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Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsBibliographyThe Mechanics of Magick: Singing Bowls and the Ritual Physics of ResonanceCore Singing Bowl ResearchStanhope, Jessica, and Philip Weinstein. “The Human Health Effects of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine 51 (2020): 102412. Use for the honesty frame: promising findings around mental health and cardiovascular measures, but limited evidence and need for stronger study design.Cai, Yiqing, Guo-Yan Yang, Yibo Liu, Xiang-yun Zou, Heng Yin, Xinyan Jin, Xue-han Liu, Chenlu Wang, Nicola Robinson, and Jian-Ping Liu. “Therapeutic Effects of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.” Integrative Medicine Research 14, no. 2 (2025): 101144. Use for the newer clinical overview. Important correction: this appears as 101144, not 101176. Good for anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cognition, autistic behavior, and EEG-related outcomes while still keeping the evidence cautious.Lin, F. W., et al. “Effects of Tibetan Singing Bowl Intervention on Psychological and Physiological Health in Adults: A Systematic Review.” 2025. Useful as another recent review angle, especially for psychological health, physiological measures, HRV, and brainwave-related discussion. Keep it secondary behind Stanhope and Cai.Landry, Jayan Marie. “Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Himalayan Singing Bowl in Meditation Practice: A Quantitative Analysis.” American Journal of Health Promotion 28, no. 5 (2014): 306–309. Use for the controlled relaxation study: 51 participants, randomized crossover design, singing bowl exposure or silence before directed relaxation.Goldsby, Tamara L., Michael E. Goldsby, Mary McWalters, and Paul J. Mills. “Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-Being: An Observational Study.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine 22, no. 3 (2017): 401–406. Use for reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, depressed mood, anxiety, and stress after singing bowl meditation. Good, but frame as observational, not definitive.Rio-Alamos, Cristina, et al. “Acute Relaxation Response Induced by Tibetan Singing Bowl Sounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education 13, no. 2 (2023): 317–328. Use for Tibetan singing bowl treatment compared with progressive muscle relaxation and a waiting-list control in anxious nonclinical adults.Walter, Nina, et al. “Neurophysiological Effects of a Singing Bowl Massage.” Medicina 58, no. 5 (2022): 594. Use for EEG, ECG, and respiration during singing bowl massage; the authors interpret the results as a shift toward a more mindful or meditative state.Goldsby, Tamara L., et al. “Mood, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being Interrelationships.” Religions 13, no. 2 (2022). Useful follow-up for spiritual well-being, emotional interpretation, and how people understand sound-healing experiences.Sound, Anxiety, HRV, and Brainwave CautionMallik, Adiel, and Frank A. Russo. “The Effects of Music & Auditory Beat Stimulation on Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” PLOS ONE 17, no. 3 (2022): e0259312. Use this carefully for the broader point that sound-based treatments can reduce somatic and cognitive state anxiety. Do not use it as proof that singing bowls automatically entrain brainwaves.Ingendoh, Ruth Maria, Ella S. Posny, and Angela Heine. “Binaural Beats to Entrain the Brain? A Systematic Review of the Effects of Binaural Beat Stimulation on Brain Oscillatory Activity, and the Implications for Psychological Research and Intervention.” PLOS ONE 18, no. 5 (2023): e0286023. Very useful caution source. Use it when warning against overclaiming “brainwave entrainment” and frequency-healing claims.Vilímek, et al. 2022. Low-frequency sound / HRV / vibroacoustic-related research. Use cautiously if you want to discuss low-frequency vibration, body sensation, and autonomic response. I'd keep this as a secondary source unless you want a dedicated paragraph on vibroacoustics.Physics, Resonance, and CymaticsTerwagne, Denis, and John W. M. Bush. “Tibetan Singing Bowls.” Nonlinearity 24, no. 8 (2011): R51–R66. Use for the physics section: wall vibrations, water-surface waves, Faraday-wave effects, droplet motion, and the visible demonstration of resonance.Jenny, Hans. Cymatics: A Study of Wave Phenomena and Vibration. Newmarket, NH: MACROmedia, 2001. Use carefully for visual sound-pattern history. Good for imagery and occult imagination, but don't overuse it as clinical proof.Rossing, Thomas D. The Science of Sound. 3rd ed. San Francisco: Addison Wesley, 2002. Useful general acoustics source for resonance, overtones, vibration, sound waves, and instrument physics.Sound Baths, Wellness Culture, and Modern RitualSobo, Elisa J. “Sound Baths, Trauma Talk, and the Wellness Paradox in the USA.” Medical Anthropology 43, no. 5 (2024): 367–382. Excellent for the modern sound-bath/wellness-culture angle, especially trauma language, nervous-system talk, ritual performance, and how providers frame sound baths.Sobo, Elisa J. “A Beginner's Guide to Sound Baths — What They Are, How to Choose a Good One and What the Research Shows.” The Conversation (2024). Useful for accessible show-note language and ethical/practical framing.Sobo, Elisa J. “Healing Vibrations.” Anthropology News 64, no. 5 (2023): 28–32, 49. Good anthropology/public-facing source for sound healing and wellness culture.Tibetan Singing Bowls, History, and Cultural CommodificationGrimes, Samuel. “Where Did ‘Tibetan' Singing Bowls Really Come From?” Tricycle (2020). Use for the contested-history section. Strong source for questioning popular origin stories around “Tibetan” singing bowls.Joffe, Ben. “Anthropology and Tibetan Buddhism / Cultural Commodification / Tibetan Mystique.” 2015. Use for the larger argument about how Tibetan/Himalayan aura gets packaged in Western spiritual markets. Good support for the “Tibet as imagined storehouse of hidden wisdom” point.Scheidegger, Daniel A. “Tibetan Ritual Music.” Use for actual Tibetan Buddhist ritual sound: bells, cymbals, long horns, drums, chant, and liturgical soundscape. This helps separate real Tibetan ritual sound from overblown modern singing-bowl mythology.Lopez, Donald S. Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998. Excellent support for Western romanticization of Tibet.Bishop, Peter. The Myth of Shangri-La: Tibet, Travel Writing, and the Western Creation of Sacred Landscape. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989. Very useful for the “Tibet as fantasy geography” angle.Ritual, Sound, and Religious ExperienceEliade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1964. Use carefully. Good for altered-state technologies and ritual sound/trance, but don't treat it as the final word on shamanism.Rouget, Gilbert. Music and Trance: A Theory of the Relations Between Music and Possession. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Excellent for sound, music, trance, possession, rhythm, and ritual performance.Becker, Judith. Deep Listeners: Music, Emotion, and Trancing. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2004. Strong source for deep listening, music, emotion, trance, and the body.Husserl, Edmund. On the Phenomenology of the Consciousness of Internal Time. Useful if you want to get philosophical about tone, decay, waiting, and how sound reveals time.Ihde, Don. Listening and Voice: Phenomenologies of Sound. Albany: SUNY Press, 2007. Good for sound as experience, listening, voice, and embodied perception.Placebo, Meaning Response, and Healing RitualMoerman, Daniel E. Meaning, Medicine and the “Placebo Effect.” Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Use for “meaning response” instead of treating placebo as “fake.”Benedetti, Fabrizio. Placebo Effects: Understanding the Mechanisms in Health and Disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Useful for placebo mechanisms, expectation, physiology, and therapeutic context.Kaptchuk, Ted J., and Franklin G. Miller. “Placebo Effects in Medicine.” New England Journal of Medicine 373 (2015): 8–9. Good short medical source for placebo effects as real psychobiological phenomena.Csordas, Thomas J. The Sacred Self: A Cultural Phenomenology of Charismatic Healing. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. Useful for healing, embodiment, ritual, and religious experience.Embodied Cognition, Extended Mind, and Ritual ToolsClAlso want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A
A communist activist tries to “debunk” Nick Shirley's Cuba story from the same hotel, but Nick fires back, exposing propaganda, hunger, surveillance, and even Cuba's president tracking his team during their escape.
