Dr. Jay Michaelson is a meditation teacher, academic, and the author of several books including "The Gate of Tears: Sadness and the Spiritual Path". In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Jay discusses "The Gate of Tears" and its themes of sadness, grief, and loss on the path. They talk about the practice of co-existing with emotions without being swept away, whether spiritual practice actually makes people more compassionate, and the intersection of dharma practice with social justice. Li...
Oct 19, 2015•41 min
Culadasa (John Yates, Ph.D.) is the director of Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha in Tucson, Arizona and author of "The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Using Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science". He joins host Vincent Horn to discuss the themes in "The Mind Illuminated", and to describe how his life as a professor of physiology and neuroscience intersected with Buddhism. UPDATE: This is an edited version of a much longer interview. The rest of the interview--detailing the 10 stages of ...
Sep 26, 2015•29 min
Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. In his first visit to the podcast, Jack joins host Vincent Horn to describe the map of meditation practice called The Progress of Insight, and to share his thoughts on the many facets of awakening. Episode Links - Jack Kornfield [ http://www.jackkornfield.com ] - "A Pat...
Sep 20, 2015•52 min
Emily Horn and Vincent Horn are meditation teachers and partners in life and the Buddhist Geeks. In the final part of this reflective series, they explain events leading up to the current Buddhist Geeks Dojo project as well describe the forthcoming Fall Training Period (“FTP”) inside the Dojo. The FTP will be a chance to spend the entire month of October either establishing a regular practice, going deeper in your current one, or even practicing like your hair is on fire. The program details are...
Sep 13, 2015•22 min
Emily Horn and Vincent Horn are meditation teachers and partners in running the Buddhist Geeks organization. In the first part of this special series, Emily and Vincent describe the growth of Buddhist Geeks from a podcast to a conference to a community. They share some of the design principles that have shaped earlier projects and continue to shape their thinking today. And finally they do a live post-mortem analysis of their last project, the Buddhist Geeks Community. In the process they explor...
Sep 11, 2015•24 min
Evan Thompson is an author and philosopher in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, phenomenology, and cross-cultural philosophy. Continuing a discussion between Evan and host Vincent Horn, this episode moves into an exploration of sleep states and the themes in Evan’s book "Waking, Dreaming, Being". Describing characteristics of the hypnagogic state, common dreaming, lucid dreaming, and dreamless sleep, Evan shares some fascinating thoughts on the nature of consciousness and the ...
Aug 13, 2015•29 min
Evan Thompson is an author and philosopher in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, Phenomenology, and cross-cultural philosophy. Speaking with host Vincent Horn, Evan discusses his academic interest and background in Buddhist studies, and the intersections between Buddhist philosophy, contemplative practice, and cognitive science. This is part one of a two part series. Episode Links: Evan Thompson (http://evanthompson.me) "Waking, Dreaming, Being" (http://amzn.to/1P3PDD4) “Waking...
Aug 08, 2015•27 min
Adreanna Limbach is a meditation teacher with the Interdependence Project, and Lodro Rinzler is a practitioner and teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. In this conversation recorded during the 2015 Aspen-Snowmass Wanderlust Festival, host Vincent Horn, Lodro, and Adreanna discuss the challenges of making meditation accessible to a mainstream audience. Episode Links: Adreanna Limbach ( http://www.adreannalimbach.com ) Lodro Rinzler ( http://lodrorinzler.com ) How to Love Yourself (And Somet...
Jul 29, 2015•37 min
David Vago, Rael Cahn, and Sonia Sequeira are contemplative scientists and co-organizers of the upcoming conference called “Advances in Meditation Research: Genetics, Neuroscience and Clinical Applications”. The group joins host Vincent Horn to describe the themes that will be explored at the conference, the current state of meditation research, and how they each relate to the subject as practitioners and researchers. Episode Links: Advances in Meditation Research: Genetics, Neuroscience and Cli...
Jul 29, 2015•48 min
Michael Heim is an American author, educator, and Tai Chi instructor known as a philosopher of cyberspace and virtuality. In the conclusion to their conversation, host Vincent Horn and Michael discuss integrating the virtual with the physical. From the thought-experiment of performing a virtual Japanese Tea Ceremony to imagining a virtual Tai Chi experience, they explore how to use the new tools of virtuality to energize, heal, and make us whole. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to ...
