Echoes & Stories of Dharma

Asokā

No teachings or meditation rather simple daily life events thru the lens of Dhamma. Former Upasika (Lay steward who serves the Sangha) in Theravada Monasteries of the Thai Forest Tradition (US, UK, Canada,) and other settings, the podcast's intention is to bring #simpledhammafordailylife in the best practical way possible. Contribute to #dharmaprotection by sticking to original teachings - Short capsules, conversations, reflections, insights, comments on the Dhamma, or dhamma in the most simple possible way. Lives of people who live by the Dhamma in a direct or indirect way.

  1. Inner Peace , Presence & Living Experiences

    JAN 27

    Inner Peace , Presence & Living Experiences

    Series 2 - Episode 11 A wide-ranging Dharma conversation and a kind of follow up episode, with Josh of Integrating presence we discuss types of identity and self-exploration(e.g., shaved-head practice as a lay 8-precept holder despite no longer living monastically), then pivot to the viral Walk for Peace—a 120-day, ~2,300-mile pilgrimage by ~18–26 Vietnamese/Theravada-aligned Buddhist monastics from Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. (started October 26, 2025; expected end mid-February 2026). Accompanied by rescue dog Aloka, they promote inner peace, compassion, non-harming, and healing through meditative walking (inspired by traditional Tudong with an engaged-Buddhism focus), drawing thousands of supporters, media attention, and occasional challenges (e.g., confrontations with preachers, a traffic accident injuring monastics). Key themes include: Inner peace as the foundation for outer peace (start within via mind training, resolving inner conflict before external action).The Brahma Viharas (loving-kindness/metta, compassion/karuna, sympathetic joy/mudita, equanimity/upekkha—sometimes reframed as resilience) as tools for relating to self/others and dissolving the three poisons (or poisonous roots of greed, hatred/ill will, delusion).Non-duality as interdependence, seeing self/other reflections, loosening grasping/stickiness to stories and identity (anatta/non-self), while avoiding pitfalls like “idiot compassion” (over-giving without boundaries/dignity) or spiritual bypassing.Paradoxes in practice (conventional vs. ultimate reality; restriction vs. freedom; empathy vs. action).Practical applications: ethical precepts for merit/wishes fulfilled, spatial/situational awareness, breath-focused meditation (e.g., resting in natural awareness at breath pauses), middle way balance (avoid extremes), contentment/freedom from distractions (including digital ones), compassion even for flawed leaders/politicians by separating person from defilements.Modern concerns: AI/delusion risks, generational tech shifts, accelerating change, need for lineage verification, open inquiry (ehipassiko: come and see for yourself), and preserving authentic Dharma amid impermanence.Inspirations: Bodhgaya as unifying pilgrimage site across traditions; merit of hearing Dharma; freedom from (vs. freedom to); contentment with little.

    1h 22m

About

No teachings or meditation rather simple daily life events thru the lens of Dhamma. Former Upasika (Lay steward who serves the Sangha) in Theravada Monasteries of the Thai Forest Tradition (US, UK, Canada,) and other settings, the podcast's intention is to bring #simpledhammafordailylife in the best practical way possible. Contribute to #dharmaprotection by sticking to original teachings - Short capsules, conversations, reflections, insights, comments on the Dhamma, or dhamma in the most simple possible way. Lives of people who live by the Dhamma in a direct or indirect way.