BackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities. There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes histo ...
…
continue reading
Content provided by C. Derick Varn. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by C. Derick Varn or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Similar to Varn Vlog
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Buddha Didn't Want You to Quit Thinking with W. Tom Pepper
Manage episode 500991451 series 2926241
Content provided by C. Derick Varn. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by C. Derick Varn or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Journey into the often-overlooked intersection of Buddhism and critical theory with Tom Pepper, author of "The Faithful Buddhist" and "Indispensable Goods." Tom challenges conventional Western Buddhist practices by exposing how deeply they're entangled with romantic ideology and capitalist structures.
Pepper argues that Western Buddhism has largely become a way for the alienated modern subject to find emotional compensation without confronting systemic issues. The romantic elements we've imported into Buddhism—prioritizing deep feelings over critical thought, seeking sublime experiences, and focusing on self-development—function as supportive structures for capitalism rather than challenges to it. This explains why popular Western Buddhist practices emphasize mindfulness and emotional regulation while avoiding political engagement and philosophical complexity.
Drawing connections between the historical introduction of Buddhism to the West and our selective interpretation of its teachings, Pepper demonstrates how we've systematically misunderstood concepts like anatman (no-self) and sunyata (emptiness). Our tendency to make ancient philosophies comfortable and compatible with modern thinking robs them of their power to challenge our fundamental assumptions about reality, consciousness, and society.
Perhaps most provocatively, Pepper connects Buddhist practice to political obligation. If Buddhism is genuinely concerned with reducing suffering, it cannot remain apolitical or focused solely on individual practice. The commodification of Buddhism through expensive retreats, books, and membership fees further reveals the contradiction at the heart of Western Buddhist practice.
Whether you're a Buddhist practitioner questioning your tradition, a student of critical theory, or someone interested in how ideologies shape our thinking, this conversation offers profound insights into how we might approach ancient wisdom with fresh eyes—allowing these traditions to genuinely challenge our most basic assumptions about ourselves and our world.
Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake
Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn
Links and Social Media:
twitter: @varnvlog
blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social
You can find the additional streams on Youtube
Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon
Chapters
1. Buddha Didn't Want You to Quit Thinking with W. Tom Pepper (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Tom Pepper (00:01:35)
3. Defining Speculative Non-Buddhism (00:02:58)
4. Romanticism in Western Buddhism (00:07:37)
5. The Historical Adoption of Buddhism (00:17:37)
6. Emptiness and True Self Misconceptions (00:31:43)
7. Buddhism's Political Avoidance (00:43:51)
8. Ideology in Capitalism (00:58:22)
9. The Buddhist Book Industry (01:03:10)
10. Critical Thinking in Practice (01:14:34)
11. Final Thoughts and Finding Tom's Work (01:22:58)
351 episodes
Share
Manage episode 500991451 series 2926241
Content provided by C. Derick Varn. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by C. Derick Varn or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Journey into the often-overlooked intersection of Buddhism and critical theory with Tom Pepper, author of "The Faithful Buddhist" and "Indispensable Goods." Tom challenges conventional Western Buddhist practices by exposing how deeply they're entangled with romantic ideology and capitalist structures.
Pepper argues that Western Buddhism has largely become a way for the alienated modern subject to find emotional compensation without confronting systemic issues. The romantic elements we've imported into Buddhism—prioritizing deep feelings over critical thought, seeking sublime experiences, and focusing on self-development—function as supportive structures for capitalism rather than challenges to it. This explains why popular Western Buddhist practices emphasize mindfulness and emotional regulation while avoiding political engagement and philosophical complexity.
Drawing connections between the historical introduction of Buddhism to the West and our selective interpretation of its teachings, Pepper demonstrates how we've systematically misunderstood concepts like anatman (no-self) and sunyata (emptiness). Our tendency to make ancient philosophies comfortable and compatible with modern thinking robs them of their power to challenge our fundamental assumptions about reality, consciousness, and society.
Perhaps most provocatively, Pepper connects Buddhist practice to political obligation. If Buddhism is genuinely concerned with reducing suffering, it cannot remain apolitical or focused solely on individual practice. The commodification of Buddhism through expensive retreats, books, and membership fees further reveals the contradiction at the heart of Western Buddhist practice.
