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Tricycle Talks: Listen to Buddhist teachers, writers, and thinkers on life's big questions. Hosted by James Shaheen, editor in chief of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the leading Buddhist magazine in the West. Life As It Is: Join James Shaheen with co-host Sharon Salzberg and learn how to bring Buddhist practice into your everyday life. Tricycle: The Buddhist Review creates award-winning editorial... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes200Founded13 years ago
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Religion & SpiritualitySpiritualityBuddhism

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Latest Episodes

Thanissaro Bhikkhu is an American Theravada Buddhist monk trained in the Thai forest tradition. He currently serves as abbot of the Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego County and is a frequent contributor to Tricycle. Over the years, he has written e... more

Ada Limón is the author of seven books of poetry, and she recently completed her term as the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. During her tenure as Poet Laureate, Limón undertook a series of projects harnessing poetry to transform our relation... more

Arthur Sze is a poet and translator based in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and he is currently serving as the 25th Poet Laureate of the United States. His new book, Transient Worlds: On Translating Poetry, takes readers through nearly two millennia of poetry... more

Buddhism can often be mischaracterized as encouraging the elimination of emotion. Yet, as scholar Maria Heim points out, feeling is central to Buddhist teachings and practices—in fact, the Buddha presented the four noble truths as being “for one who ... more

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Recent Guests

Thanissaro Bhikkhu
American Theravada Buddhist monk, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery
Metta Forest Monastery
Episode: Did the Buddha Really Teach That There Is No Self?
Arthur Sze
US Poet Laureate, poet and translator based in Santa Fe, NM
University of New Mexico/the poet laureate project
Episode: Bridging Worlds with US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze
Maria Heim
Professor of Religion at Amherst College
Amherst College
Episode: A Buddhist Guide to Understanding Emotion with Maria Heim
Philip Ryan
Executive editor at Tricycle
Tricycle
Episode: Dementia and the Sense of Self with Philip Ryan
Richard Payne
Professor at the Institute of Buddhist Studies and ordained priest in the Shingon tradition of esoteric Japanese Buddhism.
Episode: Demystifying Tantra with Richard Payne
Li-Young Lee
Acclaimed American poet based in Chicago
Episode: Poet Li-Young Lee on Awe, Adoration, and Turning Toward the Unknown
Francis Weller
Writer and soul activist, psychotherapist for 40 years
Commonweal Cancer Help Program
Episode: Into the Long Dark with Francis Weller
Brandon Shimoda
A poet and professor at Colorado College, exploring the legacy of Japanese American wartime incarceration.
Colorado College
Episode: The Afterlife of Japanese American Wartime Incarceration
Sarah Ruhl
Playwright, poet, and professor based in New York
Episode: Choosing Kindness with Sarah Ruhl and Sharon Salzberg

Hosts

James Shaheen
Host, Editor-in-Chief of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, engaged in reflecting on life's big questions through Buddhist perspectives.
Sharon Salzberg
Co-host, meditation teacher, and author, specializing in mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 588 ratings
  • Enlightening

    I’ve enjoyed listening to James Shaheen interview Ocean Vuong, Pico Iyer, Kaira Jewel Lingo and Jake Garfield. He formulates intriguing questions and draws out his interviewees. I am moved to make a donation (Dana).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eneibru
    United States9 months ago
  • The Greek King….Maria Heim

    The episode mentioned above was not good. The speaker droned on and on about minuta and trivia.

    Tip to all future speakers, just because you find something fascinating, don’t assume your audience also finds it fascinating.

