Public Talks
This is a selection of talks with audio and/or video available -- see also the CV.
2020. "Self-Compassion." Tergar Meditation Community, Madison, WI.
2020. "Nondual Mindfulness." Tergar Meditation Community, Madison, WI.
2020. "A Buddhist Perspective on Anger."
2020. “To Be Conscious is to be (Unconsciously) Connected: Reflexivity and Nonduality.” Presented for 2020 Varela Symposium. Available as podcast.
2020. "Social Justice and the Pāramitās."
2019. “Emptiness, Compassion and Interdependence.” Presented for the 2019 Varela Symposium, “The Science of Complexity, Compassion and Emptiness.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. Available as podcast.
2019. “Emptiness and Compassion: Śāntideva and the Bodhisattva Practice.” Upaya Zen Center. Available as podcast.
2019. "Reflexive Awareness." Gomde Austria. Scharnstein, Österreich.
2019. "Middle Way, Madhyamaka." Tergar Exploring Reality Series..
2019. "The View of the Mind Only School." Tergar Exploring Reality Series.
2019. "Healthy Self, No Self." Tergar Exploring Reality Series.
2019. "Buddhism for Beginners." Online course for Tricycle.
2018. “The Essence of Awakening.” Online course on Buddhist philosophy for Tricycle.
2018. “Unsaying, Not Knowing, and Pointing at the Moon: Language and Nondual Practice.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. Available as podcast.
2017. “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Mindfulness.” Middleton Public Library. Middleton, WI. Co-sponsored by the UW-Madison Speakers Bureau. Video.
2017. "Belief, Unbelief and Motivation: Integrating Meditation, Compassion and Insight." Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. (Podcast available here)
2017. "Blowin' in the Wind...but not Breaking: The Practice of Equanimity." Dharma Talk, Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. (Podcast Available here)
2016. "The Transdisciplinary Study of Contemplative Practices: Challenges and Opportunities." Master Lecture, International Symposium for Contemplative Studies, 2016. San Diego, CA. (Video here)
2016. “Bodhidharma Through Himalayan Eyes.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM (Podcast available here).
2016. Zen Brain: The Extended Mind—Perspectives from Buddhism and Cognitive Science.” Upaya Zen Center,
Santa Fe, NM (Podcast available here).
2015. “Four Aspects of Concept Formation in the Buddhist Epistemological Tradition.” Mind and Life XXX: Perception, Concepts and Self. Sera Monastery, Bylakuppe, India. (Video available here).
2015. “Health, Stress and Habitual Thinking: Insights from a Mindful Perspective.” Flourish Foundation, Sun Valley, Idaho. Video.
2015. "Empintess is Compassion." Upaya Zen Center. (8 talks, available here).
Summation talk from “Zen Brain: The Embedded Mind—Perspectives from Buddhism and Cognitive Science.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM (Audio available here).
“Delusion or Compassion? World-Making in Buddhist Philosophy, Practice and Art.” Carlos Museum, Emory University. (Audio available here, and Powerpoint here).
January 2014. The Way of a Bodhisattva. Upaya Zen Center. (Podcast available here).
February 2014. Zen Brain: Consciousness, Complex Systems and Transformation. Upaya Zen Center. (Podcast available here).
October 2013. "Buddhist Theories of Attention." Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
October 2013. "Empathy, Compassion and Universal Compassion." Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
October 2013. "Dereification: The Main Mechanism of Mindfulness?" Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
July 2013. Revealing Nāgārjuna. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2012. Awakening to Buddha Nature. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2012. Emotions, Equanimity and Equanimity: a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Zen Brain VII (Podcast available here)
October, 2011. Mind and Life XXIII: Ecology, Ethics and Interdependence. With Daniel Goleman (Organized and moderated this week-long seminar with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and various scientists, theologians and philosophers)
June, 2011. Mind and Meditation: the Self Beyond Thought. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2011. Consciousness and the Nature of Mind: a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Zen Brain V, Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
November, 2010. Mind and Life XXII: Contemplative Science: The Scientific Study of the Effect of Contemplative Practice on Human Biology and Behavior (Co-organizer and moderator)
September, 2010. Extended interview on Buddhist Philosophy for the Godspeed Institute (Audio available here).
