Dr. Mark Epstein M.D. and Robert A.F. Thurman, in this two part podcast discuss the Buddhist & Alcoholics Anonymous perspectives on addiction, depression, and recovery using the teachings of Shantideva and Winnicott to highlight common strategies and illustrate how the two can help one change one's relationship to any source of suffering, internal or external.

Professor Thurman begins this podcast with a rare explanation of the Heart Sutra focusing on the the dialog between Shāriputra and Avalokiteśvara in the Buddha's samadhi field, and it's connection to Clear Light, Bliss, Relativity and how one can avoid absolutism when thinking about emptiness.

Second half of the podcast concludes with a special teaching to the retreat participants on how to take the lessons of the annual program at Menla Retreat + Dewa Spa into their everyday lives. “Managing Misery : A.A., Shantideva + The Heart Sutra – Ep. 173″ of the Bob Thurman Podcast” is apart of the Buddhism 101 series using classic teachings from the archives of Robert A.F. Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition.

This week’s episode’s of the Bob Thurman Podcast was thanks to Omega Institute & brought to you in part through the support of the Tibet House US Membership Community and Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, New York.

This podcast is a continuation of the teachings from Alcoholics Anonymous, Buddhism + Powerlessness – Episode 161 of the Bob Thurman Podcast and are excerpted from the archive recordings from the Tibet House US retreat “Addiction, Depression & Recovery: Buddhist Psychological Insights for Mental & Spiritual Health in the Modern World Retreat” with Robert A.F. Thurman & Mark Epstein M.D., recorded at Menla’s Nalanda Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York, Summer 2017. Managing Misery : A.A., Shantideva + The Heart Sutra Photo by Ryan McGuire, All Rights Reserved.