Buddhist Geeks

David Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher. He is especially concerned about social and ecological issues, and believes there is an important parallel between what Buddhism says about our personal predicament and our collective predicament today in relation to the rest of the biosphere. In the second part of the keynote address David gave at the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, he argues that our species needs an evolution of our cultural story if we are to survive the many changes we face. By understanding we are part of the ecosphere rather than apart from it, David hopes humanity can wake up enough to become a collective bodhisattva of the biosphere. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: The Cosmos Wakes Up. Episode Links: www.davidloy.org PLANETARY ( http://www.weareplanetary.com ) The Universe Story ( http://amzn.to/1DNqYN0 ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. He lectures nationally and internationally on various topics, focusing primarily on the encounter between Buddhism and modernity: what each can learn from the other. In the first part of the keynote address David gave at the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, he presents a social narrative that features a living Cosmos waking up to itself. He explains how humanity needs to create a new global story as an alternative to some of our most common cultural stories, like Social Darwinism. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Bodhisattva of the Biosphere. Episode Links: www.davidloy.org PLANETARY ( http://www.weareplanetary.com ) The Universe Story ( http://amzn.to/1DNqYN0 ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica Morey is the Executive Director of Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme). Before joining iBme, Jessica worked in clean energy and climate policy and finance. Her published works range from the chapter “Ordinary Awakening” in Blue Jean Buddha to Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project: Renewable Energy Production in Costa Rica. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Jessica describes her experience with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme) and its roots with the Insight Meditation tradition. They talk about the impact of mindfulness education on teens, the resurgence of relational forms of mindfulness with younger generations, and how these kids are focusing on integration over transcendence. Episode Links: Inward Bound Mindfulness Education ( http://ibme.info ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. He’s been an invited speaker at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. In the conclusion to his 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference keynote address, Rick answers questions from the audience and leads them through the HEAL exercise, a process which trains the brain to reprogram its natural negativity bias towards the positive. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Practicing with the Brain in Mind. Episode Links: www.RickHanson.net See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. He’s been an invited speaker at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. In this first part of the keynote address Rick presented at the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, he explores the intersection between dharma practice and neuroscience. Rick explains the basic mechanisms of brain change, the power of mindfulness, how to activate the neural networks of self-compassion, how to tap the hidden power of everyday experiences to grow happiness and other inner strengths in your brain, and why our planet needs us to take charge of our Stone Age brains in the 21st century. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: How to HEAL the Brain’s Negativity Bias. Episode Links: www.RickHanson.net See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism. He considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. In this episode taken from the Buddhist Geeks Conference in 2012, Stephen delivers the second part of his keynote address on the importance of imagination in Buddhist practice. He encourages the audience to view the Buddhist path as an artform to be practiced, the Self as a project to be realized, and the Four Noble Truths as Four Noble Tasks that are a process and not just a set of beliefs. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Buddhism and the Art of Imagining. Episode Links: www.StephenBatchelor.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism. He considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. In this episode taken from the 2012 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Stephen delivers a keynote address on the importance, with Buddhist practice, of combining technical skill with imagination. Drawing comparisons between mindfulness practice and photography, Stephen presents meditation as the cultivation of a skill to see the sublime in every moment. He shares his view that imagination is crucial to the translation of the dharma to new cultures, and he challenges modern Buddhism to finally develop a view on Buddhist Aesthetics. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Cultivating a Democracy of the Imagination. Episode Links: www.StephenBatchelor.