The Wisdom Seat Podcast

Host Bill Moriarty introduces a 2019 public talk from Anam Thubten: "The Wisdom of Meditation and Everyday Life" in the Dzogchen tradition. Anam Thubten describes meditation with an object (breath, body sensations, mantras, ordinary objects, sound) and meditation without an object (open awareness: "rest in the natural state of your mind"). Anam Thubten grew up in Tibet and at an early age began to practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his many teachers, his most formative guides were Lama Tsurlo, Khenpo Chopel, and Lama Garwang. He is the founder and spiritual advisor of Dharmata Foundation, teaching widely in the U.S. and abroad. He is also the author of various articles and books in both the Tibetan and English language. His books in English include: Choosing Compassion, No Self No Problem, Into the Haunted Ground, and The Citadel of Awareness. To view Anam Thubten's teaching and retreat schedule, please visit www.dharmata.org/events-calendar. Through the essential wisdom of Buddhism and his personal experience on the spiritual path, Anam Thubten brings alive the timeless teachings and invites everyone to participate. His collection of translations into English can be found at dharmatreasury.org. https://dharmata.org/teachers/

Michael Carroll sits down with Chris Kayser, who has been earning a living as an actor in the Atlanta area for over 40 years. Most recently he performed in a play about death and has been coming to terms with his own cancer diagnosis. He and Michael discuss how both acting and death can bring us vividly into the present, and the role that mindfulness plays on the stage and in life. From: https://www.alliancetheatre.org/blog/chris-kayser-beloved-atlanta-actor-has-died/ "It is with broken hearts that the Alliance shares the news that beloved Atlanta actor Chris Kayser passed away earlier today. Chris was a regular on our stages for four decades, including roles in A Christmas Carol for 22 years, 16 times as Ebenezer Scrooge. How fitting that a show so focused on the virtues of generosity & community is the show he performed the most. For those were the exact gifts he freely gave this Atlanta theatre community. In addition to his work at the Alliance, he was a company member of the seminal Academy Theater for nine years and a resident artist with Georgia Shakespeare for 25 years. Chris also helped found Théâtre Du Rêve, a French language theater. With Théâtre Du Rêve, he was able to tour theater in France six times. He was cited with the Lexus Leader in the Arts award by the city of Atlanta. He has been named Best Actor by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, and the Suzi Awards." - December 3, 2024 This episode was originally produced by Applied Mindfulness Training as part of their Mindful Voices series. Learn more at https://www.appliedmindfulnesstraining.org

Ron is CEO at Continental Sales lots-4-less, a discount store on the South Side of Chicago. Started by Ron's father in 1965, the store has gained a loyal customer base and sees upwards of 1000 sales a day. Ron and Michael discuss the thrill of treasure hunting and the company's values, which include mindfulness, community, and joy. This episode was originally produced by Applied Mindfulness Training as part of their Mindful Voices series. Learn more at https://www.appliedmindfulnesstraining.org

Susan Piver is a Buddhist teacher, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Open Heart Project, a community of support for living an awakened life. Michael sits down with his long-time friend, Susan Piver to talk about community, creativity, pain, loneliness, and other things we're afraid of. They also discuss how applying mindfulness impacts how we run a business, how we teach, and how we learn. This episode was originally produced by Applied Mindfulness Training as part of their Mindful Voices series. Learn more at https://www.appliedmindfulnesstraining.org

In this episode of The Wisdom Seat podcast, we have a conversation exploring the dynamic tension between ancient Vajrayana Buddhist teachings and modern life. What does it mean to genuinely practice Vajrayana in the context of our digital, fast-paced, and often fragmented 21st-century world? How can we show up? How can we help? The Progress Paradox book by Gregg Easterbrook

Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche Resting in the True Nature of Mind: Essential Meditation Instructions Commentary on a text by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche In 2019, we were deeply honored to host Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche for a special teaching event in the Swarthmore Friends Meeting house. This rare visit from one of Tibetan Buddhism's most respected teachers included a public talk, reception, and a tour of historic Philadelphia. Essential Meditation Instructions Rinpoche presented a profound teaching titled "Resting in the True Nature of Mind: Essential Meditation Instructions" - a commentary on a text by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. During this invaluable session, Rinpoche shared instructions on: Accessing and becoming familiar with our mind's true nature Essential steps and pith instructions for experiencing the mind's essence Establishing the correct meditative view Working skillfully with arising thoughts Developing confidence in our mind's inherent wisdom qualities These teachings, based on a poem-text by the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (one of the foremost 20th-century Tibetan Buddhist masters), offer invaluable guidance for both new and experienced meditators. Introdution by Alison Driscoll

