Best Bodhicitta Podcasts (2024)

1
Help Yourself: Finding Relief in Self-Compassion 18:42

2h ago18:42

18:42

In this podcast episode, Margaret Meloni shares her personal journey of finding relief from suffering during times of grief and loss. She emphasizes the importance of practicing self-compassion and allowing oneself to feel uncomfortable with death and grief as a normal human experience. Meloni discusses the benefits of being present and not getting…

1
269 - Making a Vow of Inner Nonviolence and Complete Acceptance 35:26

1h ago35:26

35:26

We all have negative aspects of ourselves we want to fix, disown, or even expunge completely from our being, but even with practice some things are extremely hard to change. As we strive to break free of our less-than-helpful aspects of self, we typically employ violent means, ranging from subtle rejection to vicious and debilitating self-loathing …

1
Embracing Life Through the Lens of Dharma: Venerable Clear Grace's Teachings 42:26

26m ago42:26

42:26

In this episode, Margaret is honored to host Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda, an ordained Buddhist monastic in both the Mahayana and Theravada tradition. Known as the "Traveling Nunk," Venerable Clear Grace shares her experiences of living in the heart of New Orleans' Seventh Ward, a historically significant black community. She describes the vibra…

1
Release from Suffering Brought to You By: Anāthapiṇḍika 15:37

7d ago15:37

15:37

Today, we delve into the fascinating story of Anāthapiṇḍika, chief patron of Buddha and the figure behind the creation of Jeta’s Grove Monastery. Known as the 'Great Benefactor', Anāthapiṇḍika's unrelenting support and generosity towards Buddha and his monks enabled them to spend twenty-five fruitful retreats in Sāvatthi. His significant contributi…

1
268 - Teisho, An Encouragement Talk During Zazen 29:52

17d ago29:52

29:52

Last week I led a sesshin, or silent Zen retreat. Participants participated in a 24-hour schedule of zazen, chanting, silent work, formal meals, and rest. Once or twice a day, I offered a "teisho" during zazen. "Tei" means to offer or put forth, and "sho" means to recite or proclaim. Teisho are sometimes called "encouragement talks," and they are m…

1
Disconnection and Distress: Christine Davies on Suffering and Spirituality 35:11

7d ago35:11

35:11

In this episode of the Death Dhamma podcast, we speak to Reverend Christine Davies, a hospital chaplain, writer, and an 'evangelist for grief'. Christine is also well-versed in cognitive behavioral therapy, Reiki, and is a seminary professor. Besides her professional interests, she is also a triathlete and a beekeeper. Christine shares her thoughts…

1
The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism—Advice for Life, Death, and Enlightenment [3] 57:26

13d ago57:26

57:26

"To meditate on self-awareness, just be aware of your mind—without any opinions or beliefs. If you do that, your thoughts will naturally disappear. Just watch—be aware. Focus simply on what is there. If while meditating you recognize that you are following your thoughts, be aware of that. Let it go. If you don’t follow your thoughts, you’ll notice …

1
The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism—Advice for Life, Death, and Enlightenment [2] 1:16:35

13d ago1:16:35

1:16:35

"To meditate on self-awareness, just be aware of your mind—without any opinions or beliefs. If you do that, your thoughts will naturally disappear. Just watch—be aware. Focus simply on what is there. If while meditating you recognize that you are following your thoughts, be aware of that. Let it go. If you don’t follow your thoughts, you’ll notice …

1
The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism—Advice for Life, Death, and Enlightenment [1] 1:20:28

13d ago1:20:28

1:20:28

"To meditate on self-awareness, just be aware of your mind—without any opinions or beliefs. If you do that, your thoughts will naturally disappear. Just watch—be aware. Focus simply on what is there. If while meditating you recognize that you are following your thoughts, be aware of that. Let it go. If you don’t follow your thoughts, you’ll notice …

1
Dying to Help Others 15:29

23d ago15:29

15:29

In this episode, we consider Simon Boaz and his perspective as he faces his own impending death. He shares his perspective on life and the importance of appreciating the experiences we have had, rather than focusing on what is missing. While not specifically a Buddhist, his outlook aligns with some Buddhist teachings. Specifically encouraging us to…

1
267 - Ten Fields of Zen Practice Chp 4 - Mindfulness: Cultivating Awareness Every Moment 28:35

15d ago28:35

28:35

The third Field of Zen practice is Mindfulness, which is cultivating clear awareness of what is happening, moment by moment, within you and around you. Mindfulness is absolutely fundamental to Zen practice, allowing you to practice within all the other Fields. Without awareness, you can’t live your life by choice instead of by karma.…

