Bite Size Wise
By Greg Lauer
Bite Size WiseFeb 11, 2022
Ep. 67 - Well, That's Interesting
This episode ties together the idea of controlling the space between a stimulus and our response, and the idea that nothing around us has any meaning except the meaning we assign it. And I talk about one way we can start to eliminate the negatives around us, by seeing them as neutral instead.
Ep. 66 - Perspective: Use It or Lose It
In this episode, I discuss a passage from the book "Illusions" by Richard Bach. And I discuss how that passage relates to both the Buddha AND to Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich." And I start with a shameless plug for my other podcast, Illusions, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Ep. 65 - Life is Too Darn Short to Argue
In this episode I talk about another verse from the Dhammapada (loosely translated as The Path to Truth) and talk about how we can put this verse into action in our lives and make our own lives, and the world around us, a better place to live.
My gratitude goes out to Anchor.fm for sponsoring this episode.
Ep. 64 - Only Love Can End Hatred
I recently started studying the Dhammapada, the teachings of the historical Buddha. And today I discuss verse 5, which teaches that only love can put an end to hatred. I'm sure you've heard that message from hundreds of other people. But taking a look at the world around us, we can easily see the message needs to be heard again. And again.
Ep. 63 - No Such Thing as Doing Nothing
In this episode, I offer my perspective on the idea of doing nothing. I don't think it's possible. I think we can do good things, or not so good things, but even if we're very successful at doing nothing, we're still doing something.
Episode 8: Ep. 8 - Not a Normal Episode
These were my raw thoughts about the events that unfolded at the Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. Because these thoughts could be controversial to many, and because I want to move past these events, I have made this a subscriber-only episode.
With the events that unfolded at the US Capitol today, this is not a normal episode. Hopefully things return to normal and hopefully we'll be back with another normal episode tomorrow.
Ep.62 - Choose a New Past to Create a New Future
After reading "You can always choose a new future, or a new past" today (thank you to Richard Bach, in "Illusions") I realized I can look at my past in a completely different way. And THAT can help me create a whole new, fully empowered future. I hope you'll join me on the journey.
Ep. 61 - Why bother living an uphappy life?
With a HUGE hat tip to Richard Bach and The Messiah's Handbook...this simple little question, "Why bother living an unhappy life?" has wrecked me today. This simple little question has really grabbed me by the shoulders and shaken me around and made me re-think whether or not I'm willing to continue settling for what I'm settling for. Maybe it will do the same for you.
Ep. 60 - Stop Arguing with Yourself Against Yourself
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they're yours." - Richard Bach in "Illusions." This is the topic of today's episode. And I also have an idea on how we can stop arguing for our own limitations.
Ep. 59 - What Do You Mean?
In this episode, I start to explore the idea that nothing around us has any meaning or value...except the meaning or value that WE GIVE to it.
Ep. 58 - Are You a Pipe or a Bucket?
In this episode, I want you to be more of a pipe than a bucket. If you're already a pipe, then AWESOME! But if you are a bucket, poke some holes in the bottom and start to let things flow through you, more like a pipe. Hat Tip to my former pastor Matt Heard (http://mattheard.org) for making me a pipe 15 years ago.
Ep. 57 - Do You Think Short or Long?
In this episode, a situation at my workplace has me pondering short term thinking vs long term thinking. I know which one I think is more effective and hopefully I can convince you to see it the same way.
Ep. 56 - Make the Best Use of the Data
In this episode, I talk about an idea I overheard today when two software engineers were talking about a computer programming problem. Funny how life gives you interesting ideas in the least interesting places.
Ep. 55 - Superbowl Sunday Reveals Who Did the Work
In this episode, I talk about how Superbowl Sunday and Olympic Games reveal who did the work, who put in the extra reps, who put in the extra hours of preparation so they could be ready to see, and seize, opportunities. There's a HUGE lesson there for all of us.
Ep. 54 - Stop Giving Your Approval by Default
In this episode, I talk about the fact that we are constantly giving our consent, our permission, our stamp of approval to results in our lives, even if we don't want those results. And most of the time, we are giving our consent because we just don't use our power of consent wisely.
