Dharma talks from meditation teacher Mary Stancavage. These focus primarily on the pragmatic aspects of Buddhist teachings and philosophy drawing strongly on wisdom and heart practices. All are viewed through the lens of learning to live with an Undefended Heart. (photo by @kimanhuynh)
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Secular Dharma Podcasts
If you would like to support the work I do, Please consider making a donation, via paypal or venmo: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/contact/ To find out more, or to join one of my many programs check my site: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ For nearly 30 years, Dave Smith has held a practice rooted in the Insight Meditation (Vipassana) tradition. He was empowered to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, is a certified teacher for Cultivating Emotional Balance (CE ...
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Wild Heart Meditation Center's podcast offers an assortment of talks given on topics as they relate to Buddhist practice. Wild Heart teachers Mikey Livid & Andrew Chapman, along with other group facilitators share their experience with Buddhist practice, specifically offering practical teachings and instructions for our everyday, ordinary, lives.
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New grassroots school or sect of Nichiren, Lotus Sutra based secular Buddhism. A philosophical and ethical meditation practice and way of life. Buddha was not a god or deity. He was just a super "woke" aka enlightened human. We ALL have the ability to attain buddhahood, enlightenment, wokeness. Let's do it together and help ourselves, each other, and the planet! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/secular-lotus-buddhists/support
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Dedicated to liberation in all its forms, Deconstructing Yourself is passionate about fearlessly investigating, attempting, and questioning all things to do with awakening, meditation, mindfulness, brain hacking, consciousness, neurofeedback, and more. Your host Michael W. Taft interviews some of the most interesting thinkers, authors, and teachers around, as well as other offerings. In this hard-hitting, radical, and fun podcast we look at secular post-, non-, un- Buddhism, Vajrayana, nondu ...
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David Vago, PhD and Lisa Dale Miller, LMFT, LPCC, SEP tackle the traditional Buddhist concept of "enlightenment" from their modern clinical points of view in a stimulating and fun discussion. Part 2 focuses on S-ART, David's neurobiological framework for describing the positive effects of meditation on self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence; Theravada, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna notions of awakening and not-self; secular mental training; different interventions for different psy ...
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David Vago, PhD and Lisa Dale Miller, LMFT, LPCC, SEP tackle the traditional Buddhist concept of "enlightenment" from their modern clinical points of view in a stimulating and fun discussion. Part 2 focuses on S-ART, David's neurobiological framework for describing the positive effects of meditation on self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence; Theravada, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna notions of awakening and not-self; secular mental training; different interventions for different psy ...
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Prison Mindfulness Podcast for those bringing mindfulness and transformational contemplative practices to underserved populations. Our nonprofit focuses on teaching mindfulness in prisons, jails, and all those impacted by the criminal justice system.
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Bramha Viharas and the 4 noble truths (tasks): Talk
55:06
55:06
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55:06Talk number 2 from the Montana retreat, Bozeman Dharma Center. The integration of the bramha viharas and the four noble truths. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Evening 1 heart practice session. Overview of sila-bramha-vihara with guided instructions. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Talk 1 from Montana retreat, Bozeman Dharma Center. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Cultivating awareness: overview and guided
51:16
51:16
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51:16Day 2, morning session. Cultivating awareness. Montana retreat, Bozeman Dharma Center https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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By Mary Stancavage
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Morning 1 overview and instructions. Bozeman Dharma Center Retreat. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Final talk from Vallecitos. The three trainings of the 8 fold path are outlined and described. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Evening heart practice from Vallecitos. Compassion in appreciate as they are outlined in the abhidharma (manual on Buddhist psychology) https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Evening Bramha vihara session with a focus on metta/kindness. Check out my program at the Ghost Ranch in November. HERE https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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In this episode Jennifer Wang gives a dharma talk on boundaries and how they relate to the brahma viharas (loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity). Enjoy! Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC f…
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Talk 1 from Vallecitos "natural awareness" retreat. If you find these episodes useful, please consider dropping me some support. You can venmo or paypal at this page: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/contact/ https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.…
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The development of Wisdom is a key component in Buddhist teachings and practice. It is not just knowledge of facts, but is a deep and embodied understanding of the nature of experience. Wisdom, Wise View and clear seeing are necessary for our awakening and liberation. Mary discusses wisdom and how we cultivate it in our daily lives. Recorded Septem…
