[Note: if need be please see the transcript for the few moments in sections where my mic was muffled although it should be clear from Sayadaw’s answers what the questions are] Recorded live from Germany | Website: kumarabhivamsa.org In this conversation recorded during a meditation retreat outside Berlin, Germany, Venerable Sayadaw U Kumārābhivaṃsa (senior meditationContinue reading “Dhamma Questions and Conversation With Venerable Sayadaw U Kumārābhivaṃsa”
Category Archives: Dharma Questions
Samadhi, Jhanas & Beyond: Intuition, Awakening & Deepening Meditation Practice With Richard Shankman
Renowned meditation teacher and author Richard Shankman (co-founder of the Sati Center and guiding teacher at Metta Dharma Foundation) shares insights from over 50 years of practice and 35 years of teaching, diving into the nuances of samatha, samadhi, jhanas, and insight. We explore why meditation is about honoring the process rather than chasing rigidContinue reading “Samadhi, Jhanas & Beyond: Intuition, Awakening & Deepening Meditation Practice With Richard Shankman”
What Can Western Buddhism Learn From MMA? Psychotherapy, Dzogchen And Prison Dharma With Bill Belanger
Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Bill Belanger — founder of Mixed Contemplative Arts — shares his journey through Tibetan Buddhism, his decade-long training under Dr. Daniel P. Brown, and how Western Dharma can evolve beyond rigid dogma by focusing on pragmatic, reality-tested results—an approach he compares to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). We also explore the balanceContinue reading “What Can Western Buddhism Learn From MMA? Psychotherapy, Dzogchen And Prison Dharma With Bill Belanger”
Finding A Zen Master: Dr Will Tuttle’s Journey From Transcendentalism And The Farm To South Korea
[Ai assist:] In this episode of Integrating Presence, I’m joined by Dr. Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, to explore a side of his life many may not know: his deep roots in Zen Buddhism. Dr. Tuttle shares his incredible “existential” journey—from being raised in the birthplace of American Transcendentalism to walking acrossContinue reading “Finding A Zen Master: Dr Will Tuttle’s Journey From Transcendentalism And The Farm To South Korea”
A Watch In The Ocean: From Silicon Valley To Ordination In Myanmar & Sri Lanka With Bhante Subhūti Bhikkhu
In a swapcast featuring Bhante Bhikkhu Subhuti, an American Buddhist monastic, he shares his journey from layperson to monk in Sri Lanka over 20 years. The discussion covers meditation practices, the integration of Dhamma into daily life, and advice for lay practitioners on spiritual development, emphasizing both traditional and practical aspects of Buddhism.
July Retreats and Updates
Brief note: I’m on for almost back to back retreats at IMS and Dhammasukha in July which will likely see little to no internet interactions until near end of July for another Meditation Q & A and to start editing a cohosted swapcast with a monastic guest recorded yesterday. Related: https://integratingpresence.com/2023/10/04/buddhist-cosmology-structure-and-access-with-ajahn-punnadhammo/ Post Retreats Update: SomeContinue reading “July Retreats and Updates”
Ethics, Joy And Insight For The Buddha’s Favorite Meditation | Ānāpānasati Series With Ajahn Dhammasiha
[Brief notes before the ai assisted summary that Ajahn Dhammasiha requested audio only and requested I kept my camera on so he could see me while we talked and recorded on Dec 1, 2025. I also didn’t edit out anything and there’s lots of my stammering. Apologies if any of this comes off as tooContinue reading “Ethics, Joy And Insight For The Buddha’s Favorite Meditation | Ānāpānasati Series With Ajahn Dhammasiha”
Wake Up! Nothing Lasts Forever: Saw Myint’s Practical Steps to Release Stress And How Certain Concepts Of Impermanence Can Help Heal Trauma And Build Balance
(Ai assist:) Saw Myint (a 52-year-old woman originally from Myanmar, now living in Sydney, Australia) shares her personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and mental health challenges through practical, non-religious insights inspired by Buddhist teachings. Saw Myint is a qualified mortgage broker with a background in accounting who has also ventured into property development.Continue reading “Wake Up! Nothing Lasts Forever: Saw Myint’s Practical Steps to Release Stress And How Certain Concepts Of Impermanence Can Help Heal Trauma And Build Balance”
Peace Walks Inward: Peace Pilgrimage, Resolving Inner Conflict, (Authentic) Dharma Lineages, Brahma Viharas and Navigating Duality with Asoka
Asoka and I explore identity, self-exploration, and a 120-day Peace Walk by Buddhist monastics promoting inner peace and compassion. We emphasize themes like non-duality, ethical practice, and the importance of inner peace as a foundation for external harmony, alongside challenges in modern society, including technology and political conflicts.
Ānāpānasati with Heart, Parts Work & Grief | Ānāpānasati Series With Laura Geller & Willie Kunert
(Ai assist:) Enter Laura Geller and Willie Kunert—a married couple who met at Oberlin College almost 20 years ago, began meditating together as undergrads, lived in Southeast Asian monasteries, and now combine deep Buddhist practice with psychotherapy. Laura (an assistant teacher under Beth Upton in the Pa-Auk tradition) and Willie (hospice chaplain, grief therapist) shareContinue reading “Ānāpānasati with Heart, Parts Work & Grief | Ānāpānasati Series With Laura Geller & Willie Kunert”
