Toward Light: Practical Buddhism for the Modern World

Kate Spina

A weekly podcast exploring early Buddhist teachings and how they apply to 21st century life. Kate Spina is trained to share Buddhist teachings in the Theravada lineage. IG: @towardlight108www.towardlight.netinfo@towardlight.netToward Light is committed to continuing the tradition of the Buddha by making Early Buddhist teachings accessible to all who are interested in them. We offer multiple tools to help people cultivate and maintain a meditation practice and a spiritually-oriented life. Toward Light was founded to fill a gap in Early Buddhist meditation offerings, which have often been passed down through patriarchal lineage, and do not always take feminist and 21st century perspectives into account. read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality
Start Here
Taking a Break
02-03-2023
Taking a Break
This is the final episode of season 3. I explain the reasons behind that decision as well as share what I am continuing to offer. Questions? Please reach out: info@towardlight.net

Episodes

Taking a Break
02-03-2023
Taking a Break
This is the final episode of season 3. I explain the reasons behind that decision as well as share what I am continuing to offer. Questions? Please reach out: info@towardlight.net
Karma
26-01-2023
Karma
Some brief thoughts on this huge topic
Three Marks of Existence
19-01-2023
Three Marks of Existence
In this episode I explore all the factors that can get in the way of us seeing the truths of anicca, dukkha, and anatta.
The Process of Purification
12-01-2023
The Process of Purification
Letting go of our conditioning and getting in touch with our inner wisdom can at times be a painful process. In this episode I attempt to normalize that process so that, as it happens to you, you can continue to stay with the process.
The Importance of Clear Seeing
05-01-2023
The Importance of Clear Seeing
Following up on the episode on honesty I explore how we can discover the presence and absence of clarity.
Internal and External Honesty: The Parami of Sacca
23-12-2022
Internal and External Honesty: The Parami of Sacca
In this episode I attempt to illustrate the importance of honesty; both internally and externally.
The Parami of Patience
08-12-2022
The Parami of Patience
Khanti, patience, is one of the 10 paramis, one of the qualities the Buddha is said to have perfected before his awakening.
Refining the Parami of Energy
01-12-2022
Refining the Parami of Energy
This episode I explore the idea of energy drains, and why looking at this is so important on the Buddhist path.
Five Spiritual Faculties
24-11-2022
Five Spiritual Faculties
The five spiritual faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, collectedness and wisdom are the foundation of the spiritual path,. Here is an article from The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies if you want to learn more.
Working with a Dharma Teacher
17-11-2022
Working with a Dharma Teacher
In this episode I look at the benefits of working with a Dharma teacher, how to find one, and when additional support is needed.
Practice: 12 Minutes of Mindfulness
10-11-2022
Practice: 12 Minutes of Mindfulness
In this episode I offer a 12 minute guided mindfulness practice that I recommend you practice in a still posture, either sitting, standing, or lying down.
Being Human
03-11-2022
Being Human
In this episode I explore what it means to be human, and how fighting with reality can create more suffering for us.
Untangling Our Habitual Stories
27-10-2022
Untangling Our Habitual Stories
So many of our thoughts are automatic, habitual patterns, that often don't serve us, but we base our actions on them anyway. In this episode I look at common stories and what tools can serve us as we work with them.
Compassionate Action
20-10-2022
Compassionate Action
In this episode I explore barriers to compassionate action and some guidelines to help us when we do take compassionate action.
Compassion for Others
13-10-2022
Compassion for Others
Continuing the theme of compassion I share reflections on the importance of cultivating the felt sense of compassion for others.
Guided Meditation: Self Compassion
22-09-2022
Guided Meditation: Self Compassion
A ten minute guided meditation, cultivating compassion for self
Self Compassion
15-09-2022
Self Compassion
This episode I look at the bhramavihara of compassion, karuna, and how we can cultivate compassion toward ourselves and why that is important.
Unrealistic Expectations on the Buddhist Path
02-09-2022
Unrealistic Expectations on the Buddhist Path
In this episode I explore how unrealistic expectations around Buddhism, both internally and externally, can create dukkha, and in some cases take us away from the path.
Wise Concentration
25-08-2022
Wise Concentration
Finalizing the series on the Noble Eightfold Path with the eighth path factor of Wise Concentration.
Wise Mindfulness
18-08-2022
Wise Mindfulness
Wise Mindfulness is the 7th path factor, and it's also a study to itself. Some resources if you're interested in exploring mindfulness: Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana. Satipatthana Meditation: A Practice Guide  by Bhikkhu Analayo Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein.  Some talks: Perspective of Right Mindfulness by Andrea Fella What Do We Really Mean By Mindfulness by Jenny Wilks