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The Path - 3rd Noble Truth - Letting Go of Reactivity
43:42
43:42
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43:42Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…
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Inspired by aquotes, Mary reflects on how we contain multiplicities and can hold them all at once. We can experience suffering, and also awe. We can experience grief, and also gratitude. It's when we get stuck on one experience and block out others, that we are not fully present. Buddha's teachings invite us to be present for the fullness of our hu…
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Nonduality and the Ego with Jake Orthwein
1:02:16
1:02:16
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1:02:16Host Michael Taft talks with Jake Orthwein about the self as a construction, the distinction between no-self and emptiness, the crucial difference between having a functional ego and being identified with it, psychedelics and meditation and ego dissolution, the Buddha-nature vs. the True Self, dereification vs. defabrication, Taft’s distinction of …
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Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org DONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donate Follow Us on Socials! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/ Instagram: https://www.ins…
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A few reflections on impermanence and fixed views. There is no formal dharma talk this week. Recorded Sept. 15, 2025 in the virtual world (and near Zurich, Switzerland) Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info…
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14 years - Reflections on Buddhist Addiction Recovery
27:50
27:50
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27:50In this episode, Mikey Livid celebrates 14 years of addiction recovery and reflects on the journey that brought him to the dharma. He shares how Buddhism has become the foundation of his recovery path and explores the key lessons he’s learned along the way. *** Nov. 13th-16th at Southern Dharma - Hot Springs, NC - Get Your Mind Right: A Young Peopl…
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Wise Intention is the second factor of the Eightfold Path and can help to guide our journey from dukkha to liberation. However good our intentions can be however, sometimes we get caught up in expectations about how those intentions are supposed to play out which simply increases our dukkha. In this talk Mary discusses wise intention and letting go…
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - Loving Kindness Towards All Beings
44:46
44:46
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44:46This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Andrew Chapman offers the final instructions of the retreat on loving kindness to all beings. ***Get Your Mind Right: A Young People's Retreat on the Four Great Efforts with Mikey Livid and Rachael Tanner-Smith Nov. 13th-16th: https://southerndharma.org/re…
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In reflecting on 17 years of teaching the Saturday Afternoon Sit, Mary also talks about the invitation to check in with our spiritual practice every decade or so. We often want to see immediate results to whatever we're doing, but deepening our spiritual practice and cultivating wisdom and compassion takes time. We may see some immediate results, b…
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Talking about Deity Yoga with Peter McEwen
55:01
55:01
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55:01Host Michael Taft talks with meditation coach Peter McEwen about devotion in meditation practice, the need for stability in groundlessness, the ontological status of deities, common failure modes of practice, how to handle formless panic, the magical matrix, and the lasting power and beauty of deity yoga in the Vajrayana tradition. Peter McEwen is …
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - Second Afternoon Instruction - Please Try! The Effort of Loving Kindness
43:44
43:44
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43:44This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Andrew Chapman offers the second afternoon instructions on the effort of loving kindness. ***Get Your Mind Right: A Young People's Retreat on the Four Great Efforts with Mikey Livid and Rachael Tanner-Smith Nov. 13th-16th: https://southerndharma.org/retrea…
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In this talk Mary takes a deep dive into what it means to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. These reflections all point to a path to liberation - trusting in our awakening, how to get there, and how we support each other on the journey. This is an invitation to practice in the Triple Gem. Recorded August 24, 2025 at Insight Com…
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - Second Morning Instruction - Expanding Loving Kindness Towards Yourself
38:35
38:35
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38:35This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Mikey Livid offers the second morning instructions on expanding loving kindness towards self. The phrases offered are: May I be at ease. May I be at peace. May I be kind and gentle with myself. May I be filled with loving kindness. Enjoy! *** Get Your Mind…
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https://www.davesmithdharma.com/https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharmaThank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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The Buddha's famous teaching, often called The Fire Sermon, is about how easy it is to be caught up in the flames of greed, aversion and ignorance when we don't pay attention. Our senses are easily pulled into stories and reactions that keep us trapped in samsara. Nirvana/Nibbana means cessation as in putting out a flame and as we practice resistin…
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From Big Heart City Friday night class. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Sharon Salzberg - The Power of Loving Kindness
1:01:03
1:01:03