Jul 29, 2015•19 min
Michael Heim is an American author, educator, and Tai Chi instructor known as a philosopher of cyberspace and virtuality. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Michael shares his insights on the intersection of philosophy and the world of Virtual Reality. He gives a brief history of commercial VR, provides updates on the third wave of VR development, and discusses the challenges we will face as physical creatures living in virtual worlds. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to p...
Jul 29, 2015•30 min
Carolyn Rose Gimian is the compiler and editor of The Collected Works of Chögyam Trungpa and the recently published Mindfulness in Action: Making Friends with Yourself through Meditation and Everyday Awareness. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Carolyn speaks about the role of mindfulness in the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, her relationship and work with Chögyam Trungpa, and her hopes & reflections on the future of the mindfulness movement in the West. Episode Links: Min...
Jul 29, 2015•32 min
The Buddhist Geeks Conference has been a meeting place for contemplative thinkers, scientists, and technology experts since 2011. During this Q&A for the Contemplative Technology panel from the 2014 conference, conference goers expand the conversation to include tech-induced human evolution and the possibility of shortcuts on the path to enlightenment. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: The Near Future of Contemplative Technology. Episode Links: www.VincentHorn.com ww...
Jul 29, 2015•47 min
The Buddhist Geeks Conference has been a meeting place for contemplative thinkers, scientists, and technology experts since 2011. In this panel discussion from the 2014 conference, Vincent Horn hosts a panel filled with contemplatives, technologists, and research scientists to discuss the past, present, and possible future of the field of Contemplative Technology. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Discussing Contemplative Technology. Episode Links: www.VincentHorn.com ww...
Jul 29, 2015•53 min
Vincent Horn is part of a new generation of teachers who are translating the wisdom traditions of the past into 21st century code. In this talk from a recent San Francisco Consciousness Hacking Meet-Up, Vincent introduces himself to the group and describes the questions that have led to a new project: Mindtraining.io. What does it mean to meditate in the digital age? What does the contemplative path look like right now and how do we want it to look? And finally, how do we bring the sacred and se...
Jul 29, 2015•34 min
Dr. Reggie Ray is an author, teacher, and the Spiritual Director for the Dharma Ocean Community. In the conclusion to a recent conversation with host Vincent Horn, Reggie shares his thoughts on technology and human development, transhumanism, and the danger of not being human enough. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one BG 357: Shikantaza Practice. Episode Links: Dharma Ocean ( http://www.dharmaocean.org ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...
Jul 29, 2015•33 min
Dr. Reggie Ray is an author, teacher, and the Spiritual Director for the Dharma Ocean Community. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Reggie discusses the Shikantaza practice he has developed. He describes the basic instructions and experience of Shikantaza, the Tibetan practice elements he has incorporated, and the powerful effects of this hybrid practice on the spiritual life. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Befriending the Human Experience. Episode Links: Dh...
Jul 29, 2015•36 min
Daniel Ingram is a Buddhist teacher and the author of Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha. In this keynote from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Daniel speaks on the visual, auditory, physical, and psychological phenomena referred to as powers, or siddhis. He provides examples of power manifestation, why and how powers appear, and the effects of powers on the individual and community levels. Episode Links : Daniel Ingram ( http://integrateddaniel.info ) Mastering the Core Teachings of ...
Jul 29, 2015•43 min
Susan Piver is a Buddhist teacher and a New York Times bestselling author. In this talk from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Susan relates the genesis of The Open Heart Project, dispels common misconceptions about meditation practice, and shares her insights on the development of online practice communities. Episode Links: www.SusanPiver.com The Open Heart Project ( http://susanpiver.com/open-heart-project/ ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...
Jul 29, 2015•46 min
Susan Kaiser Greenland developed the Inner Kids mindful awareness program for children, teens and their families. She is author of The Mindful Child: How to Help Your Kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate (Free Press, 2010). In this keynote from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Susan shares some of the tools she uses to connect with students and teachers, and the three important components to the Inner Kids training: worldview, practice, and community. Episode L...
