Podcast appearances and mentions of ron purser

Why is everything now about wellness and “self-care”? And it's not just about Goop – the global wellness industry – from leech therapy, MCT oils, to yoga, clean eating and New Age manifestation coaches -- is now a booming $4 trillion-dollar global industry. In this Episode, I spoke with Rina Raphael about her new book, The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop and the False Promise of Self-Care. Rina comes to this topic as a former wellness consumer herself, and as journalist working long hours under tight deadlines – she, like many other women today suffering from the stress of modern lifestyles, was in search for that silver bullet remedy or regimen, that magic natural supplement that would give her an competitive edge and extra boost. Consumed with her own health, Rina tells us how she eventually unshackled herself from this obsession when she began reporting on the wellness industry for Fast Company – gaining access to marketing insiders and publicists at wellness brands, along interviews with such self-help gurus like Gwyneth Paltrow, bio-hacking entrepreneur David Asprey of Bullet Coffee fame.  Rina Raphael is a journalist who specializes in health, wellness, tech, and women's issues. She was a features contributor for Fast Company magazine and has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CBS, NBC News, and Medium's Elemental, among other publications. Her wellness industry newsletter, Well To Do, covers trends and news and offers market analysis. Raphael has spoken on the wellness industry at national conferences such as the Global Wellness Summit and the Fast Company Innovation Festival. Previously, she served as a senior producer and lifestyle editor at TODAY.com and NBCNews.com.  

On this episode you'll hear a recording of an online lecture by Andrew Archer. The topic is “mindfulness”: as a state of mind, as a principle, and as a social movement. The commodification of an individualized form of mindfulness promises to relieve stress, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, alleviate GI difficulties, improve mental health and self-control with enhanced flexibility, equanimity, and improved concentration as well as emotional intelligence. The self-focused list of individualized benefits goes on and on. However, Ron Purser's book, McMindfulness, sheds light on what happens when a contemplative practice is stripped of its ethical origins, i.e., the Buddhist Eightfold Path. Divorced from its historic and cultural roots, secular mindfulness has become a capitalist spirituality for social control, i.e., maintenance of the political-economic status quo, via self-tracking and ultimately self-pacification. Just breathe and don't judge as the world burns. References: Purser, R.E. (2019). McMindfulness: How mindfulness became the new capitalist spirituality. Repeater Books: United Kingdom. Visit MankatoTherapist.com for more information and to contact Andrew Archer.

More than just a region, Silicon Valley has also become a concept — and what that concept represents means a lot of different things to different people. Some might think of it as a techno-utopian dreamland where billionaires are made. Others, perhaps a soul-sucking dystopia driven by a never ending rat race — also where billionaires are made. Whatever you may think, one thing that's hard to disagree with is the idea that work dominates Silicon Valley, and while some here are simply working to live, a certain privileged class of society actually lives to work. It's this class of workers that are the main characters in Carolyn Chen's new book: Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley. Carolyn Chen is an Associate Professor of Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies and Comparative Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. How has work become the new religion in Silicon Valley? What material and historical conditions led to the spiritualization of work? What strategies do workplaces deploy to ensure workers find meaning and purpose in work — and what other realms of life does this impact? What happens when work takes over the institutions that shape our souls? These are just some of the questions we'll explore in this conversation with Carolyn Chen. Thank you to Beck for the intermission music. Upstream theme music was composed by Robert. If you're interested in learning more about how spirituality is being deployed to create more docile, pliant workers, check out our conversation with Ron Purser on his book McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality. Support for this episode was provided by the Guerrilla Foundation and by listeners like you. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider chipping in a one-time or recurring donation at www.upstreampodcast.org/support Also, if your organization wants to sponsor one of our upcoming episodes, we have a number of sponsorship packages available. Find out more at upstreampodcast.org/sponsorship For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on social media: twitter.com/UpstreamPodcast Instagram.com/upstreampodcast You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upst…am/id1082594532 Spotify: spoti.fi/2AryXHs

