Death Dhamma Podcast

Margaret Meloni
  • 4.4 (5)
  • BUDDHISM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Open and honest discussions with wise and skillful teachers about their experiences with life, death, and Buddhism. If you wonder how others on the path have dealt with death and dying and grief, be sure to listen in. Everyone has a story, a perspective, and a valuable lesson to share. Embrace death, live a full life, and learn to love impermanence because nobody gets out of this alive.

  1. FEB 9

    The Art of Acceptance: Living with Impermanence

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Wisdom of Impermanence Podcast, where host Margaret Meloni invites you to embark on a transformative journey through the profound themes of death, grief, and spiritual awakening, all viewed through the lens of Buddhist wisdom. In this intimate and heartfelt conversation, Margaret sets the stage for a deeper understanding of impermanence - an essential aspect of human existence that can lead us toward liberation from the anxieties that often bind us. As Margaret reflects on personal experiences and teachings from the Buddhist tradition, she encourages listeners to fill in the blank: "I hope the year finds you..." This thought-provoking prompt invites you to consider your own journey and the myriad ways life unfolds. Building on the foundation established in her previous podcast, the Death Dhamma Podcast, Margaret emphasizes that embracing the truth of impermanence is not only crucial for processing loss but also for fostering a profound sense of peace and acceptance in our lives. In this episode, you'll discover how the Buddha's teachings illuminate the path to understanding suffering and attachment. Margaret explores key concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, while weaving in her own narrative of grief and healing. Through rich storytelling and insightful discussions, she offers a fresh perspective on how we can learn to navigate the ever-changing nature of life with grace and clarity. Join Margaret as she shares wisdom from her book, Sitting with Death, and sets the tone for what promises to be a meaningful exploration of how we can live more fully by embracing the impermanence that surrounds us. Tune in, let go, and transform alongside a community dedicated to deepening understanding and compassion.

    11 min

  2. JAN 26

    The Wisdom of Impermanence

    Everything changes. Everything ends. And in that truth lies profound freedom.*   Welcome to The Wisdom of Impermanence—a space to explore death, grief, and spiritual awakening through the lens of Buddhist wisdom and lived experience. This podcast invites you into intimate conversations about mortality, loss, and transformation.   Each episode features authentic storytelling, interviews with spiritual teachers and grief experts, and contemplative insights drawn from Buddhist philosophy and personal experience. Whether you're navigating devastating loss, seeking to understand mortality more deeply, or ready to awaken to life's most universal truth, here is where you will find guidance, compassion, and wisdom.   Discover how ancient Buddhist teachings illuminate modern grief. Learn from those who have transformed sorrow into spiritual practice. And join a growing community ready to embrace impermanence—not with resignation, but with courage, understanding, and awakening.   Listen in. Show up. Transform.

    1 min

  3. JAN 19

    What's Happening with the Death Dhamma Podcast?

    Welcome back to the Death Dhamma podcast. It's time to make some changes to the podcast, and the discussions that we will have as move forward together. It's all about helping one another along the path, and being human while being Buddhist.

    5 min
  4. Equanimity in Action: Season 5 Wrap Up

    10/06/2025

    Equanimity in Action: Season 5 Wrap Up

    This episode weaves together the major threads from Season 5: Equanimity vs. Apathy Emotional resilience and spiritual courage Practical tools for chaos and anxiety The path from anger to compassion Mindful restraint in an overstimulated world The Bodhisattva's quiet strength Whether you're meditating in stillness or navigating modern life's storms, equanimity becomes the thread that holds it all together—a stillness that doesn't withdraw, but wisely engages.

    14 min
  5. Stillness Beyond Bliss: The Equanimity of Jhāna and Purification

    09/29/2025

    Stillness Beyond Bliss: The Equanimity of Jhāna and Purification

    Together, let's explore the profound terrain of jhāna—a Pali term meaning "meditative absorption"—and how equanimity emerges as a central force in its deepest stages. These states of deep concentration are not just about peace or bliss, but about arriving at a radical stillness where distractions dissolve and the mind becomes clear, unwavering, and impartial. We delve into: ·       The progression through the jhānas, especially the third and fourth, where equanimity becomes dominant. ·       The distinction between physical and mental sensations, and how their transcendence reveals the purity of mindfulness. ·       The concept of the equanimity of purification, a mental quality that stills all opposition and polishes the mind to a bright, imperturbable clarity. ·       How mindfulness and equanimity work in tandem to support awakening—and how these factors were central in the Buddha's own path to enlightenment. Whether you're a longtime practitioner or just beginning your meditation journey, this episode offers both a practical and philosophical guide to understanding equanimity—not as detachment, but as luminous balance.