Jul 29, 2015•42 min
Dr. Charles T. Tart has been involved with research and theory in the fields of Hypnosis, Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, Parapsychology, Consciousness and Mindfulness since 1963. In this keynote from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Dr. Tart shares research that supports the serious consideration of the paranormal and addresses the convergence of spirituality, science, and scientism. Episode Links: Charles T. Tart Home Page and Consciousness Library ( http://www.paradigm-sys.com ) The ...
Jul 29, 2015•42 min
Vincent Horn is a mind hacker & buddhist geek. In this keynote from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference Vincent explores the unbundling of components like meditation and mindfulness from contemporary Buddhism. He then explores the process of re-bundling and what the future of both Buddhist and Buddhist-inspired models may look like as new combinations of knowledge come together in novel, and sometimes timeless, ways. Episode Links : 🔗 www.VincentHorn.com 🖼 Buddhism Unbundled talk slides See...
Jul 29, 2015•32 min
JoAnna Harper is a Buddhist teacher with Against the Stream and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In this episode JoAnna joins host Emily Horn to explore inclusivity and diversity in the Buddhist community, starting with an examination of how the Buddha taught inclusivity in the first sanghas. The conversation expands to highlight teachings and strategies that help foster open communication in diverse groups, how to build environments where it’s safe to make mistakes when learning to communicate co...
Jul 29, 2015•33 min
Soryu Forall is a teacher and leader at the Center for Mindful Learning. The second part of Soryu’s conversation with host Vincent Horn delves into the spaces between tradition and innovation. Soryu shares his gratitude for the traditional teachings he learned in Asia, and explains how useful those teachings are today. This leads to an exchange of ideas on rebirth and karma, teaching secular mindfulness in schools, and exploring the feedback loops that lead to the end of feedback loops. This is ...
Jul 29, 2015•41 min
Soryu Forall is the Director of Mindfulness Education at the Center for Mindful Learning. He also leads a unique “modern monastery” training program for those who want to integrate awakening and responsibility. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Soryu describes life within the CML Residential program, what it means to come to an end of all feedback loops, and how awakening is directly linked to personal discipline and responsibility. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to par...
Jul 29, 2015•55 min
Mikey Siegel is a meditator, technologist, and pioneer in the field of “Enlightenment Engineering”. In this talk from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Mikey explores the idea that enlightenment can be engineered through the use of applied contemplative science. Presenting various examples of technology applicable to a contemplative path, he states enlightenment is real, science can quantify it, and technology can facilitate it. Therefore, Mikey asks, what better use of technology in the servi...
Jul 29, 2015•20 min
Robin Arnott is an indie game designer and interactive artist. In this presentation from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, he speaks about applying game design to meditation. Robin first explains how a state of trance is central to both the experience of meditation and the experience of game play. He then shows how game mechanics might be utilized in meditation practice to support a trance, and how these ideas are already being explored in the video game industry. Episode Links: SOUNDSELF ( ht...
Jul 29, 2015•18 min
Bodhipaksa is a Buddhist meditation teacher, author, and founder of Wildmind.org, an online meditation resource. In this talk from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Bodhipaksa explores ways to identify and correct “bugs” in traditional Buddhist teachings. Providing specific examples of bugs and solutions, he encourages the audience to personally use scholarship and experiential practice to verify teachings and stop clinging to incorrect understandings of Buddhist teachings. Episode Links: www....
Jul 29, 2015•24 min
Hokai Sobol is a teacher in the Shingon tradition of Japanese Vajrayana and a long time mentor to the Buddhist Geeks team. In this talk from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Hokai speaks about the relationship between imagination and Buddhism. He explains why imagination is important to spiritual practice, he gives examples of the creative process found in Buddhist tradition, and he presents an examination of the state of contemporary Buddhist Art. Episode Links: www.Hokai.info Hokai on Twitt...
Jul 29, 2015•41 min
John F. Simon is a visual artist and software programmer. In this talk from the 2014 Buddhist Geeks Conference, John shares how he uses the simple act of drawing as a powerful contemplative practice. Detailing the process and growth he’s experienced from daily drawing, he examines how his artistic practice has led to a spiritual practice that in turn feeds back into his creative process. Episode Links: www.iclock.com Every Icon Project ( http://www.numeral.com/eicon.html ) See Privacy Policy at ...
Jul 29, 2015•24 min
