The MWS Podcast: Episode 13, Robert M. Ellis

In this member profile, the chair of the society Robert M. Ellis tells us about his background, the time he spent as a Buddhist, how he first became interested in philosophy and how he came to develop Middle Way Philosophy. He also talks about how the society came about and what vision he has for its future.


MWS Podcast 13: Robert M. Ellis as audio only:
Download audio: MWS_Podcast_13_Robert_M_Ellis

Previous podcasts:

Episode 12: Paul Gilbert on Compassion Focused Therapy
Episode 11: Monica Garvey on Family Mediation
Episode 10: Emilie Åberg on horticultural therapy, agnosticism, the Quakers and awe.
Episode 9: T’ai Chi instructor John Bolwell gives an overview of this popular martial art.
Episode 8: Peter Goble on his career as a nurse and his work as a Buddhist Chaplain.
Episode 7: The author Stephen Batchelor on his work with photography and collage.
Episode 6: Iain McGilchrist, author of the Master and his Emissary.
Episode 5: Julian Adkins on introducing MWP to his meditation group in Edinburgh
Episode 4: Daren Dewitt on Nonviolent communiction.
Episode 3: Vidyamala Burch on her new book “Mindfulness for Health”.
Episode 2: Norma Smith on why she joined the society, art, agnosticism and metaphor.
Episode 1 : Robert M. Ellis on the skill of critical thinking.

About Barry Daniel

I live in the Lake District in the UK where I run a guesthouse with my partner Kate and my cat Manuel. I enjoy painting, hillwalking, reading, visiting and entertaining friends, T’ai Chi and playing the guitar. I’m engaged to a certain degree in the local community, as a volunteer with Samaritans and I’m a fairly active member of the local Green party. I’ve had a relatively intuitive sense of the Middle Way most of my adult life but it found a greater articulation and a practical direction through joining the society. It’s also been interesting and great fun engaging with other people with a similar outlook. My main contribution to the society is conducting the podcast interviews, something that gives me a lot of satisfaction and that I’ve learnt a lot from.

4 thoughts on “The MWS Podcast: Episode 13, Robert M. Ellis

  1. A lovely, heart-warmingly human and uplifting talk, very relevant to me, at this point in the society’s gestation, to my own involvement, and my own commitment to its vision. Thanks to both men for their collaboration in making it.

  2. Yes, I hope that this podcast reaches a wide audience, including many who may have similar aims and objectives as those of the MWS but have not put their ideas into words.
    I would like to think that those without academic qualifications would feel able to contribute to the Society, there are many who want to live or already do lead an ethical life from all walks of life.

    1. Norma, I think you and Robert are absolutely on the same page in your inclusive aspirations, and from the same mould when it comes to modesty, brilliance, and integrity.

      1. Hi Peter,
        Three wonderful adjectives, thank you, more like descriptions to aspire to on my part.
        Our group has such good intentions, we want to understand and be happy leading a thoughtful life, avoiding conflict wherever possible while still having our own points of view. We all hope others will join us, it’s reaching them that is the difficult part.
        I did enjoy our conversatons this evening, I get nervous and talk too much, (which I hope will lessen over time,) but I’m also an attentive listener.

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