Best Jon Aaron And Doug Smith Podcasts (2025)

1
The Role of Faith or Confidence in Our Practice 28:29

2d ago28:29

28:29

Jon and Doug discuss the role of faith or confidence in Buddhist practice, how it can be useful and also how it can be misused. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Silence and Solitude 27:45

2M ago27:45

27:45

Silence and solitude are two forms of Buddhist practice of great depth, but also some difficulty for many. Jon and Doug discuss how they appear in the early texts, and how we can practice with them today. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
Finding Joy Through Practice 25:57

2M ago25:57

25:57

Joy is an essential aspect of Buddhist practice. And boy do we need joy right now! Jon and Doug discuss how joy can arise for us, and what attitudes and practices can help joy to arise. Jon's Talk on Joy for Tricycle Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
Pilgrimage and Spiritual Seekers 29:47

2M ago29:47

29:47

Jon has been on pilgrimage in India over the last few weeks. He reports in about all he's been experiencing at various Buddhist and other sites. Links: Jon's blog posts: JonAaron.net/musings Where Are You Going: Ajahn Sucitto and Nick Scott https://whereareyougoing.podbean.com/ Doug's video: King Asoka: Buddhism's Great Political Modernist -- https…

1
It's About Time in Buddhism 27:59

4M ago27:59

27:59

How do we perceive time, and what can we learn from Buddhist teachings about it? How do we frame the past and the future, not to mention the present? Jon and Doug discuss this topic, inspired by the fact that Jon is currently in India, which is 9.5 hours ahead of the East Coast of the U.S., where Doug is. Support the show Go to our website to leave…

1
Dharma Chat with Stephen Fulder-- Practicing in Challenging Times 33:20

4M ago33:20

33:20

Jon and Doug have a wide-ranging chat with the dharma teacher and peace activitist, Stephen Fulder, founder of Tovana, the Israel Insight Society. We discuss his work in Israel and his new book, How to Thrive in Hard Times. You can find his book here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/How-Thrive-Hard-Times-Buddhist/dp/1915672740/ Support the show Go…

1
Refuge in Practice: Self or Sangha? 27:35

5M ago27:35

27:35

What is the role of community in our practice? The sangha is one of the traditional three refuges or jewels of Buddhism. The Buddha also advised at the end of his life to hold the self as our island and refuge, with the dharma as our island and refuge. Jon and Doug discuss how we reconcile these ideals. Support the show Go to our website to leave a…

1
Investigation, Energy, and Joy 26:54

5M ago26:54

26:54

Three key aspects of the seven enlightenment factors are investigation, energy, and joy. What are they, and how can we touch them in our practice? Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Conscious of Consciousness 34:01

5M ago34:01

34:01

The final aggregate in the set of five is consciousness. What is meant by consciousness/ As an aggregate of clinging, when does it get in the way? Jon and Doug discuss. Doug's Video: The Problem(s) of Consciousness -- https://youtu.be/W1Pn65QZiZs Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links:…

1
Sankharas, What Are They? Volitional Formations/Constructions/etc.? 27:36

5M ago27:36

27:36

In Buddhism the root of karmic action is in sankharas, a word with many uses in the dharma. As we practice, we can see the sankharas taking shape and then realize we have choices. But even the choices are related to other sankharas and the "wow' of this mind. Jon and Doug discuss them and how we can view their role in our lives. Support the show Go…

1
Bringing Our Practice to an Unwanted Outcome 28:14

6M ago28:14

28:14

Two days after the US Election, Doug and Jon discuss how they are handling the results. They also discuss how our practice can support us as we look to the future political landscape in the US and the world. Jon offered this poem by Rilke as a support: Let This Darkness be a Belltower Rainer Maria Rilke Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how yo…

1
Talkin' 'bout feeling (Vedana) 29:30

6M ago29:30

29:30

Feeling tone, the pleasure or pain we take in experience, is a central part of dharma. As an aggregate, a foundation of mindfulness, a link in the chain of dependent origination, appreciating, understanding, and directly experiencing Vedana is a key to experiencing freedom. Jon and Doug have a lively discussion on this topic. Support the show Go to…