vol. 2 episode 3Greetings,“You're educated. Why do you believe in astrology?”It's a question I get asked a lot. Or, worse, not asked, but judged quietly because I have gone to “the dark side”. Except my dark side twinkles with light and it's beautiful.There are those who tell me in confidence that they, too, believe in astrology, but don't want to flaunt that. Yet, many of my peers and former colleagues (I was a clinical medicine reporter), who are 50 years of age and upwards, are mystified. Younger generation Americans and others who make up the majority of my clientele get it — they know without question how busted our current paradigm of reality is and find meaning in the archetypal metaphors the universe offers.And, of course, there's that I live in Washington, DC where back in the 1980s, when it became known that President Reagan had an astrologer, the field became an easy target of mockery.Nevertheless, I persist. And with good reason. More on that in a moment.First, I want to invite you to relax that sneer and take a deep breath. There is reason for hope in the world, even today, as bombs rain down on an innocent nation.Regardless of how much you know about astrology, in Episode 3, Elisabeth and I make it clear how today's Virgo full moon opposing the Sun in Pisces strongly signals that despite the grim chaos currently enveloping Eastern Europe, there are currents of hope that we all have access to right now, and how knowing how to connect with and ride them can help us calmly root to a more peaceful and productive future.Think I am talking bull puckey? That puts you in a growing minority of people who desire to cling to our world's broken and outdated paradigm of pain and separation, as we discuss in this episode. The rest of us are ready to face the future with anticipation, not trepidation, nor the ersatz causes for anxiety and depression manufactured for the sake of keeping us sedated and Zombified. And you thought The Walking Dead was just an enduring network franchise, kind of like its namesake. No. It's a metaphor for how we're limping through the motions of the Old World, constantly reinforced by the lazy and increasingly useless corporate media monopolies. In the new paradigm of the living, indicated by a weirdly named but wonderfully productive celestial event called The Great Mutation, opportunities abound for making new myths that are lush with meaning, connection, and personal significance. It's a paradigm where if you can properly read the landscape, there is a place for you to relax, feel grateful, and not harassed by the prescriptive world of hierarchy where you are supposed to know your place and not step away from it. In this episode, we describe the signposts of this dawning world, beginning with my own impassioned, but not defensive, explanation for why I have come to see the stars as the most exquisite of navigation systems. Elisabeth then connects the dots between the full moon in Virgo, the Sun in Pisces, the coming Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter and Neptune's coming conjunction in April, and a few other planetary passages that have led to this moment in time where we can see a future that is not all doom and gloom.If you want to know more about how “conjunctions” function (sounds catchy, like School House Rock!) and retrogrades appear to move planets backward, among other astro-jargon, please listen to our first two episodes.But you don't need to have a tight grasp on the inner workings of astrology to understand our meaning here. All you need is a willingness to stop believing life is random and meaningless, full of drudgery and survival of the fittest.It's a shorter than usual episode, in part because of technical difficulties that meant I had to edit out more than I would have liked. It is an issue that you can help solve, however by becoming a member of the Ensouled community. Your material support will help us meet our high production values by allowing us to hire a producer and upgrade our equipment. We know our content is fresh, novel, and relevant. Your support will help us become smoother, and more polished. If you're considering supporting us but figure it's just as easy to keep enjoying content without paying for it — we all do that somewhere, myself included — then Elisabeth and I would like to offer you a few gifts to entice you over to the paying side. Elisabeth has created a Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide she will send you if you join at any level, and I will give those who join at the $150 level a recorded astrological reading, a $125 value which you can read more about here. The offer is good through March 31, 2022.If subscribing is not something you can do right now, there are other ways you can support us, such as sharing our podcast with others. Just forward this email to them or send them the link on your favorite podcast platform. Ensouled even has a new smart phone app you can download and share:As always, thank you for listening. And don't forget to leave your comments and to rate us on iTunes and elsewhere. We read and respond to it all.One last thing…Look up!Peace,Whitney show notes:To read mundane astrologer and co-host of Off the Charts! Elisabeth Grace's weekly forecast or to book an appointment with her. Visit her website.To learn more about my own astrology consulting business, you can go here.To listen to my podcast with author, Zen Buddhist, and business professor, Ron Purser, on his book McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality, go here:And to get a giggle but also an education on how the petroleum industry makes you feel to blame for carbon emissions, Jon Stewart is right here: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ensouled.substack.com/subscribe

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. 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

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/secularism

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

A timely essay collection on the development and influence of secular expressions of Buddhism in the West and beyond. How do secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world? What versions of Buddhism are being transmitted to the West? Is it possible to know whether an interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct? In this new essay collection, opposing ideas that often define Buddhist communities—secular versus religious, modern versus traditional, Western versus Eastern—are unpacked and critically examined. These reflections by contemporary scholars and practitioners reveal the dynamic process of reinterpreting and reimagining Buddhism in secular contexts, from the mindfulness movement to Buddhist shrine displays in museums, to whether rebirth is an essential belief. Richard Payne's edited collection Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition (Shambhala, 2021) explores a wide range of modern understandings of Buddhism—whether it is considered a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle choice—and questions if secular Buddhism is purely a Western invention, offering a timely contribution to an ever-evolving discussion. Contributors include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Tori Montrose is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Reed College specializing in Buddhism and Japanese religions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/buddhist-studies

Ron Purser is the Lam-Larsen Distinguished Research Professor (2021-2023) in the Lam Family College of Business at San Francisco State University. His essays and cultural criticism have appeared in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Salon, Alternet, Tikkun, Pando Daily, Refinery 29, Tricycle and many more. He is the author of eight books, including “McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality”.We explore the genesis of the mindfulness movement in the West, it's commodification by spiritual entrepreneurs, and how it's become a tool to pacify employees rather than awaken them to their own human needs. =======================0:00 Intro 2:27 The central premise of “McMindfulness”4:04 “McMindfulness” is not simply a critique of mindfulness5:39 Ron's experience as a Buddhist practitioner  7:00 The rise of mindfulness as a commodity in the West9:32 The hype and exaggerated claims of the mindfulness movement10:44 The “scientization” of mindfulness14:22 When the spiritual entrepreneurs took hold of mindfulness17:12 Mindfulness in the corporate workplace 22:44 Amazon's working wellness program, “AmaZen”24:45 Is there a better way to improve employee wellness?32:22 The effect of mindfulness on service work and “emotional labor”34:08 Is stress a result of individual problems or structural problems?37:15 What are the second order effects of our culture of posturing?40:46 Ron's story of attending a corporate mindfulness workshop43:41 What are the emotional holes we are trying to fill with mindfulness?47:54 What is a deepity?50:29 What is iatrogenesis?52:53 Is Ron optimistic about the future?58:16 Mindfulness is disproportionately practiced and promoted by elites 1:02:47 Mindfulness and the military 1:07:27 “One Final Question”======================= Book Recommendation!“McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality”Ron's Website====================LinkTree to support us and leave an Apple Podcast review (thank you!)Let's get in touch!Join the discussion in the episode comments on our YouTube channel or social media pages...InstagramTwitter

Podcast: This week on the show we feature a pre-recorded conversation with Richard Payne, editor and contributor to the 2021 Shambhala publication, Secularizing Buddhism: New Perspectives on a Dynamic Tradition. This collection of essays explores how secular values impact Buddhism in the modern world, what versions of Buddhism are actually being transmitted to the West, whether it is possible to know if a given interpretation of the Buddha's words is correct, and whether "Secular Buddhism" is purely a Western invention. Contributors to this volume include Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kate Crosby, Gil Fronsdal, Kathleen Gregory, Funie Hsu, Roger R. Jackson, Charles B. Jones, David L. McMahan, Richard K. Payne, Ron Purser, Sarah Shaw, Philippe Turenne, and Pamela D. Winfield. Richard K. Payne is the Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley, California. During his dissertation research into tantric fire ritual (Homa) on Mt. Koya in Japan, he also completed training as a Shingon priest (ajari). Clustering around his core research program on tantric ritual are broader theoretical concerns about the conduct of such research. This includes the study of ritual across cultural boundaries and over long durations, and the use of language in tantric Buddhist ritual. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the institute's annual journal, Pacific World, and is the chair of the Editorial Committee of the Pure Land Buddhist Studies Series. His other publications include, Pure Lands in Asian Texts and Contexts: An Anthology, co-edited with Georgios Halkias (2019); Language in the Buddhist Tantra of Japan: Indic Roots of Mantra (2018); and Homa Variations: The Study of Ritual across the Longue Durée, co-edited with Michael Witzel (2016). More information about Richard Payne's work can be found at:  Richard Payne at the Institute of Buddhist Studies: www.shin-ibs.edu, Richard Payne's Blog: criticalreflectionsonbuddhistthought.org, Secularizing Buddhism at Shambhala: www.shambhala.com, Mystical Positivist episodes with contributors to Secularizing Buddhism and related guests:  Gil Fronsdal, Stephen Batchelor, Roger R. Jackson, Kate Crosby.

For decades, clinicians have used mindfulness-based interventions to treat stress, physical pain, and mental disorders. But there's more to meditation than “mindfulness” alone, and the next wave of researchers in this field is still working out how to incorporate other practices from the wisdom traditions that gave rise to mindfulness-based treatment in the first place.Dr. Eric Garland is a clinical researcher who has devoted his life to developing a novel mind-body therapy called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), which combines mindfulness with other practices and exercises to promote a greater sense of well-being and even self-transcendence as part of the recovery process. His work has strong evidence for efficacy in treating not just addiction, but also chronic pain.Eric Garland PhD, LCSW, is the Distinguished Endowed Chair in Research and Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Utah College of Social Work, where he is also the director of the Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development (C-MIIND). He has received over $60 million in federal grants to develop and test novel integrative health interventions, including trials of MORE as a treatment for opioid problems, opioid use disorder, and chronic pain. His website is www.drericgarland.com, and you can find him on Twitter. In this episode: - The three pillars of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, including “reappraisal”—skills for disengaging from and reframing negative thoughts—and “savoring”—using focused attention training to tune in to natural reward.- The use of self-transcendence as a clinical intervention, including evidence about how even folks with severe problems can tap into a sense of transcendence and experience significant symptom relief.- The challenges of “McMindfulness,” and how Eric thinks about doing mechanistic research on mindfulness without totally abandoning ethics, values, and meaning. (see David Loy and Ron Purser's essay on McMindfulness here)- A central question for his biological research: "how do you restore the healthy function of the reward system, so the brain re-leans what is and what is not important in life? what is and is not meaningful in life?"- Eric's counterintuitive approach to working with chronic pain by going directly into the heart of pain—and how this applies to mental pain such as craving.- How to get from mindfulness to meaning—how certain types of mindfulness practice can lead to an enduring sense of meaning and purpose Sign up for my newsletter for regular updates on new material and other writings.

Ron Purser, Ph.D., author of McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality, joins us for this episode. We ask him how mindfulness became a multi-billion dollar industry, why Silicon Valley has designed hundreds of mindfulness apps, and whether mindfulness is just a capitalist form of spirituality. Is mindfulness actually a secular medical intervention that improves focus, mood, and compassion? Is mindfulness in its modern Western form in service of anything beyond The Self? Ron helps us figure all this out and more. -- Ron Purser, Ph.D. is the Lam Larsen Distinguished Research Professor of Management at San Francisco State University. He is the author of eight books, including McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality (Penguin Random House/Repeater Books), the Handbook of the Ethical Foundations of Mindfulness and the Handbook of Mindfulness: Culture, Context and Social Engagement. He writes for such media outlets as Tricycle, The Guardian, Salon, Alternet, Tikkun, Pando Daily and Transformation. He is also the host of The Mindful Cranks podcast. ronpurser.com mindfulcranks.com @ronpurser (Twitter) --- Email us at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. Become a patron at patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead to gain early access to episodes, our discord server, and monthly reading/discussion groups. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/itsnotjustinyourhead/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/itsnotjustinyourhead/support

Ron Purser is a professor of management at San Francisco State University, a practicing Buddhist, and author of the book "McMindfulness”. We spoke with him about the commodification of wellness and mindfulness into multi-billion dollar industries; how mindfulness changed in the process; and how to take back self-care to use it as a form of resistance. 

From immanent Buddhism to cruel optimism, from secular subjectivity to the unconscious material running through your personal practice, today's episode features a returning guest in the figure of Richard K. Payne who is here to discuss his latest work and the contributions made by many great authors thinking deeply and critically about contemporary Buddhism. Published by Shambhala Publications, Secularizing Buddhism was released on the 3rd August, so if you like what you hear, why not consider getting a copy. It features contributions from Ron Purser, David L. McMahan, Bikkhu Bodhi, Sara Shaw, Gil Fronsdal and many more. Matthew O'Connell is a life coach and the host of the The Imperfect Buddha podcast. You can find The Imperfect Buddha on Facebook and Twitter (@imperfectbuddha). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From immanent Buddhism to cruel optimism, from secular subjectivity to the unconscious material running through your personal practice, today's episode features a returning guest in the figure of Richard K. Payne who is here to discuss his latest work and the contributions made by many great authors thinking deeply and critically about contemporary Buddhism. Published by Shambhala books, Secularizing Buddhism was released on the 4th August, so if you like what you hear, why not consider getting a copy. It features contributions from Ron Purser, David L. McMahan, Bikkhu Bodhi, Sara Shaw, Gil Fronsdal and many more. Richard K. Payne's first interview with us on Critical Reflections on Buddhism https://soundcloud.com/imperfect-buddha-podcast/48-ibp-richard-k-payne-critical-reflections-on-western-buddhism Links The Imperfect Buddha site: https://imperfectbuddha.com O'Connell Coaching: https://imperfectbuddha.com/authors-notes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imperfectbuddha Twitter: https://twitter.com/Imperfectbuddha

In this far-ranging conversation, we talk about the limitations of “McMindfulness” and discuss what it feels like to explore a new sense of self in the context of interaction. Ronald Purser, Ph.D. is the Lam-Larsen Distinguished Research Professor of Management at San Francisco State University. His latest book, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist […]

In this far-ranging conversation, we talk about the limitations of “McMindfulness” and discuss what it feels like to explore a new sense of self in the context of interaction. Ronald Purser, Ph.D. is the Lam-Larsen Distinguished Research Professor of Management at San Francisco State University. His latest book, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist […]

In this far-ranging conversation, we talk about the limitations of “McMindfulness” and discuss what it feels like to explore a new sense of self in the context of interaction. Ronald Purser, Ph.D. is the Lam-Larsen Distinguished Research Professor of Management at San Francisco State University. His latest book, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist […]

Episode Notes Although mindfulness is rooted in Buddhist philosophy, it's become the latest self-help craze. This multi-billion dollar industry has helped a lot of people, but is it neglecting systemic issues? And what're some of the ethical problems around what mindfulness gurus do with their teachings? Today, we speak with professor and author Ron Purser about his book McMindfulness and more. Follow Ron on Twitter @ronpurser Get a copy of McMindfulness Visit www.RonPurser.com Visit www.MindfulCranks.com For the interview transcript visit www.TheRewiredSoul.com/interviews Follow @TheRewiredSoul on Twitter and Instagram Support The Rewired Soul: Get books by Chris Support on Patreon Try BetterHelp Online Therapy (affiliate) Donate

Over the last few decades, mindfulness has gone viral. These days, the practice has found its way into corporations, prisons, schools, police departments, and even the U.S. military. There are many benefits to mindfulness of course, but in his book, “McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality,” author Ron Purser explores the more pernicious part of the practice buy examining how capitalism had co-opted mindfulness to further exploitation and extraction. Interestingly, it turns out that mindfulness can be very compatible with our current neoliberal ideologies of individualism, inward-focus, and the watering-down of sociality. It has been expertly applied in a way which encourages us to only look inside for solutions to our problems, instead of challenging the systems and structures that drive the suffering we experience. McMindfulness is a way of pacifying a population and instilling a victim-blaming mentality: if you’re stressed, anxious, depressed, just “mindfulness up,” and get over it. How did we get here? What can we do about it? How can mindfulness be reclaimed and in fact used as a radical force for system change and psychological well being? We explore these questions and more in this conversation. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Upstream. Thank you! www.upstreampodcast.org/support For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on social media: Facebook.com/upstreampodcast twitter.com/UpstreamPodcast Instagram.com/upstreampodcast You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upst…am/id1082594532 Spotify: spoti.fi/2AryXHs

Over the last few decades, mindfulness has gone viral. These days, the practice has found its way into corporations, prisons, schools, police departments, and even the U.S. military. There are many benefits to mindfulness of course, but in his book, “McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality,” author Ron Purser explores the more pernicious part of the practice by examining how capitalism had co-opted mindfulness to further exploitation and extraction. Interestingly, it turns out that mindfulness can be very compatible with our current neoliberal ideologies of individualism, inward-focus, and the watering-down of sociality. It has been expertly applied in a way which encourages us to only look inside for solutions to our problems, instead of challenging the systems and structures that drive the suffering we experience. McMindfulness is a way of pacifying a population and instilling a victim-blaming mentality: if you’re stressed, anxious, depressed, just “mindfulness up,” and get over it. How did we get here? What can we do about it? How can mindfulness be reclaimed and in fact used as a radical force for system change and psychological well being? We explore these questions and more in this conversation. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Upstream. Thank you! www.upstreampodcast.org/support For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on social media: Facebook.com/upstreampodcast twitter.com/UpstreamPodcast Instagram.com/upstreampodcast You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upst…am/id1082594532 Spotify: spoti.fi/2AryXHs

