dharma talks

In this podcast, Kauer describes some ways that yoga teachers’ language and practices might contribute—often unintentionally but in very real ways—to people feeling excluded or marginalized. She notes that experiences of oppression are embodied, which is “what makes it extremely important for the yoga community to have awareness of these issues.”  


Power, Privilege and Practice within the Yoga Culture with Kerrie Kauer

During a 5-day intensive Michael explores key terms from a 15th century text on yoga and talks about mental habits, yoga postures, and the ways that the habits of mind and body are actually the path. Michael explains savasana, corpse pose. University of Toronto. co-taught with Kathryn Bruni-Young. 1.5 hours.

Hatha Yoga (1)

Michael explains how kundalini, moksha and other Hatha Yoga terms are metaphors for awakening. He then talks about intimacy, creativity and the false self. A very clear talk about common haha yoga terms. University of Toronto. co-taught with Kathryn Bruni-Young. 1 hour.

Hatha Yoga (2)

During a Jewish-Buddhist retreat Michael speaks about fear of failure, fear of disappointing others and being scared of missing out. He begins by talking about the death of writer Oliver Sacks. 50 min. Ontario.

Opening To Fear

How To Meditate, Forgive, End Blame, And Stop Wounding Your Own Heart

Michael teaches Tibetan practices for training in empathy: Turning what&rsquo;s arising into the path, see everything as a dream, don't get stuck on peace, rest in an open mind, and after meditation just become a beginner. Enso Foundation, Kelowna, 1 hour.

Training Your Heart (Lojong Teachings #1)

This is instruction for a meditation practice called&nbsp;tonglen. Tonglen is a Tibetan term that means giving and receiving. In this practice you send out happiness to others and you take in any suffering that others feel. (Lojong Teachings #2) Enso Foundation, Kelowna, 15 min.
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15 Minute Guided Tonglen Meditation

Michael teaches a group of clinicians (with Brian Williams) on the Buddhist teaching of Mudita – Appreciative Joy. He speaks of the ways that joy is contagious and how we can train to notice it more often. Enso Foundation, Kelowna, 25 min.

Appreciation & Joy

Learning how to be present with an un-agitated heart. Meditation teaches us to be wiser with what’s difficult. Embodying our meditative practice by learning how to stop and see clearly. Meditation Facilitation Training, Vancouver, 1hr.

Mindfulness of the Breath & Taking the Backwards Step

Michael starts out linking Aylan Kurdi’s body washing up on shore in Greece, with unemployment, austerity, and our interconnection. How do we wake up in the middle of confusion? He then talks about emptiness as a practice of not-knowing, and how to work with confusion. Madison, WI 1 hr.

Training Your Heart (Lojong Teachings #4): Compassion in a Tough World

Michael talks about how to protect yourself, how to cultivate a caring heart, and ways of praying without necessarily needing God. Madison, WI. &nbsp;

Training Your Heart (Lojong Teachings #5)

1.) What was your first experience of solitude, and 2.) What were your first experiences of being with others? The best thing we can leave our kids is to show how we loved. Madison, WI. &nbsp;

Training Your Heart (Lojong Teachings #6)

A bodhisattva is someone who doesn’t get used to violence. How to train our hearts to be awake so our hearts don't build plaque. Comox, B.C. 1 hour.

Training Your Heart (Lojong Teachings #7): Practice the Basics

Molly Boeder Harris co-teaching with Michael on self-soothing and trauma awareness during the Meditation Facilitation Training. Recorded in Vancouver, 59 min.

Your Body is Trying to Support You: Self Soothing & Trauma Awareness ft. Molly Boeder Harris

Molly Boeder Harris co-teaching with Michael on trauma sensitivity for meditation facilitation. Vancouver, 53 min.

Safety, Flight, Fight, and Freeze: Trauma & the Brain

If you feel unsafe or unstable, this is a gentle 10 minute guided meditation in corpse pose, for taking care of yourself. Vancouver, 20 min.

Guided Corpse Pose for Safety

Michael talks about the magic mantra that ends the Heart Sutra. Transforming fear, cultivating compassion, not-knowing, how mantras work. London, 1 hour.

The World Is Its Own Magic

Michael explains how we can cultivate a field in which anxiety can arise and change, surrounded by spaciousness. We have forces of good inside us, we aren't fated to live out our history, and we are loveable just as we are. London, 55min.

Anxiety & Meditation

What does being alive feel like? Michael tells the story of Subhuti and the questions he asks the Buddha about how to practice. Haven’t we been blessed with greatest of trusts? Aren’t we all blessed? Isn't meditation learning how to trust? Spirit Loft, Toronto, 28 min.

How Does a Buddha Stand, Walk & Control Thoughts? (Diamond Sutra 2)

There are hungers we just can't satisfy. So how can we open to desire without grasping? There’s no satisfaction at the end of the money or fame path. Meditation is controlling your posture and mind in order to let go of control. Spirit Loft, Toronto, 20 min.&nbsp;

dharma talks

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