Even a short 10-minute meditation has the power to calm your body and mind. Here’s a helpful guided meditation that in just 10 minutes a day can improve your well-being. Even though it's short, this is a complete meditation session including establishing proper meditation posture, motivating our meditation to be a force for good, stabilizing the mind on the breath, letting go of thoughts, cultivating beneficial thoughts, and a dedication to seal your meditation practice. A Guided 10 Minute Medit...
Jan 21, 2022•11 min
Two years ago, we created A Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment to share the rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhist analytical meditation in a form that requires no belief beyond what science currently accepts. The first 40 episodes of the podcast gradually go through all of these topics, in order, beginning with appreciating the gift of our life and our place in the universe, and gradually moving up to cultivating boundless compassion for all beings and understanding the ultimate nature of our inner an...
Jan 18, 2022•19 min
Soto Zen Teacher Ben Connelly leads a guided meditation integrating two ways of meditating in the spirit of the Yogacara tradition of Buddhism. Episode 98: Guided Meditation: Turning Towards with Ben Connelly From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and cultivate the deeper causes of a happy mind; connected, loving relationships; and a better world. It all happens in the beautifu...
Jan 11, 2022•28 min•Ep. 98
Soto Zen Teacher Ben Connelly joins us to explore the relationship between science and reality, whether karma really exists, and how to be a Buddhist activist while remaining unattached to "winning." In the process, Ben teaches us about the ancient Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu and what the Yogacara school of Buddhism teaches us about taming our minds. Episode 97: Esoteric and Everyday Buddhism with Ben Connelly From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at V...
Jan 04, 2022•48 min•Ep. 97
Dr. Rick Hanson shares powerful insights from neuroscience on how to practically embrace the positive in our lives and grow our extraordinary potential for inner happiness without denying any of our pain. While speaking authoritatively on contemplative neuroscience, Dr. Hanson also humbly compares our current knowledge of the brain to physics as it was 300 years ago, and shares tantalizing thoughts on where neuroscience might go in the coming years. Dr. Rick Hanson is a psychologist, Senior Fell...
Dec 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Dr. Robert Thurman touches on some of his most profound points in this special interview rebroadcast: from the nature of time, to what is enlightenment, to why there’s no evidence for “nothing.” He talked about what a psychonaut is and the importance of skepticism in Buddhism and in science. Please enjoy this wonderful conversation with one of the world’s greatest minds. The New York times calls Dr. Robert Thurman “the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism.” Professor Thurman is an intimat...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Lifelong human rights activist, writer, and Buddhist practitioner Kiri Westby guides us through a 10-minute guided meditation for fear, drawing upon her days working in war zones and her harrowing imprisonment in China. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming negative thoughts, phobias, fight or flight symptoms, a general feeling of fear, or just want to improve your well-being and relax your nervous system, this guided mindfulness meditation can help you let go of fear's grasp and find a sense...
Dec 14, 2021•10 min•Ep. 96
"In that moment, I literally let go of my life. I was sure that that was the end of my life. There was not a part of me that didn't think I was going to die in that moment." Lifelong human rights activist, writer, and Buddhist practitioner Kiri Westby spoke to us about how her Buddhist practice helped her through imprisonment in China and the role of Buddhism in her humanitarian mission. Hear how her Buddhist upbringing led to her making international headlines as an imprisoned activist in China...
Dec 07, 2021•47 min•Ep. 95
How does the Buddhist view on compassion help us think about COVID vaccine controversies? What do the Dalai Lama and the Pope have to say about vaccination? Without arguing for any one position, host Scott Snibbe and Producer Tara Anderson talk about how to stay loving and connected to people we disagree with, how to avoid "compassion fatigue," and how to (not) convince somebody to see things our way. Scott and Tara also share personal stories about growing up in an anti-vax household and decidi...
Nov 30, 2021•49 min•Ep. 94
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is one of the world’s most revered Buddhist teachers and one of the very first Westerners to become ordained into the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is best known for having lived in a remote cave in the Himalayas for 12 years. In this 10-minute meditation, she offers us the invitation to cultivate moment-to-moment inner awareness - the essence of meditation practice. Episode 93: Instructions on the Essence of Meditation Practice with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo - 10 Minute Medi...