On tending to our interdependence, living life fully, and dying with attention and equanimity. 0:00 — Introduction 1:34 — Overview of Ann's Book "Traveling in Bardo" 3:55 — Personal Reflections on Grandmother's Funeral 7:20 — The Role of Practice in Embracing Impermanence 16:15 — Living with Attention and Interdependence 34:57 — Authenticity and True Nature 42:09 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts Ann Tashi Slater writes for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Paris Review, and Granta, among others, and is a contributing editor at Tricycle. She presents and teaches workshops at Princeton, Columbia, Oxford, Asia Society, and The American University of Paris, and was a regular speaker at NYC's Rubin Museum of Art during the museum's 20-year run. Ann's new book, Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World was released by Balance/Hachette in September, 2025. TRAVELING IN BARDO explores how we can find meaning and happiness in a world where change is the only certainty. Interweaving explorations of "bardo" between-states in relation to marriage and friendship, parents and children, and work and creativity with stories of her Tibetan ancestors and Buddhist teachings on the fleeting nature of existence, Slater illuminates what the teachings have to tell us in our contemporary lives. She relays vital wisdom from Tibetan culture, giving us a bold, new framework to navigate moments of change and live life fully. With a foreword by Dani Shapiro, the book has been praised by Elizabeth Gilbert, Melissa Febos, Sharon Salzberg, and Julia Alvarez, among others, and has been selected as a "Must-Read" by the Next Big Idea Club, co-curated by Malcolm Gladwell. In the midst of this shifting landscape, Slater invites us to embrace impermanence in a powerful way, rooted in ancient wisdom. During over forty years of writing and speaking about her Tibetan-American heritage and the relevance of Buddhism in Western society, Slater has come to see how Tibetan bardo views on impermanence can transform the way we live. A luminous guide to navigating transition and impermanence, it offers us the opportunity to find happiness in an impermanent world.
Check out Cam's latest novel / audio drama here! Hokum is by far the scariest movie of 2026, a rapturously original story that also feels like a thoughtful, whip-smart meditation on the legacy of The Shining. In this episode, we're exploring a dozen similarities and diversions between this modern classic and the most influential work in the genre. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram Feedback & Theories: secondbreakfastpod@gmail.com 00:00 Intro / Impressions 01:00 Thesis: The Shining 01:55 Protagonist 03:38 Adaptation 05:37 Hotel Setting 06:24 Hedge Maze / Tie Pattern 07:56 Dick Halloran 10:23 Familial Implosion 11:38 Burial Ground 12:16 Doomed Bartender 12:38 Chatty Ghosts 13:04 Rabbit Suit 14:01 The Old Lady 14:29 Danny's Tricycle 15:50 Closing Thoughts
Don examines a chunk of the Titanic's hull that's related to a new theory about the sinking of the ship, a US Army drone behind a starlet's big break and an electric tricycle with a fatal flaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with multi-hyphenate storyteller Christopher Rivas — actor, writer, Buddhist practitioner, and host of the Brown Enough podcast. We dive deep into themes of identity, race, belonging, and what it means to "live in the middle space." Christopher shares his journeys into Buddhism, the stories behind his creative work (including Brown Enough and Rubirosa), and how life, art, and spiritual practice intersect for him. ✨ Guest Bio & Links Christopher Rivas is an actor, author, playwright, and podcast host known for exploring issues of race, culture, identity, and transformation. Christopher Rivas He hosts the Brown Enough podcast, where he explores what it means to navigate "brownness" in a Black/white world. Brown Enough Podcast He also created Rubirosa, a documentary-style story about Porfirio Rubirosa (a Dominican figure many believe inspired James Bond). Rubirosa Podcast Key writings in Tricycle Magazine Christopher regularly contributes essays to Tricycle. A few notable ones: Non-Self Storage — reflection on attachment, possessions, and letting go Tricycle: The Buddhist Review I Think the Clock Is Broken — on time anxiety, meditation, and being present Always Lie When Someone Asks If You Meditate — an unconventional take on how practice begins (and how we show up) Social & Web Links Christopher's official site: Brown Enough podcast: Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts | Spotify Spotify | general listing via Podnews Podnews YouTube playlist for Brown Enough episodes: YouTube Twitter / X: @chris__rivas X (formerly Twitter)+1
In today's episode, I share a thoughtful piece from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review titled Silent Underground by Aryavandana. It's a gentle yet powerful reflection on the unseen roots of our practice—the quiet, often unnoticed ways that mindfulness and compassion take hold beneath the surface of our daily lives. Much like roots growing in the dark, our practice doesn't always announce itself, but over time, it nourishes a steadier, more grounded way of being. Take a few minutes to explore how what's unseen within you may be shaping something truly beautiful. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
The day is coming to an end for the small port town of Cabusao, with most bamboo boats securely tied to the seawall bordering the makeshift and cement homes of the people to restless horizon of the San Miguel Bay. High tide approaches, so two biologists take a battered old tricycle to catch their boat home before the waves get too strong for their ride to dock safely for boarding. From the guttural sputtering of the old motorcycle to the bendy creaking of the rusty carriage, imagine the fish port moving past you all while sitting still. Recorded in the Philippines by Timothy Romero.
