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Buddhist Geeks

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Language: English
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This podcast is a free weekly show that presents ground-breaking interviews with various Buddhist teachers, scholars, and advanced practitioners. We speak to people from the Theravada, Tibetan, Shambhala, and Zen traditions and focus primarily on contemporary issues that affect both theory and practice in the West.

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BG 147: Freestyle Awakening

The theme of distinguishing between the Buddhist teachings and forms which lead to awakening, and those forms that are culturally inherited and perhaps unsuited for our current Western context, is an ongoing one on Buddhist Geeks. This week, we continue this exploration with Dharma teacher, Martin Aylward. Martin, who lives in southern France, where he runs and teaches as Le Moulin Meditation Centre, has been actively exploring what it means to translate Dharma to the West. H...

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[ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 146: Investing in the Future of American Buddhism

We continue our discussion with Shambhala acharya, Judith Simmer-Brown, about how we can strategically invest in American Buddhism so that it survives in the long-term. We explored the first three areas of importance in-depth in part 1, which included the translation of core texts, the development of a monastic lineage, and the appointment of dharma heirs.In this part of the discussion we flesh out the details of the fourth area, which is royal patronage. Judith speaks about how, giv...

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[ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 145: The Survival of American Buddhism

This week, we're joined by Shambhala acharya and Naropa University professor, Judith Simmer-Brown. She joins us today to discuss four areas, which she learned about while at Colombia University in the late 60's, that help determine whether or not Buddhism will take root in a new country. These four are: The translation of core Buddhist texts into English The development of a monastic lineage w/ American lineage holders The training and appointment of dharma transmission holders Roya...

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[ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:03:00 -0000 ]

BG 144: Turning Your Back to the Buddha

Insight Meditation teacher, Rodney Smith, joins us to explore the topic of "urban dharma"--seeing that the transformative potential of one's life and relationships are on equal footing with silent, more passive forms of meditation. Rodney critiques the common tendency to elevate silent retreat practice above all other aspects of practice. As part of that exploration he also shares a moving story from his time studying with the famous Advaita teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj. Rodney conc...

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[ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:01:00 -0000 ]

BG 143: Stepping out of Self-Deception

Rodney Smith, the founder of the Seattle Insight Meditation Society, joins us today to discuss several fascinating topics. We start with an exploration of how the Big Bang and the origin of life on Earth (some 3.8 billion years ago) and spiritually significant events. We also discuss the overall compatibility between Buddhist teachings and these new found scientific findings. Finally, Rodney shares with us a powerful mathematical analogy for understanding the spiritual path, ...

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[ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:04:00 -0000 ]

BG 142: Buddha in a Cup of Tea

This week, we're joined by Kenneth Cohen, a well-known qi-gong master. Along with his training in the Taoist qi-gong and tai chi chuan, Kenneth has a strong connection to the Zen tradition and to the Japanese tea ceremony. In this episode, he shares with us some of the history of tea (the camellia sinensis plant), its long-standing relationship to the Buddhist tradition, his own training with Japanese tea master Millie Johnstone, and the wonderful profundity of drinking a simple cup ...

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[ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 141: The Mechanisms of Kensho

"A perception, sudden as blinking, that subject and object are one, will lead to a deeply mysterious wordless understanding; and by this understanding will you awaken to the truth of Zen." - Zen Master Huang-po The above quote, taken from James Austin's newest book Selfless Insight, is a description of kensho, an "initial awakening" to the true nature of things. We continue our discussion, this week, with James Austin about the importance of both kensho and satori in the Zen tradition, an...

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[ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 140: This is your Brain on Meditation

This week we speak with academic nuerologist and Zen practitioner James Austin. Austin, who wrote the well-known book, Zen and the Brain, joins us to explain some of the physical mechanisms underlying both attention and the way we process reality. In terms of attention, he shares with us a very descriptive difference between "top-down" and "bottom-up" modes of attention. He also shares the difference, from the perspective of the brain, between self-centered (egocentric) process...

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[ Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:04:00 -0000 ]

BG 139: A Surfer's Quest to Find Zen on the Sea

This week with speak with the author of Saltwater Buddha, Jaimal Yogis. Jaimal, a Zen surfer and journalist, wrote Saltwater Buddha to chronicle his late teens and early 20's as he learned to surf and delved into Zen. He shares with us some of the highlights from this time of his life, and also shares what a powerful metaphor the ocean has been for his spiritual life, especially given his passion for surfing. He also shares some prescient observations about what it's like being...

