Podcast appearances and mentions of Stephen Batchelor

What if flow, insight, and mystical experience are different scales of the same underlying process? In this standalone Lectern episode, John Vervaeke speaks with Hüseyin and Daniel about their recently published paper on the cognitive continuum: a framework that moves from fluency to insight, flow, mystical experience, and transformation. The discussion develops Vervaeke's earlier work on relevance realization by bringing it into dialogue with the enactive approach, complex dynamic systems theory, and contemporary psychedelic research. The episode begins with the enactive critique of a simple subject-object split. Daniel explains why both self and world are groundless in the enactive sense: not nonexistent, but not pregiven independent substances either. Self and world arise relationally through embodied sensemaking. This matters because mystical experiences often involve a loosening or collapse of the ordinary self-world boundary. Hüseyin then walks through the paper's core argument. Fluency is reframed as a local form of attunement, not merely ease of information processing. Insight becomes a more global reorganization of the system. Flow becomes an insight cascade: a temporally extended state of metastable attunement. Mystical experience becomes the most global state on the continuum, where the deepest structures of self-world organization can be destabilized and reorganized. The conversation also makes a strong ethical point. Experiences that loosen ordinary constraints are not automatically good. Psychedelic states, mystical experiences, contemplative practices, and mindfulness can create epistemic vulnerability. Depending on context, they can become transformative, but they can also lead to derealization, depersonalization, false insight, spiritual bypassing, narcissism, or psychosis. Integration, practices, ethical frameworks, communities, and traditions matter because transformation is not produced by the state alone. Key Insights Mystical experience cannot be adequately explained by neurobiology alone. Enactivism challenges both naive realism and idealism by treating cognition as embodied, embedded, and relational. Relevance realization and sensemaking converge around a shared account of how cognition finds and enacts significance. Fluency is a domain-general feeling of attunement with the world. Insight is not only a representational shift; it can be a reorganization of the person-world system. Flow can be understood as a cascade of insights sustained through metastable attunement. Mystical experience may involve a globalized form of relevance realization, or even the release of relevance realization's ordinary grasping. Transformative experience requires more than destabilization; it requires viable reorganization. Context, set, setting, integration, ethical orientation, and community shape whether self-transcendent experiences help or harm. Scientific work on these topics needs reflexivity because research itself participates in the world it describes. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and episode frame 02:40 Hüseyin introduces the paper 04:40 Daniel introduces mystical experience and the self-world boundary 06:00 Groundlessness in the enactive approach 07:00 Neurocentrism and why brain-only explanations are insufficient 09:50 Self, world, and enacted sensemaking 11:30 Functionality, pathology, and the stakes of self-transcendence 13:00 From flow to mystical experience 14:20 Entropic Brain, REBUS, and psychedelic research 16:40 Organizational causality and complex systems 18:50 Fluency as local attunement 20:00 Relevance realization and sensemaking 24:50 Optimal grip and opponent processing 27:10 Complexification and cycles of destabilization and reorganization 29:10 Insight as globalized fluency 34:50 Flow as an insight cascade 37:40 Metastable attunement and flexibility 40:20 Mystical experience and psychedelic neuroimaging 42:10 REBUS, ALBUS, beliefs, and context 44:20 Global relevance realization 46:00 Meta optimal grip, decentering, and pivotal mental states 48:10 Daniel on reflexivity and mystical experience 50:00 Stephen Batchelor and enlightenment as comprehensive flow 51:20 Relevance realization realizing its own irrelevance 53:40 Knowing groundlessness and nondual awareness 55:20 Effortlessness, acceptance, and letting go 56:40 William Desmond, astonishment, and inexhaustibility 59:00 Why mystical experience is not automatically transformation 01:01:00 Hans Jonas and self-transcendence in life 01:05:10 Para-self-transcendent phenomena 01:07:00 Existential sensemaking and the person 01:08:30 Sudden transformation and self-transcendent experience 01:09:20 The crucial importance of context 01:11:30 Integration, practices, and ethical frameworks 01:12:40 Epistemic vulnerability and suggestibility 01:16:10 False fluency, false insight, and spiritual bypassing 01:19:00 The forthcoming Four Ps paper 01:21:10 Daniel's closing reflection 01:23:10 Hüseyin's closing reflection on reflexive science 01:25:10 The Blind Spot, Whitehead, and final thanks Resources Hüseyin Beyköylü, John Vervaeke, and Daniel Meling, "From Flow to Mystical Experiences: Connecting Entropy and Fluency Along the Unifying Framework of Cognitive Continuum" - https://doi.org/10.1080/09515089.2025.2601717 John Vervaeke, Awakening from the Meaning Crisis John Vervaeke, Seeing God Again for the First Time Entropic Brain Hypothesis REBUS model ALBUS model Hans Jonas, The Phenomenon of Life Stephen Batchelor, Alone with Others William Desmond Willoughby Britton's work on meditation-related adverse effects Frank, Gleiser, and Thompson, The Blind Spot Alfred North Whitehead Follow John Vervaeke: Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos X: https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke

