar number of members each year since the COVID-19 pandemic. Their unbiblical stands have cemented their own demise. In 2014, it voted to allow pastors to marry two homosexual men or two lesbians.  Plus, PC(USA) contends that there should be no laws restricting abortion. At its current rate of decline, the PC(USA) will likely fall below one million members this year. Protestors harass Christians promoting Biblically-defined family, sexuality And finally, MayDay USA held a prayer event in Seattle, Washington last Saturday. The group gathers Christians to seek God, proclaim the Gospel, and promote the “sacredness of gender and family as defined by God.” In response, violent rioters, including Antifa members, showed up to harass the Christians. This ended in police making over 20 arrests.  Sadly, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell blamed the Christians for the violence.  In response, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino  announced, “We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, May 29th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Aug 1, 2023 When you think about the philosophies and practices of Buddhism and Marxism, you might not immediately think that they have much in common. However, you might be surprised at how much overlap and complementary resonance there actually is between these two rich and beautiful traditions. We've brought on Breht O'Shea, a Buddhist practitioner and Marxist political educator based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Breht is the host of the podcast Revolutionary Left Radio and co-host of the podcasts Red Menace, Guerrilla History, and, most recently, Shoeless in South Dakota.  In this conversation, we explore how both Buddhism & Marxism offer helpful pathways to liberation and provide a spot-on analysis of the root causes of suffering. We also explore some of the potential tensions between Buddhism and Marxism, as well as what each tradition can learn from the other. And we end with a powerful invitation to embark on the path of the Bodhisattva Revolutionary to both end the internal and structural causes and conditions of suffering and to bring forth the systemic changes necessary for the transition to a socialist and eventually communist economy based on liberation, equity, and justice for all. This interview was inspired by an episode of Revolutionary Left Radio titled Dialectics & Liberation: Insights from Buddhism and Marxism where Breht read a speech he gave at Arizona State University on the topic of dialectical materialism, Buddhism, and Marxism. Definitely check that episode out when you're done listening to this — it's a great complement to this conversation. Thank you to Carolyn Raider for this episode's cover art and to Mount Eerie for the intermission music. Upstream theme music was composed by Robert Raymond/Lanterns. Further Resources: Upstream: Revolutionary Leftism with Breht O'Shea (In Conversation) Dialectics & Liberation: Insights from Buddhism and Marxism, by Breht O'Shea on Revolutionary Left Radio  For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org 

It's Witness Wednesday! Todd Friel is at Georgia Tech where attempts to understand students' level of conviction in their faith or lack thereof. The discussions touch on themes of evangelism, the problem of tolerance in religious discourse, and the Christian gospel. Segment 1: • Todd talks with a Hindu student who admits he's a "5" on belief, describes his god as an amorphous entity, and refuses to convert Todd—even when begged: “You believe what you believe.” • David the Methodist gives himself a 7.5 but says it's not his place to convince others; believes faith is comforting but offers no reason why Todd should believe it too. • Both students echo the cultural mantra: “Just be good”—and miss the gospel entirely. Segment 2: • Todd speaks with Travis who claims to be an atheist, then shifts to agnostic when challenged—saying his beliefs are based more on feelings than facts. • Admits he's lied, stolen, lusted, and deserves hell—yet says it doesn't bother him because he doesn't believe in it. • Todd walks him through the law and the gospel, but Travis feels nothing and admits: “It honestly doesn't concern me.” Segment 3: • Matt tries to share his faith with Todd but struggles to explain sin, the gospel, or assurance of salvation. • Admits he hasn't read his Bible outside church in a long time—yet claims Jesus is precious to him. • Todd lovingly warns: “No Bible, no breakfast,” urging Matt to get grounded before temptation takes root on campus. Segment 4: • Todd talks with a young man who was raised Buddhist but disengaged—says all religions are basically good and teach people to live right. • Agrees he's done wrong but says he's “half and half”—not a bad person, just not perfect. • Hears the gospel clearly and respectfully, but walks away with no urgency to consider his guilt before a holy God. – Order the new book, "Lies My Therapist Told Me", by Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford now! https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/liesmytherapisttoldme – Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Patience is not merely waiting, but mindful waiting. This meditation invites you to fully inhabit the present moment, even when it feels like a period of waiting or uncertainty. You'll be guided as you practice observing sensations, thoughts, and feelings without rushing to the next moment, finding richness in the space between. Ancient Wisdom Weave: Echoes of Buddhist mindfulness practices, emphasizing living fully in the present moment and seeing waiting as an opportunity for deep awareness. THIS WEEK'S THEME: "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness" Welcome to "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness," a 7-part meditation series designed to help you rediscover the profound power and peace found in patience. In a world that often demands instant gratification, true tranquility lies in our ability to wait, to observe, and to trust in the natural unfolding of life. Drawing upon the timeless wisdom of ancient traditions, this series will guide you to cultivate patience not as passive waiting, but as an active, compassionate engagement with the present moment. Each episode offers a unique lens to understand and embody this vital virtue, fostering inner resilience and a deeper connection to the rhythm of existence. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 4 of a 7-day meditation series titled, "The Patient Heart: Cultivating Inner Stillness" episodes 3311-3316. Day 1:  Patience Visualization Day 2:  Patience Affirmation: "I unfold with patience, presence, and peace." Day 3:  Patience Breathing Visualization Day 4:  Lotus Mudra for Patience Day 5:  Fourth Chakra focus for Patience Day 6:  Patience flow meditation combining the week's techniques. Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure. WEEKLY CHALLENGE: The Pause Pivot Challenge THE PAUSE (Awareness): When you feel that familiar tug of impatience (the urge to rush, frustration, annoyance, a sigh, tapping your foot, etc.), immediately internally say to yourself: "Aha! A Patience Opportunity!" Take one deep, intentional breath. Notice the sensations in your body and mind without judgment. This is your "Pause." THE PIVOT (Choice): After that single breath, consciously choose a patient response, even if it's small. This isn't about solving the problem instantly, but shifting your internal state. SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS   Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me at https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/thedailymeditationpodcast FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques posted at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ A DIFFERENT MEDITATION TECHNIQUE EVERY DAY FOCUSED ON A WEEKLY THEME: Get ready for an exciting journey with a new meditation technique daily, perfectly tailored to the week's theme! Infuse these powerful practices into the most stressful moments of your day to master difficult emotions. These dynamic techniques will help you tame the "monkey mind," keeping your thoughts from interrupting your meditation and bringing peace and focus to your life. FREE TOOLS: For free meditation tools to help you meditate please head over to my website at www.SipandOm.com, and there you'll find free resources to help you on your Meditation Journey. Enjoy access to more than 3,000 guided meditations without ads on the Sip and Om app. Try it for 7 days of free access to the full app! Listen on iTunes for 1-Week Free! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   1-week Free Access to the Android app! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sipandom.sipandom   ***All meditations are Mary Meckley's original copyrighted content unless otherwise stated, and may not be shared without her written permission.   RESOURCES Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.   I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU I'd love your feedback! Please let me know how you're enjoying the meditations by leaving me a review on iTunes.   **All of the information shared on this podcast is for your enjoyment only. Please don't consider the meditation techniques, herbal tea information, or other information shared by Mary Meckley or any of her guests as a replacement for any medical or psychological treatment. That being said, please enjoy any peace, energy, or clarity you may experience as you meditate. SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS   Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me at https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A REVIEW + TAKE OUR SURVEY SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! SURVEY: Help us get to know more about how best to serve you by taking our demographics survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/thedailymeditationpodcast FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques posted at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ A DIFFERENT MEDITATION TECHNIQUE EVERY DAY FOCUSED ON A WEEKLY THEME: Get ready for an exciting journey with a new meditation technique daily, perfectly tailored to the week's theme! Infuse these powerful practices into the most stressful moments of your day to master difficult emotions. These dynamic techniques will help you tame the "monkey mind," keeping your thoughts from interrupting your meditation and bringing peace and focus to your life. FREE TOOLS: For free meditation tools to help you meditate please head over to my website at www.SipandOm.com, and there you'll find free resources to help you on your Meditation Journey. Enjoy access to more than 3,000 guided meditations without ads on the Sip and Om app. Try it for 7 days of free access to the full app! Listen on iTunes for 1-Week Free! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   1-week Free Access to the Android app! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sipandom.sipandom   ***All meditations are Mary Meckley's original copyrighted content unless otherwise stated, and may not be shared without her written permission.   RESOURCES Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.   I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU I'd love your feedback! Please let me know how you're enjoying the meditations by leaving me a review on iTunes.   **All of the information shared on this podcast is for your enjoyment only. Please don't consider the meditation techniques, herbal tea information, or other information shared by Mary Meckley or any of her guests as a replacement for any medical or psychological treatment. That being said, please enjoy any peace, energy, or clarity you may experience as you meditate.  

Jack is interviewed by Ocean Robbins to explore the big spiritual questions—why there is suffering, how to navigate duality, making the ordinary holy, and cultivating a loving witness.Discover Your Buddha Nature with Jack Kornfield, an online journey for reclaiming our dignity, compassion, and generosity, beginning June 2.“It's important to not use spiritual practice to set up an ideal or judge yourself. Sometimes you need to shut down, and then you open again. So the spiritual path is really about being with both the calm ocean and the storm.” – Jack KornfieldIn this episode, Jack and Ocean mindfully explore:What first got Jack into mindfulness and meditationLife as beautiful, and an ocean of tearsSuffering, Buddhism, and the end of sufferingWhy is there suffering in the world?Navigating the reality of duality—form and emptiness, life and deathThe recycling nature of the universeHow to make the ordinary holyMeeting our lives with presenceA simple way to explain “The Witness”The magic of consciousnessA calming and deep guided meditation Holding fear and grief in compassionNot getting caught in reactions and angerActing the nobility of heart and your original dignity This episode was originally recorded for the Food Revolution Network in November of 2024. “Life is extraordinarily beautiful, and it's an ocean of tears. You can't have birth without death, you can't have light without dark, you can't have beginnings without endings. We live in a universe constructed of opposites. That's just the game of form, of duality. You can't have form without the emptiness from which it comes.” – Jack KornfieldAbout Ocean Robbins:Ocean Robbins is an American entrepreneur and author, best known for his role as the co-founder of Food Revolution Network, Inc. This California-based company is dedicated to advocating for a whole foods, plant-based diet. Check out Ocean's book, 31-Day Food Revolution, to learn more about healing the body and transforming the world. You can keep up with Ocean on his website, HERE.About Jack Kornfield:Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack's entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community members, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.“We live in a universe that's recycling itself—the ultimate recycling of birth and death, form and rebirth. For us as human beings, the question is not why or how. The Buddha didn't actually answer those questions. He said those are questions that don't tend to have understanding. He said, what I'm interested in is how to navigate the universe as it is, in a way that brings love, well-being, and freedom to all who want to awaken to this.” – Jack Kornfield See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 17, 2025 Dr. Rory Dickson is a professor of Islamic Religion and Culture and author of several publications on Sufism, the mystical path within Islam. He joins Breht to have an incredibly deep conversation about the Sufi poet Rumi, his life and work, Rumi's relationship to his teacher Shams of Tabriz, the concepts of fana (annihilation of the self) and baqa (subsistence in God), the spiritual practices of Sufism, non-duality and perennialism, "dying before you die", Buddhist enlightenment, the Quran, Serving the People in politics and religion, the role of Divine Love in spiritual transformation, transcending the ego, Bodhicitta and the Heart of the Bodhisattva, the counter-cultural aspects of the historical dervishes, The Masnavi  (aka the "Persian Quran"), Christian Mysticism, the evolution of human consciousness, the linguistics of translation, and much, much more! Check out Rory's book "Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy" Recommendations for Further Exploration: Rumi's World: The Life and Work of the Great Sufi Poet The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi Check out our related episodes with Dr. Adnan Husain: Sufism: Islamic Mysticism and the Annihilation of Self in God St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Ecology & Brother to All Creation ------------------------------------------------------------ Outro Music: Something's Out There by Neva Dinova Support Rev Left and get bonus episodes on Patreon Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Learn more about Rev Left HERE