This is audio from a video discussion - see this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eFpLpjmPNxc Bill Moriarty talks with Lama Lodro Lhamo at the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) monastery in Woodstock, New York. We discuss the importance of this place as the seat of the Karmapa in North America, and Lama Lodro's path to serving as first woman president of KTD. KTD: https://kagyu.org/ Visit us at The Wisdom Seat: https://www.thewisdomseat.org/

In this Wisdom Seat podcast episode, the focus is on co-founder Matt DiRodio as he prepares to embark on a 3 Year Retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist Kagyu lineage starting in August 2024. The episode features a detailed discussion from a recent Wisdom Seat community gathering, where Matt explains the history, structure, and personal motivations behind his retreat. Listeners gain insights into the retreat's practices and preparations. Matt's commitment to awakening and the support of his family and community are emphasized, providing a deep dive into the spiritual and practical aspects of this intensive retreat experience. Support Matt directly in this retreat here: https://donorbox.org/matt-dirodio-3-year-retreat

Welcome to another episode of The Wisdom Seat podcast. On today's episode, we are diving into the origins of The Wisdom Seat. I talk with Michael Carroll and Matt DiRodio, the two founders, about what brought them together, and what their original vision was. Then we'll hear about the encouragement and almost command from senior lineage holders to them that they must preserve the teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche. So, they began to invite and host teachers...and how an unintended community has begun growing. Some notes mentioned in this episode: Here are some links that could be included in the show notes for additional context on people, books, organizations and places mentioned: Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: https://www.chronicleproject.com/ Ringo Tulku: https://bodhicharya.org/ringu-tulku/ The Wisdom Seat: https://www.wisdomseat.org/ Profound Treasury Retreat Program: https://profoundtreasury.org/ Pendle Hill https://pendlehill.org Isgro Pastries https://www.isgropastries.com/ Swarthmore College: https://www.swarthmore.edu/ Corina Benner https://www.corinabenner.com David Nichtern https://davidnichtern.com Some books by Chögyam Trungpa: Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism The Myth of Freedom Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

This is a special one. Anam Thubten recently came and led a retreat at The Wisdom Seat in Pennsylvania in September, 2023. He generously agreed to a 1:1 podcast interview with me after the retreat. There was a sense of celebration throughout the weekend, and afterward Anam Thubten suggested we discuss joy in Buddhism. Anam Thubten mentions the practice of Chod during our talk and so we want to provide you with some links. Anam Thubten's organization: https://dharmata.org/ Anam Thubten's recent book that discussed Chod: https://www.shambhala.com/into-the-haunted-ground-9817.html I hope you enjoy this discussion. - Bill Moriarty from The Wisdom Seat

Tsunma Tenzin Dasel, born Lisa V. Blake, became a Tibetan Buddhist nun at mid-life after a career in education and social justice. Her interest in a spiritual life began early in her life through a love of the outdoors and questioning the suffering she witnessed around her. This led to a search for deeper meaning and purpose and formal study of meditation in the Buddhist tradition, culminating in enrolling in theological seminary and becoming ordained by His Holiness Dalai Lama as a Tibetan Buddhist nun in 2017. She is spiritual director of Tashi Gatsel Ling in Maine and former attendant to Jetsunma Palmo Rinpoche, (author of four books, including Heroic Heart: A Commentary on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva). She is co-director of the Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns (ANHN). She travels widely leading meditation workshops and retreats in the US and internationally, where she is appreciated for her warmth, humbleness, and sense of humor. She gave this talk at our shrine room, Pawo Khandro Ling, in Pennsylvania in April, 2023.

Bill Moriarty talks with Michael Carroll, Matt DiRodio, and Jacqui Merrell to ask: why would someone go on a meditation retreat? How do you choose one? Are they all different? I hope this is of benefit for you. Michael will be leading a 2 week retreat in July, 2023. Check us out at The Wisdom Seat