Unfettered Mind: Recent Episodes
Ken McLeod
Translator/teacher Ken McLeod provides spiritual practitioners with the essence of Buddhist practice. Ken is noted for his ability to present profound teachings and practices in clear straightforward language free from the myths and cultural overlays that make many Eastern teachings difficult to understand. These podcasts are a sampling of the 300+ recordings, some with transcripts, freely available at UnfetteredMind.org under Teachings. Our website also has dozens of original articles and translations of Buddhist texts.
Bringing attention into actions as the eightfold path’s core practice (from Eightfold Path 2), questions on concentration and attention, how meditation increases attention, and emotional energy.
Instruction in five-step method of releasing from Thich Naht Hanh based on bare attention and the four foundations of mindfulness
Consequences of ignoring what arises from meditation; what is meant by sentient beings are infinite, I vow to save them all
Origins of Chö from the Diamond Sutra; Machik Labdron and Padampa Sangye; definition of Chö as creating difficult experiences and developing the ability to experience them completely
Which form of meditation is recommended, using sounds or music during meditation, and interacting with people as a type of practice
Questions on whether one tradition is better than another and what are the benefits to doing a three-year retreat.
Questions on the relationship between idealism and pragmatism, vegetarianism, and monastic life.
Buddhism and creativity, reincarnation, mind having no beginning, and equanimity and manipulation
Five skandhas, twelve sense fields, eighteen elements, twelve links, four truths, time.
The importance of keeping intention and letting go of practicing perfectly, questions on shamatha, cultivating attention for those who are not able to keep a regular sitting practice, and life out of balance.
Stopping distraction; primary characteristics, genesis and faults of fragmentation of attention and solitude
Questions on is there difference between rest and observe during meditation, dealing with distractions during meditation, working with clarity when meditating and working with emotions when meditating.
Questions on who/what wakes up, the experience of being no thing, and if ultimately there is anything to know.
Questions on working with the feelings that accompany an open heart, being true to both your heart and mind
Karma as instruction vs. karma as belief, meditation as building a capacity of attention, resting in the experience of breathing, QA
You know that you are aware and you are going to die. How do you live holding that knowledge?
How to avoid an unhealthy tension between the activities of life and one’s practice, choosing between a monastic life and the life of a lay-person, acting without hesitation.