Podcasts by Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

Episode 186 - Change your view and everything changes from 2023-12-05T00:40

Within Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhists are sometimes referred to as "inner beings." What this means is that we turn inward. We learn to cultivate happiness and solve problems by changing o...

Episode 185 - How to Transform through Buddha's Teachings from 2023-11-29T01:55

Learning how to listen to teachings and having respect for the teacher create the right conditions for your mind to change. In this episode, we explore J...

Episode 184: The Art of Ethical Living from 2023-11-11T21:04

This episode explores the art of ethical living, guided by the practice of restraint. Restraint involves intentionally moderating and controlling one's actions, speech, and thoughts. We cultivat...

Episode 183 - How to prevent anger from 2023-11-11T20:25

This episode explores the question “Where does anger come from?” Buddhist teacher, JoAnn Fox, also provides several practic...

Episode 181 - Radiating Compassion from 2023-10-07T22:36

The primary motivation behind wanting to become a Buddha for the sake of all living beings is boundless compassion. This unconditional love and concern for the well-being and liberatio...

Episode 180 - Practicing Kindness Toward Ourselves from 2023-09-23T22:33:08

Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, is a fundamental practice in Buddhism that cultivates feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others....

Episode 179 - Work with your greatest afflictions first from 2023-09-13T01:18

The Lojong slogan "Work with your greatest defilements first" emphasizes the importance of addressing the negative habit that is most deeply disturbing our inner peace and happiness. L...

Episode 178 - Seeking The True Nature of Reality from 2023-09-04T15:22:44

In this episode we look at the practice of wisdom. In particular, this refers to wisdom realizing the true nature of reality. Little by little we touch reality as we gain wisdom. We co...

Episode 177 - Thirst from 2023-08-26T22:22

"The rain could turn to gold and still your thirst would not be slaked' the Buddha said. In this episode we explore the connection between the Buddhist teachings of emptiness and cravin...

Episode 176 - Light up this world like a moon set free from 2023-08-14T23:00

The Buddha said that an earnest practitioner, even when just beginning the path to enlightenment, "lights up this world like the moon set free from a cloud." This episode explores how ...

Episode 175 - Make Your Own Destiny from 2023-08-09T22:11

The mind is the creator of everything—all happiness and suffering. Thus, gaining control over the mind is the only real and reliable way to live a happy, peaceful life. Buddha said tha...

Episode 174 - Staying calm from 2023-07-29T14:29

In Buddhism, equanimity (upekkha in Pali) is a state of calmness, balance, and non-reactivity in the face of both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Equanimity is a quality of mind t...

Episode 173 - How to begin the path to Nirvana from 2023-07-24T21:05

How do we start the path to enlightenment? After the Buddha attained enlightenment, he spent 45 years walking from place to place to give teachings. Buddha always tailored his teaching...

Episode 172 - Releasing Negative Self Concepts from 2023-07-20T13:10

In Buddhism, the concept of "emptiness" (Sunyata) is a fundamental teaching that refers to the absence of inherent existence or independent selfhood. All things, including our self, ar...

Episode 171 - Wisdom, The Antidote To All Suffering from 2023-07-06T12:56

Wisdom realizing emptiness is the realization that leads directly to enlightenment. This wisdom is also the direct remedy for all the misguided notions we harbor about our identity and...

Episode 170 - Freedom from Envy from 2023-05-12T14:16:58

In Buddhism, envy is considered a painful state of mind because it arises from a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality and the origin of happiness.

Env...

Episode 169 - Transforming Ordinary Life Into Spiritual Training from 2023-04-29T20:55

Many of us may have a spiritual practice but often struggle to maintain it amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. Whether it's work, family, or simply the demands of moder...

Episode 168 - Purifying Our Speech, Purifying Our World from 2023-04-26T21:24

Episode 167 - How Not To Cause Harm from 2023-04-20T12:56:33

One of the principle tenets of Buddhism is to try to avoid harming living beings. To avoid harming others we generally need to practice restraint out of lovingkindness. It’s just too e...

Episode 166 - Restraint from 2023-04-10T14:05:03

The practice of restraint is a crucial part of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. It involves abstaining from harmful thoughts, speech, and actions that lead to suffering for oneself ...

Episode 165 - The Jewel of Spiritual Community from 2023-04-06T01:16:27

Wealth destroys those who lack in wisdom, But not those who seek the beyond. Craving wealth, those lacking wisdom Destroy themselves As well as others. (355) 

 ...

