Buddhist Geeks

David Chapman is a writer, computer scientist, engineer and Buddhist practitioner. He blogs on several sites including the hypertext book Meaningness.com. Beginning a season of episodes on the theme of ethics, Vincent Horn welcomes David to explore a series of blog articles that David wrote on the theme of “Buddhist ethics.” Together they question some long held secular, leftish beliefs about Buddhist ethics, they explore the distinction between morality and ethics, and they examine how Buddhist ethics are practiced in the modern age. This is part one of a two part series. Memorable Quotes:“Shakyamuni Buddha, 2,500 years ago, taught exactly the same ethics that was only rediscovered in California 30 years ago. He was a feminist, and sexually liberal, and environmentally conscious, and anti-racist. So great, we've got this religion that completely validates all the correct ethical positions and it's 2,500 years old.” - David ChapmanEpisode Links: Meaningness.com - http://meaningness.com David Chapman on Twitte

Roland Griffiths is the lead investigator of the Psilocybin Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins and one of the United States’ leading psychopharmacologists. In the conclusion to his conversation with host Vincent Horn, Roland provides more details on the Hopkins Meditation Study, Vincent shares his personal story of psychedelic experimentation, and they discuss the risks and benefits of mixing meditation practice with the psilocybin experience. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one "Meditating on Mushrooms". Episode Links: - Hopkins Meditation Study - "The Trip Treatment"- Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D.

Roland Griffiths is the lead investigator of the Psilocybin Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins and one of the United States’ leading psychopharmacologists. In this episode Roland describes his research into the medicinal uses of psychedelics. He explains his history in the field, his current research around psychedelics and meditation, and he extends an invitation to the Buddhist Geeks audience to consider becoming a part of a meditation on psilocybin study at John Hopkins. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two "Psilocybin: A Crash Course in Mindfulness". Episode Links: - Hopkins Meditation Study - "The Trip Treatment" - Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D.

Caroline Contillo is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, & writer. In the conclusion to their conversation, Caroline and Vincent Horn examine the rewards and perils of storytelling in our daily lives. They share the concept of mindfulness as a Reality Tunnel and consider what happens when we forget that mindfulness is also part of a larger story that influences what reality is. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one "BG 375: The Story of Things as They Are". [ http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2015/12/bg-376-the-mindfulness-reality-tunnel ] links - Caroline Contillo on Twitter [https://twitter.com/spacecrone] - Space Crone [ http://spacecrone.com ]

Caroline Contillo is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, & writer. She joins host Vincent Horn for a free flowing conversation about mindfulness, science fiction, and the human penchant for telling stories. Together they make connections between mindfulness and story-telling, and examine the way that mindful practice can uncover certain kinds of “reality tunnels”, while introducing its own unique story line. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two "BG 376: The Mindfulness Reality Tunnel". [ http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2015/12/bg-376-the-mindfulness-reality-tunnel ] links - Caroline Contillo on Twitter [https://twitter.com/spacecrone] - Space Crone [ http://spacecrone.com ] - "The World is Made of Stories" [ http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/world-made-stories ]

Vincent Horn is part of a new generation of teachers translating age-old wisdom into 21st century code. In this talk given to the Buddhist Geeks Dojo and the UNC Asheville Mindfulness Club, Vincent describes Mindfulness++, a multi-paradigm programming language for the mind. The “multi” part refers to multiple training paradigms--including both Buddhist and mindfulness-based ones--and how they differ based on the ‘view’ and ‘intentions’ that power them. Finally Vincent explores using a feedback loop of Uncovering and Practicing that broadens the understanding of what it means to train, practice, and wake up. - Wikipedia: Mindfulness [change to cohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulnessrrect link] - Wikipedia: Noble Eightfold Path [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path ] - A Mindful Balance by B. Alan Wallace [ http://www.alanwallace.org/spr08wallace_comp.pdf ] - Wikipedia: Programming paradigm [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm ] - Buddhist Geeks Dojo [ http://www.buddhistge

Dr. Jay Michaelson is a meditation teacher, academic, and the author of several books including "The Gate of Tears: Sadness and the Spiritual Path". In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Jay discusses "The Gate of Tears" and its themes of sadness, grief, and loss on the path. They talk about the practice of co-existing with emotions without being swept away, whether spiritual practice actually makes people more compassionate, and the intersection of dharma practice with social justice. Links - Jay Michaelson [http://www.jaymichaelson.net] - "The Gate of Tears: Sadness and the Spiritual Path" [ http://www.jaymichaelson.net/gateoftears/ ] "The Next Generation of Enlightenment" [ http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2013/12/bg-303-next-generation-enlightenment/ ] - "Playboy Interview: Dick Cheney" [ http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-dick-cheney ]

Culadasa (John Yates, Ph.D.) is the director of Dharma Treasure Buddhist Sangha in Tucson, Arizona and author of "The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Using Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science". He joins host Vincent Horn to discuss the themes in "The Mind Illuminated", and to describe how his life as a professor of physiology and neuroscience intersected with Buddhism. UPDATE: This is an edited version of a much longer interview. The rest of the interview--detailing the 10 stages of concentration--will be released soon in the Buddhist Geeks Dojo. Culadasa will be joining the Dojo community on October 6th for a Practice AMA (“ask me anything”). You can get a trial month to check it out and join that event. Links - Culadasa.com [http://culadasa.com/] - "The Mind Illuminated : A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science" [ http://amzn.to/1V0tdtx ] - Dharma Treasure [ http://dharmatreasure.org ]

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. In his first visit to the podcast, Jack joins host Vincent Horn to describe the map of meditation practice called The Progress of Insight, and to share his thoughts on the many facets of awakening. Episode Links - Jack Kornfield [ http://www.jackkornfield.com ] - "A Path with Heart" [ http://amzn.to/1V9piuz ] - "Enlightenments" [ http://www.inquiringmind.com/Articles/Enlightenments.html ]

Emily Horn and Vincent Horn are meditation teachers and partners in life and the Buddhist Geeks. In the final part of this reflective series, they explain events leading up to the current Buddhist Geeks Dojo project as well describe the forthcoming Fall Training Period (“FTP”) inside the Dojo. The FTP will be a chance to spend the entire month of October either establishing a regular practice, going deeper in your current one, or even practicing like your hair is on fire. The program details are here [http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/dojo/ftp/] and we’d love for any of you to join us during this time to deepen your practice. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one "When Rebels Mature". https://soundcloud.com/buddhistgeeks/bg-369-when-rebels-mature Episode Links (pt 2): The Buddhist Geeks Dojo [ http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/dojo/ ] The Fall Training Period [ http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/dojo/ftp/ ] The Buddhist Geeks Community [http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2013/07/the-buddhist-geeks-community/] D

Emily Horn and Vincent Horn are meditation teachers and partners in running the Buddhist Geeks organization. In the first part of this special series, Emily and Vincent describe the growth of Buddhist Geeks from a podcast to a conference to a community. They share some of the design principles that have shaped earlier projects and continue to shape their thinking today. And finally they do a live post-mortem analysis of their last project, the Buddhist Geeks Community. In the process they explore the way that Buddhism is changing in the 21st century--with such a collision of perspectives--and how Buddhist Geeks is a small reflection of that cultural process. This is part one of a two part series. The Buddhist Geeks Dojo [http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/dojo/] The Buddhist Geeks Conference [http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/conference/buzz/] Life Retreat: Reinventing the Retreat Model [http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2013/03/life-retreat-reinventing-the-retreat-model/] Buddhist Geeks, Bitcoins, and Ukrainian Domain Pira

Evan Thompson is an author and philosopher in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, phenomenology, and cross-cultural philosophy. Continuing a discussion between Evan and host Vincent Horn, this episode moves into an exploration of sleep states and the themes in Evan’s book "Waking, Dreaming, Being". Describing characteristics of the hypnagogic state, common dreaming, lucid dreaming, and dreamless sleep, Evan shares some fascinating thoughts on the nature of consciousness and the emerging contemplative science of sleep. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one "BG 367: Cognitive Science and the Wandering Mind". Episode Links: Evan Thompson (http://evanthompson.me) "Waking, Dreaming, Being" (http://amzn.to/1P3PDD4) “Waking, Dreaming, Being” Talk at CIIS (https://youtu.be/IZyJODW4lQs) "The Embodied Mind" (http://amzn.to/1P3PMpW) "Embodied Cognition" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embodied_cognition)

Evan Thompson is an author and philosopher in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy of mind, Phenomenology, and cross-cultural philosophy. Speaking with host Vincent Horn, Evan discusses his academic interest and background in Buddhist studies, and the intersections between Buddhist philosophy, contemplative practice, and cognitive science. This is part one of a two part series. Episode Links: Evan Thompson (http://evanthompson.me) "Waking, Dreaming, Being" (http://amzn.to/1P3PDD4) “Waking, Dreaming, Being” Talk at CIIS (https://youtu.be/IZyJODW4lQs) "The Embodied Mind" (http://amzn.to/1P3PMpW) "Embodied Cognition" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embodied_cognition)

