Infinite Smile

The whole of deep spiritual teaching is essentially the communication of space. In tonight's talk, Michael explains how we can participate with the world instead of avoiding it. He also talks about what any of us might consider when we begin looking for a teacher.

Living from a place of calm, alert presence that doesn't allow us to avoid anything untangles the knots of Karma. In tonight's talk, Michael explains how we can learn to change our relationship to what gets us caught in life's tangle. We get our inspiration from knowing that every single awakened being has gone through the same climb as we are engaging in presently. And at some point, our adventure becomes more important than the baggage we're carrying.

While in a monastery in Nepal, Michael learned to drink around the leaves of the unstrained tea he was served. What Michael discusses in tonight's talk, among other things, is how we can learn to relate to what floats around in our lives. He goes on to discuss the Four Noble Truths and how they can continually help us stay on track in our practice.

Stillness, quietude and openness are key to any authentic practice. Once we practice these three qualities, according to what Michael tells us in tonight's talk, we begin to realize a purification that helps us recognize what it means to let go into the Emptiness that is Everything. In purification we make ourselves ready for what stillness offers and free ourselves from the tangle that is called karma.

Being without speaking is a beautiful way of expressing our selves totally. This happens when we give our mind an open field in which to graze. We have two major paths to meditative awareness: Big Field, and Cattle Chute. In this talk, Michael suggests that the bigger our field, the greater our chance to study our minds. When we do this we see that our ego is to reality as a ping pong ball is to the ocean. We see that the ocean has nothing to resist. Our ping pong ball mind, however, is desperate to try to manage or think of managing our oceanic nature. Here we find joy. Infinite joy.

This podcast is a recording made by members of the Infinite Smile, expressing their gratitude for the Sangha, as a way of asking for all who have been touched by this teaching to give. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Unlike his normal dharma talks, this podcast is a recording of a presentation he gave to the Walnut Creek, California, Integral Transformative Practice group. For the most part Michael describes the three levels of awareness, nirmanakaya, sambhogakaya, and dharmakaya. At each level, he suggests that there are various traps and snares to consider as we walk the spiritual path. And yet Michael also suggests that there is a way that helps us avoid these impediments.

Is it possible to gain enough perspective on our wants and desires that we can actually become free of them, as the Buddha taught? In tonight's talk, Michael addresses this issue by pointing out that stillness allows for us to not only see our "nonsense," but to let it go. As Lao Tzu says, "when our cup is full, stop pouring."

How is it that Eihei Dogen's suggestion that when we "forget the self, we are enlightened by all things" apply when we welcome new life into the world? In tonight's talk, recorded just two days after his daughter's birth, Michael addresses this issue by pointing out that watching our impulses to be and act in certain ways, frees us from their limitations. Watching our impulses to assure outcomes, and to cling to relationships, helps us awaken from ordinary delusion.

How can we possibly stabilize any type of spiritual practice or realization in the face of all the crap that the world throws our way? In tonight's talk, Michael addresses this issue by suggesting that practicing in the face of beauty is no different than practicing in the mess of daily life. Meditation helps us manage this process by showing us a way to meet all experience with complete relaxation.

What happens when we truly forgive? In tonight's talk, Michael discusses how the simple release that comes with real forgiveness allows us to let the Universe evolve through us consciously. Meeting our stillness during our waking hours helps us along this path. Patience helps us as well. In addition, clarity supports the continual evolution of all of that is truly expansive in us as well as others.

Are there reasons to embrace a group of spiritual friends? In this talk, Michael discusses how we actually need friends to assist us as we climb the Mountain of Spirit. "We may take the steps on our own," he says, "but we need friends to deepen our realization."

Can we become familiar with what the ego feels like? In this talk, Michael discusses uncovering the fundamental truth that is beyond name and form. When we feel resistance to this truth, we are feeling the skin of ego. When we get into a sangha, or group, of spiritual friends, the sensitivity of ego's skin increases. We begin to see ourselves in others; hear our interior dialogs from others' mouths; feel our own pain mirrored in the suffering of others. We ultimately see that all things are totally related and that nothing is outside of relationship. From here we can let go and thus, awaken to what is past the skin of ego.

What is our True Nature? What is our Natural State? In this talk, Michael discusses the ways in which we inhibit that which is completely Natural from showing up through us. He first gives some pointers on cultivating basic awareness in our meditation, and then follows up with a quick suggestion about meeting with a teacher.

In this talk, Michael discusses how we can see that those who metaphorically give us bloody noses, can be our greatest teachers, offering us great Dharma doors through which we can walk. He talks about his stint as a stand-up comic, and then uses an excerpt from his upcoming book, in order to help articulate how it is that we can learn to allow for space to inform all in us that is closed. Questions from the audience deal with observing our addictions as a way of diminishing them; and not caring what people think.

What does it mean to have a Beginner's Mind? In this talk, Michael discusses how we can meet our lives in a way that frees us from the traps of day-to-day living. He uses an excerpt from Jon Kabat-Zinn's book Wherever You Go, There You Are. Over time, as he explains, we become increasingly comfortable with the Questions from the audience deal with the difference between trust and faith; frustration with voicemail; facing the difference between small trust and Big Trust.

How is it that deep spiritual teaching is said to offer us nothing? In this talk, Michael discusses how the ego wants desperately to be recognized, but then in this recognition, its relevance begins to wane. Questions from the audience deal with how this work is inherently playful; and, how we need the ego in order to get passed it.

How is it that we can stay centered, even if we feel someone is getting in our way? In this talk, Michael discusses the tipping point at which we become more interested in our own reactions to unconsciousness rather than the unconsciousness being perpetrated against us. When this practice becomes grounded in our experience we find that we don't crave. Since we don't crave, we lose the thing that fuels our suffering. Questions from the audience deal with how we can differentiate between being indifferent and at peace; different personality types and their challenges in practicing stillness; and, uncovering the subtle differences between greed and aversion.

Meeting with our teacher and asking the questions that burn in us, helps us along the Path. In this talk, Michael discusses how recognizing that we are always WITH everything else all the time, pushes our realization into our conscious experience. Bringing this expanse into a constricted way of life, helps us see, hear, taste, and touch a more complete story. Questions from the audience deal with how egos are still divine manifestations of the Infinite; and how Infinity couldn't care less about the conflicts of mind.

Great teachers make great maps, at least in the spiritual realm. In this talk, Michael uses a brief set of instructions written by Ken Wilber that point directly toward our Witnessing Awareness. Uncovering this Witness, this essential opening of Spirit, is made very simple when the maps that our teachers offer us are clear. Questions from the audience deal with where the "me" is if there is only the Witness; why should we care at all if nothing is real; does Enlightenment change one's value structure; what do we say when we "get it?"; not being ready for realization; witnessing the actor on the Stage of Mind, over and over and over again; the ego pretending that it is actually the Witness; and, how it is that the ego serves us.