Nov 23, 2021•11 min•Ep. 93
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is one of the world’s most revered Buddhist teachers and one of the very first Westerners to become ordained into the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is best known for having lived alone in a remote cave in the Himalayas for 12 years. She spoke with us about the role of women in Buddhism from a historical and contemporary lens, the nature of mind and simple, powerful ways to meditate in the modern world. Episode 92: Wisdom and the Path for Women with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo J...
Nov 16, 2021•51 min•Ep. 92
In today's meditation, we explore the idea of enlightenment: whether it’s possible, whether its seed is already within us, whether its an end or a beginning, and even whether it’s any fun. If enlightenment is transcending a narrow, separate sense of self, what might a taste of that expansive self feel like? Episode 91: Guided Meditation | The Possibility of Enlightenment From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes ...
Nov 09, 2021•33 min•Ep. 91
Is enlightenment really possible for people like you and me? Do we lose ourselves when we become enlightened? Are there people on earth who are enlightened right now? Buddhist scholar Dr. Jan Willis answers these questions and more as we explore what enlightenment (or awakening) really means. Episode 90: What is Enlightenment with Dr. Jan Willis Dr. Jan Willis has a distinguished career as a scholar and teacher of Buddhism that spans fifty years. She first met Tibetan Buddhists in India and Nepa...
Nov 02, 2021•46 min•Ep. 90
A 10-minute mindful awareness meditation led by NYT bestselling author and Buddhist meditation teacher Susan Piver. Encompassing mindfulness of breath, body, and mind, this meditation helps us relax into a peaceful present moment awareness. Episode 89: 10-Minute Mindful Awareness Meditation with Susan Piver Listen to our previous interview with Susan - Episode 88: Four Noble Truths of Love with Susan Piver. In this interview, shares her Four Noble Truths of Love, a framework for anybody to have ...
Oct 26, 2021•12 min•Ep. 89
NYT bestselling author and Buddhist meditation teacher Susan Piver shares her Four Noble Truths of Love, a framework anybody can use for deeper, more fulfilling, and more connected intimate relationships. Susan Piver is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including The Hard Questions : 100 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Say "I Do", the award-winning How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life , The Wisdom of a Broken Heart , and Start Here Now: An Open-Hearted Guide to the Path...
Oct 19, 2021•49 min•Ep. 88
Elaine Jackson guides a heart-warming Buddhist loving-kindness meditation (metta meditation). This meditation uses visualization to bring about our natural state of loving awareness for ourselves and all beings. In addition to today's meditation, Elaine joined us for an interview last week to talk about how to integrate the wisdom of Buddhism into our relationships. Ep. 86 - Buddhist Relationship Advice with Elaine Jackson. Ep. 87 - Buddhist Loving-Kindness Meditation with Elaine Jackson Elaine ...
Oct 12, 2021•27 min•Ep. 87
How do we integrate the wisdom of Buddhism into our intimate relationships? Elaine Jackson shares Buddhist relationship advice for navigating arguments selflessly, knowing when a relationship is over, dealing with divorce, how to meditate while parenting, and relating to a partner who's on a different spiritual path. Episode 86: Buddhist Relationship Advice with Elaine Jackson From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore anti...
Oct 05, 2021•57 min•Ep. 86
How can we use pleasure in our meditation practice? Buddhism offers specific techniques for meditating on pleasure as a way to deepen our qualities of concentration, fearlessness, loving-kindness, and even our understanding of the ultimate nature of reality. Episode 85: Guided Meditation on Pleasure Episode 84: Pleasure and Buddhism: Food, Sex and Netflix on the Path to Enlightenment From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explo...
Sep 28, 2021•24 min•Ep. 85
Pleasure is often viewed as a hindrance to the spiritual path, a hotbed of craving and attachment, but what if we told you that pleasure can actually be a positive part of the spiritual path, a portal to love and happiness? Episode 84: Pleasure and Buddhism: Food, Sex and Netflix on the Path to Enlightenment From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and cultivate the deeper causes...
Sep 21, 2021•30 min•Ep. 84
A daily meditation on the four levels of happiness in Buddhism. Investigate the varying depths of happiness you get from sensory pleasures, positive states of mind, meditation, and the very nature of reality. Episode 73: Guided Meditation: Four Levels of Happiness in Buddhism Episode 72: Four Kinds of Happiness with Sangye Khadro From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and culti...
Sep 14, 2021•30 min•Ep. 83
Explore the four kinds of happiness in Buddhism with Ven. Sangye Khadro (Kathleen McDonald). This episode offers an opportunity to reflect on where we derive our happiness from and how we can live happier lives by understanding how each kind of happiness relates to desire, attachment, compassion, and our own meditation practice. Episode 82: Four Kinds of Happiness with Sangye Khadro From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explor...