Adreanna Limbach is a meditation teacher with the Interdependence Project, and Lodro Rinzler is a practitioner and teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. In this conversation recorded during the 2015 Aspen-Snowmass Wanderlust Festival, host Vincent Horn, Lodro, and Adreanna discuss the challenges of making meditation accessible to a mainstream audience. Episode Links: Adreanna Limbach ( http://www.adreannalimbach.com ) Lodro Rinzler ( http://lodrorinzler.com ) How to Love Yourself (And Sometimes Other People) ( http://amzn.to/1CJIcjc ) The Interdependence Project ( http://www.theidproject.org ) “Meet the Man Who Calls Himself ‘the Slut Whisperer’” ( http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/a14731/the-slut-whisperer-kirill-bichutsky/ ) Wanderlust Festival ( http://wanderlust.com )

David Vago, Rael Cahn, and Sonia Sequeira are contemplative scientists and co-organizers of the upcoming conference called “Advances in Meditation Research: Genetics, Neuroscience and Clinical Applications”. The group joins host Vincent Horn to describe the themes that will be explored at the conference, the current state of meditation research, and how they each relate to the subject as practitioners and researchers. Episode Links: Advances in Meditation Research: Genetics, Neuroscience and Clinical Applications ( http://meditation2015.com ) David Vago ( http://davidvago.bwh.harvard.edu ) Rael Cahn ( http://usc.academia.edu/RaelCahn ) Sonia Sequeira ( http://reflectionsyoga.com/about-us/teachers-2/sonia-sequeira )

Michael Heim is an American author, educator, and Tai Chi instructor known as a philosopher of cyberspace and virtuality. In the conclusion to their conversation, host Vincent Horn and Michael discuss integrating the virtual with the physical. From the thought-experiment of performing a virtual Japanese Tea Ceremony to imagining a virtual Tai Chi experience, they explore how to use the new tools of virtuality to energize, heal, and make us whole. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: Virtual Reality IRL. Episode Links: Michael R. HeimVirtual Reality and the Tea Ceremony [pdf]

Michael Heim is an American author, educator, and Tai Chi instructor known as a philosopher of cyberspace and virtuality. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Michael shares his insights on the intersection of philosophy and the world of Virtual Reality. He gives a brief history of commercial VR, provides updates on the third wave of VR development, and discusses the challenges we will face as physical creatures living in virtual worlds. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Virtual Reality and the Tea Ceremony. Episode Links: Michael R. Heim

Carolyn Rose Gimian is the compiler and editor of The Collected Works of Chögyam Trungpa and the recently published Mindfulness in Action: Making Friends with Yourself through Meditation and Everyday Awareness. In this conversation with host Vincent Horn, Carolyn speaks about the role of mindfulness in the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, her relationship and work with Chögyam Trungpa, and her hopes & reflections on the future of the mindfulness movement in the West. Episode Links: Mindfulness in Action: Making Friends with Yourself through Meditation and Everyday Awareness ( http://www.shambhala.com/mindfulness-in-action.html ) Shambhala Archives ( http://www.archives.shambhala.org ) Carolyn Rose Gimian on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/CarolynGimian )

The Buddhist Geeks Conference has been a meeting place for contemplative thinkers, scientists, and technology experts since 2011. During this Q&A for the Contemplative Technology panel from the 2014 conference, conference goers expand the conversation to include tech-induced human evolution and the possibility of shortcuts on the path to enlightenment. This is part two of a two part series. Listen to part one: The Near Future of Contemplative Technology. Episode Links: www.VincentHorn.com www.mindtraining.io Katherine MacLean, PhD : Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ( http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry ) Jacob Redmond : Emotiv ( https://emotiv.com ) Mikey Siegel ( www.MikeySiegel.com ) Neema Moraveji : Spire ( http://www.spire.io )

The Buddhist Geeks Conference has been a meeting place for contemplative thinkers, scientists, and technology experts since 2011. In this panel discussion from the 2014 conference, Vincent Horn hosts a panel filled with contemplatives, technologists, and research scientists to discuss the past, present, and possible future of the field of Contemplative Technology. This is part one of a two part series. Listen to part two: Discussing Contemplative Technology. Episode Links: www.VincentHorn.com www.mindtraining.io Katherine MacLean, PhD : Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ( http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry ) Jacob Redmond : Emotiv ( https://emotiv.com ) Mikey Siegel ( www.MikeySiegel.com ) Neema Moraveji : Spire ( http://www.spire.io )