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1:01:03Meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author, Sharon Salzberg offers a talk on The Power of Loving Kindness. This episode was recorded Saturday, August 9th at an online fundraiser for Wild Heart Meditation Center. Enjoy! ***Get Your Mind Right: A Young People’s Retreat on the Four Great Efforts with Mikey Livid …
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It's said that if there is impatience, it's because there is resistance to what is and that is the definition of the second noble truth - our inability to be with things as they are. In this reflection, Mary discusses how powerful it can be to cultivate patience, how it is a key part of equanimity and how we can see it's importance in our everyday …
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Evening Dharma Talk - The Qualities of a Good Friend
47:16
47:16
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47:16This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Mikey Livid offers the first afternoon instructions on loving kindness meditation. The phrases offered are: May I be at ease. May I be at peace. may I be kind and gentle with myself. May I be filled with loving kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundr…
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Often when we think of our legacy, we think about what people will remember about us when we die. Instead, we can think of our legacy as what we leave in our wake as we move through the world. How do we show up? Are we kind? Are we wise? Are we generous? This is our legacy. Shout out to Lama Rod Owens for planting the seeds of this talk. Recorded A…
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Talk 3 at RMERC. Natural Awareness Retreat. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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The talk is from Vallecitos, and covers the teaching on the four foundations of Mindfulness. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Final talk at Vallecitos - July 2025. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Over of gratitude and guided practice from Vallecitos. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Beautiful theory of mind pt. 1: Talk
1:01:28
1:01:28
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1:01:28https://www.davesmithdharma.com/https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharmaThank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Beautiful theory of MInd pt 2: talk
1:07:11
1:07:11
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1:07:11Second talk at RMERC. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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https://www.davesmithdharma.com/https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharmaThank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Progress on the path: short reflection...
17:53
17:53
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17:53From the Sunday weekly mentoring group. If you are interested in our mentoring program you can find out more HERE https://www.davesmithdharma.com/ https://account.venmo.com/u/davesmithdharma Thank you for subscribing.By dave smith
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Talking about Dark Retreat, Part 2 with Andrew Holecek
1:12:32
1:12:32
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1:12:32Host Michael Taft continues his conversation with with Andrew Holecek about the transformative practice of Dark Retreat; the reasons behind the recent surge of interest in darkness practices; its relationship to the feminine principle and as an antidote to runaway patriarchy; the three “tracks” or “schools” of dark retreat in Tibetan Vajrayana: Kal…
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An Interview with Sharon Salzberg - The Power of Loving Kindness
45:10
45:10
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45:10In this episode Wild Heart guiding teacher Mikey Livid interviews meditation pioneer and New York Times best selling author Sharon Salzberg. Sharon will be teaching an online fundraiser for Wild Heart Meditation Center Saturday, August 9th and 6pm central. Register link can be found here: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org Wild Heart Meditat…
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Afternoon Instruction - Loving Kindness Meditation
40:40
40:40
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40:40This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Mikey Livid offers the first afternoon instructions on loving kindness meditation. The phrases offered are: May I be at ease. May I be at peace. may I be kind and gentle with myself. May I be filled with loving kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundr…
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With so much going on these days it can be challenging to stay balanced and present for whatever shows up in our world - pleasant or unpleasant. In this talk Mary discusses the idea of joy and sorrow and the eight worldly winds as a teaching to ground us right here and be open to whatever shows up. Denying the present moment is a hallmark of dukkha…
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Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat - First Morning Instruction - Mindfulness of Breath
1:18:38
1:18:38
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1:18:38This episode was recorded at the Loving Kindness Meditation Retreat in Sewanee, TN July 2025. Andrew Chapman offers the first morning instructions on mindfulness of breathing with the attitude of kindness. Enjoy! SHARON SALZBERG online fundraiser of WHMC Aug. 9th at 6pm central! Register here: https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org Wild Heart Me…
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In our world today we can chase after certificates and degrees to prove who we are and what we know. In this talk Mary reflects on the words of Ajahn Chah who says that these are only "appendages". "We think they are real and we carry them around with us" to prove who we are. Instead, we are invited to turn inwards and allow our inner wisdom to ari…
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This week Mary offers a few reflections on suffering and patience and invites your comments and thoughts. Recorded July 15, 2025 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and tea…
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