April, 2010. Altruism, Compassion and ‘Buddhist Economics.' Presented at Mind and Life XX: Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems. Zurich, Switzerland (Co-sponsored by the University of Zurich and the Mind and Life Institute)
January, 2010. Selflessness and Non-Duality. Presented at Zen Brain III, Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
November, 2007. Science, Religion and Contemplative Practice. With Fr. Thomas Keating and Dr. Richard J. Davidson. Symposium organized by the Impact Foundation (Download video).
October. 2007. Understanding Depression from a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Mind and Life XV: Mindfulness, Compassion and the Treatment of Depression (Atlanta, GA)
September, 2007. The Mindful Body. Podcast with Drs. Chuck Raison and Lobsang Tenzin Negi for the Michael C. Carlos Museum (Podcast available here; scroll down page to "The Mindful Body").
April, 2007. Buddhist Theories of Cognition in a Neuroscientific Context. Presented at Mind and Life XIV: A Dialogue on The Universe in a Single Atom (Dharamsala, India)
February, 2006. Knowing Why Knowing Needs to be Known. Public lecture on Buddhist epistemology presented at the Drepung Loseling Institute
April, 2005. Introductions and Responses to “Wheel of Time” (directed by Werner Herzog) and “What Remains of Us” (directed by François Prévost and Hugo Latulippe) for the Wisconsin Film Festival
April, 2005. Panelist on Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Fourth Annual International Bioethics Forum — Biotechnology and the Brain: From Therapy to Enhancement
April, 2004. Panelist on Genetic Testing: Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Third Annual International Bioethics Forum — Genetic Testing: Who Knows? Who Should Know?
April, 2003. Panelist on Responding to New Technologies: Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Second Annual International Bioethics Forum — Who Decides?
November, 2002. The Buddhist Tradition. One hour interview on The University of the Air, Hosted by Norman Gilliland and Emily Auerbach of Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcast on November 10
March, 2000. Buddhist Fundamentalism. Public lecture for the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
2020. "Self-Compassion." Tergar Meditation Community, Madison, WI.
2020. "Nondual Mindfulness." Tergar Meditation Community, Madison, WI.
2020. "A Buddhist Perspective on Anger."
2020. “To Be Conscious is to be (Unconsciously) Connected: Reflexivity and Nonduality.” Presented for 2020 Varela Symposium. Available as podcast.
2020. "Social Justice and the Pāramitās."
2019. “Emptiness, Compassion and Interdependence.” Presented for the 2019 Varela Symposium, “The Science of Complexity, Compassion and Emptiness.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. Available as podcast.
2019. “Emptiness and Compassion: Śāntideva and the Bodhisattva Practice.” Upaya Zen Center. Available as podcast.
2019. "Reflexive Awareness." Gomde Austria. Scharnstein, Österreich.
2019. "Middle Way, Madhyamaka." Tergar Exploring Reality Series..
2019. "The View of the Mind Only School." Tergar Exploring Reality Series.
2019. "Healthy Self, No Self." Tergar Exploring Reality Series.
2019. "Buddhism for Beginners." Online course for Tricycle.
2018. “The Essence of Awakening.” Online course on Buddhist philosophy for Tricycle.
2018. “Unsaying, Not Knowing, and Pointing at the Moon: Language and Nondual Practice.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. Available as podcast.
2017. “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Mindfulness.” Middleton Public Library. Middleton, WI. Co-sponsored by the UW-Madison Speakers Bureau. Video.
2017. "Belief, Unbelief and Motivation: Integrating Meditation, Compassion and Insight." Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. (Podcast available here)
2017. "Blowin' in the Wind...but not Breaking: The Practice of Equanimity." Dharma Talk, Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM. (Podcast Available here)
2016. "The Transdisciplinary Study of Contemplative Practices: Challenges and Opportunities." Master Lecture, International Symposium for Contemplative Studies, 2016. San Diego, CA. (Video here)
2016. “Bodhidharma Through Himalayan Eyes.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM (Podcast available here).
2016. Zen Brain: The Extended Mind—Perspectives from Buddhism and Cognitive Science.” Upaya Zen Center,
Santa Fe, NM (Podcast available here).