Over the last few decades, mindfulness has gone viral. These days, the practice has found its way into corporations, prisons, schools, police departments, and even the U.S. military. There are many benefits to mindfulness of course, but in his book, “McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality,” author Ron Purser explores the more pernicious part of the practice buy examining how capitalism had co-opted mindfulness to further exploitation and extraction. Interestingly, it turns out that mindfulness can be very compatible with our current neoliberal ideologies of individualism, inward-focus, and the watering-down of sociality. It has been expertly applied in a way which encourages us to only look inside for solutions to our problems, instead of challenging the systems and structures that drive the suffering we experience. McMindfulness is a way of pacifying a population and instilling a victim-blaming mentality: if you’re stressed, anxious, depressed, just “mindfulness up,” and get over it. How did we get here? What can we do about it? How can mindfulness be reclaimed and in fact used as a radical force for system change and psychological well being? We explore these questions and more in this conversation. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Upstream. Thank you! www.upstreampodcast.org/support For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on social media: Facebook.com/upstreampodcast twitter.com/UpstreamPodcast Instagram.com/upstreampodcast You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify: Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upst…am/id1082594532 Spotify: spoti.fi/2AryXHs

Mindfulness has become such a huge part of the world we live in and has integrated into mainstream culture. There are a vast number of traditional and spiritual practices that date back hundreds of years and span across cultures far outside of what we’re exposed to in the West and it’s important we educate ourselves on the origin of these methods. Today, I’m joined by thought leader and established teacher, Ron Purser. Ron is a Professor of Management at San Francisco State University, and Published Author of the best selling book, ‘McMindfulness’. He shares a unique perspective, having integrated traditional Buddhist practices into his life, he does a brilliant job of challenging the ideals that are emphasized through modern mindfulness tools. To hear more insights from Ron Purser and learn more about his personal approach to this topic, tune in to Episode 80 of Technology for Mindfulness!Some of the questions I ask:Could you talk about your personal background with mindfulness? (4:08)What are your concerns now that mindfulness is such a mainstream ideology? (9:17)What does mindfulness mean for you in a broader sense and in relation to traditional Buddhist teachings? (14:41)Could you elaborate on how you believe mindfulness apps are being used as overtly solitary experiences (30:22)From your experience, what is mindfulness other than a self-help technique? (37:10)Would you agree that a lot of self-help apps are too introductory and don’t cover mindfulness in a broader sense? (40:19)What would you recommend to those wanting to learn more about mindfulness? (43:09)What you’ll learn in this episode:The history of Martial Arts and Shotokan Karate (1:20)How Buddhism has become synonymous with mindfulness (7:44)How mindfulness ideologies have become part of the mainstream and integrated into Western culture (18:40)The commoditization behind mindfulness in corporate environments (23:44)A brief excerpt from ‘McMindfulness’ - How the US Army have militarized the clinical application of mindfulness (27:24)The privatization of stress and the connection that has to our bodies (33:16)The political ideologies and connotations behind fanatic mindfulness (35:23)Connect with Robert Plotkin:Technology For Mindfulness WebsiteBlueshift IP WebsiteLinkedInConnect with Ron Purser:WebsiteThe Mindful Cranks - Podcast McMindfulness - Book See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Psychedelic-assisted interventions appear to be all the rage these days. Though there are many psychedelic evangelists I wanted to find a credible medical resource to discuss these treatments. Deep gratitude to my friend Ron Purser who introduced me to my esteemed guest, Sylver Quevedo, MD, a pioneer in integrative family and internal medicine, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford and UCSF, co-Founder of Polaris Insight Center for Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and Principle Investigator in the FDA clinical trials on MDMA for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Our conversation was enlightening and it was fascinating to hear about Dr. Quevedo’s long history of work in public health, his devotion to providing medical care for indigenous populations in the American Southwest and Africa, and his enduring personal and professional interest in clinical use of psychedelic plant medicines. He beautifully explicates the biologic mechanisms of psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, ayahuasca, mescaline and how these substances differ in effect and usefulness in psychotherapy. Dr. Quevedo is limited in discussing outcomes of the current phase 3 MDMA trials but he shared results of previous MDMA for PTSD trials, as well as use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for end-of-life anxiety, depression, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for suicidal depression and chronic pain. So sit back and enjoy the journey this amazing physician takes us on.https://www.polarisinsight.com/https://maps.org Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies https://clinicaltrials.gov/ NIH MDMA StudiesSylver Quevedo, MD, Internist Polaris Co-Founder and Medical Director has been in continuous practice of medicine for 40 years and practices nephrology, family, internal, and integrative medicine. He serves as Assistant Professor  at Stanford and UCSF.  He has played pivotal roles in several global health projects, including planning and development of medical and nursing school in Africa. The staff at Polaris Insight Center are dedicated to the ethical and compassionate clinical use of ketamine-assisted, and psychedelic-assisted, psychotherapy. Our founding members are all MAPS (Multi-disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) trained clinicians who have participated in both Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

My guest this week is Ron Purser (@ronpurser), author of McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality. We discuss the commodifying of mindfulness and theInvocation: A life in Vain by Ono no komachi (translation by Peter MacMillon) http://www.thehypertexts.com/Ono%20no%20Komachi%20English%20Translations.htmEditing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36sMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Next week: Black metal environmentalism with Jesse McWilliams

