The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBF
Buddhism for Liberation and Social Action. We invite teachers from all schools of Buddhism to offer their perspectives on the dharma and its application in modern times, especially for LGBTQIA audiences.
Produced by GBF - The Gay Buddhist Fellowship of San Francisco.
Episodes
895 episodes
Living with an Undefended Heart - Mary Stancavage
What does it mean to live with an undefended heart?Here Mary Stancavage’s explores the profound practice of living what she has been investigating for years. She begins by acknowledging that we all build emotional armor as a respo...
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Season 30
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Episode 20
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56:12
Relating to Ourselves and the World - Michaiel Patrick Bovenes
Michaiel Patrick Bovenes invites us on a spiritual journey to reconnect with our “Capital S” Self — the soul’s eternal essence — instead of staying trapped in ego-driven identities shaped by society. He explains that true spirituality is...
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Season 30
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Episode 19
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53:56
Bringing Our Practice to These Difficult Times - Donald Rothberg
How can our Buddhist practice make a difference in the face of all the challenges of the modern world?Drawing on his decades of experience as a teacher, activist, and meditator, Donald Rothberg issues an urgent call to inte...
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Season 30
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Episode 18
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59:34
Shakespeare Dharma - Matthew Perifano
How do the works of Shakespeare echo the teachings of the Buddha?In this heartfelt talk, Matthew Perifano reflects on the transformative power of language as he intertwines his lifelong love of Shakespeare with his journey ...
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Season 30
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Episode 17
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1:00:22
Accepting Impermanence Through Grief - Dave Richo
What role does grief play in our understanding of impermanence? Dave Richo opens with the foundational Buddhist concept of impermanence, reminding us that everything—relationships, beliefs, identities—changes and ends....
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Season 30
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Episode 16
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53:04
Responding to Injustice & Cruelty - Ian Challis
How might we meet the realities of cruelty and injustice with a grounded and compassionate Buddhist perspective?Ian Challis suggests that we first acknowledge that witnessing or experiencing cruelty can generate intense emo...
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Season 30
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Episode 15
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58:13
Let Go and Let God? - Liên Shutt
How does a Buddhist make use of the aphorism "Let go and let God?"Liên Shutt shares a deeply personal and reflective talk centered around the phrase "Let Go and Let God," inspired by a cross-stitch left by her adoptive moth...
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Season 30
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Episode 14
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55:16
Coming Home to the Body - John Martin
How can we use our body to reconnect with the present moment?John Martin gently guides us into the practice of returning to the body as a doorway to presence. He shares how disconnection from the body often means disconnect...
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Season 30
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Episode 13
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1:07:31
How Do We Practice in Chaotic Times? - Daigan Gaither
Even when we see uncertainty and injustice all around us, can we navigate our life with grace and resilience?Daigan Gaither emphasizes that our suffering and confusion are not barriers to practice but the very ground of it....
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Season 30
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Episode 12
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51:34
Practicing with Suffering - JD Doyle
Rather than constantly trying to escape discomfort, can we engage with suffering as a gateway to insight and connection?In this talk, JD Doyle helps us turn directly toward the ever-present reality of suffering in our lives...
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Season 30
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Episode 11
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53:49
Working with Our Shame - René Rivera
How large of a force is shame in shaping the behaviors we see in society and ourselves? In this talk, René Rivera gently but powerfully guides us through the terrain of shame, drawing from personal experience, restorat...
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Season 30
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Episode 10
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57:01
Dealing with Subtle Forms of Suffering - Vimalasara
How can we bring mindful awareness to our patterns of subtle dissatisfaction that are also a form of Dukkha? Here, Vimalasara delves into the Buddhist concept of dukkha (suffering), exploring how our habitual ...
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Season 30
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Episode 9
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55:15
Working with Dukkha - Sean Feit Oakes
In his talk on dukkha (suffering), Sean Feit Oakes delves into the heart of Buddhist teachings, exploring how our habitual reactions to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences can entangle us in cycles of suffering.
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Season 30
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Episode 8
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58:57
Making the Best of a Bad Situation - David Lewis
David Lewis offers gentle guidance on navigating life's inevitable challenges. He emphasizes that suffering, or dukkha, is a fundamental aspect of human existence, but our response to it can transform our experience. David encourages emb...
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Season 30
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Episode 7
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57:35
Practice as if Everything Matters - Steven Tierney
How can we approach our spiritual journey with wholehearted attention day after day?Steven Tierney emphasizes that every aspect of our lives—no matter how mundane—holds the potential for awakening when met with sincerity and care....
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Season 30
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Episode 6
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55:00
Emotional Liberation - Prasadachitta
Can we use Buddhist practice to help us navigate emotional experiences?Prasadachitta shares that emotions are not obstacles to be suppressed but gateways to deeper understanding and freedom. By bringing mindful awareness to...
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Season 30
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Episode 5
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57:08
Remembering Refuge - Melvin Escobar
In this talk, Melvin Escobar reflects on the Buddhist practice of taking refuge in the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—as a source of strength and solace in challenging times. He emphasizes that seeking re...
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Season 30
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Episode 4
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52:20
Distorted Perceptions - Kevin Griffin
Do our interpretations of reality contribute to our suffering? In this talk, Kevin Griffin emphasizes that our minds often construct narratives based on past experiences, leading to distorted views of the present. By r...
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Season 30
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Episode 3
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50:37
Taking Refuge in the Present Moment - Laura Burges
If we cannot find stability in external circumstances, where do we turn? Laura Burges shares that we can find solace within the immediacy of our own experience. She reflects on the traditional Buddhist practice of "tak...
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Season 30
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Episode 2
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51:30
Making Mistakes - Laura Burges
How can Buddhist practice help us navigate the inevitable missteps of life? Drawing from her own journey through addiction and recovery, Laura Burges emphasizes that making mistakes is an intrinsic part of being human....
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Season 30
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Episode 1
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52:40
Embracing The 6 Paramis - Jokai
How can we use the wisdom of the Paramis to guide our everyday life? In this talk, Jokai makes practical the six essential qualities that form the foundation of Mahayana Buddhist practice: The Paramis. Through humor and perso...
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Season 29
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Episode 37
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53:17
Being a Warrior of Compassion - Dale Borglum
The term warrior typically implies aggression. So what does it mean to be a "Warrior of Compassion?”In this insightful talk, Dale Borglum introduces the concept of the bodhisattva, or "warrior of compassion," emphasizing th...
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Season 29
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Episode 36
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57:09
Everything is Perfectly Imperfect (Part 3 of 3-part series) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three Great Turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.In this final talk, he explores the Vajrayana tradition's emphasis on h...
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Season 29
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Episode 35
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59:12
The Embodied Imagination: Doorways to Freedom (Pt. 2 of 3) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three Great Turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.Here in Part 2, he explores how Mahayana Buddhism builds on early Buddh...
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Season 29
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Episode 34
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52:41
When We Polarize, We Suffer (Pt. 1 of 3) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three great turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.Here in Part 1, Danadasa touches on Theravada perspectives, emphasizes ...
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Season 29
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Episode 33
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55:17