1
The Aggregate of Form: Body and World 29:13

6M ago29:13

29:13

Doug and Jon continue to explore the Five Aggregates of Clinging (to self) and this week explore Form. How do we cling to form and at what point, does this clinging become suffering? Are doesn't it? Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
"Things Aren't as the Seem , Nor are they Otherwise*"-- Perception and Mis-Perception 28:20

6M ago28:20

28:20

Jon and Doug discuss perception and how it's mediated by past experience and the stories we tell. How does it become misperception? How can we work with our perception to live more skillfully and fully? *this quote is attributed to the Roman poet Phaedrus but it is often used by various Zen teachers Support the show Go to our website to leave a com…

1
The Fetter of Conceit 30:59

7M ago30:59

30:59

How does our concept of ourselves and others create suffering? What would it be like to soften this "conceit of self". Understanding and seeing through this conceit, is the last of the higher fetters, which needs to the released before awakening. Jon and Doug discuss how this comes up in practice. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comme…

1
Disenchantment: It's not really what it sounds like, or is it? 24:39

7M ago24:39

24:39

The Buddhist attitude of "nibbidā" or "disenchantment"/"disgust" is central to the early teaching. What is it and how can it help us navigate our lives? Jon and Doug discuss. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
A Buddhist View on Forgiveness 28:52

7M ago28:52

28:52

Doug and Jon discuss what forgiveness means in the contact of Buddhism. Is it Buddhist? It's a powerful and important practice but it doesn't seem to appear anywhere in the teachings. Information on the Class offered by Jon: Watering the Seeds of Forgiveness Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further note…

1
The Buddha in the Voting Booth 2024 28:26

8M ago28:26

28:26

Doug has Covid, Jon has a bad microphone, but they're chatting about the Buddha and voting anyway, as well as Buddhist practice and voting. What does 2024 bring for us in the voting booth, and how should we frame our political choices? To register to vote, and check voter registration in the US: https://vote.gov/ Support the show Go to our website …

1
Is Meditation Dangerous? 26:01

8M ago26:01

26:01

A recent podcast series at the Financial Times discussed serious problems several meditators have had at one popular ten-day Vipassana retreat system. Jon and Doug discuss this and some important work by Brown psychology professor Dr. Willoughby Britton. Links: The Retreat — an investigative podcast into the perils of meditation [Financial Times] -…

1
Renunciation 23:53

8M ago23:53

23:53

With Jon's impending move to Chicago Jon and Doug discuss the beneficial practice of renunciation. What do we really need? Video: George Carlin talks about "stuff" -- https://youtu.be/MvgN5gCuLac Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
The Value of Silence 30:24

9M ago30:24

30:24

Silence is so important to Buddhist practice. Jon and Doug discuss how silence impacts practice as well as some of the early tradition around silence. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Experiencing Art and Entertainment in the Context of the Dharma 27:20

9M ago27:20

27:20

How do we bring our Buddhist practice into our relationship with the arts and entertainment? The early Buddhist teachings, in particular, seem to look askance at this area of life. Doug and Jon discuss this interesting topic and how they integrate practice into their own interests in the arts. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, …

1
The Bodhisattva Ideal 27:21

9M ago27:21

27:21

The Bodhisattva ideal really blossomed in the Mahayana traditions but the idea of the Bodhisattva was certainly present in the earlier traditions. Perhaps not in name but certainly in expression. When the Buddha spoke about himself before his Enlightenment, he referred to himself as a Bodhisattva. And, of course, the fact that he taught for 40 year…

1
Steps Along the Path: The Four Stages of Progress 29:54

9M ago29:54

29:54

Stream-entry, once returning, non-returning, and arahantship are the traditional four stages of progress along the Buddhist path. What do they mean? Are they historical? Are they necessary for us to know about? Jon and Doug dive into this topic, which always raises questions about the value and the pitfalls. Support the show Go to our website to le…