My guest this week is Buster Benson (@buster), author of Why Are We Yelling?: The Art of Productive Disagreement. We discuss discussions and Buster's preferred methods for untangling confusions.Invocation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CassandraEditing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36sMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Next week: McMindfulness with Ron Purser

Ron Purser, Ph.D. is a professor of management at San Francisco State University where he has taught the last eighteen years in both the MBA and undergraduate business programs. Prior to moving to San Francisco, he taught at Loyola University of Chicago. He received his doctorate in organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University. He is co-author of five books including, 24/7: Time and Temporality in the Network Society (Stanford University Press, 2007), and over 60 academic journal articles and book chapters. More recently, Prof. Purser writings have been exploring the challenges and issues of introducing mindfulness into secular contexts, particularly with regards to its encounter with modernity, Western consumer capitalism, and individualism. In 1981, he began attending classes and retreats at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute in Berkeley. His formal Zen training started at the Cleveland Zen Center in 1985 under Koshin Ogui Sensei, who had been Shunryu Suzuki’s personal assistant in the early 1960’s. After returning to San Francisco in 1997, he continued to study and practice with Zen teachers and Tibetan lamas, is now an ordained Dharma instructor in the Korean Zen Buddhist Taego order. His professional writings and publications currently focus on the application of Buddhist psychology and mindfulness practices to management, and organizations.  His recent articles include Revisiting Mindfulness: A Buddhist-Based Conceptualization (with Joe Milillo at Harvard); Zen and the Art of Organizational Maintenance; Zen and the Creative Management of Dilemmas (with Albert Low); Deconstructing Lack: A Buddhist Perspective on Egocentric Organizations; and A Buddhist-Lacanian Perspective on Lack. His articles Beyond McMindfulness (Huffington Post) and Mindfulness’ Truthiness Problem (Salon.com) went viral in 2013 and 2014.

In episode #069 Chris meets with Dr. Ron Purser and they explore his critique of the “mindfulness revolution,” discuss how neoliberalism has infiltrated mindfulness and has influenced self-professed progressives, and how to liberate mindfulness from the grip of capitalism.  Ron's Website: https://www.ronpurser.com/ Mindful Cranks Podcast: http://www.mindfulcranks.com/   Chris Hoff PhD, LMFT We want to hear from you! Youtube: http://bit.ly/2i0DmaT Website: http://www.theradicaltherapist.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRadTherapist Instagram: https://instagram.com/theradicaltherapist/ Email: theradicaltherapist@gmail.com

I’m joined by Ron Purser to discuss how mindfulness, rather than starting any meaningful revolution, is feeding right into the neoliberal capitalist ideology, and becoming what Purser calls “the new capitalist spirituality”. Ron is a professor of management at San Francisco State University, as well as an ordained Zen dharma teacher in the Korean Zen Taego order of Buddhism.We discuss the incompatibility between meditation practice and neoliberal capitalism, the difference between democratic socialism and anti/post capitalism, and the flexibility of our experience of time.

This week the gang are looking at the explosion of the Mindfulness Industry, and ask the question - is this simply individualising the stress of modern capitalist society, and seeking to neutralise us in the growing social and political problems? Ron Purser joins to discuss his book on the topic, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality. We also touch on the history of HR, and the disturbing tweets from inside Amazon's fulfilment centre. Ron's website: https://www.ronpurser.com/ Ron also has a podcast! http://mindfulcranks.com Get a sneak peek of the book with the Guardian's Long Read: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality Rowan also quotes this article from Sahanika Ratnayake: https://aeon.co/essays/mindfulness-is-loaded-with-troubling-metaphysical-assumptions Some of the harrowing Amazon Worker tweets can be found here: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/59npad/amazons-creepy-twitter-pr-army-growing

How mindfulness became the new capitalist spirituality. More info on "McMindfulness": http://bit.ly/2MUj96G Alec on Twitter: bit.ly/2Dta2Er Host: Alec Opperman Logo Design: Shane Lessa Theme Song: Fender Bender by Bad Snacks

Show #248 | Guest: Professor Ronald Purser | Show Summary: Angie sits down for a fascinating hour with Ron Purser, Professor of Management at San Francisco State University, to discuss his new book McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became The New Capitalist Spirituality. The booming popularity of the mindfulness movement has also turned it into a lucrative cottage industry. Business savvy consultants pushing mindfulness training promise that it will improve work efficiency, reduce absenteeism, and enhance the “soft skills” that are crucial to career success. Some even assert that mindfulness training can act as a “disruptive technology,” reforming even the most dysfunctional companies into kinder, more compassionate and sustainable organizations. So far, however, no empirical studies have been published that support these claims.

It's no secret: "modern mindfulness" is in -- especially in the United States, and it is spreading rapidly also within Europe. We chat to Ron Purser, head of the Mindful Cranks Podcast and author of McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became The New Capitalist Spirituality, on his critique of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme that may have gotten too big for its britches to become a trendy self-help business model and even harmful for people and society in the long run. How has "modern mindfulness" been severed from its true Buddhist roots? How have big companies like Google and Apple hijacked mindfulness programmes to keep workers docile and the wheel of good ol' capitalism spinning? Is the science backing mindfulness even that sound? We go over all these questions and more in this engaging interview. McMindfulness will be released in July, 2019. Catch Ron at Foyle's Bookstore in Charring Cross, London in early August at his book signing.

