The Buddha described humanity as tangled like string, knotted like a ball of thread. This tangle is a result of not seeing clearly the dependent co-arising— paticca-samupadda-- of phenomena. This is one of the most important of the early teachings. It can be seen through the lens of individual dissatisfaction and of course, through social, political and cultural dissatisfaction.

Doug and Jon explore the teaching and how we bring it into our practice.

Doug and Jon explore various aspects of this important quality of equanimity.

We continue our discussion letting go- or not letting go and the suffering it causes.

In this episode we look at the Dukkha that arises from hoding on!

We practice Insight (Vipassana) Meditation but what does that really mean? In this episode, we discuss where the translation comes from and how what meditation practices are associated with it. We also make an important announcement.

What is Right Livelihood these days? In the early Buddhist teachings, some particular jobs wouldn’t qualify, which would undoubtedly be surprising today. Jon and Doug take some time to digest all this.

The Buddha’s teaching on Mindfulness instructs us to contemplate internally, externally and both internally and externally. This relates all aspects of mindfulness, body, feeling tones, thoughts and emotions and all aspects of our experience. It’s a very important instruction and the last part of it is key. Doug and Jon discuss just what makes it so important.

Doug an Jon discuss freedom and free will? What is free will? Do we have it? And if not, what how are we ever free? Maybe the episode should be called Freedom OR Free Will?

Doug and Jon dig a little deeper in the the nature of Truthfulness and what it means to be authentic.

Buddha Nature is at term sometimes used to describe various qualities of mind. It is also a mis-used and at times even a controversial term in some Buddhist circles. We have a fun time discuss this term and other uses and mis-use of language to describe concepts and experiences.

Prompted by the stress of Jon’s inevitable move, Jon and Doug discuss the dukkha of clinging.

Jon and Doug discuss the Golden Rule!

How does courage show up for us in our practice and in our lives? When are we courageous and who’s courage do we respect. Jon and Doug look into this heart quaity.

Mental proliferation, papanca, is the topic of this show. Doug and Jon discuss how they work with the oh so common mental quality.

Jon and Doug have a perennial conversation about what meditation is and what’s special about the early Buddhist instructions on meditation.

Sammā-Vāyāma- RIght Effort is a key teaching in the Noble Eightfold path, and the teachings related to it can be rather challenging and Doug and Jon look into this.

Anicca,-impermanence- is now on display (kind of) at the Rubin Museum in New York. Doug and Jon discuss the sad new of the closing of this important museum and the nature of impermanence itself.

Let’s make sure our view is right! If we start the 8-Fold Noble Path without knowing where we are going , we will certainly get lost. Doug and Jon discuss what is Right View and how do we get to know it.

Doug and Jon get back to some basics. They never get old!

Doug and Jon get back to some basics. They never get old!