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[ Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 138: Reflections on 21st Century Dharma

In this episode we have a round-table discussion, with members from the NYC-based Interdependence Project, on issues surrounding 21st century dharma in the West. Both Buddhist Geeks and the Interdependence Project tend to attract younger practitioners in their 20s & 30s. So, in this dialogue, where the oldest of us is 31, we take on some interesting questions about how Dharma is changing in the West, what challenges we face in the future, the economics of dharma, and the implicat...

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[ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 137: Artificial Wisdom

We're back again with Artificial Intelligence researcher and Zen-dabbler, Ben Goertzel. We continue our exploration of some of the major themes in his non-fiction story "Enlightenment 2.0". This precipitates a conversation about whether consciousness is a result of the mechanisms of the brain, or whether it is fundamental. And connected to that, what are the ethical implications of creating an artificial intelligence, if we do indeed see it as having BuddhaNature? Final...

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[ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 136: Enlightenment 2.0

This week we speak with Ben Goertzel, an artificial intelligence researcher and Zen-dabbling spiritual seeker. Ben shares with us his introduction to Zen and his on-going relationship to spiritual practice. He also explains what is meant by "strong artificial intelligence" and AGI (artificial general intelligence) and explains why he thinks a fully functioning AI may be as little as a decade away. Finally, we explore the overlap between his work as an AI researcher and his ex...

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[ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 500: The Buddhist Geeks Micropatron

In this episode we share a little some details on the recent launch of the Buddhist Geeks Micropatronage Drive. Listen in to hear where Buddhist Geeks is heading from here, and how you can help. ...

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[ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 135: Meditation is Good for Your Life

In this episode we speak with Karma Kagyu teacher, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. He starts off by telling us about how he got into formal Buddhist practice, at the tender age of 9. He also shares some of his initial challenges with anxiety, and how he was able to work with it on his first 3-year retreat. Rinpoche also shares some suggestions for meditators who are fairly new to the path, suggesting that they focus on 1) Wisdom & 2) Method. In addition to that he speaks abo...

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[ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:03:00 -0000 ]

BG 134: The Erotic Embrace of Life and Meditation

We're joined today by Vidyuddeva, a young Zen teacher who spent 5 years in monastic training with Zen Master Steve Hagen. Vid is now a teacher in his own right, and teaches with both the iEvolve Practice Community as well as with the Integral Spiritual Center (founded by Ken Wilber). In this episode, Vid shares with us how he came to the dharma, and how it eventually led to his time as a Zen monastic. He also turns the table on the Geeks and begins questioning us as to what the...

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[ Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 133: Erik Curren: The Buddhist Politician

Erik Curren is a business leader, community activist, author, Buddhist meditator, and politician—who is running for state legislature in Virginia during the 2010 election period. We were contacted by Erik's campaign manager, who told us that Erik's Buddhist background was causing a backlash of religious intolerance from some camps, including his fellow Democrats. We spoke with Erik about the importance of religious freedom in American politics, as well as about the way that the Bod...

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[ Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 132: Buddhist Chaplaincy, Buddhist Youth

This week we're joined by Reverend Danny Fisher--a Buddhist Chaplain and author. Danny shares with us his reasons for becoming chaplain, where the notion of chaplaincy or service to others comes from in the Buddhist tradition, and what it's like to undertake a Buddhist-based divinity program. In the 2nd half of our conversation we ask him about his take on the challenges and opportunities that young Buddhists encounter. Being an emerging voice for young Buddhists, and a popular Budd...

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[ Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 131: Buddhist History 101

This week we speak with esteemed scholar, and the former professor of Buddhist Studies at UC Berkely, Dr. Lewis Lancaster. Lewis shares with us the important history of the Buddhist tradition, focusing in particular on the unique attributes of Buddhism that made it the first "world religion," a religion that is able to detach from it's original homeland and language and travel wide and far. We also discuss the recent history of Buddhism transitioning to the West, and how Buddhism c...

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[ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 130: Buddhism and the Evolution of Religion

Zen teacher Norman Fischer—a teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi—joins us again to speak about the religion, evolution, and Buddhism's unique role in both. The conversation begins with an overview of American sociologist Robert Bellah's schema on the evolution of religion throughout the ages. We then discuss the important role that Buddhism can play in the evolution of religion in the West. This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to Part 1, Buddhism...

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[ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:02:00 -0000 ]

BG 129: Buddhism May Need a Plan B

As Buddhism transitions to the West, we see that it is doing so in a couple different ways. Some forms look more like their original Asian roots, while others are secular and non-Religious in their presentation. Zen teacher Norman Fischer, an early 2nd generation teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, calls the more traditional forms part of "Plan A" and the more secular forms, "Plan B." In this interview we discuss with Norman the importance of Plan B approaches, like Jon ...