    Self awareness!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    T-marco
    United Statesa year ago
  • the grieving episode

    Mary Francis seems like she bypasses the deep despair in grieving - and how suicide can be an answer to grief

    yes it’s just thoughts - but…. that’s how some people deal with it something about her jovial tones do not match the depth of all the loss we all are experiencing today in this violent time -

    at least she worked with Roshi Joan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mtnmliver
    United Statesa year ago
  • Outsider Wisdom

    I am grateful that Sharon and James are so generous with their time. I am in a tight financial situation and these episodes are often a lifeline to sanity for me. Thank you. I also deeply appreciate the “outside wisdom” from non-practicing or Buddhist adjacent folks like Oliver Burkeman. I often find their insight more potent than the more “experienced” guests. They consistently provide Beginner’s Mind with care and sincerity. I also would like to give a shoutout to Jay Garfield specifical... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andy boy4728;73
    United Statesa year ago
  • Harmful content

    I was greatly disappointed to hear Kimberly Brown reference the work of Byron Katie in an approving manner. Byron Katie has caused harm and suffering to victims of abuse. Byron Katie is the worst example of a new age charlatan and I didn’t expect to hear her promoted on a Tricycle podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Montalbar
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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Some listeners find certain episodes less engaging, expressing a preference for more focused content over meandering discussions.
Overall, the podcast receives positive feedback for its high-quality guests and the hosts' ability to draw out profound insights from them.
The podcast is recognized for tackling complex subjects and fostering meaningful dialogue, which resonates well with listeners seeking spiritual growth.
Listeners consistently appreciate the depth and thoughtfulness of the conversations, noting that they are both enlightening and inspiring.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did the Buddha Really Teach That There Is No Self?
Q: How should practitioners balance views and not-self as we progress on the path, given the risk that views themselves become fetters?
Views are useful tools on the path if used skillfully and with the aim of awakening. As practice deepens, one should let go of views entirely, recognizing the instrumental nature of these concepts and not allowing them to ossify into dogma.
Did the Buddha Really Teach That There Is No Self?
Q: What happens when the Buddha is asked directly about the existence of the self, and why does he remain silent?
He remains silent to avoid aligning with either eternalism or annihilationism, both of which would hinder understanding and practice. The aim is to redirect attention to how actions and perceptions contribute to suffering and its end.
Did the Buddha Really Teach That There Is No Self?
Q: Can you tell us what the Buddha meant by not-self, and why this topic is treated as a strategic device rather than a fixed ontological claim?
Not-self is a strategy to undermine clinging to the aggregates and to reorient how we seek happiness. The Buddha does not endorse a permanent self because clinging to any self-identity sustains suffering. The discussion emphasizes practical outcomes—end of suffering—over metaphysical assertions.
Bridging Worlds with US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze
Q: How did your process evolve when you started translating your own poetry and engaging with translations from other languages?
I began with personal heritage and learned craft through translating Tang Dynasty poetry, using translations to learn how to bring a living, contemporary voice into English, which then fed back into my own writing.
Bridging Worlds with US Poet Laureate Arthur Sze
Q: So can you tell us a bit about the book and your signature project as Poet Laureate?
The book and project focus on translation as a method of widening and deepening the appreciation of poetry, presenting multiple translations to show there is no single definitive reading and encouraging readers to engage in their own translation work.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tricycle Talks

What is Tricycle Talks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores various aspects of Buddhism, emphasizing its application to contemporary life through discussions with renowned Buddhist teachers, writers, and thinkers. Topics include grief, mindfulness, identity, and the significance of personal experience within Buddhist practice. Unique conversations often blend traditional Buddhist teachings with modern issues such as mental health, community, and environmental concerns, offering insights into navigating both personal and societal challenges. The approach is likely to resonate with those seeking deeper understanding of the human experience through a spiritual lens, making it a valuable resource for individuals interested in integrating Buddhist principles into their lives.

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Which podcasts are similar to Tricycle Talks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Tricycle Talks:

1. Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein
2. Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg
3. Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield
4. Mind & Life
5. The Way Out Is In

How many episodes of Tricycle Talks are there?

Tricycle Talks launched 13 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Tricycle Talks?

Recent guests on Tricycle Talks include:

1. Thanissaro Bhikkhu
2. Arthur Sze
3. Maria Heim
4. Philip Ryan
5. Richard Payne
6. Li-Young Lee
7. Francis Weller
8. Brandon Shimoda

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