Shows
Guru Viking PodcastEp270: Wandering Monk - Jina KusalaIn this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, Nepal, I am joined by Jina Kusala, originally from Norway and now a wandering Theravada monk.
Jina tells the story of his traumatic childhood, the mental suffering and instability it caused, and how the Buddhist path provided a means to reckon with the pain.
Jina shares encounters with religious leaders such as Mingyur Rinpoche, recounts meeting previous podcast guest Bhante Jason and reflects on the profound time he spent under Bhante’s instruction.
Jina recalls his Himalayan wanderings and cave retreats, discusses the power of the 4 foundations of mindfulness, details the differences be...2024-09-061h 03
Urban Dharma PodcastQuotes and Kindness on FacebookClassic Sunday talk at Against the Stream, Hollywood CA (2.26.2017)2022-09-0747 minUrban Dharma PodcastBe Here NowA Sunday Dharma talk at the Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura, CA (6.7.20)2020-06-1026 min
Contemplate This!Episode 24 - Interview with Ven. Kusala BhikshuVen. Kusala Bikshu is an American-born monk ordained in the Zen Tradition of Vietnam and head monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Korea town section of Los Angeles. Kusala is a member of the Buddhist-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles and MID – Monastic Inter-religious Dialogue, a national organization of Buddhists and Catholics. I was introduced to Kusula through Fr. William Skudlarek, who is a Benedictine monk at St. John’s Abbey and has been active in inter-monastic dialogue.2020-03-151h 16Urban Dharma PodcastThe Five RemembrancesA Sunday Dharma talk at the Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura, CA (3.8.20)2020-03-1229 minUrban Dharma PodcastMeditation Is Letting GoA Sunday Dharma talk at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA (2.2.20)2020-02-0327 minUrban Dharma PodcastOn Building a PracticeA Sunday Dharma talk to the Monte Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Montclair, CA (1.5.20)2020-01-0630 minUrban Dharma PodcastGhosts, Goblins and HalloweenA Sunday Dharma talk at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA (11.3.19)2019-11-0523 minUrban Dharma PodcastBuddhism: Yesterday and TomorrowMy talk at a Catholic High School on Buddhism and what it has to offer in the 21st century. (10.23.19)2019-11-051h 02Urban Dharma PodcastOn Becoming BuddhistA Sunday Dharma talk to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fullerton, CA (9.1.19)2019-10-1131 minUrban Dharma PodcastWaiting MeditationA Sunday Dharma talk at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA (10.6.19)2019-10-0930 minUrban Dharma PodcastKarma in Life and DeathA Sunday Dharma talk at the Center for Spiritual Living, Redondo Beach, CA (8.18.19)2019-08-2021 minUrban Dharma PodcastKarma: Friend or FoeA Sunday Dharma talk at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA (8.4.19)2019-08-0522 minUrban Dharma PodcastEarthquakes and MeditationA Sunday Dharma talk at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA (7.7.19)2019-07-0724 minUrban Dharma PodcastMindfulness: Reducing Stress at WorkA presentation at JPL/NASA on being mindful and reducing stress by Lindsay Byrd Leimbach2019-06-2357 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Father's Day"A Sunday Dharma Talk by Steven Subodha Nuñez at the IBMC - 6.16.192019-06-1929 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Faith in Buddhism?"Rise Up in Faith retreat, sponsored by CSL Redondo Beach, Lake Arrowhead, CA2019-05-2838 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Death, Dying and Rebirth on Vesak"Vesak is the day we remember the Buddha's Birth, Life and Death.2019-05-0626 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Ratthapala and Four Summaries of the Dhamma"A Sunday Dharma talk (4.21.19) by Steven 'Subodha' Nuñez at the IBMC2019-04-2330 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Two Kinds of Meditation"My talk (3.19.19) on Buddhist meditation to a comparative religions class2019-03-2032 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Path - The Goal"My Sunday talk (2.3.19) at the 'IBMC' in Los Angeles, CA2019-02-0819 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Letting Go"My Sunday talk (1.27.19) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2019-01-2820 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Religion, Precepts and Dying Well"A Catholic High School Presentation (10.16.18) in Torrance, CA2019-01-1727 minUrban Dharma Podcast"What is Bodhi Day?"My Sunday talk (12.23.18) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Ventura, CA2018-12-2523 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Why Stuff Happens"My Sunday talk (12.2.18) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2018-12-0524 minUrban Dharma Podcast"What is Buddhism?"My Sunday talk (11.25.18) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2018-11-2717 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Growing Old With a Smile"My Sunday talk (11.05.18) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Ventura, CA2018-11-0516 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Becoming a Buddhist: My Story"My Sunday talk (08.19.18) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Redondo Beach, CA2018-08-2024 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Practice Makes Perfect #3"My Sunday talk (08.05.18) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2018-08-0931 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Practice Makes Perfect #2"My Sunday talk (07.22.18) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2018-07-2446 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Practice Makes Perfect #1"My Sunday talk (07.01.18) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2018-07-0222 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Thoughts on the Heart Sutra"My Sunday talk (06.03.18) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2018-06-0421 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Business of Buddhism"My Sunday talk (05.27.18) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2018-05-2841 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Meditation Practice"My Sunday talk (05.06.18) at the 'International Buddhist Meditation Center' Los Angeles, CA.2018-05-0725 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Growing Old With Dharma"My Sunday talk (04.22.18) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood CA.2018-04-2341 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Who Was the Buddha?"My Sunday talk (04.08.18) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Ventura CA.2018-04-1030 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Aging and The Aggregates"My Sunday talk (02.25.18) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood CA.2018-02-2723 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Understanding Buddhism"My Sunday talk (02.04.18) at the 'International Buddhist Meditaton Center' in Los Angeles, CA.2018-02-0535 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Why Stuff Happens"My Sunday talk (01.28.18) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood CA.2018-01-3044 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Obstacles to Meditation"Another talk (1.13.18) from the 'Day of Mindfulness Retreat' at the UU Church of Ventura, CA.2018-01-2237 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Living The Precepts"My talk (1.13.18) for the 'Day of Mindfulness Retreat' at the UU Church of Ventura, CA.2018-01-1543 minUrban Dharma Podcast"More Than One"My Sunday talk (11.26.17) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood CA.2017-11-2746 minUrban Dharma Podcast"A Question of Faith"My Sunday talk (11.5.17) at the 'The International Buddhist Meditaton Center' in Los Angeles, CA.2017-11-0624 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Life,Death and Everything in Between"My Sunday talk (10.15.17) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Ventura CA.2017-10-1625 minUrban Dharma Podcast"High School Dharma"My talk (10.9.17) to a comparative religions class at Palos Verdes High School, Palos Verdes Estates, CA.2017-10-1045 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Buddhist Meditation"My Sunday talk (10.1.17) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center, Los Angeles, CA.2017-10-0235 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Buddhist Path: Building a Foundation"My Sunday talk (8.27.17) at the 'Against the Stream' in Hollywood CA.2017-09-0737 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Life is Like a JPEG"My Sunday talk (8.13.17) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living, Ventura CA.2017-08-1816 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Being Free"My Sunday talk (7.2.17) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA2017-07-1634 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Building a Life"My Sunday talk (6.4.17) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA2017-06-0723 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Karma of Waiting"My talk (5.28.17) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2017-06-0331 minUrban Dharma Podcast"A Good Life"My talk (5.24.17) at the NETMCDO (The Network of Music Career Development Officers) 2017 annual conference in Los Angeles, CA2017-05-2540 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Hindrances and Happiness"My Sunday talk (4.23.17) at the 'The Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura, CA2017-04-2723 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Easter Sunday Dharma Talk"My talk on Easter Sunday (4.16.17) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center2017-04-1929 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Finding Happiness"My talk at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Simi Valley2017-02-1113 minUrban Dharma Podcast"'Wisdom and Compassion in the Present Moment'"My talk (1.22.17) at the 'Against the Stream' in Hollywood, CA.2017-01-2344 minUrban Dharma Podcast"It's Always the First Time"My talk on Sunday(01.01.17) to the 'Monte Vista UU