Is it possible to stop worrying about future events that we know we can handle, instead of ‘crossing that bridge when we come to it’?
How does impermanence show up in our thoughts and feelings, in our physical bodies, and in the world around us? And why is that good to pay attention to?
And what did Kaspa learn about listening to each other from watching all three series of Reservation Dogs?
Kaspa thinks about two different experiences of Buddhist practice, a top down approach – setting good intentions and being mindful as much as possible and trying to be good – vs a bottom up approach, putting yourself in the crucible of Buddhist practice and allowing that to transform you.
Kaspa also shares the Jataka story of ‘hair standing on end’, a story about how the Buddha rejected extreme ascetism. Our practice should be the middle way between indulgence, and self-mortification.
What kind of person do we need to be, in order to help people? What help is it actually possible to give? How can Buddhist teachings and practice support us in our helping relationships?
Ananada reflects on these questions after years of working in a ‘helping’ charity on Hawaii.
Kaspa also talks about the new eight foot tall Buddha statue in the temple, about where statues come from and why we bow to them. What exactly is it that we are bowing to?
How do we end up as Buddhists? In so many different ways. Satya Robyn – psychotherapist and co-founder of Bright Earth Buddhist Temple, shares her story of becoming Buddhist. What can we learn from her experiences?
Kaspa also reflects on the death of Dolly Parton, and asks if she might become a personal Buddha in the way of ancestors in Japanese Pure Land Buddhist families.
Why do we ring the singing bowl at the start of practice, what has that got to do with hungry ghosts? What are hungry ghosts? Kaspa Thompson explores these questions, on location at the shrine soom at Bright Earth Buddhist Temple.
Satya Robyn shares a teaching on resilience in difficult times.
And Kaspa speaks about Caitlin Doughty’s book Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.
With Kaspa Thompson. This episode includes a dharma talk, a pop culture moment and a story from the Jataka tales.