If you wish to support our podcast, please visit this link. Thank you! Welcome to a new episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. The fifth in a series of six episodes recorded during the In the Footsteps of the Buddha pilgrimage, this instalment was made in Kushinagar, India, in February 2026. In it, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach Jo Confino are joined by Zen Buddhist nun Sister Tam Muoi and Dharma teacher Shantum Seth to reflect on the Buddha's final days and the legacy and continuation of his teachings. They also discuss Thich Nhat Hanh's passing and how Plum Village responded to his transition; the responsibility of current and future generations to continue his work and teachings; and the importance of the multi-fold community in preserving and spreading the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and accessible to the modern world. Furthermore, Shantum Seth provides historical context about the Buddha’s final journey and the events after his passing, including the first Buddhist council and the spread of Buddhism; Brother Phap Huu draws parallels between the Buddha’s and Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and legacies; and Sister Tam Muoi discusses the importance of the monastic order in continuing the Buddha’s teachings – as well as Thich Nhat Hanh’s vision for the Plum Village tradition to evolve and adapt while staying true to its core principles. About the pilgrimage: In 1988, Shantum Seth was invited by Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) to organize a pilgrimage to the sacred sites associated with the Buddha's life across India. Subsequently, Thay encouraged Shantum to continue guiding such journeys each year, offering pilgrimage itself as a mindfulness practice – one that the Buddha had suggested. Shantum has been leading these transformative journeys ever since, offering people from around the world the opportunity to follow In the Footsteps of the Buddha with awareness and insight. After 15 years at the United Nations, Shantum left to volunteer with the Ahimsa Trust, which represents Thay's work in India and promotes the practice of “peace in oneself and peace in the world”. Through Buddhapath, his expression of Right Livelihood, Shantum continues to guide pilgrimages and share the wisdom and culture of the places he visits in India and across Buddhist Asia, cultivating community through these deeply meaningful journeys.To learn more about upcoming pilgrimages, visit www.buddhapath.com, or follow Shantum on Facebook and Instagram at @eleven_directions. Shantum Seth, an ordained Dharmacharya (Dharma teacher) in the Buddhist Mindfulness lineage of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, teaches in India and across the world. A co-founder of Ahimsa Trust, he has been a student of Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings for the past 35 years, and, since 1988, has led pilgrimages and other multi-faith, educational, cultural, spiritual, and transformative journeys across diverse regions of India and Asia. He is actively involved in educational, social, and ecological programmes, including work on cultivating mindfulness in society, including with educators, the Indian Central Reserve Police Force, and the corporate sector. Across various Indian sanghas, Dharmacharya Shantum is the primary teacher of different practices of mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition. Sister Tam Muoi (Sister Samadhi) is from the UK and was ordained in 2012, becoming a Dharma teacher in 2022. Having encountered the practice whilst living in France, she became engaged in the French lay sangha and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2004. She is actively supporting the recently created Being Peace Practice Centre in the UK and is deeply committed to the work of healing ancestral harm, participating in trainings and retreats exploring White Awareness. Read more here. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ Recordist: Ann Nguyenhttps://ann.earthSound editor: Joe Holtawayhttps://joeholtaway.comPublisher: Anca RusuProducer: Clay Carnillhttps://claycarnill.comExecutive Producer: Catalin Zorzini List of resources  The Way Out Is In: ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha (3/6) | The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings (Episode #104)’https://plumvillage.org/podcast/in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha-3-6-the-heart-of-the-buddhas-teachings-episode-104 The Way Out Is In: ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha (2/6) | Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree (Episode #103)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha-2-6-enlightenment-under-the-bodhi-tree-episode-103 The Way Out Is In: ‘In the Footsteps of the Buddha (1/6) | The Buddha: Down to Earth (Episode #102)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha-1-6-the-buddha-down-to-earth-episode-102Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing Plum Village Traditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_Village_Tradition Kushinagarhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushinagar Blue Cliff Monasteryhttps://www.bluecliffmonastery.org/ No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Sufferinghttps://www.parallax.org/product/no-mud-no-lotus/ The Order of Interbeinghttps://plumvillage.org/community/order-of-interbeing The Way Out Is In: ‘The Three Jewels (Episode #89)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-three-jewels-episode-89 Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81y%C4%81na_Mah%C4%81parinirv%C4%81%E1%B9%87a_S%C5%ABtra Vinayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinaya Ashokahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka Stephen Batchelorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Batchelor_(author) Bodhicittahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhicitta Sister Dao Nghiemhttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-dao-nghiem Letters from Thich Nhat Hanhhttps://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/letters Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/redefining-the-four-noble-truths Dharma Talks: ‘The Noble Eightfold Path'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-noble-eightfold-path Vasubandhuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasubandhu Sunyatahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C5%ABnyat%C4%81 King Prasenajithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasenadi Kapilavastuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapilavastu_(ancient_city) Mahākāśyapahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81k%C4%81%C5%9Byapa Quotes “Thay really practiced the present moment, because in the present you’re also practicing impermanence. There’s only one moment to live and to touch life, and that is the very here and now.”“All conditioned reality is subject to decay. Strive on diligently – essentially meaning, Everything is impermanent; keep up the practice.” “Dwelling happily in the present moment is the insight of meditation. But dwelling happily in the present moment doesn’t mean that suffering doesn’t exist; doesn’t mean that our anger and our frustration is not there. But, no matter what the situation is – whether it is loss, grief, frustration, chaos – as a practitioner, we have to have the ability to dwell in the very here and now, and allow ourselves to see that wonder, because that wonder is the light that shines through the darkness, the fog, the chaos.” “When we’re reaching the end of our lives, we want to declutter. We want to put our affairs in order. We want to make sure, to the best of our abilities, that we leave life clean, that we don’t leave arguments, resentments, and suffering behind for the next generation to have to deal with.” “I have never met an individual. I meet the entire lineage of that person stretching back to the beginning of time – because, if there’d been an interruption, then you wouldn’t exist.” “The Buddha said, ‘I’ve never taught with a clenched fist, I have offered all the teachings for you to be calm, peaceful, transform your emotions, and be liberated. And so keep the Dharma as your island and be a light unto yourself, and keep the Dharma as your island.' So he’s very clear that the Dharma is his continuation; the teachings and practice are his continuation.” “In a country like India, the Buddha exists at a very ambient level, in the way we live our lives and feel the interconnectedness of everything, with nature, with other people.” “If we know how to suffer, we’re going to suffer a whole lot less.” “Thay would always include our lay friends. Whenever he was teaching in any ceremony he would always add, ‘And our lay friends, our sisters and our brothers from the lay community, the multi-fold community.' He would always correct the language as he went along, even if it wasn’t written down, to include everybody. And this was such a teaching for us that we want to continue it. We do not want to be a monastic community where the monastics are the privileged ones. Instead, we are all practicing together and all have different capacities and different things that we can offer.” “Thay once shared that his vision is that, one day, we’re all walking in the marketplace and see a monk walking by with peace and grace. And that monk is a bell of mindfulness. You see that monk and you stop and just breathe, connecting back to your spiritual dimension. And then you go on.” “Thay empowered us, each of us, and now we can empower so many other people. And I think it’s a reminder that we don’t need to look for the teachers and what impact they had; instead, we can look at the impact we are having every day, in all the interactions we have, in all the people we meet, in all of the thoughts we have and all the words we speak, in all the actions. We, each of us, are a continuation. And we’re not a continuation to one other person; we’re a continuation to all of life. The way we are present in nature is the way that nature can be present for us. The way that we are available to other people then gives people the opportunity to be available to others.” “Everything Thay did, he always reflected back to the Buddha. The Buddha’s whole way of teaching was also to empower everyone he met, to water the seeds of mindfulness and awakening in every person.”