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scott Snibbe is a pioneering digital artist and entrepreneur whose work includes interactive apps, videos, and installations. He practices in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and his art is frequently informed by his spiritual practice. In this episode, Scott joins host Vincent Horn for an intimate conversation about Scott’s art & contemplative practice. As Scott describes his art infused childhood and the transition from Christian Science to Tibetan Buddhism, they touch on the source of creativity, the use of symbol in art and religion, and using the understanding of Emptiness as a creative tool. Episode Links: www.Snibbe.com Biophilia, the First App in MoMA’s Collection ( http://bit.ly/1DNpL8v ) Scott Snibbe on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/snibbe ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jake Davis is a philosopher and Buddhist practitioner and David Vago is a Contemplative neuroscientist. Together they are at the forefront of the scientific investigation of Enlightenment. In this episode David and Jake conclude a conversation with host Vincent Horn concerning the scientific investigation of states of Enlightenment. They elaborate on the methods and motivations involved when attempting to quantify Enlightenment, discuss the pitfalls of spiritual materialism, and invite criticism and discussion to help inform and guide this scientific inquiry. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: A Neuroscience of Enlightenment. Episode Links: “Can enlightenment be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior? No, and (a qualified) Yes” ( http://bit.ly/1DNpwdn ) The Emerging Science of Mindfulness Meditation ( bit.ly/1DNp4vU ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Vago is a contemplative neuroscientist and Jake Davis is a philosopher and Buddhist practitioner. Together they have authored an article proposing the question of whether Enlightenment can be traced to specific neural, cognitive, or behavioral correlates–and if so what those might be. In this episode David and Jake join host Vincent Horn to discuss the article titled “Can enlightenment be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior? No, and (a qualified) Yes”. Jake and David describe the genesis of the article, the conflict and opportunity provided by using the word “enlightenment” in the title, and the important role first person subjective experience plays in scientific inquiry. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Quantifying Mindfulness. Episode Links: “Can enlightenment be traced to specific neural correlates, cognition, or behavior? No, and (a qualified) Yes” ( http://bit.ly/1DNpwdn ) The Emerging Science of Mindfulness Meditation ( http://bit.ly/1DNp4vU ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shingon teacher Hokai Sobol and religious studies scholar Dr. Pamela Winfield join host Vincent Horn to continue a conversation that digs deeper into the paradigms of enlightenment presented in Japanese Buddhism. Beginning with an explanation of the two different paradigms for the experience of enlightenment presented in Zen and Mikkyō, the unitive & purgative, Pamela briefly describes the results of her studies. Hokai then relates his understanding of the two ideas based on his personal practice. This leads to an examination of the disparate historical and cultural contexts from which each method was developed, how each method uses imagery in practice, and how despite differences, each method hopefully leads to the same results. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: The Art of Enlightenment. Episode Links: Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment ( amzn.to/1MwPAl8 ) Dr. Pamela Winfield ( bit.ly/1MwPD0n ) Hokai Sobol ( www.hokai.info ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Pamela Winfield and Shingon teacher Hokai Sobol join host Vincent Horn to discuss the book Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment. By examining two different models of enlightenment–one from the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kūkai (Kōbō-Daishi), and the other from the pivotal Zen figure, Dōgen Zenji, the group explores the role that art & imagery play in the awakening experience. The conversation touches on how studies of texts and iconography can be complementary and how understanding the use of iconography can help scholars and practitioners understand Buddhist paths of Enlightenment in a clearer way. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism. Episode Links: Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment ( http://amzn.to/1MwPAl8 ) Dr. Pamela Winfield ( http://bit.ly/1MwPD0n ) Hokai Sobol ( http://www.hokai.info ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Bieber is an author, political junkie, and practitioner in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. In this episode Matt and host Vincent Horn conclude their conversation exploring the intersection between Buddhist practice and politics. Asking whether our political and economic systems are geared towards idealized humanity or humans as they really are, Matt and Vincent discuss what the political world might look like if built to acknowledge Buddha Nature. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one – BG 325: The Politics of Dualism. Episode Links: The Wheat and Chaff ( http://www.thewheatandchaff.com ) Matt Bieber on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/PMatty_Bieber ) Scholar Peter Hershock ( http://www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ewc/directory/peter.hershock ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Bieber is an author, political junkie, and practitioner in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. In this episode Matt joins host Vincent Horn to explore politics through the lens of Buddhism. Matt shares insights gained as a speechwriter for Vice President Biden, how he began to consider the impact Buddhist thought could have on politics, and how Buddhist training helps him see the political world in a new way. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: The Politics of Buddha Nature. Episode Links: The Wheat and Chaff ( http://www.thewheatandchaff.com ) Matt Bieber on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/PMatty_Bieber ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Lange is a Los Angeles based writer and director exploring the intersections of filmmaking, technology, and transformation. In this episode Jason joins host Vincent Horn to discuss his recent article “The Coming Age of Technodelics” which explores technologies that may enable some of the same experiences that meditation and psychedelics have traditionally provided. By comparing and contrasting psychedelics and technodelics, the conversation examines the possible uses and usefulness of mind altering technologies such as the cutting edge Virtual Reality headset Oculus Rift. Episode Links: The Coming Age of Technodelics Just Say Know: A Cyberdelic History of the Future The Inside Story of Oculus Rift and How Virtual Reality Became RealitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Willa Miller, David Loy, and host Vincent Horn conclude a Geeks of the Round Table discussion on the intersection of Buddhism with ecological activism. They explore the idea that the Buddha was a social and political activist, what it means to acknowledge ecology as an ethical issue, and how these larger issues affect the teaching of Buddhism today. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Eco-Dharma. Episode Links: Wonderwell Mountain Refuge ( wonderwellrefuge.org ) www.DavidLoy.org A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency ( amzn.to/1JMMy6f ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ann Gleig is an Assistant Professor of Religious and Cultural Studies at the University of Central Florida. She is currently working on projects on the North American revisioning of Asian liberation traditions, and Buddhism in Postmodernity. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Ann presents the findings of her academic article on Buddhist Geeks, which was published in the Journal of Global Buddhism. She offers an engaging analysis of the interactions between Buddhism, Buddhist Geeks, and technology, and she shares her insights on the historical and cultural significance of the Buddhist Geeks community. Episode Links: 📃 From Buddhist Hippies to Buddhist Geeks: The Emergence of Buddhist Postmodernism? 🔗 Ann Gleig, Ph.D. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lama Willa Miller and David Loy join host Vincent Horn for Geeks of the Round Table to discuss how Buddhist concerns intersect with ecological & activist concerns. The trio talk about the upcoming Eco-Dharma Conference, examine some ways Buddhist philosophy can contribute to the global ecology discussion, and then discuss the supposed disparities between Buddhism and ecological activism. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two BG 323: Bodhisattva Activist. Episode Links: Wonderwell Mountain Refuge ( http://wonderwellrefuge.org ) www.DavidLoy.org A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency ( http://amzn.to/1JMMy6f ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Martin Aylward is a vipassana teacher and founder of Le Moulin Meditation Centre. He has been leading retreats worldwide, teaching meditation, and supporting groups and individuals since 1999. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Martin speaks on the relationship between the dharma and sex. He examines the general lack of dharma teachings concerning sex, the results of his own inquiry to the subject, and his belief in the potential of sexuality as a powerful tool for transformation. Episode Links: www.MartinAylward.com Le Moulin Meditation Centre ( http://www.moulindechaves.org ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erik Braun is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at University of Oklahoma. He is the author of The Birth of Insight: Meditation, Modern Buddhism, and the Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw. In this episode, Erik joins host Vincent Horn to discuss his book and the legacy of Burmese monk Ledi Sayadaw. By connecting the dots between changes in Burmese Buddhism with the political disruption caused by the British takeover of Burma in the late 19th Century, Erik describes Ledi’s role in bringing insight meditation practice to the modern world. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: The Making of a Mass Meditation Movement. Episode Links: The Birth of Insight: Meditation, Modern Buddhism, and the Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw ( http://amzn.to/1JMLYFM ) Erik Braun on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/erkbraun ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erik Braun is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at University of Oklahoma. He is the author of The Birth of Insight: Meditation, Modern Buddhism, and the Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw. In this episode Erik and host Vincent Horn continue a discussion on Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw and his role in bringing insight meditation to the world. The conversation digs deeper into the connections between Burmese political disruption and changes to Buddhist practice in Burma, how meditation became more accepted in Burmese Buddhism, and how this all led to the export of insight meditation to the rest of the world. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: The Birth of Insight Meditation. Episode Links: The Birth of Insight: Meditation, Modern Buddhism, and the Burmese Monk Ledi Sayadaw ( http://amzn.to/1JMLYFM ) Erik Braun on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/erkbraun ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marianne Elliott is an attorney, human rights advocate, and the author of Zen Under Fire, a memoir about her work in Afghanistan. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Marianne shares her belief that mindfulness practice alone isn’t enough to put an end to the suffering of the world. By first unpacking a few areas of social suffering that have deeply touched her, Marianne talks about the practical strategies she employs when working towards positive social change. As she describes the importance of action to the engaged Buddhist life, Marianne encourages the audience to ground themselves in the resiliency provided by Buddhist practice, find an issue that touches them, find a way to use their unique skillset, and actively work to end suffering in the world. Episode Links: www.Marianne-Elliott.com Zen Under Fire ( http://marianne-elliott.com/book/ ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jerry Colonna was a venture capitalist in New York City and played a prominent part in the early development of Silicon Alley–he is known by some as the “Yoda of Silicon Alley.” He is currently a life and business coach and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Naropa University. Jerry is an investor and close mentor to the Buddhist Geeks team. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Jerry speaks about confronting the demon and dharma of uncertainty. By first telling the story of Milarepa and the Demons, Jerry engages the audience with an account of confronting his own fears of not being good enough. He describes how this “imposter syndrome”, this fear of admitting to uncertainty, can trap leaders and the people in their organizations in cycles of suffering. Jerry then offers strategies to confront delusion, doubt, and uncertainty through dharma and mindfulness practices. Episode Links: CEO Bootcamp ( http://reboot.io ) www.TheMonsterInYourHead.com Jerry Colonna on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/jerrycolonna ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alexander Bard is a cyber philosopher and the co-founder of the Syntheist Movement. He is the co-author of The Futurica Trilogy, a series of books concerning Internet philosophy and futurist studies. In this episode, Alexander joins host Vincent Horn to discuss the origins and concepts of the Syntheist Movement and it’s intersection with Buddhist practice & thought. Using the setting of the annual Burning Man event to illustrate humanity’s sometimes unconscious desire to gather and practice religion, Alexander describes the Syntheist philosophy, its core concepts of multiple Gods, and its philosophical origins. From there the conversation touches on the concepts of God and Self, Quantum Physics and Religion, and Alexander’s utopic vision for the future. Episode Links: Alexander Bard on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/Bardissimo ) The Syntheist Movement ( http://syntheism.org ) The Futurica Trilogy ( http://amzn.to/1JMKxHe ) What if the Internet is God? ( https://youtu.be/tXA7TewF53w ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Chapman is a writer, computer scientist, engineer and Buddhist practitioner. He blogs on several sites including Meaningness, Approaching Aro, and Buddhism for Vampires. In this episode, David joins host Vincent Horn for the second part of their discussion on the challenges facing the reinvention of Buddhist Tantra. David first compares “zombie ritual” with “living ritual”, pointing out the ideal characteristics of useful ritual practices. David and Vincent then examine the importance of participatory ritual in communities, the rate of innovation in contemporary ritual, and how lineage relates to the forming and maintaining of ritual. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one BG 313: Reinventing Buddhist Tantra. Episode Links: Meaningness ( http://meaningness.wordpress.com ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Chapman is a writer, computer scientist, engineer and Buddhist practitioner. He blogs on several sites including Meaningness, Approaching Aro, and Buddhism for Vampires. In this episode, David joins host Vincent Horn for a discussion on the topic of Buddhist Tantra. Beginning by stating his interest and intentions with recent writing on Buddhist Tantra, David gives a quick definition of Tantra and begins to unpack that definition and how it relates to Buddhism. Vincent and David then discuss whether or not Buddhism is in some ways opposed to passion, where and when Tantric elements are apparent in various traditions, and what modern Buddhist Tantra may look like and why it may have been suppressed in Western Buddhism. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two BG 314: Creating Living Ritual. Episode Links: Meaningness ( http://meaningness.wordpress.com ) Consensus Buddhism and Mindful Mayo ( http://bit.ly/1JMITFN ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shinzen Young is a Vipassana meditation teacher and was ordained in Japan as a monk in the Shingon tradition. He has studied and practiced extensively in other traditions, including Zen and Lakota Sioux Shamanism. Shinzen leads meditation retreats throughout North America and has helped establish numerous mindfulness centers and programs. He also consults widely on meditation-related research, in both the clinical and the basic science domains. In this talk from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Shinzen describes strategies for working with questions like “What does Life mean?” and how to enact a successful model for spiritual growth. He begins by examining the general framework of questions and why humans ask questions at all. This leads to a presentation of three fundamental goals for Life and how a spiritual practice can help reach those goals, how to recognize when a spiritual practice goes off course, and what results to expect from a successful spiritual practice. Episode Links: www.Shinzen.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Johnson is a yogi and meditation teacher in NYC where she teaches yoga and mindfulness meditation to high school students in public schools. A student in the Vipassana meditation tradition, Kate completed the year-long Training Immersion Program at The Interdependence Project, graduated from the Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation teacher training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and returned from a three-month retreat at Insight Meditation Society in 2013. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, Kate speaks about how Buddhist practice can help us wake up to unconscious patterns of power and privilege in our communities and ourselves. Beginning with a synopsis of the COLORLINES article “Rinku Sen: The Racist Mind”, she explains the pervasiveness of implicit bias in our thinking and actions. As she describes her experience and shame when realizing her own implicit racial bias, Kate describes how her meditation practice helped wake her up to those problem areas. She concludes by explaining how racial injustice and lack of diversity affects Buddhist communities, and she issues a call to wake up to these unconscious patterns of power and privilege for the benefit of ourselves and our communities. Episode Links: “Rinku Sen: The Racist Mind” ( http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/07/rinku_sen_thinking_through_racism.html ) The Interdependence Project ( http://theidproject.org ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Ernst is an artist and meditation teacher in the Zen and Vipassana traditions. She leads the One Dharma Nashville Community that draws from the wisdom traditions of Zen, Vipassana, and Tibetan Buddhism. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Lisa discusses the various facets of working with spiritual questions as part of a contemplative path. She describes her own experience first working with koans in the Rinzai Zen tradition, and then applying that questioning process in her Vipassana practice. The discussion then turns towards how questions can help develop “not knowing”, and how Lisa helps her students learn skillful questioning. Episode Links: www.lisaernst.com One Dharma Nashville ( http://www.onedharmanashville.com ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rohan Gunatillake is the creator of buddhify, the mobile mindfulness app for modern life, and the co-producer of Sync, a program that’s helping cultural organizations in Scotland have a more progressive relationship with technology, technologists, design and designers. In 2013 he was appointed a trustee of the British Council, a large scale NGO which promotes Britain internationally through work in the arts, education, and English language training. In this episode Rohan joins host Vincent Horn to talk about the newly released app buddhify2, as well as the world of “Indie Buddhism”. He begins by describing the updates from the original buddhify app, the general reception the new app has received, and the significance of the project’s success. The conversation then moves to Rohan’s personal experience leading the project and his perception that still more innovation is needed in mindfulness technology. Episode Links: www.rohangunatillake.com buddhify 2 ( http://buddhify.com ) We Need More Buddhist Startups ( https://youtu.be/pLiKHjAyw4M ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Megan Miller is a technology researcher and entrepreneur from the San Francisco Bay area. After working in editorial and digital roles at National Geographic Adventure, New York Magazine and Popular Science, Megan became regarded as an expert in digital media innovation, appearing frequently as a TV talking head and speaker at events like CES and SXSW Interactive. In this episode taken from the 2013 Buddhist Geeks Conference, she speaks about digital distraction and how it affects human behavior. She begins by pointing out the many emerging technologies that contribute to digital distraction such as multi-tasking smart phones, link baiting websites, and instant gratification fueled social media. Then she concludes the talk by highlighting the increased efforts made by some people in the media and tech industries to bring less distraction and greater depth to digital technology. Episode Links: Megan Miller on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/missmilla2u ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diane Musho Hamilton is a Zen teacher and conflict mediator. In this episode she joins host Vincent Horn to explore some of the themes from her first book Everything is Workable: A Zen Approach to Conflict Resolution. Starting with a description of her early life and education, Diane talks about her introduction to the practice of conflict resolution and how she became the first Director of the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution for the Utah Judiciary. The conversation then turns to the connections Diane has made between conflict resolution insights and the Buddhist teachings of The Three Poisons. This leads to an exploration of whether contemplatives are naturally conflict averse, what it means to actually practice conflict resolution, and why “everything is workable” doesn’t necessarily mean everything always works out the way we want. Episode Links: Diane Musho Hamilton ( http://www.dianemushohamilton.com ) Everything is Workable: A Zen Approach to Conflict Resolution ( http://www.shambhala.com/everything-is-workable.html ) The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women ( http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/hidden-lamp ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mikey Siegel is a meditator & technologist known for his work in projects like BrainBot & HeartSync. He is a pioneer in a field that he calls “Enlightenment Engineering”—the science and technology of facilitating the heightened states of consciousness long described by contemplative and spiritual traditions. In this episode taken from a recent BG TV episode of Contemplative Technology, hosts Vincent Horn and Mike Redmer speak with Mikey about the current state of contemplative technology. Mikey describes his goal of bringing more legitimacy to the space in academia and business so that more professionals will enter the field. The group then discusses developments in the contemplative technology DIY crowd, a project to create mental activity soundtracks, and the potential inherent to applying contemplative technology in group settings. Episode Links: www.MikeySiegel.com Biofluent ( http://www.biofluent.com ) HeartSync ( http://www.biofluent.com/heartsync/ ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lodro Rinzler is a meditation practitioner and teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. His latest book is Walk Like a Buddha: Even if Your Boss Sucks, Your Ex Is Torturing You, and You’re Hungover Again. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Lodro talks about the book and his new project The Institute for Compassionate Leadership, a leadership training and job placement organization that utilizes mentoring, meditation, traditional leadership skills training, and Obama style community organizing to produce compassionate, self-aware leaders. The interview starts with the inspiration for starting the Institute and what Lodro hopes to accomplish with it and his writing. This leads to a wider conversation about the usefulness of ancient teachings in the contemporary world and the value of fostering global conversation. Episode Links: Walk Like a Buddha: Even if Your Boss Sucks, Your Ex Is Torturing You, and You’re Hungover Again ( http://amzn.to/1g9Z7yU ) The Institute for Compassionate Leadership ( http://instituteforcompassionateleadership.org ) www.LodroRinzler.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Oppenheimer is an essayist, reporter, critic, and one of the United States’ leading investigators of religion. His new book, The Zen Predator of the Upper East Side, is an investigation of the decades of sexual scandal surrounding Japanese Zen teacher Eido Shimano. Mark joins host Vincent Horn to discuss the book and the impact his writing has had on the Zen community. Mark reports a brief history of the situation, they discuss the conditions that led to the problems, and they examine why the problem of sexual misconduct is not as common in other Western Buddhist traditions. Episode Links: The Zen Predator of the Upper East Side ( http://amzn.to/1as7Uak ) www.MarkOppenheimer.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of five books and two hundred articles on religion, sexuality, law, and contemplative practice. His new book is Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment, published in October, 2013. In this episode, Jay joins host Vincent Horn to discuss his new book, which explores the evolution of Buddhism. Jay describes his personal interests in writing Evolving Dharma, as well as the value of the topic to wider academia. The conversation includes Jay’s observations on new kinds of Buddhist communities, the trends away from the traditional guru model, and the possible future being created by the further integration of mindfulness with the Western mainstream. Episode Links: www.JayMichaelson.net Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment ( http://amzn.to/1851v57%EF%BB%BF ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Willoughby Britton and Daniel Ingram continue their conversation with hosts Emily Horn and Kelly Sosan Bearer to discuss helping people through the experience of the contemplative Dark Night. To begin the second part of their discussion, Daniel describes the characteristics of Dark Night experience he has seen in the Dharma Overground community and the cycles many people experience. Emily asks whether compassion practice is a common tool to use when in the Dark Night stage. Willoughby and Daniel each describe observations of the usefulness of metta practice and attempt to answer the question: can a sniper have compassion? Finally, the group explores the topic in context of the TIME story “Aaron Alexis and the Dark Side of Meditation”. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Varieties of Contemplative Experience Episode Episode Links: TIME: Aaron Alexis and the Dark Side of Meditation ( healthland.time.com/2013/09/17/aaro…-of-meditation/ ) Daniel Ingram ( integrateddaniel.info ) The Dharma Overground ( www.dharmaoverground.org ) Willoughby Britton & Cheetah House ( www.cheetahhouse.org ) The Dark Side of Dharma ( bit.ly/1IBv56f ) The Dark Night Project ( bit.ly/1gc7P2j )See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Willoughby Britton and Daniel Ingram join hosts Emily Horn and Kelly Sosan Bearer for Geeks of the Round Table to discuss helping people through the experience of the contemplative Dark Night. Willoughby starts the conversation by reporting the latest updates on the rebranded Dark Night Project, now called “The Varieties of Contemplative Experience”. The group then moves on to discuss helping mindfulness practitioners through episodes of the contemplative Dark Night, how mental disease does and doesn’t get addressed in the community, and some shared characteristics of people that experience the Dark Night. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two BG 302: Mental Illness and the Dark Night. Episode Links: TIME: Aaron Alexis and the Dark Side of Meditation ( http://healthland.time.com/2013/09/17/aaron-alexis-and-the-dark-side-of-meditation/ ) Daniel Ingram ( http://integrateddaniel.info ) The Dharma Overground ( http://www.dharmaoverground.org ) Willoughby Britton & Cheetah House ( http://www.cheetahhouse.org ) The Dark Side of Dharma ( http://bit.ly/1IBv56f ) The Dark Night Project ( http://bit.ly/1gc7P2j ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang is an author, scholar, and Futurist most recently concerned with contemplative computing, the effort to use information technologies in ways that help one focus and be more creative, not fractured and distracted. In the second half of this interview with host Vincent Horn, Alex talks in more detail about his book The Distraction Addiction and it’s central premise of how to engage with technology in a contemplative way. Alex describes the research involved in writing the book, the conclusions he’s made about technology and mindfulness, and how the practices of contemplative computing could affect the future of wearable tech, UI design, and technology in general. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Technological Determinism. Episode Links: Contemplative Computing Blog ( www.contemplativecomputing.org ) The Distraction Addiction ( amzn.to/1MRHdh3 ) @askpang ( twitter.com/askpang ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang is an author, Technology Forecaster, and Futurist who applies the tools of the historian to predicting our future technology. His book, The Distraction Addiction, and blog, Contemplative Computing, are about how to use information technologies and social media so they’re not endlessly distracting and demanding, but instead help us be more mindful, focused and creative. In this interview with host Vincent Horn, Alex talks about his career as a Technology Forecaster and Futurist, and the problems he has with the idea of Technological Determinism. Alex describes how the daily rigors of his work with technology damaged his mental focus, and how he turned to meditation to regain that focus. By viewing his work through the lens of his meditation practice he was led to new questions and ideas about how to change mankind’s relationship with technology, how to go from being distracted to more focused and mindful, and the real dangers of taking a passive role in our daily relationship with technology. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: BG 300: Contemplative Computing. Episode Links: Contemplative Computing Blog ( http://www.contemplativecomputing.org ) The Distraction Addiction ( http://amzn.to/1MRHdh3 ) @askpang ( https://twitter.com/askpang ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Dancy is an information systems expert, a self described data exhaust cartographer, and widely known as “The Quantified Man”. His work in the Quantified Self (QS) movement has been documented in Wired and on TechCrunch, Bloomberg TV, and BG TV. In this episode, taken from the new BG TV show Contemplative Technology, hosts Vincent Horn and Mike Redmer are joined by Chris to explore the relationship between the Quantified Self (QS) movement and the deepening experience of selflessness, or egolessness, that is described on the Buddhist contemplative path. They discuss how and why Chris first began collecting his personal data, how that data collection has impacted his life, and what Chris believes the future holds for the QS movement. Episode Links: www.chrisdancy.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Douglas Rushkoff is the author of Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now, as well as a dozen other bestselling books on media, technology, and culture. In this episode, Douglas joins host Vincent Horn to discuss the book Present Shock and the underlying concept that “present shock” is the human response to living in a world where everything happens now. Douglas describes how he formed the concept of “present shock” through explorations of psychedelics, tai chi, and chronobiology, and how these areas have informed his work, life, and political and social philosophies. They talk about the many Buddhist parallels in Douglas’ ideas and experiences, and also why, despite those parallels, Douglas is fairly critical of spiritual traditions. Episode Links: Douglas Rushkoff ( http://www.rushkoff.com ) Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now ( http://amzn.to/1MRH25u ) The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead ( http://amzn.to/1MRH6Cj ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meditation teacher Kenneth Folk joins Vincent Horn, Emily Horn, and Kelly Sosan Bearer to conclude a Geeks of the Round Table discussion on a recent Wired article, Enlightenment Engineers, that profiles Kenneth and the Buddhist Geeks as part of the developing meditation culture(s) in Silicon Valley. The group talks about Ken’s plan to enlighten the Illuminati with a Meditation Trojan Horse, whether or not there is a “right motivation” for maintaining a meditation practice, and how this all relates to the popular assumption that meditation should be free of a goal-oriented approach. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one BG 295: Meditating to Get Ahead. Episode Links: Enlightenment Engineers ( http://www.wired.com/business/2013/06/meditation-mindfulness-silicon-valley ) Kenneth Folk ( http://kennethfolkdharma.com ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode taken from a Geeks of the Round Table Google Hangout, meditation teacher Kenneth Folk joins Buddhist Geeks Vincent Horn, Emily Horn, and Kelly Sosan Bearer to discuss a recent Wired article, Enlightenment Engineers, that profiles Kenneth and the mindfulness culture in Silicon Valley. Emily opens the conversation by asking, “Does meditation really make you more productive and wealthy? And is it a way to get ahead?” The group explores these questions and discusses how variables in an individual’s values, form of practice, and other perceptual filters affect the answers. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: The Trojan Horse of Meditation. Episode Links: Kenneth Folk ( http://kennethfolkdharma.com ) Enlightenment Engineers ( http://www.wired.com/business/2013/06/meditation-mindfulness-silicon-valley ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Passiak is a former religion scholar turned technology entrepreneur who has spent nearly 20 years working at the intersection of disruptive innovation and traditional conceptions of community and wisdom. David is author of Red Bull to Buddha: Innovation and the Search for Wisdom and also the forthcoming The Disruption Revolution: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the New Rules of Leadership. In this conversation David and host Vincent Horn discuss the book Red Bull to Buddha and the cycles of technological innovation that have led to major social change throughout history. In talking about the inspiration for the book, David describes visiting a temple in Thailand where bottles of the sports energy drink Red Bull were being presented as devotional offerings. He explains how examining his discovery of