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Episode 173 - How to begin the path to Nirvana

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

Release Date: 07/24/2023

Episode 198 - The Five Gatekeepers of Speech show art Episode 198 - The Five Gatekeepers of Speech

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

The Buddha, in his gentle wisdom, offered us a path to mindful speech through what he called "The Five Gatekeepers of Speech." These gatekeepers stand like sentinels, reminding us to pause before we speak. We ask ourselves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it beneficial? Is it necessary? Is it the right time? Our speech, whether it lands on another's heart or drifts unnoticed through the air, always leaves its karmic mark on us. If we are kind to others with our speech, we create causes for our own happiness. When we are unkind to others, we create suffering for ourselves. Words are the most...

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Episode 197 - Metta Practice show art Episode 197 - Metta Practice

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

Metta, or loving-kindness, is a beautiful practice in Buddhism that calls on the heart to soften, to expand, to reach out with the wish for others’s happiness and well-being. It’s about nurturing love, not just for those who easily come to mind, but for everyone—the stranger, the difficult ones, and even ourselves.  Metta practice, at its core, is deeply intertwined with non-violence because it cultivates the kind of love that makes harm unthinkable. In a world that so often pushes us towards division, Metta reminds us to see the shared humanity in each person.   When you...

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Episode 196 - Making mindful choices show art Episode 196 - Making mindful choices

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

This episode explores how to make mindful choices that lead to happiness and well-being in the future. We can learn how to distinguish between virtuous actions and nonvirtuous actions Virtuous actions are those that lead to positive outcomes, both for oneself and others. They are rooted in wholesome mental states such as generosity, compassion, and wisdom. With mindfulness, we can detect whether our mind is in a virtuous mental state. Virtuous states of mind feel, like loving-kindness, feel pleasant and peaceful.   Conversely, non-virtuous actions are those that lead to negative...

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Episode 195 - Feel before you act show art Episode 195 - Feel before you act

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

In this episode we explore one of the core teachings of the Buddha—the Five Aggregates and their connection to our problems and suffering. The Buddha taught that life is pervaded by dukkha, which means dissatisfaction or suffering. More specifically, in the First Noble Truth, Buddha taught that “The five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.” These aggregates—form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—are the parts that make our self. When our five aggregates, including our consciousness, are conditioned by ignorance, we experience an unenlightened life...

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Episode 194 - Enjoying without attachment show art Episode 194 - Enjoying without attachment

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

  Joy and pleasures are woven into the fabric of our lives. The teachings of Buddha invite us to dance with moments of delight without the chains of attachment. In this episode, we explore how to savor the pleasures of life while releasing the grip of attachment. Way to enjoy life's pleasures without the pain of attachment: Enjoy the Moment Accept what is Let go of the past and future Enjoy the moment We discover a world of joy by fully immersing ourselves in each moment. Instead of fixating on the past or yearning for the future, let's learn to be present, allowing joy to...

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Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger show art Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

For the average person, Moments of anger are inevitable. They can flare up in response to various triggers, from personal frustrations to global injustices. However, according to the Buddha's teachings, there is a powerful antidote to this destructive emotion: compassion. In Buddhism, compassion is revered as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards healing and awakening.    At the heart of Buddhist philosophy lies the understanding of interconnectedness. Understanding interconnectedness leads to an awareness that everything we do as an individual affects the rest of humanity....

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Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma show art Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

In this episode, we delve into a universal human experience: anger. But fear not! We're not just exploring the problem; we're diving into solutions. Get ready for an enlightening journey as we uncover practical strategies rooted in Buddhist wisdom to tame the flames of anger and cultivate inner peace.    We can learn how to transform the energy of anger into understanding and compassion. Through understanding and compassion we can heal ourselves and be a refuge of peace for others. In fact, in the story associated with the following verse, Buddha said: ‘Because I am patient and do...

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Important Announcement show art Important Announcement

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

  Virtual Classes with JoAnn Fox start this Saturday, March 2nd! You can enroll any time!   What: An ongoing study program to practice the entire path of Buddhism. Join us at any point!   When: Saturdays 10 am EST   Why: People often have to study Buddhism in a piecemeal fashion. JoAnn participated in a virtual teacher training program for over ten years that presented the whole path of Buddhism. This systematic approach makes the path very clear. It makes it much easier to practice and creates deeper inner change. JoAnn wants others to have the...

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Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions. show art Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions.

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

Renunciation is the determination to be free from our own cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction. Renunciation is a state of mind, like patience, compassion, or contentment. Much like these virtuous states of mind, developing renunciation leads us to deeper and deeper levels of inner peace. In this episode, we explore how renunciation directs our focus toward spiritual development, creates happiness, and how we can develop this state of mind.    Normally, we're always looking for something...something to ease discomfort, abate dissatisfaction or boredom, or give us pleasure. If we're...

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Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way show art Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox

In today's episode, we explore the profound concept of renunciation in Buddhism. True renunciation isn't about abandoning pleasure but transforming our relationship with it. Join us as we unravel the complexities of renunciation and explore a path to genuine contentment.   Renunciation is the wish to break free from the cycle of suffering (samsara) by overcoming our deeply ingrained mental habits of ignorance and attachment. We begin by realizing the futility of expecting lasting satisfaction from transient phenomena (material things, people, opinions, expectations of others, etc.) ...

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How do we start the path to enlightenment? After the Buddha attained enlightenment, he spent 45 years walking from place to place to give teachings. Buddha always tailored his teachings to reach people from all walks of life, religions, and social status. For some, he suggested focusing on emptiness; for others, loving-kindness or moral discipline. To those newly embarked on the spiritual path, he said, "This is the beginning (of the practice leading to Nirvana): control of the senses, contentment, and restraint according to the Fundamental Precepts. Associate with good friends, who are energetic and whose livelihood is pure."

In short, the supportive framework for those beginning the spiritual path has four parts:

  • Control the senses

  • Contentment 

  • Restraint according to the Precepts

  • Associate with good friends. 

Contentment: Contentment is the practice of finding satisfaction and peace with what one has and not constantly seeking external sources of happiness. Contentment is a way to counteract desires and attachments that lead to suffering. By learning to be content with simplicity, we can focus our energy on spiritual growth and inner peace.

Control of the Senses: The senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) are like powerful rivers through which attachment can arise. Practicing control of the senses involves being mindful and disciplined in how we interact with sensory stimuli. Exercising restraint means not indulging in sensory pleasures excessively or in harmful ways. Experiencing pleasure is OK and is the result of good karma. Practicing restraint in regard to pleasures that harm ourselves or others, however, helps us develop self-discipline and cultivate a more balanced mind.

Restraint According to the Fundamental Precepts: The 5 Precepts in Buddhism are taken by people who are not a monk or a nun. The 5 Precepts are ethical guidelines that lay the foundation for spiritual progress and a compassionate life. Taking the 5 Precepts is the traditional way one becomes a Buddhist. The 5 Precepts include refraining from killing living beings, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, lying, and becoming intoxicated. 

Association with Good Friends: The company we keep strongly influences our thoughts, behaviors, and spiritual development. Associating with good friends, often referred to as "Kalyanamitta" or "Kalyanamitra" in Buddhism, means surrounding oneself with individuals who are sincere in their spiritual practice, ethical in their conduct, and supportive of one's spiritual aspirations. Good friends inspire and motivate each other on the path to enlightenment, providing guidance, encouragement, and a positive environment for growth.

References and Links


Buddha (1986).The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories. Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. (Website). Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon. Courtesy .of Nibbana.com. For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma. https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=368