Stephen Batchelor: Bilmediğini Bilmek 00:00 Reset'in Hikâyesi Ve Pandemi Dönemi 01:12 Yokluk Bilinci Ve Kıtlık Hissi 03:59 Bağış Bazlı Yoga Uzmanlık Programı 09:55 Stephen Batchelor Ve Seküler Budizm 12:35 Montaigne Ve Şaşkınlığın Felsefesi 16:28 Sokrates Ve Bilmeme Bilgeliği 24:12 Zen Koan Hikayesi 42:48 Bodhidharma Ve “Bilmiyorum” Öğretisi 47:40 Açık Farkındalık Meditasyonu Bu bölümde Zeynep Aksoy, pandeminin getirdiği duraksama sayesinde yokluk ve yetmezlik hissi üzerine yaptığı içsel sorgulamayı paylaşırken yoga uzmanlık programını bağış temelli bir modelle herkese açma kararını anlatıyor. Ardından Stephen Batchelor'un seküler Budizm yaklaşımından yola çıkarak “cehaleti övmek” fikrini ele alıyor ve “Bu nedir?” sorusunun meditasyonda nasıl bir farkındalık kapısı açabileceğini aktarıyor. Montaigne ve Sokrates'in düşüncelerine değinerek bilgelik ile bilmeme arasındaki ilişkiyi inceliyor, Zen koan hikayeleri üzerinden zihnin alışılmış açıklama ihtiyacını sorguluyor. Bölümün sonunda ise dinleyicileri açık farkındalık meditasyonuna davet ederek bilmemeyle, merakla ve şaşkınlıkla kalabilme pratiğini deneyimlemeye yönlendiriyor. Zeynep Aksoy, saygın bir yoga eğitmeni ve Reset platformunun kurucusudur. Web sitesi üzerinden canlı ve kayıttan izlenebilen dersler, üyelik programları ve profesyonel eğitimler sunmaktadır. Online Stüdyo üyeliği ile günlük çevrim içi derslere, geniş bir arşive ve topluluk desteğine erişim imkânı sağlar. Ayrıca Zeynep, katılımcıların hareket, anatomi ve farkındalık konularında bilgilerini derinleştirmelerine yardımcı olmak için yenilikçi Fasyal Yoga Uzmanlık Programı'nı yürütmektedir. Daha fazla bilgi almak ve sertifikalı eğitimlere katılmak için: www.zeynepaksoyreset.com