Congregation' in Montclair, CA. (Recorded on an iPhone)2017-01-0534 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Essence of Buddhism"My talk (12.11.16) to the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Newbury Park, CA.2016-12-1829 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Best Way Out"My talk (11.20.16) at the 'Center for Spiritual Living' in Ventura, CA.2016-11-2227 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Nirvana vs Enlightenment"My talk (11.16.16) to an Urban Studies class at the IBMC Los Angeles, CA.2016-11-1827 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Accepting Life... The Buddhist Way"My talk (10.23.16) at 'Against the Stream' in Hollywood, CA.2016-10-2444 minUrban Dharma Podcast"High School Buddhism"My talk (10.13.16) to a High School Comparative Religion's Class.2016-10-1547 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Making Kindness Your Friend"My talk (10.09.16) at the 'UU Church of Santa Paula', Santa Paula CA.2016-10-1022 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Benedict's Dharma 2 - 2003"In April 2003, forty Episcopalian men and women from around the country gathered in historic New Harmony, Indiana.2016-09-3010 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Love, Kindness and Compassion"My talk (09.25.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2016-09-2742 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Revisiting the Eightfold Path"My talk (09.15.16) to a Catholic High School religion's class.2016-09-1615 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Why Stuff Happens"My talk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday 9.11.20162016-09-1646 minUrban Dharma Podcast"God and So Much More"My talk (09.15.16) to a Catholic High School religion's class.2016-09-1637 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Buddhist Wisdom"My talk (08.28.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2016-08-2950 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Being Grateful"My talk (07.24.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2016-07-2929 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Eight Ways We Suffer"My talk (05.22.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2016-05-2548 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Meaning of Life"My talk (04.24.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Hollywood, CA.2016-04-2730 minUrban Dharma PodcastHappiness in BuddhismMy talk at The Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura CA on Sunday 4.3.20162016-04-0427 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Who Dies"My talk (03.27.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2016-04-021h 03Urban Dharma Podcast"Building A Practice"My talk (02.28.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2016-03-161h 03Urban Dharma Podcast"The Five Reflections"My talk (01.24.16) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2016-01-2551 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Path and Journey"My talk (12.27.15) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-12-2839 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Six Perfections"My talk (11.23.15) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2015-11-2453 minUrban Dharma Podcast"A Short Talk on Buddhist Meditation"My talk (11.08.15) at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, CA.2015-11-0927 minUrban Dharma Podcast"The Week That Was"My talk (10.25.15) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-10-2657 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Understanding Buddhism"My talk (9.27.15) at 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-09-3057 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Let Karma Be Your Guide"My talk (8.23.15) at 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-08-2456 minUrban Dharma PodcastBuilding a Good Life with BuddhismMy talk at The Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura CA on Sunday 8.9.152015-08-1228 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Why Stuff Happens"My talk (7.26.15) at 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-07-2942 minUrban Dharma Podcast"Letting Go"My talk (6.28.15) at 'Against the Stream' on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-06-2854 minUrban Dharma PodcastBuddhism and the Whitehead ConferenceMy talk (6.8.15) at the 10th International Whitehead Conference in Claremont, CA.2015-06-061h 28Urban Dharma PodcastGrowing old with rites and ritualsMy talk (5.24.15) at Against the Stream on Melrose in Los Angeles, CA.2015-05-2544 minUrban Dharma PodcastSearch for SalvationMy talk at The Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura CA on Sunday 4.12.152015-04-1526 minUrban Dharma PodcastJourney as LifestyleAn excerpt from a talk (4.8.15) to an urban studies class on Buddhism and my journey as a Buddhist.2015-04-1033 minUrban Dharma PodcastFinding Wholeness and Salvation in BuddhismA talk given Sun.,(03.22.15) at the 'Against the Stream' on Melrose, Los Angeles, CA.2015-03-2359 minUrban Dharma PodcastA Good