Ep. 53 - A Slightly New Perspective on Goals and Discipline
In this episode I talk about adopting a slightly new perspective on goals and discipline and how this new perspective is making a very big difference for me in creating the results I want to create this year.
Ep. 52 - Ok. And? Time to take that courageous step.
Today's episode gives me a chance to encourage you to take that step on faith. Launch your podcast. Write your book. Write your blog post and hit the Publish button. Don't listen to any naysayer. In fact, when someone challenges you on your step toward your dream, just look at them and say, "Ok. And...?" And know that someone believes in you! (Hint...it's me!)
Ep. 51 - It's Time to Concentrate
In this episode, we wrap up the Eightfold Path by talking about "Right Concentration" through meditation. We'll revisit the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path in the future, but for now, this brings this short series of episodes to the conclusion.
Ep. 50 - Oh no! Not another thing on mindfulness!
In this episode, I talk about the Buddha's "Right Awareness" idea. And try to make this a little different, and a little simpler, than the other 43-kajillion mindfulness things out there.
Ep. 49 - Doing the Right Things for the Right Reason
In this episode, I discuss the idea of Right Diligence and Effort. In other words, doing the right things for the right reasons. This is the 6th part of the Eightfold Path as taught by the historical figure we call The Buddha.
Ep. 48 - How Do You Earn Your Living?
Continuing the series on the Buddha's Eightfold Path to Awakening, today I talk about Right/Proper/Wholesome Livelihood. In other words, how do you earn your living? Is there a right way and a wrong way? According to the Buddha, there IS.
Ep. 47 - Actions Probably Speak Louder Than Words
In this episode, we continue with our discussion of the Eightfold Path to Awakening, focusing on "Right Action." And we take a look at a sort of Buddhist 10 Commandments. (I'm just kidding!)
Ep. 46 - What Did You Mean by That?
Today, I take a look at the third part of the Eightfold Path, which is often translated as "Right Speech." And I also want to say Thank You to my Nana. Listen to this episode and you'll hear why.
Ep. 45 - Why Are You Doing That?
In this episode, we are looking at the second part of the Eightfold Path, which relates to our emotions, aspirations, and intentions. This is all about doing what you do from a place of loving kindness and compassion...for your Self and for Others.
Ep. 44 - You Really Have to Get It
The first episode about the Buddha's Eightfold Path to Awakening (Nirvana...not the band). This is all about understanding the true, no kidding, true nature of reality.
Ep. 43 - The Fourth Noble Truth of the Buddha
Today, I talk about the Buddha's Fourth Noble Truth and then provide a short introduction to the Eightfold Path to our Awakening.
For a short summary of the Four Noble Truths and everything else I am learning about Buddhism, please visit my website at https://greglauer.com/buddhism/ . Thank you for listening. If you find value in the podcast, please tell a friend about the podcast. And if you have a minute to spare, please leave a rating a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ep. 42 - The Third Noble Truth of the Buddha
This episode provides a short overview of the Buddha's Third Noble Truth, that all of our suffering can be ended. And then I'll explore some of the hidden ironies this Noble Truth contains. For example, if our suffering can be ended by learning to let go of our attachments to the things in this world, it is easy to become attached to the practice of releasing our attachment...bringing us right back where we started. This is the third in a series of episodes about the Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Ep. 41 - The Second Noble Truth of the Buddha
This episode provides a short overview of the Buddha's Second Noble Truth, that all of our suffering has a cause, and then we start to explore that idea in the context of our Western mindset. This is the second in a series of episodes about the Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Ep. 40 - The First Noble Truth from the Buddha
I want to provide a short overview of the Buddha's First Noble Truth (most often translated as "life is suffering") and start to explore it in the context of our Western mindset. This is the first in a series of episodes about the Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Ep. 39 - We're Back!
This is the first episode in almost a year (about 350 days or so) and I just want to reintroduce the podcast. We will start regular episodes tomorrow.