Whether you're a Buddhist practitioner questioning your tradition, a student of critical theory, or someone interested in how ideologies shape our thinking, this conversation offers profound insights into how we might approach ancient wisdom with fresh eyes—allowing these traditions to genuinely challenge our most basic assumptions about ourselves and our world.
Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake
Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn
Links and Social Media:
twitter: @varnvlog
blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social
You can find the additional streams on Youtube
Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon
Chapters
1. Buddha Didn't Want You to Quit Thinking with W. Tom Pepper (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Tom Pepper (00:01:35)
3. Defining Speculative Non-Buddhism (00:02:58)
4. Romanticism in Western Buddhism (00:07:37)
5. The Historical Adoption of Buddhism (00:17:37)
6. Emptiness and True Self Misconceptions (00:31:43)
7. Buddhism's Political Avoidance (00:43:51)
8. Ideology in Capitalism (00:58:22)
9. The Buddhist Book Industry (01:03:10)
10. Critical Thinking in Practice (01:14:34)
11. Final Thoughts and Finding Tom's Work (01:22:58)
351 episodes
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Similar to Varn Vlog
BackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities. There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes histo ...
…
continue reading
Learn something new every day! Everything Everywhere Daily is a daily podcast for Intellectually Curious People. Host Gary Arndt tells the stories of interesting people, places, and things from around the world and throughout history. Gary is an accomplished world traveler, travel photographer, and polymath. Topics covered include history, science, mathematics, anthropology, archeology, geography, and culture. Past history episodes have dealt with ancient Rome, Phoenicia, Persia, Greece, Chi ...
…
continue reading
An award-winning cannabis podcast for women, by women. Hear joyful stories and useful advice about cannabis for health, well-being, and fun—especially for needs specific to women like stress, sleep, and sex. We cover everything from: What’s the best weed for sex? Can I use CBD for menstrual cramps? What are the effects of the Harlequin strain or Gelato strain? And, why do we prefer to call it “cannabis” instead of “marijuana”? We also hear from you: your first time buying legal weed, and how ...
…
continue reading
A weekly podcast tracing the history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas's arrival in Italy and ending with the exile of Romulus Augustulus, last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Now complete!
…
continue reading
An investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Book bans are on the rise across America. With the rise of social media, book publishers are losing their power as the industry gatekeepers. More and more celebrities and influencers are publishing books with ghostwriters. Writing communities are splintering because members are at cross purposes about their mission. Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing ind ...
…
continue reading
(Apple's Best of 2018) In-depth conversations with people at the top of their game. Jordan Harbinger unpacks guests' wisdom into practical nuggets you can use to impact your work, life, and relationships. Learn from leaders (Ray Dalio, Simon Sinek, Mark Cuban), entertainers (Moby, Tip "T.I." Harris, Dennis Quaid), scientists (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye), athletes (Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman, Tony Hawk) and an eclectic array of fascinating minds, from art forgers and arms traffickers to sp ...
…
continue reading
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
…
continue reading
Tough decisions rattle us all to the core. But for our guests on One Decision— the choices they are up against can also shape history. No pressure! They take us through all of their doubts, emotions and—sometimes unexpected--consequences. A fresh take on foreign policy. Hear the former head of Mi6, Sir Richard Dearlove alongside international journalists as they analyse, interview, and discuss.
…
continue reading
As She Rises brings together local poets and activists from throughout North America to depict the effects of climate change on their home and their people. Each episode carries the listener to a new place through a collection of voices, local recordings and soundscapes. Stories span from the Louisiana Bayou, to the tundras of Alaska to the drying bed of the Colorado River. Centering the voices of native women and women of color, As She Rises personalizes the elusive magnitude of climate cha ...
…
continue reading
Smart People Podcast is a biweekly, interview-based podcast that features today's most well respected thought leaders engaging in authentic, insightful conversation for the benefit of the listener. The host, Chris Stemp, and his co-host/producer Jon Rojas, utilize their insatiable curiosity and relatable charm to provoke their guests into giving the interview of a lifetime. Every single guest has achieved a high level of recognition within their arena and in doing so has collected a wealth o ...
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continue reading
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