In today's Tricycle Tuesday, we explore the article The Economy of Grace, a reflection on the quiet abundance that arises when we shift from striving to allowing. Rather than measuring life through effort and achievement, this piece invites us to recognize the grace that is already present—flowing through our relationships, our practice, and the simple moments we often overlook. Join me as we consider what it means to live not from scarcity, but from a place of openness, receptivity, and trust. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
Hey, my friend. It's been a while since we have had an actual meditation. So today I thought I would combine the best of two worlds; meditation and Tricycle Tuesday. :0) This one was written by Ayya Santacitta, and is a perfect session for helping us cultivate stillness and the ability to slow down. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
In this episode of Zen Commuter, I share reflections inspired by a recent Tricycle article on connecting with the root of our being. Lately, I've been reminded that the places, roles, and things we associate with "home" are only temporary expressions of something much deeper. The real root isn't somewhere outside of us—it's the quiet, steady presence that's always been there, beneath our thoughts, beneath our memories, beneath even our sense of identity. When we take time to pause and reconnect with that part of ourselves, there's a profound sense of peace and belonging that doesn't depend on circumstances. Join me as I explore what it means to come home—not to a place, but to the truest part of who we are. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
Julie Nelson has been practicing Zen Buddhism for more than 20 years. Along the way, she was deemed accomplished enough and dedicated enough to become a teacher in the Soto tradition. Hence her other name, Seido Sensei. She has contributed articles to Tricycle magazine, writes on her own blog, and she's the author of a book titled Practicing Safe Zen: Navigating the Pitfalls on the Road to Liberation. She is also an emeritus professor of economics from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, has two kids and two grandkids, and lives in New Hampshire. In Julie's own words: “her spiritual home is the Greater Boston Zen Community, a group that experienced three waves of teacher abuses of power. She is deeply saddened when people, either in addition to or instead of realizing benefits from their work with a spiritual teacher, suffer great harm.” The central focus of this conversation is the vital importance ethical behavior among spiritual teachers, institutional accountability, and the protection of vulnerable students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drawing inspiration from a recent Tricycle magazine article, this episode explores the powerful metaphors we unconsciously use to describe our lives—and how they influence the way we suffer, grow, and find freedom. When we examine the stories and images we live by, we discover new ways to relate to challenge, identity, and change. By choosing more liberating metaphors, we loosen old constraints and open to a life lived with greater clarity and compassion. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
Hey my good friend, thanks for coming back to another episode of Zen Commuter. Today, upon returning from a hiatus, I thought it would be a perfect day to talk about Right Speech. And the best way to do that is with an article from Tricycle magazine. Sensei Dhara Kowal wrote a perfect article that talks about what tricycle does best; putting ancient context into a modern light. Come listen and learn. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
The Mercy Ships crew first met Edgar as he waited patiently in line for an eye screening.
In this episode, I sit down with Eli Rubel, CEO of Profit Lab, an organization specializing in finance, strategic planning, and bookkeeping services for agencies. Eli discusses his journey from chasing the dream of taking a company public to prioritizing financial freedom and personal happiness, which he calls the 'tricycle lifestyle.' He talks about the importance of profit goals, the intricacies of running multiple companies, and strategies for achieving high profit margins in the agency world. Learn about the agency cycle of sadness, the significance of clear financial metrics, and Eli's playbook for growing agencies successfully. Stick around for insights into managing work-life balance, setting non-negotiables, and navigating the challenges of scaling a business. Connect with Eli on LinkedIn and subscribe to his newsletter 'The Profit Forecast' for more actionable strategies.00:47 Eli's Motivation and the 'Tricycle Lifestyle'03:35 Building and Growing Agencies06:07 Challenges and Lessons Learned09:06 Non-Negotiables and Personal Milestones13:37 Financial Strategies and Profitability25:33 Growth Playbook and Marketing StrategiesConnect with Eli: • Folks can connect with me on Linkedin: Eli Rubel and subscribe to my free newsletter where I send actionable nuggets for agency owners every week. Profit Labs: www.profit-labs.co - bookkeeping, accounting, and strategic finance for agency owners.SurveyGate: www.surveygate.co collect client feedback automatically to reduce churn and increase retention. Matter Made: www.mattermade.co paid media and performance marketing for B2B SaaS technology companies. NoBoringDesign: www.noboringdesign.com marketing design subscriptions, web design, and brand for businesses who want to stand out.Agency Resource https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gQ303hecl1VjNAjJdTxI-WNTfECvEHUSBzJOfw87lPg/edit?gid=1651481327#gid=1651481327Eli's newsletter: https://www.newsletter-signup.com/the-profit-forecast/Connect with Raul: • Work with Raul: https://dogoodwork.io/apply • Free Growth Resources: https://dogoodwork.io/resources• Connect with Raul on LinkedIn (DMs open): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dogoodwork/
Pour trouver le nom de son mythique espion, l'écrivain Ian Fleming s'est inspiré du nom d'un ornithologue américain. Il stockait d'ailleurs l'un de ses livres dans sa résidence secondaire de Jamaïque. Et vous connaissez tous son nom... GoldenEye. Ça c'est pour le nom de 007 mais pour le personnage, Fleming s'est aussi inspiré d'un homme, un vrai espion ! Il n'était pas Britannique mais Serbe. Et il s'appelait Dusko Popov... Dans "Ah Ouais ?", Florian Gazan répond en une minute chrono à toutes les questions essentielles, existentielles, parfois complètement absurdes, qui vous traversent la tête. Un podcast RTL Originals.