1
How We Become a Self 24:56

10M ago24:56

24:56

The Buddha described humanity as tangled like string, knotted like a ball of thread. This tangle is a result of not seeing clearly the dependent co-arising— paticca-samupadda-- of phenomena. This is one of the most important of the early teachings. It can be seen through the lens of individual dissatisfaction and of course, through social, politica…

1
The Heart Quality Equanimity 29:00

10M ago29:00

29:00

Equanimity- Upekkha has an important place in many of the key Buddhist teachings. It's the fourth of the Divine Abodes, the seventh Factor of Awakening, the last step of the 16 Step teaching in the Mindfulness of Breathing and in the 10th of the Parami- the Perfections of the Heart. Doug and Jon discuss the various facets of this important quality.…

1
Letting Go Again: The Unquenchable Thirst 24:15

10M ago24:15

24:15

How can we work with our thirst for clinging and identification that seems unquenchable? We will discuss various aspect of letting go related to desire and thirst. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
More on Letting Go 23:26

10M ago23:26

23:26

We can't let go of letting go so we continue discussion from the prior episode. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Insights into Insight , and a New Platform 28:01

11M ago28:01

28:01

What is Insight (Vipassana) practice? Doug and Jon discuss its origins and how it orients our approach to the dharma. They also discuss some exciting potential developments with livestreaming the podcast. Book: Erik Braun, The Birth of Insight Our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8HnYof8CejuOkLsr86EjRQ Support the show Go to o…

1
Is Your Livelihood Right Livelihood? 26:11

12M ago26:11

26:11

Right Livelihood is one of the factors of the Buddha's Eightfold Noble Path. Of course, times have changed in the last 2500 years, so what does this mean today? Doug and Jon look at the teaching and do some head-scratching over certain parts of it. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and link…

1
The Question of Internal, External and Both. 27:46

12M ago27:46

27:46

The refrain in the teaching on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness refers to contemplating internally, externally, and internally and externally. Jon and Doug talk about how they receive that part of the teaching, which doesn't appear in any obvious way in other suttas but is actually a very important part of mindfulness. Support the show Go to our…

1
Freedom and Free Will 26:07

1y ago26:07

26:07

What is free will? Do we have free will? What does it mean to be free, and what does this have to do with our ethical and karmic responsibility? Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Truthfulness and Authenticity 26:49

1y ago26:49

26:49

Truthfulness is one of the Paramis or perfections of the heart. In this episode we dig into what it means to not only be factually true but how the truth finds expression in appropriate ways-- both in our external and internal speech. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://dig…

1
The Nature of Buddha Nature 29:02

1y ago29:02

29:02

Buddha Nature: what is it and how is it a controversial concept in some understandings? Jon and Doug discuss this as well as concepts and words generally. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
Moving Beyond Craving and Clinging 25:59

1y ago25:59

25:59

The second noble points to the cause of dukkha—craving and clinging. It's also related to the uncertainty of life and the desire for it to be otherwise. Sometimes, the wisdom we gain, even after years of practice, seems to vanish when confronted with the inevitable change. Our discussion was sparked by Jon's pending move to Chicago and the dukkha t…

1
Buddhism and the Golden Rule 28:42

1y ago28:42

28:42

Doug and Jon discuss the "Golden Rule" (do unto others as we would have them do unto us) and its role in Buddhist practice and the precepts. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/By Jon Aaron and Doug Smith

1
The Heart Quality of Courage 27:59

1y ago27:59

27:59

The recent death of Alexei Navalny sparked this discussion on courage. Navalny is one example-- similar to people like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Nelson Mandela. We see acts of courage from many daily but don't necessarily consider them in the same way. What is courage, and does it play a role in our practice? Can meditation and the dharma…

1
Papañca! Exactly What it Sounds Like 27:15

1y ago27:15

27:15

If one were to describe a word that illustrates the meaning of onomatopoetic, papañca fits the bill. There are a number of words in Pali that do this, but papañca which means mental proliferation, is one of the best. In this episode, Doug and Jon look at this familiar pattern of the mind and how to work with it. Support the show Go to our website t…