Red Bull in the temple led him to explore how the meaning of a brand or object is dependent on cultural context, and how culture is affected by technological advance. This leads Vincent and David to discuss how a Buddhist practice can help one to navigate a world that’s in a constant state of cultural and technological disruption. Episode Links: Red Bull to Buddha: Innovation and the Search for Wisdom ( http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store/dp/B00E4W4C1S ) Social Meditate ( http://www.socialmeditate.com ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Teachers Sofia Diaz and Trudy Goodman continue this episode of Geeks of the Round Table with host Kelly Sosan Bearer by exploring the Feminine aspect of spiritual practice from a female teacher’s point of view. The women begin by discussing qualitative differences in teaching approaches between female and male teachers, and Trudy talks about the more intimate approach she uses when teaching. Using Mother Teresa as an example of a female spiritual leader who supported many but found difficulty in finding support herself, the women discuss how the sometimes difficult role of female spiritual leader has grown and evolved. Moving on to how neglecting topics of sexuality, sexual attraction, and gender differences in spiritual practice can cause suffering for both men and women, they conclude the conversation with advice to younger generations: trust your feelings, trust your intuition, and lovingly explore the differences between yourself and others. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one Perfect Insight is Perfect Love. Episode Links: Sofia Diaz ( www.sofiayoga.com ) Trudy Goodman ( www.insightla.org/about/teachers.php ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode taken from a Geeks of the Round Table Google Hangout, Sofia Diaz and Trudy Goodman join host Kelly Sosan Bearer to discuss Feminine Practice and its connections and distinctions to the masculine principle in spiritual practice. Kelly begins by asking: what is feminine practice and what is its distinction from other practices? Sofia describes feminine practice as being the devotional, feeling part of practice as compared to the masculine insight and contemplative part, though both dimensions are deeply intertwined. Both Sofia and Trudy then relate their individual longing and search for the feminine dimension of practice, how they each came to a realization of the feminine principle in their own practice, and how each approaches these energetics when teaching. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Be the Lover Episode Links: Sofia Diaz ( http://www.sofiayoga.com ) Trudy Goodman ( https://www.insightla.org/about/teachers.php ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Mcleod is one of the more innovative teachers of Buddhism today, known for his ability to explain difficult and subtle teachings. In the conclusion of this conversation on the “Truth”, Ken and host Vincent Horn compare and contrast various approaches to spiritual development and some hidden pitfalls one might encounter. Vincent begins by asking a fundamental question of the search for the “Truth”: by whose authority? The two then discuss some helpful qualifiers when searching for a spiritual authority, some pitfalls to avoid when trusting that authority, and the various ways study might look under various authorities and techniques. Ken describes how the spiritual path will generally progress and the importance of periodically examining one’s motivations for study. They conclude the conversation by discussing the importance of fundamentals to whatever authority or path of practice one chooses. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Truth is a Red Herring. Episode Links: Unfettered Mind ( http://www.unfetteredmind.org ) PINA ( http://www.pina-film.de/en/ ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Mcleod is one of the more innovative teachers of Buddhism today, known for his ability to explain difficult and subtle teachings. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Ken takes on one of the most difficult topics to pin down: the “Truth”. They begin the conversation by examining the supposition that the path to enlightenment is ultimately to find the “Truth”. Vincent talks about how his early efforts in practice were rooted in the need to find the “Truth”, and how his motivations and understanding have changed. Ken relates his own recent advances on the topic. The two then examine the role and representation of the “Truth” in context of spiritual practice, psychological well being, and philosophical inquiry. They then explore the parallels of “Truth” and “Enlightenment” and how each idea is shaped and defined by the culture and by the individual. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Questioning Frameworks of Practice. Episode Links: Unfettered Mind ( http://www.unfetteredmind.org ) Straw Dogs ( http://amzn.to/1MRFcSd ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony Stubblebine is interested in meditation, app development, and behavioral design. He’s brought all three interests together in his latest project, a habit building app called Lift. In this conversation over Google Hangouts, Tony and host Vincent Horn discuss the merits and potential shadow side to behavioural design. Tony describes how he became interested in the science of behavioural design and how that led him to create Lift as a way to bring a social aspect to building positive habits. They talk about the three components to consider when building a habit, how the QS Movement relates to behavioural design, and how to use systems like Lift to build strong positive habits like daily meditation. Episode Links: LIFT ( https://lift.do ) Lift’s How to Meditate page with free guided meditations ( https://lift.do/meditation ) BJ Fogg ( http://www.bjfogg.com ) Quantified Self ( http://quantifiedself.com ) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.