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Stugotz starts the podcast with a sports update, including the news of Jakobi Meyers getting traded. Izzy questions whose team the Lakers are — Luka's or LeBron's? If the Lakers were a bicycle, who would be which part? And finally, we redraft the 2019 NBA Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stugotz starts the podcast with a sports update, including the news of Jakobi Meyers getting traded. Izzy questions whose team the Lakers are — Luka's or LeBron's? If the Lakers were a bicycle, who would be which part? And finally, we redraft the 2019 NBA Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ralph H. Craig III about his beginnings as a scholar of Buddhism, background in yoga practice, his work on Mahāyāna Buddhism, reading the Lotus Sūtra, Buddhist preachers (dharmabānaka), and more. We also preview his upcoming online course, BS 113 | Mahāyāna Buddhism, which will explore these issues in more depth.Speaker BioRalph H. Craig III is an interdisciplinary scholar of religion, whose research focuses on South Asian Buddhism and American Buddhism. He received his B.A. in Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University and his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Stanford University. His research interests include memoir, popular culture, yoga/meditation theory, religious experience and authority. He works with textual materials in Sanskrit, Pāli, Buddhist Chinese and Classical Tibetan. His work has appeared in the journals American Religion, Buddhist-Christian Studies, and the Japanese Journal of Religious Studies; in Lion's Roar and Tricycle magazines; on the American Academy of Religion's Reading Religion website; and the 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha. His first book was Dancing in My Dreams: A Spiritual Biography of Tina Turner (Eerdmans Publishing, 2023) which explores the place of religion in the life and career of Tina Turner and examines her development as a Black Buddhist teacher. Among other forthcoming projects, his next book project is a monograph on preachers in Mahāyāna Buddhist sūtras.Episode LinksBS 113 | Mahāyāna Buddhismhttps://rhcraig.comDancing in My Dreams: A Spiritual Biography of Tina Turner (2023)
In this episode, we sit down with multi-hyphenate storyteller Christopher Rivas — actor, writer, Buddhist practitioner, and host of the Brown Enough podcast. We dive deep into themes of identity, race, belonging, and what it means to “live in the middle space.” Christopher shares his journeys into Buddhism, the stories behind his creative work (including Brown Enough and Rubirosa), and how life, art, and spiritual practice intersect for him. ✨ Guest Bio & Links Christopher Rivas is an actor, author, playwright, and podcast host known for exploring issues of race, culture, identity, and transformation. Christopher Rivas He hosts the Brown Enough podcast, where he explores what it means to navigate “brownness” in a Black/white world. Brown Enough Podcast He also created Rubirosa, a documentary-style story about Porfirio Rubirosa (a Dominican figure many believe inspired James Bond). Rubirosa Podcast Key writings in Tricycle Magazine Christopher regularly contributes essays to Tricycle. A few notable ones: Non-Self Storage — reflection on attachment, possessions, and letting go Tricycle: The Buddhist Review I Think the Clock Is Broken — on time anxiety, meditation, and being present Always Lie When Someone Asks If You Meditate — an unconventional take on how practice begins (and how we show up) Social & Web Links Christopher's official site: Brown Enough podcast: Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts | Spotify Spotify | general listing via Podnews Podnews YouTube playlist for Brown Enough episodes: YouTube Twitter / X: @chris__rivas X (formerly Twitter)+1
Today's episode features Ralph De La Rosa. Ralph was the author of three books, including Outshining Trauma: A New Vision of Radical Compassion (foreword by Richard Schwartz). He was a psychotherapist in private practice and a longtime meditation teacher known for his radically honest and humorous approach. His work was featured in GQ, CNN, NY Post, Tricycle, Mindful Magazine, and beyond.Perhaps most crucial is that Ralph walked the path of outshining trauma alongside the people he worked with. He was a survivor of PTSD, heroin addiction, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, and liver failure. Walking through these matters with the help of profound therapists and mentors became an empowerment no school could have offered. It was simply part of his path to offer back what he had been shown.Ralph mentored personally with Richard Schwartz, founder of the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy, known for its efficacy in healing trauma. He also completed an invite-only advanced teacher training with Jack Kornfield.He began practicing meditation in 1996 and trained in a spectrum of yogic and healing traditions, including devotional Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. Ralph began teaching Buddhist-inspired meditation in 2008. He identified as a practitioner and teacher of human spirituality, offering a highly specialized hybrid of IFS and Buddhism to guide students on a direct path of conscious evolution and self-discovery.As a therapist, Ralph was a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University. He spent his earliest days working in NYC's clinical foster care system where he trained in multiple modalities of trauma-focused therapy. He maintained a small roster of therapy clients for the love of witnessing transformation up close.Ralph was also an intersectional activist, musician, wannabe acrobat, and outdoor enthusiast, who made his home in Seattle, WA. His teachings and writings continue to inspire and support people navigating trauma and transformation.Some of the topics we covered in this episode include:A beginning guided meditationWhat drew Ralph to IFSOverlaps with ACT and IFSThe value of living with an open heartAnd Ralph guides me through some experiential IFS work—————————————————————————Outshining Trauma: https://a.co/d/cQ8kREn—————————————————————————Thank you all for checking out the episode! Here are some ways to help support Mentally Flexible:Sign up for PsychFlex through the Mentally Flexible link! PsychFlex.com/MentallyFlexibleYou can help cover some of the costs of running the podcast by donating a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/mentallyflexiblePlease subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It only takes 30 seconds and plays an important role in being able to get new guests.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentally-flexible/id1539933988Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallyflexible/Check out my song “Glimpse at Truth” that you hear in the intro/outro of every episode: https://tomparkes.bandcamp.com/track/glimpse-at-truthCheck out my new album, Holding Space! https://open.spotify.com/album/0iOcjZQhmAhYtjjq3CTpwQ?si=nemiLnELTsGGExjfy8B6iw
Believe it or not, consistency is one of the hardest parts of a meditation practice; setting time each day to sit in stillness. As a single man, it's easier for me, than say, a parent with young children. However, Tricycle would have you believe it's still possible for parents to keep up with their practice, as long as they adapt how they meditate. Thankfully, Sumi Loundon Kim has some great ideas about exactly how to adapt your mindfulness practice. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
My guest this week is Ann Tashi Slater, who for decades has written about her Tibetan American heritage and about Buddhism in Western society for the New Yorker, the Paris Review, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, among other outlets. Her brand new book, “Traveling in Bardo:The Art of Living in an Impermanent World,” helps us find meaning, happiness, and hope in an impermanent world. Ann is also a contributing editor at Tricycle, the Buddhist review, and her work has been included in the best American essays. She is joining us today from her home in Tokyo.We covered:- Reconnecting with her Tibetan and Buddhist heritage after growing up in the States- Using the things you're obsessed with as fodder for writing- Why there are so many empty houses in Tokyo- How having kids helped become more productive, much to her surprise- How her writing practice is like “Top Chef”- The simple practice that helps her get ready to writeConnect with Ann @AnnTashiSlater on Instagram, Facebook, Blue Sky, and LinkedIn, or at anntoshislater.com.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening!And thanks to this week's sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While I don't know the exact demographic of Zen Commuter listeners, I have confidence in saying that many of you are my chronological peers. To that end, today's article from Tricycle will resonate with you as well. Even though I don't fully embrace all the sentiments of the article, it did resonate on the major points. What is the obfuscated topic for today? Aging. Come listen. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
