302 – Q&A: Standing Up for What’s Right, and Zazen Versus Dissociation and Trance

302 – Q&A: Standing Up for What’s Right, and Zazen Versus Dissociation and Trance

In this extemporaneous Q&A episode, I address these questions: What is the responsibility of Buddhists to stand for what is right? What is the difference between the Buddhist goal of “detaching from clinging and aversion” and the pathological states of detachment from reality called “dissociation?” How would you describe the desirable level of overlap between shikantaza (the zazen of just sitting) and trance?

296 – Q&A: Paramis, Mindfulness, Karma, and Enjoyment

296 – Q&A: Paramis, Mindfulness, Karma, and Enjoyment

This is an extemporaneous question-and-answer episode. Do you know the difference between a parami and a paramita? Do I still like to think of mindfulness as “undivided presence?” What about when Buddhists use the idea of karma as an excuse not to take compassionate action? Why can’t our practice include more activities aimed at the cultivation of joy, creativity, and other positive experiences?

182 – Answers to Interview Questions from Eastern Horizon Magazine

182 – Answers to Interview Questions from Eastern Horizon Magazine

In this episode, I share with you questions and answers from my 2020 written interview for Eastern Horizon, a tri-annual magazine of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM). There are some basic questions about Zen, and then some questions about what Buddhism has to offer with respect to understanding and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thought you might enjoy hearing a different kind of presentation, where I have kept my answers very succinct.

62 – Listener’s Questions: Practicing with Mental Illness

62 – Listener’s Questions: Practicing with Mental Illness

I share and answer three questions from listeners about practicing with mental illness. I talk about when still, silent meditation might be unhelpful and propose alternative practices, and the Buddhist take on medication for mental illness. I also give an example of how to approach a particular condition as practice, even while you receive treatment for it from mental health professionals.

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