DeathFrom a talk given Sun.,(02.22.15) at 'Against the Stream' on Melrose, Los Angeles, CA. meditation and having a good death.2015-02-231h 01Urban Dharma PodcastWorking on PerfectionMy talk at The Center for Spiritual Living in Simi Valley CA on Sunday 1.18.152015-02-0329 minUrban Dharma PodcastSt. John's Abbey - 2Part 2 of my presentation at the Monastic Institute 2007 Conference at John's School of Theology Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota on Being a Buddhist in America. Each summer the School of Theology·Seminary of Saint John's University sponsors a Monastic Institute to provide continuing education and spiritual enrichment for American monastics and all interested in monastic spirituality and practice. This year's Institute, co-sponsored by Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, is devoted to interreligious dialogue. Among the presenters were Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America, Kusala Bhikshu of the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, and Fr. Pierre-François de...2007-07-2737 minUrban Dharma PodcastSt. John's Abbey - 1Part 1 of my presentation at the Monastic Institute 2007 Conference at John's School of Theology Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota on Being a Buddhist in America. Each summer the School of Theology·Seminary of Saint John's University sponsors a Monastic Institute to provide continuing education and spiritual enrichment for American monastics and all interested in monastic spirituality and practice. This year's Institute, co-sponsored by Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, is devoted to interreligious dialogue. Among the presenters were Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America, Kusala Bhikshu of the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles, and Fr. Pierre-François de...2007-07-1837 minUrban Dharma PodcastDharma GrassDharma Grass is made up of Kusala Bhikshu, Michelle Payne (www.myspace.com/michellepayne) and Mark Lennon (www.myspace.com/marklennon). We made our live debut as a group on 3/30/2007 at the "Peace is Possible" Concert held at 'One Spirit, Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley, California. Kusala - rhythm guitar and harmonica... Michelle - guitar, banjo and vocals... Mark Lennon - mandolin and vocals... The event poster can be viewed at: www.urbandharma.org/pdf/2007PeaceConcert.pdf and a photo at: http://urbandharma.org/udharma11/peaceconcert.html2007-04-2708 minUrban Dharma PodcastWhy MeditateMy answer to the question, "What are the benefits of meditation." This is from my ongoing Wednesday Night class at IBMC in Los Angeles, CA. I tweaked the volume on the question in the podcast to make it understandable. My Wednesday Night class at IBMC is open to anyone interested in learning more about Buddhism. For more info please go to: www.Kusala.info2006-09-2129 min
ZencastZencast 63 - An Interview with Kusala Bhikshu - Pt2 (Video)A video interview with Rev. Kusala Bhikshu on his work and practice. Rev. Kusala's interview was filmed at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in March, 2006 by Magic Bell Productions for "The Buddhist Way of Life," a weekly * TV program on Buddhism. In part 1 Kusala talks on why and how he came to practice Buddhism and his views on the future of Buddhism in America. In part 2 Kusala plays some blues harmonica, talks about being a volunteer police chaplain, going to the Orange County Coroner's office and the Buddhist goal of Nirvana.*Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai © 2006 UrbanDharma.org ; Kusala Bhikshu ; U...2006-07-3014 minUrban Dharma PodcastBuddhism - A Path to HappinessA talk on 'Happiness in Buddhism' given at, One Spirit - Center of Conscious Living, in Simi Valley, California. There is happiness in owning things, happiness created by Self and a Selfless, transcendent happiness. The talk ends with Rev. Kusala singing "The Eve of Destruction" and playing some harmonica blues in the key of G.2006-07-2529 min
ZencastZencast 62 - An Interview with Kusala Bhikshu - Pt1 (Video)A video interview with Rev. Kusala Bhikshu on his work and practice. Rev. Kusala's interview was filmed at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in March, 2006 by Magic Bell Productions for "The Buddhist Way of Life," a weekly * TV program on Buddhism. In part 1 Kusala talks on why and how he came to practice Buddhism and his views on the future of Buddhism in America. In part 2 Kusala plays some blues harmonica, talks about being a volunteer police chaplain, going to the Orange County Coroner's office and the Buddhist goal of Nirvana.*Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai © 2006 UrbanDharma.org ; Kusala Bhikshu ; U...2006-07-2314 minUrban Dharma PodcastBuddhist Patient Health CareA talk given at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica to the new chaplains on "Buddhist Patient Health Care" and end of life issues. For more information go to: www.kusala.org and click on, "A guide to death, dying and good health in Buddhism."2005-11-0525 min