In this episode of Zen Commuter, I read Mark Unno's essay “Blind Passions,” a powerful reflection on how unseen desires shape our lives and our practice. Together, we'll explore how passion can cloud our vision, but also how, when understood, it can become a doorway to deeper awareness and compassion. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
While the days have yet to capture that wonderfully crisp Autumn breeze, my mailbox tells me that it is indeed Fall. Well, at least it's on its way; as evidenced by the latest edition of Tricycle Magazine. Without checking the author first, I selected the article that piqued my interest the most. What a wonderful surprise to know it was a familiar name, Christopher Rivas. He is a writer, actor, podcaster and most importantly, a genuinely kind and loving person. His article about holding on to things (at the least), is a wonderful reminder to rethink how we view collecting. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show If this conversation inspired you, please share it using the social media buttons on the page. Be a part of the show!
Riche, variée, infinie, gourmande, universelle, économe, locale, saisonnière, totalement ludique et réjouissante ! La cuisine végétarienne en a sous la pétale ; géniale, elle se mêle à toutes les marmites du monde. En galettes de légumineuses, en poudre, en pièce maîtresse et en accompagnement, le végétal à table nous régale. « Le vivant même est questionné selon les endroits de la planète. La « définition » de la cuisine végétarienne est centrée à l'endroit où on est né et selon nos habitudes. La singularité de la cuisine végétarienne est que l'on va raisonner autrement : la pièce centrale de l'assiette sera l'aubergine, les herbes à côté, et les fans de radis conservés au frigo, le secret c'est d'avoir plus de variétés pour créer le goût. » Estérelle Payany. « Au restaurant, j'ouvre d'abord mes frigos, je regarde ce que j'ai et ce que je peux faire avec. À partir du moment où c'est un exercice, même un petit défi quand la question est : qu'est-ce qu'on fait pour faire un très bon plat avec ce qu'il y a là ?! La cuisine végétarienne vient peut-être de ces habitudes et raisonnements-là. C'est une cuisine représentée dans les cuisines du monde entier », Julie Bavant. Avec - Estérelle Payany, journaliste, critique gastronomique, cuisinière et autrice de « Cuisine végétarienne », aux éditions Flammarion. - Julie Bavant, cheffe du restaurant Pistil, 12 rue de Lechevin, Paris 11ème. Suivre Julie. « Entre les cuissons, les découpes, les conservations, la diversité, en fait il y a autant de textures possibles dans un légume, l'univers de la viande culinairement parlant, il est beaucoup plus pauvre. La texture, et puis les condiments : miso, sauce soja, les sirops, le sel, la fermentation, les huiles végétales, et c'est là que l'assaisonnement joue un rôle particulièrement important. Une fois que vous avez compris les bases et la grammaire, vous pouvez créer ce que vous voulez ! » Pour aller plus loin - Dans l'émission, il est question de ce piment fumé : Pimenton de la vera, si vous le cherchez, c'est ainsi que son nom est écrit - Les mémoires d'Hadrien, de Marguerite Yourcenar - Jérusalem, de Yotam Ottolenghi et Sami Tamimi, Hachette Cuisine - So Nat, de Zohra Levacher, éditions Ulmer - Légumes, de Jeremy Fox, éditions Phaïdon - La cantine vagabonde, de Leila Djeddi, éditions Solar - Cuisine indienne végétarienne, éditions Phaïdon - Cuisine indienne vegan, de Natacha et Yasmine Tourabi, éditions Solar - Vegan World, de Alice Pagès, éditions Ulmer - Ma cuisine végétale, de Cheynese Khachame, éditions Solar - Céréales, de Manon Fleury, éditions Flammarion - Bien des astuces et des recettes savoureuses sur la page la Guinguette d'Angèle : la page d'Angèle Ferreux Maeght - Alain Passard : le chef de l'Arpège, restaurant 3 étoiles au Guide Michelin, a annoncé en juillet 2025 que ses menus seraient désormais entièrement végétariens. Cuisines végétales – quelques adresses - So Nat, 5 rue Bourdaloue, Paris 9ème - Faubourg Daimant et Daimant Saint Honoré, 20 rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris 9è - Bep Viet, 14 rue Caillaux, Paris 13è - Jah Jah by le Tricycle. Afro Vegan, 11 rue des Petites Écuries, Paris 10è - Hododa, 15 rue de l'Évêché, à Marseille - Mauvaise herbe bistrot, 6 rue Haxo, à Marseille - Like an elephant, 11 montée Saint-Sébastien, Lyon 1er. Programmation musicale : The Wandering À ceux qui chercheraient le mouvement sous la voix du chef Passard dans le générique : Vivaldi, Les Quatre Saisons, «L'Été», concerto pour violon en sol mineur, numéro 2. En images
I am excited to share this conversation with Henry Shukman, a Zen master in the Sanbo Zen lineage and spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Henry is the co-founder of The Way meditation app and founder of the Original Love meditation program. He is the author of the books, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening and One Blade of Grass: A Zen Memoir, among other award-winning and bestselling books of poetry and fiction. He has taught meditation at Google and Harvard Business School and taught poetry at the Institute of American Indian Arts. His poetry has appeared in the New Yorker and the Guardian and his essays in the New York Times, Outside, and Tricycle. Henry has a master's degree from Cambridge and a master of letters degree from St. Andrews. As this biographical summary makes obvious, it's not like Henry hasn't been quite "discoverable", as a writer and meditation teacher but I only recently "discovered" him. And once I did, he has had a profound influence on me, as both a teacher and writer. In my conversation with him, I'll talk more about how I discovered him on Sam Harris' Waking Up app and how he became a primary teacher to me—even though we've never met—so stay tuned. In the conversation we talked about a wide range things, including: The "Four Inns on the Path of Awakening", the subtitle of his book Original Love (that is "Inns", as in lodging, or in this case, a refuge or shelter on the path of meditation): Mindfulness, support, absorption, and awakening. Meditation as a journey, or path, rather than an intervention—as Henry said, "a journey of a lifetime." Kensho or seeing the timeless, primordial or non-dual awareness that is the core of our very being. The importance of support in your practice, whether it is a teacher, community, or friend. Absorption or flow states in meditation. And the "love" Henry refers to as something "endemic to our existence" … A great sense of belonging or union with everything. … And much more I know you will enjoy this conversation and Henry's clear, authentic, and gentle teaching style that I suspect will influence you, too, to bring more of Henry's guidance into your Dharma and meditation practice.
