Jon and Doug have a chat with Ben Connelly, guiding teacher at the Minnesota Zen Center, who, along with many of the spiritual leaders in Minneapolis, has been actively engaged in the struggles with ICE and the support of the immigrant community.

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the news these days! How do we protect our minds and hearts? How much is too much?

As the Buddhist Monks walk from Fort Worth to Washington, Jon and Doug discuss walking meditation.

Doug and Jon discuss the role of investigation and curiosity in our practice and how we bring that into our lives.

Coming back to the Refuge of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, is a good way to start 2026.

It’s not always easy finding a dharma and meditation teacher. Jon and Doug discuss how to go about it, when is it important, and different types of teaching.

We are joined this week by the wonderful teacher and author Bodhipaksa to discuss his new book on the Four Divine Abodes.

This week we were invited to join Ajahns Kovila and Nisabho on their podcast from Clear Mountain Monastery for a lively discussion around “secular” and “sacred” practice .

This episode was recorded on Halloween, so Doug and Jon thought it would be a good idea to speak about the monsters of our mind.

Our mind is filled with so many stories, most of which get in the way of what’s really true. Doug and Jon, discuss the nature of the proliferating mind or in pali papañca

Jon and Doug discuss the heart quality of equanimity and how to avoid its near enemy indifference.

Practice can often be most helpful when things in our life go sideways. Jon and Doug discuss practice in the context of doctors, dentists, and hospital visits. 

We return again to the topic of meditation and discuss different styles, and traditions and the “right way” to meditate.

Jon and Doug discuss the concept of time in the Buddha’s teachings.

Jon and Doug have a conversation with the Israeli Dharma teacher and peace activitist Stephen Fulder on his work in Israel/Palestine over the last 40 plus years.

Practicing with others or practicing alone, what do you find to with a community. How is it different? Does it matter? Jon and Doug discuss this important question.

Doug and Jon discuss three key Factors of Awakening that can make a big difference in our practice

How does the habitual mind relate to consciousness and when does this become a problem. Jon and Doug discuss this final element of the five aggregates of clinging to self.

Volition, Formations, mental fabrications, constructions. . . . so many words to describe the wow of the mind and its potential karmic consequences.

Given the results of the US Election (not the outcome desired by Doug or Jon), how can our practice be a support.