Eating Oryoki with Claire Gesshin Greenwood

Claire Gesshin Greenwood discovered Oryoki in the monasteries of Japan, where monks in training practice a ritualized eating ceremony with bells and chanting. There’s a right way to use the bowls, a right way to clean them, a right way to hold them, and a right way to eat what’s in them – all to help…

Making Sense of Death with Ram Dass and East Forest

Making Sense of Death with Ram Dass and East Forest

Lilly Greenblatt talks to musician East Forest about his collaborative album with the late spiritual teacher Ram Dass.

How to Really Listen with Drs. Larry and Peggy Ward

Two senior dharma teachers ordained by peace activist and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh share a poetic dharma talk and guided meditation to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with each other.

Everyday Goodwill Practice with Sylvia Boorstein

Buddhist teacher and author Sylvia Boorstein finds herself asking a prominent teacher, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, for advice she hoped would open the way to profound enlightenment. What she discovered instead was one of the simplest and most understated practices in Buddhism, yet one of the most difficult disciplines to master. In this talk and practice,…

Cultivating a Mind Like Mr. Rogers with Sylvia Boorstein

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood deeply affected children growing up from 1968 to 2001 and long after. He stood up for public television that helped kids deal with real-life emotions, sending a message that they were loved every day, and today, the feature film about Fred Rogers reminds us how relevant his message continues to be. The…

Why Loving-Kindness Matters & How to Practice It with JoAnna Hardy

Compassionate action goes hand-in-hand with social and racial justice, but it also has a lot to do with how we show up in the world as neighbors, loved ones, or even as fellow strangers. JoAnna Hardy talks about how metta helps us know ourselves, what holds us back, and how loving-kindness can manifest itself in us. Then, a meditation for…

Experiencing Pain and Enjoying Life with Sensei Koshin and Sensei Chodo

Two Zen monks ask how do we dance, sing, and enjoy life even as we experience unavoidable pain. Married couple and founders of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Senseis Koshin and Chodo, work every day with the dying and caregivers of the dying. Rather than try to ignore or pass over intense emotions…

When Buddha Met God / Is Buddhism Even a Religion?

There are Buddhists who don’t believe in God (or gods), and there are Buddhists who do. In this reading by editor-in-chief Melvin McLeod from an article he wrote called, “Are You Spiritual but Not Religious? Ten Reasons Why Buddhism Will Enrich Your Path,” we find out why Buddhism is well-suited to people who don’t necessarily…

Transgender Buddhist Ray Buckner on Creating Space for Difference in Sanghas

Transgender Buddhist Ray Buckner on Creating Space for Difference in Sanghas

This episode of The Lion’s Roar Podcast features Ray Buckner, a transgender activist, academic, and author.

Demons and Ghosts Visualization with Lama Justin Von Bujdoss

Lama Justin Von Bujdoss, the first-ever Buddhist chaplain at Rikers Island Prison, shares a visualization practice inspired by the traditional practice in Vajrayana Buddhism called chöd, where you find strength by opening your heart to the demons and ghosts that haunt you, and defeat them through compassion.

Black Buddhist Konda Mason and The Gathering II

The Buddhist teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center talks about what came out of The Gathering II, five days of dharma talks, meditation, workshops, and panel discussions by and for Black Americans on the Buddhist path, held at Spirit Rock in October.

Sacred Reich’s Buddhist Metal Album with Phil Rind

Sacred Reich’s Buddhist Metal Album with Phil Rind

Rod Meade Sperry talks to Sacred Reich's Phil Rind.

Death Meditation and MARANASATI 19111

With music from her debut album, composer and multi-instrumentalist Nina Keith shares her process of producing experimental classical music with found sounds and rented instruments from her bedroom in Philadelphia. An album that depicts her journey through the past to uncover childhood memories and what she’s learned from death meditation.

Two Deep Breaths Practice with Cyndi Lee and How to Meditate

Cyndi Lee, Buddhist and teacher of movement and self-care, shares a brief practice to help you get grounded when life is overwhelming. Lion’s Roar Editor Rod Meade Sperry shares a quick guide to meditation for beginners.

Joanna Macy / Bhikkhu Bodhi / Mark Ovland

We discuss the intersections of environmental activism and Buddhist practice in the third episode of the Lion's Roar Podcast.

Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams on Love and Radical Dharma

Zen priest and black queer feminist Rev. angel Kyodo williams on compassion, liberation and Radical Dharma.

Tim Ryan / What is Zen? / Sylvia Boorstein

We talk Zen, "Zen politics," and samurai, in the first episode of the Lion's Roar Podcast.