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[ Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:03:00 -0000 ]

BG 128: Peter Fenner: Entering into Natural Meditation

This week, I speak with non-dual teacher and former Tibetan monk, Peter Fenner. Peter was a monk for nearly a decade before he disrobed, realizing that the Buddhist practices he was engaged in weren't leading him to what he was looking for. He then looked to Western psychotherapeutic technologies, and in the process developed a non-dual teaching that relates in part to Madhyamika, Advaita Vedanta, and Western psychology. He calls this approach Radiant Mind, and in this episod...

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[ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

See archives for more.

For more information click on the link back to the podcast page. ...

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BG 127: Pop Buddhism & Satori Porn

This week we speak with Gen-X Zen teacher Brad Warner, author of the newly released Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. We talk a little bit about his book, which leads to a critique of what we might call "Popular Buddhism." We then ask Brad about an article he wrote called, "Satori Porn", where he argues that descriptions of enlightenment that make it sound like an experience just aren't that helpful for students. Even so, at the end of the episode he tries his best to t...

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[ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 126: Natural Wakefulness

This week we speak with Shambhala acharya and cultural anthropologist, Gaylon Ferguson. Gaylon speaks about the view of Natural Wakefulness, in short that innate wisdom is there from the beginning. We also discuss the four foundations of mindfulness as they were taught by Chogyam Trungpa, and the differences between emphasizing naturalness and training on the spiritual path. We wrap up by exploring how cultural anthropology and the study of religion fit in with being a practiti...

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[ Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 125: Insights at the Edge

We're joined again by Tami Simon--founder of the spiritual media company Sounds True and senior student of Vajrayana teacher Reggie Ray. This week we ask her about her new podcast series, Insights at the Edge, where she has been interviewing many of the best spiritual teachers in the world. Jokingly, Tami said that she wanted to name the show, "Grill the Guru." Even though that was a joke, there is some truth in it, and she uses her opportunity with these different teachers to ...

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[ Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 124: You Will Get the Dharma You Need

In this episode we speak with Tami Simon--founder of the spiritual media company Sounds True and senior student of Vajrayana teacher Reggie Ray. Tami shares us with us the intimate details of her initial meeting with Reggie, and the amazing results that followed. She also describes what she has learned from beginning to teach the dharma to others, while also making a vow to only teach that which she truly knows. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Listen to part 2, Insig...

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[ Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 123: Dharma Music Can Sound Like Anything

This week we speak to the Buddhist-inspired musician Ravenna Michalsen. She explains why dharma music need not sound the way we think it should (think monks chanting in Asian in a cave). Instead, Ravenna's music crosses musical genres and stretches our notion of what dharma music is. We also discuss the life and teachings of Machig Labdron, one of Tibet's most famous female masters and the inventor of the Chöd lineage of practice. At the end of the interview we end with ...

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[ Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 122: The Evolution of the Mind and Life Dialogues

This week, Adam Engle, the business mastermind behind the Mind and Life Institute, joins us to discuss both the evolution of the project as well as its larger impact. The first Mind and Life Dialogue was held in Dharamsala, India in 1987 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since then, Adam says, it has done more than any other organization to help "legitimatize the scientific study of meditation." Listen in to hear more about how they've gone about creating an active collabo...

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[ Mon, 25 May 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 121: The Great Work of Western Magick

Alan Chapman is a Western magick practitioner, and the author of the newly released book, Advanced Magick for Beginners. Alan found his way into the field of Chaos magick through the work of Aleister Crowley and since has worked with a powerful technique called "the Holy Guardian Angel," which very much like the guru yoga techniques of the Vajrayana schools, allows one to surrender to an external guide on the path to enlightenment. Alan shares with us the details of the Western occul...

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[ Mon, 18 May 2009 06:00:00 -0000 ]

BG 120: The Mystery of the Mind: Ten Zen Questions

Dr. Susan Blackmore--a psychologist and long-time Zen practitioner--shares with us the discoveries that she made while writing her latest book, Ten Zen Questions. Listen in to find out what she discovered after many, many hours of asking questions, such as: "Am I conscious now?", "What was I conscious of a moment ago?", & "There is no time. What is memory?" Also, listen in to hear how she feels this type of exploration, often called Koan training in the Zen Buddhist t...

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[ Mon, 11 May 2009 12:13:00 -0000 ]

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