It seems the more mindfulness is mainstreamed, the more its claims are being questioned. Ron Purser, Professor of Management at SFSU and author of the new groundbreaking book, McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality, has been a longtime critic of the widespread mainstreaming and overselling of mindfulness practices. He views mainstream mindfulness as an amplifier of Western consumerist individualism and a banal form of capitalist spirituality; one he claims utterly avoids cultivation of social and political transformation. Ron challenges the widely accepted narrative that stress is self-imposed and mindfulness is the cure-all, and offers ways for mindfulness delivery in healthcare and business settings to cast off its neoliberal shackles, and be redirected toward collective awakening.  Ron and I have known each other for quite some time. He is erudite and engaging. I"m sure you will enjoy this stimulating, thought-provoking conversation. Ron's website   Ron Purser is Professor of Management in the College of Business and the Educational Doctorate in Leadership program in the College of Education at SFSU San Francisco State University. His scholarship currently focuses on mindfulness in organizations, and how Buddhist psychology and Buddhist social theory can inform social change and transformation. In addition, Prof. Purser writings have been exploring the challenges and issues of introducing mindfulness into secular contexts, particularly with regards to its encounter with modernity, Western consumer capitalism, and individualism. Dr. Purser is an ordained Zen Dharma Teacher in the Korean Zen Taego order of Buddhism. Tarthang Tulku Time, Space, and Knowledge   Disclaimer: The information in this episode or on groundlessground.com is intended for information and entertainment purposes only, and does not claim to be or constitute therapeutic advice or mental health treatment.

After a summer hiatus, Ron Purser and David Forbes, discuss what they have been up to on our summer break, as well as make mention of upcoming episodes.

In this episode, Ron Purser comes on to the imperfect Buddha podcast to talk about neoliberalism and its impact on mindfulness, Buddhism, spirituality, and the experience of all these in the individual and the impact is greater then you likely believe. You are a neoliberal subject to some degree and the ethics and manner of practice of this insipid ideology has seeped into almost all contemporary spiritual practice. Such practice can be a site of resistance to the excesses of individualism, goal achievement, productivity, and self-serving interest. Such practices can reconnect us to a social and environmental vision and experience of ourselves in the world. But this is only possible if you become aware of how neoliberalism has participated in shaping your practice in certain ways. The Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek was not wrong when he stated that Buddhism, among all the world's religions, is the greatest companion to neoliberalism, which would prefer you to keep focusing in and on yourself; “It's up to you they say! You must do it alone, and if you fail well, it's all your fault!” Does this sound familiar? It should do as it's a major part of the neoliberal ethic. Ron and I talk about a range of interesting topics that go beyond neoliberalism and include finding the edge in practise and Time, Space & Knowledge. We cover McMindfulness, freedom, liberation free from the neoliberal ethic, and other exciting utopian topics. We talk about the alternatives to a practice informed by the near liberal ethic. So don't panic, it's not all naysaying, we've got some solutions here too! Ron was a great guest and I enjoyed our conversation together and I think you will too. Don't forget to leave comments at one of our groovy locations. Matthew O'Connell is a life coach and the host of the The Imperfect Buddha podcast. You can find The Imperfect Buddha on Facebook and Twitter (@imperfectbuddha). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ron Purser comes on to the imperfect Buddha podcast to talk about neoliberalism and its impact on mindfulness, Buddhism, spirituality, and the experience of all these in the individual and the impact is greater then you likely believe. You are a neoliberal subject to some degree and the ethics and manner of practice of this insipid ideology has seeped into almost all contemporary spiritual practice. Such practice can be a site of resistance to the excesses of individualism, goal achievement, productivity, and self-serving interest. Such practices can reconnect us to a social and environmental vision and experience of ourselves in the world. But this is only possible if you become aware of how neoliberalism has participated in shaping your practice in certain ways. The Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek was not wrong when he stated that Buddhism, among all the world’s religions, is the greatest companion to neoliberalism, which would prefer you to keep focusing in and on yourself; “It’s up to you they say! You must do it alone, and if you fail well, it’s all your fault!” Does this sound familiar? It should do as it’s a major part of the neoliberal ethic. Ron and I talk about a range of interesting topics that go beyond neoliberalism and include finding the edge in practise and Time, Space & Knowledge. We cover McMindfulness, freedom, liberation free from the neoliberal ethic, and other exciting utopian topics. We talk about the alternatives to a practice informed by the near liberal ethic. So don’t panic, it’s not all naysaying, we’ve got some solutions here too! Ron was a great guest and I enjoyed our conversation together and I think you will too. Don’t forget to leave comments at one of our groovy locations. Links O'Connell Coaching: oconnellcoaching.com/ Post-Traditional Buddhism: posttraditionalbuddhism.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imperfectbuddha Twitter: https://twitter.com/Imperfectbuddha You can find out more on this topic by reading the following articles which were both partially written by Ron. https://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/34093 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ron-purser/beyond-mcmindfulness_b_3519289.html Ron’s personal website: http://ronpurser.com