    9 min
  6. Staying Middle Path: The Role of Equanimity in Reducing Suffering

    09/22/2025

    Staying Middle Path: The Role of Equanimity in Reducing Suffering

    Delve into the concept of equanimity as articulated by the ancient Buddhist scholar Buddhaghosa in his seminal work, the Visuddhimagga. Explore three distinct types of equanimity: equanimity as a feeling, equanimity about insight, and equanimity as specific neutrality. Through this exploration, Margaret discusses practical meditation techniques and mental exercises that cultivate a balanced and neutral approach to our thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce suffering by steering clear of extreme emotional reactions. ·       Equanimity as a Feeling: Discover how to identify different feelings—pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral—and learn to adopt a stance of neutrality that allows you to experience these feelings without clinging to them or reacting with aversion. ·       Equanimity About Insight: Margaret shares the importance of practicing non-attachment to the insights gained during meditation. By utilizing mantras like "It might not be, and it might not be mine," practitioners can let go of the tendency to cling to experiences, fostering deeper insight and understanding. ·       Equanimity as Specific Neutrality: Explore how maintaining a balanced mental state helps prevent excessive partiality. This form of equanimity encourages a middle path, promoting mental clarity and calmness. The conversation centers around the ultimate aspiration of reducing suffering through a balanced and impartial state of consciousness, emphasizing the importance of equanimity in daily life.

    15 min
  7. From Suffering to Serenity: Developing a Wise Mind and Gentle Heart

    09/15/2025

    From Suffering to Serenity: Developing a Wise Mind and Gentle Heart

    Join us as we unpack three distinct types of equanimity: equanimity as an enlightenment factor, equanimity of energy, and equanimity about formations. Margaret's insights into these essential aspects of Buddhist philosophy provide listeners with practical tools for maintaining emotional balance in the face of life's ups and downs. Key Highlights: ·       Equanimity as an Enlightenment Factor: This episode begins with the exploration of equanimity as one of the seven factors essential for enlightenment. Margaret discusses how cultivating equanimity helps in abandoning mental defilements and regulates our emotional responses. Through seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, we can nurture this vital quality in our lives. ·       Five Paths to Equanimity: Discover the five practical paths to achieving equanimity, which emphasize maintaining neutrality towards all living beings, avoiding favoritism, and fostering connections with neutral individuals. These strategies serve to strengthen our resolve and enhance our equanimity in daily interactions. ·       Equanimity of Energy: Tune in to learn about the delicate balance of energy necessary for optimal performance, as explained through the Yerkes-Dodson Law. Margaret compares this balance to the tuning of lute strings, highlighting how too much tension or too little can hinder our ability to concentrate and meditate effectively. ·       Equanimity About Formations: The discussion shifts to understanding the impermanence of our experiences and the critical realization that formations are not inherently "me" or "mine." This perspective is vital for progressing spiritually, from the entry point on the path to achieving the state of an arhant. ·       Core Insights for Life: As we navigate challenging times, Margaret emphasizes the importance of cultivating a "wise mind and gentle heart." This approach is not only practical but essential for maintaining equanimity amidst turmoil. ·       Spiritual Development: Wrapping up the episode, we reflect on the importance of recognizing suffering, impermanence, and the concept of non-self as foundational elements in the journey toward spiritual neutrality and growth. Tune in now to gain valuable insights that can help you navigate your own path with greater equanimity.

    14 min
  8. Equanimity, Monks, Lay People, and More

    09/08/2025

    Equanimity, Monks, Lay People, and More

    Margaret takes a closer look at the work of the renowned 5th-century monk, Buddhaghosa, and his influential text, the Visuddhimagga, or "Path of Purification." With a focus on two specific types of equanimity—the "six factored equanimity" and equanimity as a Brahmavihara—listeners will gain insight into how these concepts can help us develop mindfulness and clear comprehension in our daily lives. Discover how equanimity can foster a sense of neutrality towards experiences and emotions, allowing us to respond to life's ups and downs without being swayed by bias or aversion. As Margaret highlights the distinctions between the equanimity of the renunciant and that of the householder, she invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and understandings of balance. The conversation emphasizes that equanimity is not a state of apathy but rather an active engagement with the world that transcends personal biases. By nurturing equanimity alongside the other Brahmavaharas—loving-kindness, compassion, and sympathetic joy—we find ourselves better equipped to face life's adversities with grace and compassion.

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Open and honest discussions with wise and skillful teachers about their experiences with life, death, and Buddhism. If you wonder how others on the path have dealt with death and dying and grief, be sure to listen in. Everyone has a story, a perspective, and a valuable lesson to share. Embrace death, live a full life, and learn to love impermanence because nobody gets out of this alive.

Information

  • Creator
    Margaret Meloni
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Meloni Coaching Solutions, Inc. 2026
  • Show Website
    Death Dhamma Podcast