Oracy - the ability to express oneself fluently - has been included in plans to modernise the national curriculum, with a new focus on equipping young people with the skills they need for life and work. In Radio 4's round-table discussion programme, Anne McElvoy and guests look at how you teach oracy and explore the value of passing on traditional knowledge using methods like songs and poems. Joining Anne areReetika Subramanian is based at the University of East Anglia and is currently a researcher in residence with BBC Radio 4. She hosts the Climate Brides podcast and studies women's work songs as records of environmental changeEdith Hall, Professor of Classics at Durham University who champions the use of Classical rhetoric to foster oracy in schoolsPhilip Collins, former speechwriter to Tony BlairEdith and Philip have taken part in Our Public House, a theatre performance staged by Dash Arts that builds on workshops with over 700 people nationwide who shared their visions for our nation's future.Stephen Batchelor, secular Buddhist teacher and writer and author of Buddha, Socrates and Us: Ethical Living in Uncertain Times, published by Yale University Press (2025).Tom F. Wright, historian of rhetoric at the University of SussexProducer: Eliane Glaser

This talk, provided by Lezlie Laws, continues reviewing elements of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse, focusing in the Third Foundation, Mindfulness of the Mind.  Lezlie uses a Zen question to foster internal understanding of how the mind creates a self:  “What Is This?”  The question is not intended to be abstract and intellectual, but rather to invite direct subjective knowledge of how the mind is created in and ongoing way. During the talk, Lezlie refers to a YouTube interview involving Ezra Klein and Stephen Batchelor, a well-respected Buddhist teacher and author who suggests the value of this question.  Here is a URL recording that conversation:  https://secularbuddhistnetwork.org/ezra-klein-interviews-stephen-batchelor-on-what-is-this/

In this important teaching, the Buddha invites us to become intimate with the human condition and to see how we create levels of suffering for ourselves. There is also the recognition that there is a way out - the Eightfold Path. Mary also reflects on Stephen Batchelor's Four Tasks which brings a pragmatic lens to this essential teaching. Recorded Jan 31, 2026 in the virtual worldSend me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks.Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.