1
266 - What Would the Buddha Say About the Suffering in the World? 21:01

21d ago21:01

21:01

Recently, someone submitted a Dharma question for me to address: “I wonder what Buddha would say to us about the crises facing humanity, particularly the suffering of our own making?” I can't know, but I dare to put some words in the Buddha's mouth and then present follow-up questions.By Domyo Burk

1
Linda Hochstetler: 21 Days to Die: Exploring the Guide to End of Life 43:39

29d ago43:39

43:39

In this episode of the Death Dhamma Podcast, host Margaret welcomes Linda Hochstetler, an accomplished social worker, psychotherapist, Buddhist meditation teacher, and author of the book "21 Days to Die, The Canadian Guide to End of Life." Linda shares her passion for the topic of illness, dying, and death, and how she combines her expertise in gri…

1
Everyday Buddhism 107 - Your Heart Was Made for This with Oren Jay Sofer 1:01:41

25d ago1:01:41

1:01:41

In this episode I talk with Oren Jay Sofer about his new book, Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices for Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity & Love. Oren teaches meditation and communication internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Comm…

1
Shining Dishes, Shining Hearts: One Neighbor's Silent Service 9:44

1M ago9:44

9:44

Tune in as we explore the profound impact of a small act of kindness, reminding us all of the tremendous difference we can make in someone else's life if we are mindful and empathetic. This heartwarming story serves as a metaphor for how we can confront feelings of failure and despair in our lives and those around us. Could we not do the same, if w…

1
Horses, Hounds, and Humans 16:56

2M ago16:56

16:56

Today we explore the deep, historical connection between humans and two of our most enduring companions - horses and dogs. We delve into the intricacies of how these magnificent creatures have shaped our evolution just as we have shaped theirs. From the wide-stretching plains where horses have galloped alongside us, to the edges of forests where do…

1
265 - Ten Fields of Zen Practice Chapter Three, Part 3: Zazen – Our Total Response to Life 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

This is the third episode of three comprising the “Zazen” chapter of my book, “The Ten Fields of Zen Practice: A Primer for Practitioners.” I start by offering what I should have put at the beginning of my chapter on Zazen: Basic instructions for Zazen. I then discuss how my “Five Efforts in Zazen” suggest Zazen is a neat and linear process, but in…

1
264 - Ten Fields of Zen Practice Chapter Three, Part 2: Zazen – Our Total Response to Life 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

This is the second episode of three comprising the "Zazen" chapter of my book, "The Ten Fields of Zen Practice: A Primer for Practitioners.” I finish my discussion of the five efforts of Zazen, covering becoming intimate with Life, seeing the true nature of Life, and being one with Life.By Domyo Burk

1
Pets, People And Release from Suffering 15:54

2M ago15:54

15:54

In this episode, we explore the unexpected ways in which caring for a pet can provide purpose and comfort during difficult times. Our pets can help bring us release from suffering. We discuss how, amidst the business of death and the turmoil of grief, the presence of pets can deliver a comforting sense of stability and routine. Some days, the compa…

1
263 - Ten Fields of Zen Practice Chapter 3, Part 1 - Zazen – Our Total Response to Life 37:29

2M ago37:29

37:29

The second Field of Zen practice is Zazen. “Za” means seated, and “zen” means meditation. However, as 13th-century Zen master Dogen famously stated, “…Zazen is not meditation practice.” Superficially, our Zazen may look like the meditation done in other spiritual traditions, or even in secular settings. We even call Zazen “meditation” sometimes, fo…

1
Bodhicitta, Bodhisattva, and Helping Others 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

Bodhisatta or Bodhisattva is a term often used to describe an enlightened individual who possesses wisdom and compassion. These are people who demonstrate the paramitas or perfections in their lifestyle. We says this as a compliment, a form of admiration. The definition of Bodhisattva extends beyond being a beacon of relief in a world of suffering,…

1
Finding Rest in Illusion by Longchenpa [3] 1:00:45

2M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

“All phenomenal experiences are not truly there—they are unreal. We need to bring this recognition of appearance-emptiness into our ongoing experience. Longchenpa teaches us how to rest at ease in illusion, in order to recognize unborn luminosity continually during the daytime and nighttime.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor …

1
Finding Rest in Illusion by Longchenpa [2] 1:15:57

2M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

“All phenomenal experiences are not truly there—they are unreal. We need to bring this recognition of appearance-emptiness into our ongoing experience. Longchenpa teaches us how to rest at ease in illusion, in order to recognize unborn luminosity continually during the daytime and nighttime.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor …

1
Finding Rest in Illusion by Longchenpa [1] 1:25:53

2M ago1:25:53

1:25:53

“All phenomenal experiences are not truly there—they are unreal. We need to bring this recognition of appearance-emptiness into our ongoing experience. Longchenpa teaches us how to rest at ease in illusion, in order to recognize unborn luminosity continually during the daytime and nighttime.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor …

1
Everyday Buddhism 106 - Appalachian Zen with Steve Kanji Ruhl 1:18:02

2M ago1:18:02

1:18:02

Join me for a delightful conversation with Steve Kanji Ruhl about his book, Appalachian Zen: Journeys in Search of True Home, from the American Heartland to the Buddha Dharma, the 2023 Gold Prize winner for Memoir in the Nautilus Book Awards. Steve Kanji is a Zen Buddhist minister ordained in the Zen Peacemaker Order, now teaching independently and…

1
Dedicating Merit: A Path to Free Others from Suffering 13:06

2M ago13:06

13:06

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve Buddhist practice, exploring the profound connections between mettā practice and the concept of merit. We ponder whether these two aspects are separate or intertwined, and how they can complement each other in our journey towards inner peace and compassion. We begin with a contemplation of mettā, alternat…

1
Compassion as a Critical Foundation for Buddhist Practice 11:54

3M ago11:54

11:54

As we journey deeper into this season, we anticipate the theme of compassion to be a recurring motif in our discussions with those who work tirelessly to ease the sufferings of others. Compassion, while not always verbally expressed, is often the undercurrent that drives their actions and fuels their motivations. This episode kicks off with an inte…

1
World Peace Prayer [4] 1:01:33

2M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

“A peaceful world just does not happen to us. We need to create it. We all have the root of compassion that desires others to be free from suffering—it just needs to be developed.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offered teachings on his prayer for world peac…

1
World Peace Prayer [3] 53:54

2M ago53:54

53:54

“A peaceful world just does not happen to us. We need to create it. We all have the root of compassion that desires others to be free from suffering—it just needs to be developed.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offered teachings on his prayer for world peac…

1
World Peace Prayer [2] 1:01:08

2M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

“A peaceful world just does not happen to us. We need to create it. We all have the root of compassion that desires others to be free from suffering—it just needs to be developed.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offered teachings on his prayer for world peac…

1
World Peace Prayer [1] 53:12

2M ago53:12

53:12

“A peaceful world just does not happen to us. We need to create it. We all have the root of compassion that desires others to be free from suffering—it just needs to be developed.” -Khenpo Sherab Sangpo Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offered teachings on his prayer for world peac…

1
262 - The Value, Care, and Feeding of Dharma Friendships – Part 2 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

The Buddha famously said “admirable friendship,” or what I’m calling Dharma friendship, is the entirety of the holy life. In the last episode, I discussed the value and nature of personal Dharma friendships. In this episode, I talk about what makes a good Dharma friendship and offer some practical ideas about how to find, form, and maintain such re…

1
Renee McKenna: Disconnection as the Root of Suffering 40:06

3M ago40:06

40:06

What if suffering acts as a compass, guiding us towards areas of our life that require care and attention? Suffering signals us that we are out of alignment with our true selves and need to course-correct. When we ignore this signal we will encounter tangible pain and emotional suffering both stemming from a resistance to change and progress. In a …

1
261 – The Value, Care, and Feeding of Dharma Friendships – Part 1 23:34

3M ago23:34

23:34

The Buddha famously said the “admirable friendship,” or what I’m calling Dharma friendship, is the entirety of the holy life. In this episode, I discuss the value and nature of personal Dharma friendships. In Part 2, I will talk about what makes a good Dharma friendship and offer some practical ideas about how to find, form, and maintain such relat…

1
Reevaluating the Idea of Selfishness in Buddhism 10:57

3M ago10:57

10:57

Let’s delve into a commonly misunderstood aspect of Buddhism, particularly Theravada Buddhism – the concept of helping others as part of you spiritual journey. There's a prevalent misconception that according to Buddhist teachings, you should solely focus on your own liberation before turning your attention to help others.. Does this really imply a…

1
260 - Ten Fields of Zen Practice Chapter Two: Bodhicitta, Way-Seeking Mind 33:22

3M ago33:22

33:22

This episode on Bodhicitta, or Way-Seeking Mind, is chapter two of my book The Ten Fields of Zen Practice: A Primer for Practitioners.” Bodhicitta is the first Field of practice because without it we never even begin practice, and, if we don’t nurture and sustain it, our practice will wither and die. I discuss the first arising of Bodhicitta, its f…

1
Everyday Buddhism 105 - Illumination with Rebecca Li 1:23:05

3M ago1:23:05

1:23:05

In this episode, I welcome back Rebecca Li to talk about her new book, Illumination: A Guide to the Buddhist Method of No Method. Rebecca and I had a conversation in May of 2021, about her previous book, Allow Joy into Our Hearts: Chan Practice in Uncertain Times. Rebecca is a meditation and Dharma teacher in the lineage of Chan Master Sheng Yen an…

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