On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, we dive into one of the deepest and most crucial teachings of Buddhist philosophy of the mind: the three poisons. These could also be called the three confused habitual responses to the present moment. In this dharma talk, we go "under the hood" of how our moment by moment experience unfolds, and how our observation of our confusion can be simplified to the exploration of three simple momentary experiences, as well as our three confused reactions to them. The episode ends with a simple and practical labelling practice which the Buddha taught to begin to watch how—when we're not paying attention— the three poisons develop out of our natural and healthy responses to the present moment. Enjoy.

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

(Episode available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

Show Notes and More cool resources:

Read the book The Road Home for more insights into the mechanism of the three poisons and how we can transform our experience of them.

For the mentioned book by John Welwood, you can find Toward A Psychology of Awakening here.

Check out our sponsor platform, A Mindful World! A new free video course from Ethan on Metta (lovingkindness) meditation is now available at this link. Sign up for our Fall retreat at the Garrison Institute at this link. Stay tuned for registration for the 2027 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program (and The Advanced Buddhist Studies Program), which begins on 26th, 2027. Registration coming very soon.

Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, Ethan was joined by friend Noel Coakley. A brilliant and kind psychotherapist and Dharma teacher, Noel has a style as a spiritual thinker and teacher all his own. They discussed his journey into working with the mind, his interest in relational mindfulness and psychology, how The Beastie Boys got him into the Dharma, and what it's like to teach Buddhist meditation at a Bluegrass festival. Ethan also tried to rope Noel into Ethan's controversial theory that Siddhartha Gautama demonstrated the path of awakening for an individual with an avoidant attachment style. Finally, we discussed Noel's teaching work and his new book, Wake Up Sleepy Buddha.

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

Noel Coakley has more than thirty years of experience as a meditation practitioner and dharma teacher, primarily within the Yungdrung Bön and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. For the past fourteen years, he has also worked as a licensed psychotherapist, integrating contemplative practice with contemporary Western psychology. His work focuses on making authentic Buddhist teachings approachable without diminishing their depth, helping people find a clear and welcoming path beyond introductory mindfulness. Through meditation retreats, classes, clinical work, and now his book Wake Up Sleepy Buddha, Noel bridges traditional Buddhist wisdom with modern life through direct experience, practical application, and plainspoken language.

Learn more at: www.wakeupsleepybuddha.com/about

(Episode available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

Show Notes and More cool resources:

The quote which titles this podcast is from an interview between Wes Nisker and Psychologist Jack Engler.

Check out our sponsor platform, A Mindful World! A new free video course from Ethan on Metta (lovingkindness) meditation is now available at this link. Sign up for our Fall retreat at the Garrison Institute at this link. Sign up for the August online visualization meditation workshop here.

Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).