I like to start the year with a few episodes on things I'm personally working on. Not resolutions, exactly. More like intentions. Or, even better, practices.One of those practices, strange as it sounds, is repeatedly asking the question: “What is this?” It's a question I got from a book of the same name, by Stephen and Martine Batchelor. In that book, they are describing an approach to Buddhist meditation built on the cultivation of doubt and wonder. You can see that as a spiritual practice, but it's also an intellectual and ethical one. It is, for me, a practice that has a lot of bearing on politics and journalism.Stephen Batchelor's latest book, “Buddha, Socrates, and Us: Ethical Living in Uncertain Times,” explores those dimensions of doubt more fully. And so I wanted to have him on the show to discuss the virtues of both certainty and uncertainty, the difficulty of living both ethically and openly. You can see this as a conversation about our inner lives or our outer lives, but of course they are one. And Batchelor, as you'll hear, is just lovely to listen to.Mentioned:Buddha, Socrates, and Us by Stephen BatchelorWhat Is This? by Martine Batchelor and Stephen BatchelorEthics of Care by Carol GilliganBook Recommendations:Children of a Modest Star by Jonathan S. Blake and Nils GilmanWork Like a Monk by Shoukei MatsumotoThe Second Body by Daisy HildyardThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Kristin Lin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Isaac Jones. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Marie Cascione, Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Emma Kehlbeck, Jack McCordick, Marina King and Jan Kobal. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In this episode I am joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Alan recalls his troubled childhood in the impoverished North of England, reflects on the British class system, and shares his first encounter with Aleister Crowley. Alan recounts his occult adventures with long time collaborator Duncan Barford, shares his spiritual biography of awakenings and mystical experiences, and considers the power and pitfalls of spiritual transmission. Alan also compares gurus Papaji, and Andrew Cohen, and Adi Da; reveals why he considers Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris to be Black Brothers; and discusses the role of the Dark Goddess on the path of awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep323-british-occultist-alan-chapman Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Duncan Barford and Alex W 03:07 - Impoverished upbringing in the North of England 05:05 - Early reaction to Christ 05:56 - First encounter with Aleister Crowley 11:17 - Chaos magic and meeting Duncan Barford 12:00 - What kind of boy was Alan? 14:28 - Class consciousness 15:44 - Sensitive boy in a cruel environment 19:20 - Regret about violence 20:58 - One's own nature 22:25 - Alan questions Steve's questions 22:45 - British class system 27:21 - Liminal identity 29:50 - Working vs middle vs upper class 31:18 - Anti-aspiration 33:18 - Growing out of musical aspirations 37:36 - Shedding Feathers and fulfilment on the path 41:41 - Crowley book and facing challenges 47:37 - Path myth in The Book of the Law 54:56 - True path vs the New Age 58:08 - Following the Silent Knowing 01:05:10 - Facing darkness 01:10:36 - Black Brothers like Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris 01:19:48 - Stephen Batchelor's crisis of faith 01:22:49 - Warning about spiritual teachers 01:23:48 - Stereotypes of culture and awakening 01:27:54 - Papaji and the nondual car crash 01:31:33 - Adi Da and guru yoga 01:35:45 - Papaji vs Adi Da 01:41:24 - Invoking the Holy Guardian Angel 01:47:30 - Andrew Cohen 01:52:16 - Great White Brotherhood 01:54:34 - Enlightened in India 01:57:26 - Ancestors appear 01:59:11 - Practicing with Adi Da 02:01:01 - Transmission traps 02:05:02 - Confronted by Adi Da disciple 02:06:51 - Solid, vital, peculiar 02:09:12 - Cutting truth and Adyashanti 02:10:43 - Reflections on Adi Da's trajectory 02:11:52 - Further awakening at 33 02:19:52 - Receiving the Magia teaching 02:33:58 - The Dark Goddess 02:36:15 - Accommodating yourself to the Damned 02:37:25 - Finding Sophia 02:40:28 - Crowley and Jung 02:42:14 - Myth of Sophia 02:47:42 - Sequel plans 02:48:58 - Alan's perspective on near death experiences 03:00:31 - Purpose of life and awakening … To find our more about Alan Chapman visit: - https://barbarouswords.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

This talk was given by Gil Fronsdal and Stephen Batchelor on 2025.07.29 at the Sati Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Stephen Batchelor and Gil Fronsdal will meet for a conversation to explore the themes of Stephen's upcoming book, "Buddha, Socrates, and Us: Ethical Living in Uncertain Times". Their discussion will reflect on how the ethical inquiries of the Buddha and Socrates—two figures separated by time and tradition—can speak to the challenges of living thoughtfully and responsibly today. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://youtu.be/18yloqOlp-I. ******* A machine generated transcript of this talk is available. It has not been edited by a human, so errors will exist. Download Transcript: https://www.audiodharma.org/transcripts/23940/download ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

Full audio sessions from my 4 week course for New York Insight. Begins with an overview of 4 noble truths, intro sessions, conversations with Stephen Batchelor and then live teaching sessions from the course. If you find these audio offerings of benefit please consider dropping me some cash. This shit takes a lot of time, everything is appreciated. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/contact/