In this episode of the imperfect Buddha podcast I speak with Glenn Wallis again. We cover a range of topics but at the core of our discussion is darkness: a topic that many folks shy away from and yet in our problematic times is a theme that needs looking at more closely and more deeply. Glenn will be leading a workshop on darkness on 4 August in Philadelphia. If you’re interested in participating, take a look at the webpage dedicated to the event at the Incite seminars websites: https://inciteseminars.com/darkness/ We talk about the motivations behind Incite seminars and why they are an important response to the challenges of our times, as well as the need for creativity in approaching practice, whether Buddhist or philosophical, and theory. We also touch on the work of Peter Sloterdjik and in particular his book ‘You must change your life’ which I for one found challenging. We also talk about the Speculative non-Buddhism website and what’s happening there. We also touch on the topic of our upcoming episode on neoliberalism and Buddhism with Ron Purser. As always Glenn is a great conversationalist and someone who is thinking at the edge of what passes for normal in terms of Buddhism, spirituality, enquiry and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the complex, multifaceted world we live in. So, brush off your critical thinking skills, wake up your creative desire to think deeply and widely and take a listen. Links: O'Connell Coaching: https://oconnellcoaching.com/ Post-Traditional Buddhism: https://posttraditionalbuddhism.com/ Speculative non-Buddhism: https://speculativenonbuddhism.com/

In this episode of the imperfect Buddha podcast I speak with Glenn Wallis again. We cover a range of topics but at the core of our discussion is darkness: a topic that many folks shy away from and yet in our problematic times is a theme that needs looking at more closely and more deeply. Glenn will be leading a workshop on darkness on 4 August in Philadelphia. If you're interested in participating, take a look at the webpage dedicated to the event at the Incite seminars websites: https://inciteseminars.com/darkness/ We talk about the motivations behind Incite seminars and why they are an important response to the challenges of our times, as well as the need for creativity in approaching practice, whether Buddhist or philosophical, and theory. We also touch on the work of Peter Sloterdjik and in particular his book ‘You must change your life' which I for one found challenging. We also talk about the Speculative non-Buddhism website and what's happening there. We also touch on the topic of our upcoming episode on neoliberalism and Buddhism with Ron Purser. As always Glenn is a great conversationalist and someone who is thinking at the edge of what passes for normal in terms of Buddhism, spirituality, enquiry and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the complex, multifaceted world we live in. So, brush off your critical thinking skills, wake up your creative desire to think deeply and widely and take a listen. Matthew O'Connell is a life coach and the host of the The Imperfect Buddha podcast. You can find The Imperfect Buddha on Facebook and Twitter (@imperfectbuddha). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pantheon is proud to present a mini-series of shows 'Deadicated' to discussing Amazon Studios 'Long Strange Trip: The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead' documentary. Over the next six weeks we will be recapping each Act with guest host Tim Lynch of KPFA's 'Dead to the World' radio program. Tim will be joined by Christian & Peter as well as very special guests that are part of the film, Dead scholars, academics or had another important role in the 50+ year story. The other weekly guest on roundtable will be...'The UnDeaducated'. This guest will know little to nothing of the band and be exposed to them mostly the first time through this film. Be sure to head over to Amazon to watch up to Act III of the documentary before joining us! The film is directed by Amir Bar-Lev and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. This week's special Deadicated guest is Susana Millman, who was a ubiquitous presence at Grateful Dead shows from 1985 until Jerry Garcia's death in 1995. Susana's work can be seen in Long Strange Trip. Head to her website. Mamarazi.com to get a copy of “Alive With the Dead or A Fly on the Wall with a Camera” - a very nice hardcover photographic memoir of the Grateful Dead filled with band images, unpublished pics + stories, from the '80s on.  This week's UnDeaducated is Prof. Ron Purser. Ron is the host of The Mindful Cranks podcast, a professor of mgmt at SFSU, author, editorial board member of the Mindfulness journal, as well as the executive board of the Consciousness, Mindfulness and Compassion International Association. A student and Buddhist practitioner since 1981.  Please subscribe, rate and review and head over to Patreon to help support our network of rock based podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Chapman is a writer, computer scientist, engineer and Buddhist practitioner. He blogs on several sites including the hypertext book Meaningness.com. Beginning a season of episodes on the theme of ethics, Vincent Horn welcomes David to explore a series of blog articles that David wrote on the theme of “Buddhist ethics.” Together they question some long held secular, leftish beliefs about Buddhist ethics, they explore the distinction between morality and ethics, and they examine how Buddhist ethics are practiced in the modern age. This is part one of a two part series. Memorable Quotes:“Shakyamuni Buddha, 2,500 years ago, taught exactly the same ethics that was only rediscovered in California 30 years ago. He was a feminist, and sexually liberal, and environmentally conscious, and anti-racist. So great, we've got this religion that completely validates all the correct ethical positions and it's 2,500 years old.” - David ChapmanEpisode Links: Meaningness.com - http://meaningness.com David Chapman on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Meaningness “Buddhist ethics” is a fraud by David Chapman - https://meaningness.wordpress.com/2015/09/23/buddhist-ethics-is-a-fraud/#summary “Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction” by Damien Keown - http://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Ethics-Very-Short-Introduction/dp/019280457X Is “Buddhist ethics” Buddhist? by Amod Lele - http://loveofallwisdom.com/blog/2015/10/is-buddhist-ethics-buddhist/ ] Mindfulness is More Than Just Paying Attention (with Ron Purser) - http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2013/06/bg-288-mindfulness-is-more-than-just-paying-attention/ “Ethics” is advertising by David Chapman - https://meaningness.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/buddhist-ethics-is-advertising Consensus Buddhism and Mindful Mayo - https://art19.com/shows/buddhist-geeks/episodes/31a00eb8-ecc4-4ccc-af2b-81bf72254f72

Recording of Ron Purser's talk given at the International Contemplative Studies Symposium, sponsored by the Mind and Life Institute, November 2014, Boston, MA