Duško Popov, né en 1912 en Serbie, est un personnage aussi réel que fascinant. Avocat de formation, polyglotte, séducteur invétéré, amateur de voitures de luxe et de casinos, il fut surtout un espion double, voire triple, pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. C'est lui qui aurait inspiré à Ian Fleming le célèbre personnage de James Bond.Popov est recruté dès 1940 par les services secrets allemands, l'Abwehr. Mais il accepte cette mission dans le but de servir les Alliés. Rapidement, le MI6 britannique le repère et l'enrôle comme agent double. Son nom de code : "Tricycle", parce qu'il gérait plusieurs sources… ou, selon la légende, pour sa vie amoureuse à trois.Là où Popov devient un personnage-clé de l'Histoire, c'est qu'il réussit à duper les nazis pendant toute la guerre. Il leur transmet de fausses informations préparées par les Britanniques, jouant un rôle essentiel dans les opérations de désinformation précédant notamment le Débarquement.Mais Popov n'était pas un simple bureaucrate de l'ombre. Il menait une vie digne d'un roman d'espionnage : séjours dans les plus grands hôtels, jeux de baccarat à Deauville ou Lisbonne, relations avec des femmes célèbres, dont, dit-on, l'actrice Simone Simon. C'est lors d'une de ces soirées à l'hôtel Casino Estoril, au Portugal, en 1941, qu'il attire l'attention de Ian Fleming, alors jeune officier du renseignement britannique. Popov mise l'équivalent de 40 000 dollars sur une seule main de baccarat, pour humilier un agent nazi — un coup de bluff spectaculaire qui impressionne profondément Fleming. Ce moment précis aurait inspiré la scène culte de "Casino Royale", premier roman de James Bond.Autre fait marquant : en 1941, Duško Popov informe le FBI qu'une attaque japonaise contre les États-Unis se prépare, visant potentiellement Pearl Harbor. Mais J. Edgar Hoover, directeur du FBI, n'aime pas les méthodes de Popov, qu'il trouve trop libertines… et ne donne pas suite à l'alerte.Après la guerre, Popov quitte le monde de l'espionnage. Il publie ses mémoires en 1974, intitulées Spy/Counterspy, où il raconte ses missions, son double jeu et ses rencontres avec les plus hautes sphères des services secrets.En résumé, Duško Popov est un espion aussi séduisant qu'efficace, dont la vie a directement inspiré Ian Fleming pour créer James Bond : un homme de charme, de risque, de mystère — mais surtout, un maître dans l'art de tromper son monde. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.
On Day Five of our special Tricycle Week, we explore the article "Making Life Your Practice" by Ken McLeod—a deeply practical and inspiring reminder that spiritual growth doesn't just happen on the cushion. This piece reframes our everyday experiences—both the mundane and the messy—as the very terrain of awakening. In today's episode, I reflect on McLeod's powerful encouragement to drop the divide between “practice time” and “real life.” Whether we're standing in line, facing conflict, or simply washing dishes, every moment holds the potential to wake us up. When we bring awareness, presence, and intention to our daily activities, life itself becomes our path. What You'll Learn: How to dissolve the boundary between meditation and daily life Why ordinary moments can be powerful vehicles for transformation How to bring clarity, compassion, and mindfulness into everything you do Resources: Read the full article at Tricycle.org Looking to deepen your meditation practice? Visit the Zen Commuter website for resources, retreats, and inspiration. Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's ready to bring more presence into their life—and consider leaving a review to help others find the show. Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
This sharing draws from teachings of Andrew Olendzki's lovely short article, What's In A Word, Sati, from Tricycle and Bhikku Analayo's book, Satipatthana Meditation, both of which make clear that our usual understanding of the word mindfulness is inadequate for opening the true radical transformative potential inherent in the opening of a "mindful" mind. (Please excuse my misnaming of Bhikku Analayo as Ajahn Analayo in the talk. thanks!)
