Buddhist Geeks

i hadn’t planned on listening to this particular episode because i have definitely been on a break from watching and/or listening to more conversations about the tragedy and trauma concerning race in America. I’ve just had enough of giving my attention to the horrific and devastating TELEVISED MURDER of men who look like my father, brother, cousins. I just feel so drained...like my actual body can’t take any more. It’s so deep because as traumatic as this is to see on television, this blatant disregard for my humanity (based on my skin color) has been present in a million different ways my entire life. For example I was fortunate to have attended private schools growing up. I was ALWAYS one of only a handful of black students in school. I experienced So MANY incidents of Indirect discrimination, ignorant racist comments, hurtful prejudice assumptions and constant subtle reminders that I was “different” and “other” because I was black. That dynamic was part of my daily reality.....period Living that kind experience daily embedded a specific contracted sensation that i can only describe as the feeling deep betrayal and humiliation and shocking whiplash combined. And with every situation and every comment I felt forced to try to just “deal with it”.....SILENTLY!!! and at least not appear hurt... It is only recently I have begun to acknowledge and heal the vestiges of trauma that are always a part of what it means to be black in this country. Its conversations like these....the ones where I hear a genuine willingness to listen to my experiences (and my pain) without eye rolling and/or belittling or by accusing me of the using the infamous “race card” that assist with healing. It just means so much to be heard in this kind of space. I appreciate the warmth and authenticity that you offered in this episode. It’s necessary and it’s healing!.... Thank you!

I appreciate Vince and Emily Horne, not just as compassionate teachers (introducing me to Hokai Sobel), but also their commitment to inclusion and humility. Newest stuff on Ken Wilber is very promising. Listen to 405. Real deal. Thanks for letting me in the online class for what I could afford all those years ago, Vince. It was a transformative course for me, with Hokai stressing the integral connections that moved me forward. Michael Hallett, Florida

I have listened to Buddhist Geeks for many years. One of the best podcasts for those interested in secular meditation, psychedelics, and much more. Highly recommended!

This podcast is excellent. It covers a variety of topics around mindfulness as its practice intersects other fields ranging from neurology to ayahuasca. If you are a Buddhist purist, you may object to the idea of such overlap, but I find these discussions broaden my perspective. I am looking forward to many more episodes!

The Buddha, though he didn't think intoxicants were "bad," discouraged their use because they cloud the mind and lead to unwholesome behaviors/states. Encouraging LSD use has nothing to do with what he taught and is potentially harmful, especially to people turning to Buddhism out of desperation, as is not uncommon these days.

While the show interviews many people who call themselves Buddhists, the overall message is: the religious side of Buddhism is useless (rituals, beliefs, culture, etc) and one should just learn meditation "techniques." (Mainly the popularized Vipassana Movement -- which is American ) There is also a strong message that baby boomer generation of teachers should move out of the way to make room for a "new" and more relevant kind of Buddhism the Geeks recommend. The general conversations lack information about the variety of authentic practices of Buddhism, which are vast and just beginning to enter the United States. I'm all for the average non-buddhist to learn mindfulness, but this show seems to go a step further and deems traditional lineages irrelevant. The show seems to push science and technology as a magic answer to Enlightenment. I'm thinking that perhaps technology has actually contributed to the average person's distraction, stimulus addiction, and inability to look inward.