Episode 164 - Taking Refuge in Dharma from 2023-03-29T13:06

Taking refuge in the Dharma means we turn to the spiritual teaching of Buddha to help us solve our problems to alleviate pain. It means we commit to working on ourselves. Having taken ...

Episode 163 - Refuge in Buddha from 2023-03-23T13:33:06

At the start of this three part series on Refuge, this episode explores what it means to take refuge in Buddha. The most simple way to take refuge in Buddha means relying on Buddha as ...

Episode 162 - Overcoming Fear from 2023-03-13T22:22:11

Fearlessness is much talked about in Buddhism, particularly the idea of becoming fearless. In this episode we look at that which causes us fear, antidotes to fear, and tapping into our...

Episode 161: Manifesting Dreams and Goals from 2023-03-04T16:38

Sometimes we find it hard to reach goals or put effort into things we desperately want to improve. Why is this—when the wish is there? Attachment to what is meaningless or nonvirtuous ...

Episode 160 - Attachment To What Is Non-virtuous from 2023-02-08T14:04

Buddha said, “with effort, we have all attainments.” We can achieve any goal, no matter how lofty, with enough continued effort, even becoming a bodhisattva and attaining enlightenment...

Episode 159 - Let Go Of The Past Present and Future from 2023-01-30T15:29

One way of practicing non-attachment can be expressed with the popular phrase, “Let go.” In verse 348 of the Dhammwpada, Buddha says, “ Let go of the past,  Listen

Episode 157: Constant Craving Versus Letting Go from 2023-01-02T16:53

Buddha taught that no chains are as powerful as attachment, and nothing bonds us to suffering like our attachment. In the First Noble Truth, Buddha didn't just sa...

Episode 156 = Practicing Non-attachment with Family from 2022-12-13T22:53

We must work on our minds to overcome the habits of attachment--which always bring suffering--whether one is a monk or a family man. The context of a monastery ve...

Episode 155 - The Heart of Awakening from 2022-11-17T00:50

When we’re being selfish, our actions are motivated by attachment to our happiness, reputation, opinion, expectations being met, etc. As we practiced after the la...

Episode 153 - Root of Attachment from 2022-10-30T22:39

In this episode and subsequent mindfulness practice, we are working toward severing the root of craving (also known as attachment). What is the root of craving? S...

Episode 152 - Examining Attachment To Our Self from 2022-10-25T13:11

Attachment to the self causes suffering, just as suffering invariably follows attachment to any object. In general, attachment arises when we perceive an object w...

Episode 151 - The Three Steps To Lessen Attachment from 2022-09-19T12:31:04

In this episode, we look at a three-step process to lessen attachment. The first step is to notice the craving mind and examine it. The craving mind focuses on it...

Episode 150 - Happiness and Attachment from 2022-09-07T23:39:03

Once Buddha was staying near the Himalayas in a place where the people were being very poorly treated by three cruel and ruthless kings. Buddha had the thought, ‘...

Episode 149 - Friendship and Buddhism from 2022-08-14T23:07:27

With stories of yogis who spent years practicing alone in isolated mountain caves, it might seem like Buddhism promotes a solitary path. But in reality, Buddha sp...

Episode 148 - Mindfulness for a Happy Life from 2022-08-08T00:54:11

Mindfulness can be used to train the mind: to make the mind more peaceful and see your world differently. Mindfulness, in this way, is used to remember things we’...

Episode 147 - Be Grateful To Everyone from 2022-08-01T00:37:30

The practice of Lojong has the literal translation of “mind training.” The great Buddhist master Atisha taught mind training over 1,000 years ago in the form of s...

Episode 146 - Caring For Our Parents from 2022-07-24T23:32:37

The Buddha taught that certain factors strengthen the karmic results of our actions. One example is that the effects of actions we do toward certain types of peop...

Episode 145 - The Nature of The Mind from 2022-07-18T12:35:44

The word enlightenment is a translation of two Pali words that mean “awakened” and “freed from all fetters.” To become enlightened then means we wake to the true ...

Episode 144 - How To Turn The Other Cheek from 2022-07-13T13:23:22

Many of the great religious leaders have asked us to practice non-retaliation, to turn the other cheek, and practice nonviolence. The Buddha explained that non-re...

Episode 143 - Right Thinking from 2022-07-05T01:12:59

This episode is the last of a three part series on the ten nonvirtuous actions, and the focus is on actions of mind. Actions of mind you say! Yes, actions of mind...

Episode 142 - Mindful Speech from 2022-06-20T02:34:03

When the Buddha explained the ten nonvirtuous actions to abandon, four are devoted to our speech. Our words are an incredibly powerful tool; they can bui...

Episode 141 - Body Karma from 2022-06-12T22:52:36

Buddha explained the Ten Nonvirtuous Actions as a way to guide our actions of body, speech, and mind. "Nonvirtuous" means that it brings suffering to us in the fu...

Episode 140 - Happiness Training from 2022-05-31T02:59:45

Where we place our thoughts is how we produce happiness, calm, and peace. The real trap we're all in is believing that we will be happy when_______. Think about h...

Episode 139 - How To Purify Bad Karma from 2022-05-16T01:57:49

There is a way to purify negative karma! Phew. Buddha taught the Four Powers of Purification. The first power is healthy regret. This type of regret stands in con...

Episode 138 - How To Change from 2022-05-08T23:08:53

From two stories told by the Buddha referencing people who didn’t think their actions of harm were any big deal, we see that the results of karma can be powerful ...

Episode 137 - Being Tender with Our Anger from 2022-05-02T02:12:51

When Buddha was accused of sexual relations with a young, beautiful woman named Sundari, and his followers were accused of murdering her, Buddha remained unphased...

Episode 136 - Taming The Mind from 2022-04-18T01:58:11

Dharma often refers to the teachings of Buddha, but the specific meaning of dharma is that which holds us back from suffering. If we say we are a Buddh...

Episode 135 - Buddha-Nature from 2022-04-11T22:33:25

Buddha asserted that all living beings have Buddha-nature, a consciousness that is the seed of enlightenment. No matter how deluded someone is at this moment, the...

Episode 134 - Good Karma from 2022-04-05T21:41:42

Have you ever wondered how to practice karma? In this episode, we look at how to practice karma by maintaining mindfulness of the law of karma and acting in accordan...

Episode 133 - A Simple Happiness Practice from 2022-03-23T00:50:56

It could be said that all of the Buddha's teachings are about suffering and how to end suffering. In this episode, we hear the story of a monk who, standing alone in...

Episode 132: Cherishing Others, The Basis of All Good Qualities from 2022-03-14T01:34:07

The Buddha said that the minds of his followers should “constantly, day and night, delight in spiritual practice.” What practice can we weave through our days and us...

Episode 131 - Harmlessness from 2022-03-07T01:16:01

The Buddha spoke many times of the importance of practicing harmlessness. The most harmful mind is the mind of anger. The nature of anger is that it wishes to harm i...

Episode 130 - Mindful of The Body from 2022-03-04T13:43:15

In this episode we explore mindfulness of the body. Many of us spend our work days sitting in front of a computer, disconnected from our bodies. Sometimes we are in ...

Episode 129 - Ultimate Refuge from 2022-02-21T02:13:09

In this episode, we look at the meaning of going for refuge. Typically when...

Episode 128 - The Middle Way from 2022-02-07T03:12:40

The Buddha sometimes spoke in metaphor to convey very deep and complex truths. In this episode, we examine a beautiful verse that describes how we can at...

Episode 127 - Embracing The Spiritual Path from 2022-01-31T02:56:28

The 3 obstacles to effort

Procrastination

Attachment yo what is non-virtuous or meaningless<...

Episode 126 - Forgiveness from 2022-01-25T03:11:39

To forgive, seek:

1. Your own Freedom. Want your own freedom from pain ...
   Listen

Episode 125 - Making Positive Habits Stick, The Buddhist Way from 2021-12-31T18:45:41

The Buddha taught that small, good karmic actions lead to great results in the future, a powerful motivation for making even small positive changes in our lives. ...

Episode 124 - Mindful of Our Own Impermanence from 2021-12-20T02:14:14

Our modern culture tends to make us turn away from thoughts about death and even our own aging. Yet death is something that all of us, without exception, will exp...

Episode 123 - Attachment To Self from 2021-12-06T02:18:59

In this episode we look at attachment to self. In particular, we try to identify what attachment to self is and how to lessen it so that we experience more peace ...

Episode 122 - Non-attachment from 2021-11-22T01:42:12

In this episode, we explore attachment and some simple ways to practice non-attachment. The concept of non-attachment is often misunderstood. For example, we stil...

Right Concentration from 2021-11-15T02:20:55

In this episode we look at Right Concentration, one part of the Noble Eightfold Path. In general, concentration in meditation is single-pointedness on the object ...

Episode 120 - Right Mindfulness from 2021-11-08T02:30:45

In this episode we explore Right Mindfulness, one of the Noble Eightfold Path. In general, mindfulness means awareness, presence of mind, or attentiveness. What s...

Episode 119 - Right Livelihood from 2021-10-25T10:23:13

This episode dives deep into Right Livelihood, one of the Noble Eightfold Path as laid out by the Buddha. The Eightfold Path is a spiritual path that leads us to ...

Episode 118 - Right Action from 2021-10-18T10:35:41

In this episode we take a deep dive into what Buddha meant by Right Action or conduct. Right Action is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, which lays out the gradua...

Right Speech - Episode 117 from 2021-10-13T00:27

This episode explores Right Speech, as part of a series on the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path. In the context of the spiritual path, Right Speech is more than just...

Episode 116 - Right Effort from 2021-10-05T00:52:26

This episode focuses on Right Effort, one part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddha repeatedly taught the importance of effort, for realizing the rest of the eight...

Episode 115 - Right View from 2021-09-29T00:46:32

In this episode, we explore Right View connoting the realization of emptiness. Right View is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, laid out by Buddha as the gradual p...

Episode 114 - Karma Bandits from 2021-09-12T23:47:30

This episode is dedicated to Right View, one part of The Noble Eightfold Path. Right View has two parts to it: a mundane right view and a superior right view (emp...

Episode 113 - Right Intention Part - 3: Harmlessness from 2021-09-05T00:00:10

In this last of a three episode series on Right Intention, one of the Noble Eightfold Path, we look at how to practice the aspect of harmlessness. Right intention...

Episode 112 - Right Intention Part 2 - Good Will from 2021-08-28T22:42:36

In this episode, we look at one aspect of Right Intention—loving-kindness. Buddhist Teacher, JoAn Fox, teaches how to practice loving-kindness in daily l...

Episode 111 - Right Intention Part 1 from 2021-08-21T13:27:08

This episode begins a series in which we take a deep dive into the practice of each part of the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is Buddha’s guide t...

Episode 110 - Two Paths Before You from 2021-08-13T15:56:02

Buddhism, one could say, is the gradual path to happiness. The essence of all the teachings of Buddha can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold ...

Episode 109 - Removing The Toxins from 2021-08-07T14:55:04

In this episode we look at the singular cause of our pain and suffering and the solution!  Our problems and suffering come from the toxins in our mind such as ang...

Episode 108: One Who Harms No Living Being from 2021-07-18T23:22:21

In this episode, we explore non-harmfulness. Non-harm is so central to Buddhism, the two can not be separated from each other. Our own inner peace is dependent up...

107 - Merit Making from 2021-07-10T13:05:25

In this episode, we look at creating merit by intentionally engaging in activities that are good karma. Merit, or good karma, propels our spiritual practice forwa...

Episode 106 - Creating Happiness and Peace from 2021-07-05T23:42:03

“Renunciation is not the same as giving up pleasure or denying ourselves happiness. It means giving up our unreal expectations about ordinary pleasures. ...

Episode 105: Using Mindfulness To Build Character from 2021-06-28T01:54:54

I’m this episode we look at what the Buddha said about character. The English word for character comes from the Greek word chisel. A sculptor uses a chis...

Episode 104 - Ethical Discipline of Restraint from 2021-06-14T00:49:03

Gray hair

     Does not make one an elder.

Someone ripe only in years...

Episode 103 - Being an Upholder of The Dharma from 2021-05-30T23:31:13

In this episode we look at what it means to be an “Upholder of the Dharma” according to Buddha, and how we can, in a practical way, be one. In particular, we try ...

Episode 102 - What makes one wise? (According to Buddha) from 2021-05-24T02:08:43

What truly makes a person wise? Buddha answered this succinctly in the verse from the Dhammapada we examine during this episode. It is not merely one who talks ab...

Episode 101 - There Is No Footprint In The Sky from 2021-04-19T01:18:40

Buddha taught that the door to enlightenment depends on realizing the correct view of emptiness. The wisdom of emptiness realizes the way phenomena exist as oppos...

Episode 100 - Looking in their garden or their garbage? from 2021-03-15T01:43:52

If we want to live in a beautiful world, we must give up the fault-finding mind. The more we give up faulting-finding, the happier we will be. Our relationships w...

Episode 99:- 3 Poisons, 3 Virtuous Roots from 2021-03-01T02:02:10

The slogan ‘Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue.

Some feelings are painful, like hate, ...

Episode 98 - Rejoicing Versus Jealousy from 2021-02-16T01:19:46

When we’re jealous, there’s a wish that another would not have the happiness or good fortune we’re observing. It is the opposite of a bodhisattva wish for others ...

Episode 97 - New Mind, New Life from 2021-02-01T01:02:08

In order to change our experiences, we have to change the way we think, feel, and react. As long as we maintain the same habits of mind, our lives will continue w...

Episode 96 - Ignorance, The Greatest Corruption from 2021-01-04T02:46:45

In this verse, the Buddha says that the greatest corruption is ignorance. Ignorance is an unknowing; it is not knowing something. What is it that we do not know t...

Episode 95 - Moral Discipline from 2020-12-14T01:47:08

Within the Four NobleTruths, Buddha taught the method to end suffering, which is the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path has three areas of focus: moral discipline...

Episode 94 - What Would Love Have Me Do? from 2020-11-23T02:04:04

What is joyous perseverance (effort)?

“When you have focused upon something virtuous, joyous perseverance i...

Episode 93 - Purification Meditation from 2020-11-17T01:46:52

1. Power of Reliance: Pray for help to any holy being you feel connected to or simply pray. In Tibetan the word prayer means “wish pa...
   Listen

Episode 92 - If You Want To Be a Buddhist... from 2020-11-02T01:56:33

Taking refuge is the key expression of commitment to Buddhism. If you want to identify as a Buddhist in a more formal way, you can take refuge by saying the refug...

Episode 91 - An Inner Being from 2020-10-20T01:36:08

A Buddhist is sometimes referred to as an inner being. This is one who solves their problems and seeks happiness within. In this episode, we look at how to recogn...

Episode 90 - Free your mind and the rest will follow from 2020-10-05T01:28:25

According to the Buddha, thoughts create karma, our present reality and our future. Yet our thoughts can be so deceptive. This episode will help us explore and qu...

Episode 89 - Right Speech from 2020-09-21T00:44:32

Right speech is abstaining from:

• false speech
• Listen

Episode 88 - Impeccable with your body from 2020-09-14T00:55:41

Moral discipline is the foundation of the spiritual path in Buddhism. Virtue means something that creates happiness or inner peace (good karma). When we determine...

Episode 87 - Buddah-Nature from 2020-09-08T02:12:54

In this episode, we consider our own Buddha-nature, the real nature of our mind: pure, peaceful, wise and compassion. We also learn how to do the practice of taki...

Episode 86 - Become an Observer from 2020-08-31T01:28:52

In this episode we explore a method to help us avoid becoming angry when others criticize us or say hurtful things. We can learn to become an observer rather than...

Episode 85 - Compassion For Those Who Harm Us from 2020-08-17T01:23:28

In this episode we look at a practice to help us generate compassion for those who harm us. This can free us from the painful experience of anger. The method give...

Episode 84 - Cooling The Fires of Anger from 2020-08-03T01:26:08

The Buddhist canon contains many methods to calm the fires of anger and increase our patience. In this episode we look at a method for averting anger by understan...

Episode 83 - The Ability To Remain Calm from 2020-07-04T14:45:28

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines patience as: the ability to remain calm when dealing with a difficult or annoying situation, task, or person. Everyone has ...

Episode 82 - The Faults of Anger from 2020-06-28T23:49:28

The faults of anger:

1. We become unhappy and uncomfortable 
2. Listen

Episode 81 - The Beauty In Patience from 2020-06-23T01:02:01

Patience means our mind stays peaceful when things are difficult or we experience something (or someone) unpleasant. In this episode, we begin to learn how to pra...

Episode 80 - Karma Chameleon from 2020-06-15T01:38:42

The only thing that goes with us into the next life is our karma. Our friends and relatives, our wealth, even our body we will leave behind. When Buddha states th...

Episode 79 - To Live a Holy Life from 2020-06-01T01:31:41

What does it mean to live a holy life in this modern world? The Pali word ‘nekkhamma’ in the Buddhist canon is generally translated as "renunciation". This word a...

Episode 78: developing bodhicitta from 2020-05-18T01:32:54

This is the second episode detailing a method to develop bodhicitta, the wish to attain enlightenment to relieve the suffering of all living beings. The world nee...

e 77: The Method To Love All Living Beings from 2020-05-09T17:06:32

Perhaps we connect deeply with the idea of universal love and compassion? Or we want to become a bodhisattva bound for enlightenment? But then we wonder, “how can...

Episode 76 - What The World Needs Now Is Love from 2020-04-26T23:35:14

By making cherishing others our main daily practice, we will discover a real source of happiness in our lives. Cherishing others means acting to make oth...

Episode 75 - Peaceful In Challenging Times (Repost) from 2020-04-20T01:13:33