Sep 07, 2021•23 min•Ep. 82
A biologist and a Buddhist monk have a conversation on how science can make sense of rebirth, emptiness, and karma, the origins of consciousness and creativity, and how modern science's understanding of the nature of reality benefits from the wisdom of contemplative traditions. Rupert Sheldrake, PhD, is a biologist and author best known for his hypothesis of morphic resonance. At Cambridge University he worked in developmental biology as a Fellow of Clare College. He was Principal Plant Physiolo...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 81
Artificial intelligence expert Kristian Simsarian joins host Scott Snibbe to discuss how we can create ethical, unbiased and compassionate AI, whether we should be scared of AI, and the implications of AI on the future of work and spirituality. Kristian Simsarian has a Ph.D. in human-robot collaboration and worked as a Robotics and AI computer scientist before holding leadership positions at IDEO, the California College of the Arts, Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center and many other organizat...
Aug 24, 2021•44 min•Ep. 80
Take an expansive tour through the four foundations of mindfulness in this sweeping guided meditation with Dr. David Kittay: mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. Guided Meditation: Four Foundations of Mindfulness with Dr. David Kittay Listen to our previous interviews with Dr. David Kittay here: Episode 77: Buddhism and Technology (Part 1) Episode 78: Buddhism and Technology (Part 2) From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani In...
Aug 17, 2021•29 min•Ep. 79
Dr. David Kittay discusses science fiction, emptiness, whether life is a simulation, whether we should treat AI robots with compassion, and whether the singularity might be another term for enlightenment. Part 2 - Episode 78: Buddhism and Technology with Dr. David Kittay (Part 2) Part 1 - Episode 77: Buddhism and Technology with Dr. David Kittay (Part 1) From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear,...
Aug 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 78
Dr. David Kittay joins the show to talk about whether technologically assisted enlightenment is possible, the nature of time, whether our phones and our social media accounts have become part of ourselves, and how to deal with tech addiction. Dr. Kittay teaches philosophy, religion and technology at Columbia University, where his students call his courses "life-changing." Dr. Kittay is also an author, a translator and a Tibet House board member. His latest publication is the Vajra Rosary Tantra,...
Aug 03, 2021•41 min•Ep. 77
Host Scott Snibbe offers a touching personal talk and meditation on how to best love our parents and our children using powerful Buddhist teachings and techniques on understanding, listening, and compassion. Episode 76: Loving Our Parents, Loving Our Children From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and cultivate the deeper causes of a happy mind; connected, loving relationships;...
Jul 27, 2021•38 min•Ep. 76
Tibetan Buddhist Lama Dza Kilung Rinpoche leads a 10 minute meditation to relax into the vast spaciousness of heart and mind. Episode 75: 10-Minute Meditation to Relax the Mind with Dza Kilung Rinpoche The extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist Lama and teacher Dza Kilung Rinpoche talked to us in Episode 74 about his short yet profound book , The Relaxed Mind . In this episode, he leads us in a guided meditation to open the mind. Dza Kilung Rinpoche was born in 1970 and is head of Tibet's Kilung Monaste...
Jul 20, 2021•11 min•Ep. 75
Tibetan Buddhist teacher Dza Kilung Rinpoche shares seven meditation practices for a relaxed mind, heart, and body. The extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist Lama and teacher Dza Kilung Rinpoche talks to us in this episode about his short yet profound book, The Relaxed Mind . This book is the culmination of his decades teaching in the west, where Rinpoche has condensed the vast array of topics in Tibetan Buddhist meditation into seven brief meditations we can easily practice. In our interview, he expla...
Jul 13, 2021•49 min•Ep. 74
Buddhist monk Ven. Gyalten Lekden guides a Seven-Fold Cause and Effect Meditation to develop compassion and Bodhicitta (the mind of awakening) Episode 73. Guided Meditation: 7 Steps to Compassion with Ven. Gyalten Lekden Listen to the interview with Ven. Gyalten here: Engaged Buddhism with Ven. Gyalten Lekden From August 28 to 31, Scott Snibbe is leading an in-person meditation retreat at Vajrapani Institute. We’ll explore antidotes to anxiety, fear, and loneliness—and cultivate the deeper cause...
Jul 06, 2021•46 min•Ep. 73