1
Let's Talk More About Meditation 27:56

1y ago27:56

27:56

In our last few episodes, we've been discussing the Buddha's Noble Eight-Fold Path. The last three factors of the path are about meditation. It's always good to remind ourselves why we meditate and what meditation actually is. What meditations are presented in the early Buddhist teachings, and why are they important? Support the show Go to our webs…

1
Coming Back to the Core: Strategies of Right Effort 29:33

1y ago29:33

29:33

Right Effort --one of the factors of the Noble Eightfold Path is an important aspect of the practice of meditation, and the teachings related to this are worth looking into. Jon and Doug discuss strategies and practices that may be useful for us to consider along the path. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or s…

1
Impermanence and the Closing of the Rubin Museum 25:26

1y ago25:26

25:26

The Rubin is an important institution in New York with a very significant collection and many special exhibitions of Tibetan and Himalayan art, specifically related to Buddhism and Buddhist culture in that part of the world. We received the sad news recently that they are closing the New York space and basically becoming a virtual and traveling mus…

1
Coming Back to the Core: Knowing Right View 26:49

1y ago26:49

26:49

The Eightfold Path, the fourth of the Four Noble Truths, lays out a map to become free from suffering. In our last episode, we explore the second fact on the Right Intention. In this episode, we discuss Right View and how we generally hold views. After all, if you don't have the right view, if you don't know where you're headed, you'll likely get l…

1
Coming Back to the Core: Are we Understanding Our Intentions? 30:38

1+ y ago30:38

30:38

As we continue our wondering through the Noble Truths we discuss aspects of the Fourth Truth the 8-Fold Noble Path with a particular interesting Right Intention. This is the second factor, but who says we need to start with the first? Japanese Bowl, Poem by Peter Mayer VIdeo on the Art of Kantsugi Support the show Go to our website to leave a comme…

1
Coming Back to the Core-- The Four Noble Truths (or 3 just now) 27:26

1+ y ago27:26

27:26

The New Year is a good time to return to the core teachings. And it's good to start with the Four Enobling Truths, from which much becomes clear. In this episode, we spend most of the time talking about the first two, Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com/…

1
New Year's Episode: Time Present, Time Past, Time Future-- What is Time Anyway? 28:20

1+ y ago28:20

28:20

In this episode for the last day of 2023, we look at concepts of time from a Buddhist perspective in the relative and absolute sense. It's a fun topic and seemed appropriate as we move into 2024-- at least in some calendars. George Carlin on TIme Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links:…

1
Why Buddhism? 26:16

1+ y ago26:16

26:16

Perhaps this is a perennial question, but it's always worth asking. What's so special about Buddhism and why have we chosen it as a guide for how we live? We speak about our personal experience ask questions that might be helpful for you. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https:/…

1
Again and Again. . . Rebirth ... and Death 28:16

1+ y ago28:16

28:16

What is meant by re-birth?? Who is reborn and when? There are a number of interpretations and Doug and Jon explore some of them. More important is how our understanding of rebirth and death impacts the way we live now. Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://digginthedharma.com…

1
Miracles, Mindfulness and What the Buddha Said 22:18

1+ y ago22:18

22:18

Depending on your interpretation of what a miracle is, there are certainly times when miracles seem to happen due to our practice. In fact, one of the most-read books on Buddhism and mindfulness is Thich Nhat Hanh's classic Miracle of Mindfulness. Do you notice miracles happening? What did the Buddha have to say about this? Support the show Go to o…

1
Practicing the Precepts 27:28

1+ y ago27:28

27:28

Jon and Doug discuss how living ethically in the context of the five precepts is a considerable mindfulness practice. At first glance, the precepts seem rather obvious, but the more we look and the more we bring them into our moment-to-moment experience, the more we realize how much deeper we can go. Support the show Go to our website to leave a co…

1
Taking Sides 27:46

1+ y ago27:46

27:46

Inspired by taking the side of peace, Jon and Doug look at taking sides and the Buddha's teachings on clinging to views and opinions. How does taking a side often exacerbate the problem of division and conflict? Is there another route? Support the show Go to our website to leave a comment, buy us a coffee, or see further notes and links: https://di…

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Jon Aaron And Doug Smith Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen