Courage to Be: A podcast on becoming

On this episode, Chris and Steve begin a multi-episode exploration of meditation practices. In part one they explore the path they each have taken in their meditation practice and how their understanding of meditation has shifted and expanded over time.

On this episode Chris and Steve discuss some recent deaths and explore the concepts of original sin and Buddha Nature. 

This episode was recorded shortly after the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh. On it, Chris and Steve process the impact that the work and teachings have had on their own personal journeys.

On this episode Chris and Steve continue the conversation with Karen Duncan. Topics include: The 7 light bodies, the importance of ceremony in healing and therapy, and the importance of love (munay) and right relationship (ayni).

On this episode we discuss shamanic and Incan cosmology with Karen Duncan, a mental health professional and shamanic practitioner (Part 1 of 2). 

On this episode Chris and Steve discuss a recent training in Shamanic healing and explore some initial links to other spiritual and psychological traditions.

This is a guided loving kindness meditation and reading of the Metta Sutta.  

On this episode Chris and Steve discuss Effortless Mindfulness and how it can help reach a flow like state commonly found when doing engaging activities such as playing music, exercising, etc. 

On this episode Steve and Chris discuss the practice of loving kindness meditation, and explore how it may be helpful with dealing with trauma and some attachment styles. 

On this episode Chris and Steve explore the concept of Nirvana (not the band). Is it possible you are already awoken and you don't realize it? 

On this episode, Steve and Chris explore mediation and mindfulness. They also explore the question, can you smoke while meditating? 

In this episode Chris and Steve discuss the concept of Karma, and how a understanding of cause and effect can improve mental health. 

On this episode Steve and Chris discuss the idea of dependent origination and how that impacts mental health. 

On this episode Chris and Steve discuss the 5 Skandhas, also known as the 5 aggregates of clinging. 

"Who am I?" is one of those eternal questions that we often spend a lot of energy attempting to answer. On this podcast Steve and Chris explore how we get stuck in the illusion of the self as an independent and permanent object, and what can happen when we release that idea and develop a different understanding. 

How do we poison our lived experiences? This podcast explores the concept of the Three Poisons - anger, greed, and ignorance. Chris and Steve discuss ways we can help ourselves through developing wisdom in our daily lives. 

What truths do our perceptions keep us from understanding? In this episode, Chris and Steve explore the story of a merchant who is blinded by perceptions. 

On this episode Chris and Steve explore links between the Eightfold Path and psychological concepts such as Self Actualization and Fully Functioning. 

On this episode Chris and Steve discuss the individual elements of the Noble Eightfold path. 

Chris and Steve discuss how they understand the Four Noble Truths, and explore psychological parallels to the concepts discussed.