On Day Four of our special Tricycle Week, we explore the article "Knowing the Three Fortresses," a compelling piece that offers a fresh lens on inner resilience and spiritual grounding. Drawing from traditional Buddhist teachings, the article introduces the concept of the Three Fortresses—Powerful antidotes to distraction, confusion, and self-doubt on the path of practice. In today's episode, I share reflections on how these fortresses serve as both refuge and rallying point—helping us meet the challenges of daily life with steadiness, awareness, and compassion. Whether you're navigating a tough moment or simply trying to stay centered in your practice, this teaching will give you tools to return home to yourself. What You'll Learn: What the Three Fortresses are and how they can support your spiritual path How to apply their wisdom to your everyday life Why awareness, retreat, and reliance on the Dharma are vital in uncertain times Resources: Read the full article at Tricycle.org Want to deepen your meditation practice? Visit the Zen Commuter website for more resources and guidance. Share this episode with someone who could use a dose of calm and insight. Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Zen Commuter — Tricycle Week: "Knowing Contentment" by Myozan Ian Kilroy Welcome to another insightful installment of Tricycle Week on Zen Commuter! Today, we explore the wisdom of Myozan Ian Kilroy in his poignant article, Knowing Contentment. In a world constantly pushing us toward more — more success, more possessions, more striving — Kilroy's reflections offer a gentle yet powerful reminder of the peace found in appreciating what already is. We'll dive into how contentment is not complacency, but rather a deep awareness of enoughness. Through the lens of Buddhist practice, today's episode encourages us to pause, reconnect with our present experience, and discover the calm that arises from letting go of craving. Whether you're commuting, walking, or simply taking a mindful break, this episode is an invitation to slow down and rediscover the joy of sufficiency.
Welcome to day two of Tricycle Week on Zen Commuter, where we continue exploring transformative insights from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Today's featured article is The Power of a Quiet Life by Lewis Richmond. In this thoughtful reflection, Richmond reminds us that simplicity and stillness are not just retreats from the world but powerful foundations for inner strength and clarity. Join me as we dive into how cultivating a quieter life can lead to deeper presence, peace, and purpose. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
It's Tricycle Week here on Zen Commuter, a time when we explore wisdom from the pages of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Today's episode features a powerful article by Venerable Pannavati titled Encourage Others by Overcoming Your Own Suffering. In it, she shares insight into how our personal healing can become a source of strength and support for those around us. Tune in to discover how facing your own suffering with compassion can inspire others on their path toward peace. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Julie Seido Nelson is a transmitted teacher (Sensei) in the Maezumi Roshi Zen lineage. Her home Zen community is the Greater Boston Zen Center, a sangha which has experienced three major upheavals due to teacher arrogance and abuses of power over the last several years. She is also a teacher at the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, and has written for Buddhist audiences in Tricycle magazine and on her blog. Having begun Zen practice in 2004, she has found it to be of immense value. She is deeply saddened when people, either in addition to or instead of realizing the benefits, suffer great harm. When not reflecting writing about Zen, she sometimes writes and give talks based on her pre-retirement academic work as a feminist and ecological economist. She enjoys visiting her two children and two grandchildren and enjoying the New England outdoors. Books: Practicing Safe Zen: Navigating the Pitfalls on the Road to Liberation (Monkfish, 2025) Amazon Indie Pubs Economics for Humans (University of Chicago Press, 2nd ed. 2018) Website: julieanelson.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded May 11, 2025
Mushim Patricia Ikeda is an internationally-known secular mindfulness and Buddhist teacher working primarily with justice activists and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) meditation practitioners and with people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. A core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, California, she is an author whose writing has been published in Lion's Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma and various anthologies. Mushim was selected by Lion's Roar Buddhist media magazine as one of twenty-six "Great Buddhist Teachers" in the January 2022 issue. Connect with Mushim at:Website: www.mushimikeda.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/mushim.ikedaBluesky: mushimikedaX / Twitter: @MushimCA1Instagram: mushimikedaLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mushim-patricia-ikeda-5307279/
We discuss the metaphor of the "tricycle of faith": Scripture, tradition, and personal experience. Which of these three wheels is most important to you? Does it matter which of these serves as the front wheel, thereby steering the whole operation? Ogun and Bryan press this metaphor as far as it will go, until the wheels nearly come off. Tune in as we suggest other metaphors as well. We also discuss pickle ball and whether getting high can augment one's religious experience.
Next week on Zen Commuter, we begin our popular Tricycle Week, a five-episode series where we explore and reflect on selected articles from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. It's a listener favorite and a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the teachings of contemporary Buddhist writers. Today's episode offers a preview with “The Kamma of Goodwill” by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, first published in 2022. In this thoughtful piece, we explore three key ideas: how goodwill is an intentional and skillful kamma (or action) that shapes our inner and outer world, why true goodwill requires wisdom and discernment rather than blind acceptance, and how developing this quality supports both personal peace and wise engagement with others. Be sure to tune in next week for a full week of insight and inspiration from the pages of Tricycle. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Secular & Buddhist teacher Mushim Patricia Ikeda in convo with Rev. Liên on how mature practice can help us deal with the current conditions of our world.GUESTMushim Patricia Ikeda is an internationally-known secular mindfulness and Buddhist teacher working primarily with justice activists and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) meditation practitioners and with people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. A core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland, California, she is an author whose writing has been published in Lion's Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma and various anthologies. Mushim was selected by Lion's Roar Buddhist media magazine as one of twenty-six "Great Buddhist Teachers" in the January 2022 issue. Connect with Mushim at:Website: www.mushimikeda.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/mushim.ikedaBluesky: mushimikedaX / Twitter: @MushimCA1Instagram: mushimikedaLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mushim-patricia-ikeda-5307279/HOST:REV. LIÊN SHUTT (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society's reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org. Her new book, Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. See all her offerings at EVENTS
Welcome to Zen Commuter and day five of Tricycle Week! Today, we're exploring a challenge many meditators face—the uneasy relationship with the timer. Whether it's impatience, restlessness, or the feeling that the minutes are stretching endlessly, the ticking clock can sometimes feel like an obstacle rather than a guide. But what if we could change our perspective and learn to sit with that discomfort? In this episode, we'll discuss how to become more comfortable with the timer in meditation and what it reveals about our minds. Plus, we'll feature a reading of I Think the Clock Is Broken by Christopher Rivas, offering insights into time, presence, and the art of letting go. Let's learn to embrace the practice—one moment at a time. Topics Covered: Persistent Time Anxiety During Meditation: Despite years of practice, Rivas often experiences a nagging suspicion that his meditation timer has malfunctioned, leading to an urge to check the clock. This recurring doubt underscores a common struggle with time perception during meditation. The Illusion of Control and Fear of Letting Go: Rivas identifies this anxiety as stemming from a deeper desire for control and a fear of uncertainty. He suggests that the discomfort with an indefinite meditation period reflects a broader discomfort with unpredictability in life. Societal Conditioning Linking Time to Productivity: He critiques societal norms that equate time with productivity, observing that this mindset can make stillness feel counterproductive. Rivas proposes that embracing meditation without strict time constraints can serve as an act of rebellion against this pervasive cultural narrative. Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Welcome to Zen Commuter and day four of Tricycle Week! Today, we're diving into a topic that challenges the way we see productivity and rest—laziness. Is laziness a real obstacle, or is it simply a rejection of society's constant push to always be moving? We'll explore the three aspects of laziness and question whether what we call “being lazy” is actually an intentional choice to be rather than do. Plus, we'll feature a reading from Working on Laziness by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, offering a deeper perspective on how mindfulness helps us navigate our relationship with effort and ease. Let's reframe laziness and uncover what it really means to live with purpose. Topics Covered: ✅ Definitions of the three types of laziness ✅ The understanding that laziness might be a response to societal expectations ✅ How to evaluate if laziness is real or imagined in your body. Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Welcome to Zen Commuter and day three of Tricycle Week! Today, we're tackling a challenge that tests even the most mindful among us—dealing with toxic people. Whether it's a difficult coworker, a critical family member, or someone who constantly drains your energy, these interactions can leave us feeling powerless and frustrated. But here's the truth: our inner peace doesn't have to be at their mercy. In this episode, we'll explore how mindfulness helps us safeguard our power, and respond with compassion instead of reaction. Let's learn how to keep our calm—even in the presence of chaos. Topics Covered: ✅ Origins and Expansion of Mindfulness Practices: The article traces the development of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from its inception by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979 to its widespread application in adult mental health. ✅ Introduction of Mindfulness in Educational Settings: It discusses the rationale behind implementing mindfulness programs in schools, aiming to address rising mental health issues among adolescents by teaching them mindfulness techniques. ✅ Evaluation of the MYRIAD Study's Findings: The article analyzes the outcomes of the MYRIAD trial, the largest study on adolescent mindfulness programs, which revealed unexpected results, including potential ineffectiveness and possible adverse effects for some students. Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Welcome to Zen Commuter and day two of Tricycle Week! Today, we dive into an important question: Is meditation truly beneficial for young students? Across the country, schools have introduced mindfulness programs with the hope of improving focus, reducing stress, and fostering emotional well-being. But do these programs actually deliver on their promise? We'll explore key research, including insights from Emma Varvaloucas' article, Classroom Mindfulness Put to the Test, which examines the largest study to date on mindfulness in schools. Are these programs helping, or do they come with unintended consequences? Let's uncover the science behind meditation in the classroom. Topics Covered: ✅ Origins and Expansion of Mindfulness Practices: The article traces the development of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from its inception by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979 to its widespread application in adult mental health. ✅ Introduction of Mindfulness in Educational Settings: It discusses the rationale behind implementing mindfulness programs in schools, aiming to address rising mental health issues among adolescents by teaching them mindfulness techniques. ✅ Evaluation of the MYRIAD Study's Findings: The article analyzes the outcomes of the MYRIAD trial, the largest study on adolescent mindfulness programs, which revealed unexpected results, including potential ineffectiveness and possible adverse effects for some students. Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Welcome to Tricycle Week on Zen Commuter! I'm kicking things off with a reading from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, featuring Thich Nhat Hanh's insightful article, "Listening to Our Ancestors." In this episode, we explore how connecting with our spiritual and familial lineage can bring wisdom, healing, and a deeper sense of peace. Tune in to reflect on the presence of those who came before us and how their guidance can shape our journey today. Topics Covered: ✅ Three Practices to cultivate listening ✅ Using “The Bell” to help us become mindful ✅ Thoughts on embracing our “wounded child” Meditation Coaching Schedule Time with Thom (Complimentary consultation) THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of the Show 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. Be a part of the show! Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter Email: thom@zencommuter.com Instagram: @thom_walters Twitter: @thom_walters Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter Donate: Support the Podcast! Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Rate and review us in Apple Podcasts! zencommuter.com/review
Psychologists Off The Clock: A Psychology Podcast About The Science And Practice Of Living Well
Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it's a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what's behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it. We're talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it's not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier. This isn't just about managing parental stress—it's about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you've ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It's a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference. Listen and Learn: What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together? How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable? Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what's fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life? The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress. How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections Resources: Yael's website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/ Connect with Yael on socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/ http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/ Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General's New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news About Yael Schonbrun Yael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others. Related Episodes: 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie! 146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health 379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/ 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Psychologists Off The Clock: A Psychology Podcast About The Science And Practice Of Living Well
Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it's a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what's behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it.We're talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it's not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier.This isn't just about managing parental stress—it's about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you've ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It's a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference.Listen and Learn: What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together? How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable? Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what's fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life? The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress. How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections Resources: Yael's website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/ Connect with Yael on socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/ http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/ Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General's New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news About Yael SchonbrunYael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others.Related Episodes: 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie! 146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health 379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/ 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Cultivating resilience in the face of whatever comes up.Ethan Nichtern is the author of Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life's Eight Worldly Winds and several other titles, including the widely acclaimed The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path. A renowned contemporary Buddhist teacher and the host of The Road Home Podcast, Nichtern has offered meditation and Buddhist psychology classes at conferences, meditation centers, yoga studios, and universities, including Brown, Yale, and NYU. He has been featured by CNN, NPR, the New York Times, Vogue, and Business Insider and has written for the Huffington Post, Beliefnet, Lion's Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and more. He lives in Brooklyn. Visit him online at http://www.EthanNichtern.com.In this episode we talk about:Authentic vs performative confidenceThe line between humility and confidenceA Buddhist list called the Eight Worldly WindsA slew of little practices you can do in order to boost your confidence (or resilience or equanimity)The meaning of self-confidence in a tradition that argues the self is an illusionRelated Episodes:A Buddhist Approach to Money Worries | Ethan NichternThe Dharma of the Princess Bride | Ethan NichternHow To Get Ahead At Work, Buddhist-Style | David Nichtern#574. Do You Feel Like an Imposter? | Dr. Valerie Young (Co-Interviewed by Dan's Wife, Bianca!)Sign up for Dan's weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/ethan-nichtern-819See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.