Norman Fischer gives her eighth and final talk on Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-8.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her seventh and final talk on Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-7-Kathie-Fischer.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her sixth talk of Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-6-Kathie-Fischer.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her fifth talk of Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-5-Kathie-Fischer.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her fourth talk of Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-4-Kathie-Fischer.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her third talk of Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika) at the May 2025 All Day Sitting at Green Gulch Farms. This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-3-Kathie-Fischer-All-Day-Stting-May-2025.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives her second talk of Nagarjuna's "Verses From the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This Everyday Zen 2025 series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-2-Kathie-Fischer-1.mp3

Kathie Fischer gives the first talk of the "Verses From the Center 2025 Series" with an introduction to the great Buddhist teacher Nagarjuna and his emptiness teachings from his work "Verses from the Center" (Mulamadhyamakakarika). This series references Stephen Batchelor's book "Verses From the Center: A Buddhist Vision of the Sublime." https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Verses-From-the-Center-2025-Series-Talk-1-Kathie-Fischer.mp3

Review of Buddhism without Beliefs by Bhikkhu Bodhi It has often been said that Western Buddhism is distinguished from its Asian prototype by three innovative shifts: the replacement of the monastery by the lay community as the principal arena of Buddhist practice; the enhanced position of women; and the emergence of a grass-roots engaged Buddhism aimed at social and political transformation. These three developments, however, have been encompassed by a fourth which is so much taken for granted that it is barely noticed. This last innovation might be briefly characterized as an attempt to transplant Buddhist practice from its native soil of faith and doctrine into a new setting governed by largely secular concerns. For Asian Buddhists, including Eastern masters teaching in the West, this shift is so incomprehensible as to be invisible, while Western Buddhists regard it as so obvious that they rarely comment on it. Stephen Batchelor, however, has clearly discerned the significance of this development and what it portends for the future. Having been trained in Asia in two monastic lineages (Tibetan Gelugpa and Korean Soen) and relinquished his monk's vows to live as a lay Buddhist teacher in the West, he is acquainted with both traditional Buddhism and its Western offshoots. His book Buddhism without Beliefs is an intelligent and eloquent attempt to articulate the premises of the emerging secular Buddhism and define the parameters of a “dharma practice” appropriate to the new situation. ... narrated by Jonathan Nelson 2025 22 minutes 32 seconds Listen to Streaming Audio Your browser does not support the audio element. Download Audio (11MB) Audio copyright, 2025 Pariyatti Investigating the Dhamma as a book and eBook can be found at https://store.pariyatti.org/investigating-the-dhamma. More by Bhikkhu Bodhi. View more books and audio resources available in the Pariyatti bookstore. "Review of Buddhism without Beliefs" at Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1573226564.

Today, we'll explore the concept of Dharma—its meaning, its role in Buddhism, and how it connects to wise action in our daily lives. Let's start by defining Dharma in a straightforward way.In Buddhism, Dharma (or Dhamma in Pali) has several interconnected meanings:​The Teachings of the Buddha◦Dharma represents the guidance and wisdom shared by the Buddha. This includes key teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.◦It's not just the words of the Buddha—it's the path of practice and the realization of enlightenment.​The Nature of Reality◦Dharma also refers to the true nature of things, including the natural laws of the universe.◦For example, we often hear, "All dharmas are without self-essence," which highlights the impermanence and interconnectedness of all phenomena.​A Universal Truth◦Dharma is universal, applicable to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. It's a path we follow to live in harmony with the way things truly are.In essence, Dharma is both the path and the goal—a guide for reducing suffering and achieving liberation.How Do We Practice Dharma Today?Here are some common ways people engage with Dharma in their daily lives:MeditationPracticing meditation helps us calm our minds and see reality more clearly.Ethical ConductLiving by principles such as right speech, right action, and right livelihood fosters a harmonious life.Study of TextsReading and reflecting on Buddhist teachings deepens our understanding.Community PracticesChanting, Dharma talks, and retreats provide support and encouragement on the path.Phillip Moffitt writes in Dancing with Life:"Wise action is any action that liberates the mind, moves you toward freedom from suffering, and supports a feeling of well-being that is independent of external conditions."Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs, explains, "Dharma practice requires the courage to confront what it means to be human.”David Chernikoff, Life Part Two“The Dharma in Six Words” Pay AttentionDon't ClingBe Kind Visit our website to join us live every Sunday at 6 pm CST on Zoom for Meditation, a Talk & Group Discussionhttps://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us.Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us.Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us.Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us.Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us.Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

Talk number 5 Big Bear Retreat.  A secular perspective on the 8-fold path. Compliments to Stephen Batchelor. 

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. We wanted to let you know that due to some unexpected technical difficulties, there are some audio issues in this episode that affect the quality of the recording. While it's not ideal, we believe the conversation is still rich and worth a listen. We appreciate your understanding and patience, and we're working to ensure this doesn't happen in future episodes. Thank you for your continued support!Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethininking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

We dive into a season-long discussion of Stephen Batchelor's "After Buddhism: Rethininking the Dharma for a Secular Age".  Feel free to listen even if you don't have the book, but you may get the most out of reading along with us. Support the showOur website is lamataboot.com, Instagram: @lamataboot, and YouTube: @lamatabootFind Lama Adam at lamaadam.com. His nonprofit is Mindfulness For Life at mindfulness-for-life.org and on Instagram @mindfulnessforlifeorg. One-on-one coaching and consulting with Lama Adam is available, and helps to support MFL's mission of bringing free, trauma-informed mindfulness and mediation to underserved communities. Find Lama Mitchell on Instagram @lamamitchellsingletary. His band Humid Subtropic is on Instagram @humidsubtropic, and listen to their new live album wherever you stream your music. The Cheetah House is an organization that offers help for meditators in distress. If you've experienced adverse effects from meditation, we recommend connecting with the Cheetah House community.

Michelle is joined by Rak Patel, Director of Sports and Stephen Batchelor, former Olympian, to discuss the hurdles schools face developing sports in education. Together they have a frank discussion about sports provision in UK schools.

In this episode of the Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill welcomes author and former Zen monk Stephen Batchelor to explore the four great life tasks that can help individuals become more human. These tasks, derived from Buddhism, focus on practical ethics without the baggage of traditional dogma. Listen and LearnThe Buddha's definition of what it means to be awakeTask #1: Embrace LifeTask #2 Letting Reactivity BeTask #3: See the Stopping of ReactivityTask #4: Living EthicallyListen as Stephen Batchelor highlights their relevance in contemporary life, emphasizing personal transformation and ethical living.Related ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodeWant to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's on-demand course, "Foundations of ACT."Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2025!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana's website.Leave feedback for the showThanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.We can put our energy where it matters most and savor the good along the way.

Text us is you have a question for Matt or a guest. We want to hear from you. This week's episode was prompted by a quote I read in the book, Buddhism Without Beliefs, by Stephen Batchelor. The chapter on imagination began with this quote, "A talent for speaking differently, rather than arguing well, is the chief instrument of cultural change." In other words, we create change by first seeing a different future in our mind's eye and then speaking that vision out loud. This is very different from arguing about what is or has been, it's about declaring what can and will be in the future. I talk about how this approach of speaking differently applies to our ongoing conversation about Termination of Parental Rights, and how it can apply to anything that we may be working on. I lay out five steps that I've seen work for me and others that moves us from imagining and describing the future, to taking action, and then learning and iterating. I also reference a great resource, which is linked below, that can help us develop the skills of generative communication and declarations. I end the episode with a few journal prompts. Journal PromptsWhat do I want to declare? Who am I without the work? Who am I? Generative Communication e-book: Generative-Language-2021You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a growing community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We now have two options to make this community accessible to more people. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and starting on July 26th we'll add a 9am PT/12pm ET group. You can join the club by filling out this contact form.  Proximity Podcast Club - West - Google FormsPlease connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn

How can we use our practice to see us through troubled times and remain a light against the darkness? Laura Burges encourages us to see Buddhist practice as a laboratory, a place to experiment with our own experience. Drawing from the book, "Buddhism Without Beliefs" by Stephen Batchelor, she likens the Four Noble Truths to a diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for the challenges facing us and the world. If they were contained in bottles, each would come with a simple instruction label:Life is marked by suffering or anguish - "Recognize Me"  The cause of suffering is desire - "Understand Me"There can be an end to suffering - "Realize Me"The Noble 8-Fold Path is the prescription - "Cultivate Me" To approach our practice as an experiment, she encourages us to develop an agnostic curiosity rather than hardening the teachings into firm beliefs. In this way, we can practice with an open mind and heart. ______________ Ryuko Laura Burges, a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, teaches classes, lectures, and leads retreats in Northern California. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Laura co-founded the Sangha in Recovery Program at the San Francisco Zen Center and is the abiding teacher at Lenox House Meditation Group in Oakland. Shambhala Publications offers her Buddhist children's books, Buddhist Stories for Kids and Zen for Kids. Her most recent book from Shambhala is The Zen Way of Recovery: An Illuminated Path Out of the Darkness of Addiction. Laura lives in San Francisco. ______________ To support our efforts to share these talks with LGBTQIA audiences worldwide, please visit https://gaybuddhist.org/There you can: Donate Learn how to participate live Find our schedule of upcoming speakers Join our mailing list or discussion forum Enjoy many hundreds of these recorded talks dating back to 1996 CREDITSAudio Engineer: George HubbardProducer: Tom BrueinMusic/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter

 Continuing last week's theme of experiencing liberation in this moment, Mary looks at Stephen Batchelor's teachings on embracing our existence and opening to the everyday sublime which is available to each of us at any moment.Recorded July 6, 2024 in the virtual world Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.

Mindfulness is understood to have different applications of different occasions for different purposes. These ideas have been discovered form the work of academics of early buddhist discourse (pali texts: Gethin/Kuan)These crucial teachings have been further developed by Stephen Batchelor and are a core component to his program, Mindfulness Based Ethical Living (MBEL).These 3 talks, where given at the morning instructions for mindfulness and the four noble truths. They are edited together here for your convenience to offer a comprehensive overview. Here, the first 3 are described: existential, therapeutic, and contemplative. Ethical mindfulness is not yet discussed.thanks!

"In Taking Life for Granted, We Completely Fail to Notice It!" Stephen Batchelor

In this guided meditation, Stephen Batchelor invites you to unconditionally embrace your experience of the moment, to simply watch all thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and notice the ground of nonreactive awareness. This guides you toward a path rooted in freedom, openness, and love.Episode 158: Meditation on Embracing Life with Stephen BatchelorScott Snibbe has just released a new book called How to Train a Happy Mind that shares the accessible approach to Buddhism familiar to podcast listeners. The book features a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and you can order it right now anywhere you buy books. Go to skepticspath.org for more details on the book and tour, featuring some of the great artists, authors and activists you've heard on the podcast.Support the show

 Nearly 30 years ago, Stephen Batchelor wrote a book called Buddhism Without Beliefs that's become a foundational work for those seeking to adopt Buddhism into a non-religious form while still maintaining the power and authenticity of it's time tested practices. I had a chance to speak with Stephen Batchelor recently from his home in France, where he shared his own creative struggle with Buddhism. From his origins as an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk to becoming a skeptical agnostic who admits that he simply doesn't know the answers to life's biggest questions.Episode 157: Buddhism Without Beliefs with Stephen BatchelorScott Snibbe has just released a new book called How to Train a Happy Mind that shares the accessible approach to Buddhism familiar to podcast listeners. The book features a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and you can order it right now anywhere you buy books. Go to skepticspath.org for more details on the book and tour, featuring some of the great artists, authors and activists you've heard on the podcast.Support the show

I have had the pleasure of meeting Stephen Batchelor to interview him on this very show, so I know the depth of thought he has. Equally so, he has a warmth and sense of humor that is apparent. All those qualities are evident in this blog post about the benefits of solitude. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) Links from the Episode: Become a member of Tricycle The Art of Investigation by Sayadaw Tejaniya Sponsors: Amazon.com - Shop Amazon using this link and a portion of what you spend will go back to the show. Become a Super-Fan of the Show Support ZEN commuter and get access to patron bonuses THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them. Did you enjoy the podcast?

Solitude is part of wellbeing. Alone time allows you to ponder good questions, explore creativity, and consider what it means to be a good human. In this episode, Stephen Batchelor, a former Buddhist monk, shares the art of solitude, what it means to be a secular Buddhist, the value of going against the stream, how to live an ethical life, and the intersection between Buddha and Socrates. Find some time to be alone with yourself and take a listen!Related ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodeSubscribe to my free Wise Effort newsletter.Become a MORE Life in Process member to support the show.Find out what kind of Striver you are and get your free Skillful Striving ToolkitWant to learn more about ACT? Take Diana's on-demand course, "Foundations of ACT"Diana's EventsYou can sign up for the Wise Effort Together (All-Access Pass) Come to Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2024See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaThank you for listening to Your Life in Process! Subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts. Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana's website.Leave feedback for the show or a voicemail at ‪(805) 457-2776Thank you to the team Craig, Ashley Hiatt, and Yoko Nguyen. Thank you to Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.Remember when you become psychologically flexible, you become free.