2015. “Four Aspects of Concept Formation in the Buddhist Epistemological Tradition.” Mind and Life XXX: Perception, Concepts and Self. Sera Monastery, Bylakuppe, India. (Video available here).
2015. “Health, Stress and Habitual Thinking: Insights from a Mindful Perspective.” Flourish Foundation, Sun Valley, Idaho. Video.
2015. "Empintess is Compassion." Upaya Zen Center. (8 talks, available here).
Summation talk from “Zen Brain: The Embedded Mind—Perspectives from Buddhism and Cognitive Science.” Upaya Zen Center, Santa Fe, NM (Audio available here).
“Delusion or Compassion? World-Making in Buddhist Philosophy, Practice and Art.” Carlos Museum, Emory University. (Audio available here, and Powerpoint here).
January 2014. The Way of a Bodhisattva. Upaya Zen Center. (Podcast available here).
February 2014. Zen Brain: Consciousness, Complex Systems and Transformation. Upaya Zen Center. (Podcast available here).
October 2013. "Buddhist Theories of Attention." Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
October 2013. "Empathy, Compassion and Universal Compassion." Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
October 2013. "Dereification: The Main Mechanism of Mindfulness?" Presented at The Great Heart: 2013 Maitripa College Buddhism and Science Symposium. (Video available here).
July 2013. Revealing Nāgārjuna. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2012. Awakening to Buddha Nature. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2012. Emotions, Equanimity and Equanimity: a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Zen Brain VII (Podcast available here)
October, 2011. Mind and Life XXIII: Ecology, Ethics and Interdependence. With Daniel Goleman (Organized and moderated this week-long seminar with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and various scientists, theologians and philosophers)
June, 2011. Mind and Meditation: the Self Beyond Thought. Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
January, 2011. Consciousness and the Nature of Mind: a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Zen Brain V, Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
November, 2010. Mind and Life XXII: Contemplative Science: The Scientific Study of the Effect of Contemplative Practice on Human Biology and Behavior (Co-organizer and moderator)
September, 2010. Extended interview on Buddhist Philosophy for the Godspeed Institute (Audio available here).
April, 2010. Altruism, Compassion and ‘Buddhist Economics.' Presented at Mind and Life XX: Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems. Zurich, Switzerland (Co-sponsored by the University of Zurich and the Mind and Life Institute)
January, 2010. Selflessness and Non-Duality. Presented at Zen Brain III, Upaya Zen Center (Podcast available here).
November, 2007. Science, Religion and Contemplative Practice. With Fr. Thomas Keating and Dr. Richard J. Davidson. Symposium organized by the Impact Foundation (Download video).
October. 2007. Understanding Depression from a Buddhist Perspective. Presented at Mind and Life XV: Mindfulness, Compassion and the Treatment of Depression (Atlanta, GA)
September, 2007. The Mindful Body. Podcast with Drs. Chuck Raison and Lobsang Tenzin Negi for the Michael C. Carlos Museum (Podcast available here; scroll down page to "The Mindful Body").
April, 2007. Buddhist Theories of Cognition in a Neuroscientific Context. Presented at Mind and Life XIV: A Dialogue on The Universe in a Single Atom (Dharamsala, India)
February, 2006. Knowing Why Knowing Needs to be Known. Public lecture on Buddhist epistemology presented at the Drepung Loseling Institute
April, 2005. Introductions and Responses to “Wheel of Time” (directed by Werner Herzog) and “What Remains of Us” (directed by François Prévost and Hugo Latulippe) for the Wisconsin Film Festival
April, 2005. Panelist on Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Fourth Annual International Bioethics Forum — Biotechnology and the Brain: From Therapy to Enhancement
April, 2004. Panelist on Genetic Testing: Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Third Annual International Bioethics Forum — Genetic Testing: Who Knows? Who Should Know?
April, 2003. Panelist on Responding to New Technologies: Reflections from Diverse Faith Perspectives. Second Annual International Bioethics Forum — Who Decides?
November, 2002. The Buddhist Tradition. One hour interview on The University of the Air, Hosted by Norman Gilliland and Emily Auerbach of Wisconsin Public Radio. Broadcast on November 10
March, 2000. Buddhist Fundamentalism. Public lecture for the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations