Appamada

It's been a surreal week. We must recognize that we are in a fundamentally altered reality. It's quite disorienting, so perhaps we can come together and begin to explore how to navigate it. Peg offers this Dharma talk: “What are we seeking?” It's an important inquiry, so we hope you will join us! Photo by Ben Syverson Chicago, July 16, 2026

Case 37, A monk asked Jōshū, “What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming to China?” Jōshū replied, “The oak tree in the garden.” Case 5, titled “Kyōgen's Man Up a Tree.” Kyōgen said: “It's like a man up a tree, hanging from a branch by his mouth. His hands can't grasp a bough, his feet can't touch the trunk. Another man comes and asks from below, ‘What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West?' If he doesn't answer, he evades his duty. If he answers, he falls and dies. What must he do?”

2026-07-13 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

The Buddhist Precepts are not a checklist. They are a practice — a genuine looking at the ways we speak, take, react, and cause harm without quite meaning to. For the past year, a group of students has been sitting with these teachings and letting them ask hard questions. Come be part of the ceremony that honors their practice.

Yunyan was sweeping the ground. Daowu said, “Too busy.” Yunyan replied, “You should know there is one who is not busy.” Daowu answered, “If so, then there is a second moon.” Yunyan lifted what he was holding and asked, “Which moon is this?”

2026-07-06 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Joel shares reflections on Pema Chodran's book “How We Live is How We Die” and Tibetan Buddhists' work to live life to prepare for the transition from life to death. Joel also reads from Stephen Levine's book “A Year to Live.” We hear a reading from the chapter titled “Fear of Fear." Joel leads us in Levine's “soft belly meditation.”

2026-06-30 I Inquiry I No bridge needed? I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-06-29 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

What might it look like to live a life energized by something other than preference? Recently, while getting feedback on a decision the teachers were considering, Nate was challenged by a council member to consider if a life outside of preference is even possible. Nate thinks it is, though it's not easy to come by. In this talk, we explore possibilities together. The text of the Hsin Hsin Ming can be found in the Appamada chant book at https://appamada.org/study.

SFZC Great robe of liberation Field far beyond form and emptiness Wearing the Tathagata's teaching Saving all beings Upaya Vast is the robe of liberation, A formless field of benefaction. I wear the Tathagata's teachings, To awaken countless beings. Appamada (Ordinary Mind) Vast is the robe of liberation A formless field of benefaction Wearing the universal teaching I realize the one true nature Thus harmonizing all being.

2026-06-22 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Kim gives a dharma talk on "Coleus in the Garden" and other koans.

Most of us have a favorite way of getting stuck. A particular dance we do — the old pattern in new clothes, the familiar mistake in a new context, the same persistent bad habit, again. Today, we look at stuckness not as a problem to be solved but as something we might actually need. The Buddha had something to say about this, as did Suzuki Roshi. And you'll get to find out which kind of horse you are.

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-15 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-08 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-09 I Inquiry I Plight thee my troth I Flint Sparks by Appamada

For the last two Sundays, we investigated the ditches of comfort and striving. This week, we turn to what's between them, what some describe as effortless effort. Joko Beck describes this as pure activity: Pure activity is very rare. There's nearly always a shadow, a film over it. We may not be aware of that; we may just be aware of some tension. There's no tension in pure activity, beyond the physical contraction required to do the activity itself. This activity is something altogether different from our comfort-seeking and striving. It arises and unfolds. This Sunday, we explore it together.

2026-06-01 Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-02 I Inquiry I Wandering and Wondering I Josh Gifford by Appamada

Last week we sat with the cost of comfort. Today, we turn to comfort's restless cousin: striving. Most of us have a complicated relationship with achievement — driven by it, exhausted by it, quietly convinced that enough effort will finally get us somewhere. Dogen had thoughts. He opens the fascicle Bendowa with a puzzle: "This Dharma is abundantly present in each human being, but if we do not practice it, it does not manifest itself, and if we do not experience it, it cannot be realized." Not a permission slip for striving, nor a dismissal of it either, Dogen points to something stranger: the Dharma is already fully here — and yet it requires us. What kind of effort is that? And what does it mean for those of us who arrive on the cushion with an internal scoreboard already running? We explore together today.

2026-05-26 I Inquiry I If you examine myriad things I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-25 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

How comfortable have you gotten? Is the room the perfect temperature? Does Alexa/Siri/Gemini answer all of your questions instantly? Is that difficult conversation still scheduled for someday later? Dogen's teacher, Tendō Nyojō, carried his cushion in his sleeve. He sat until he ached. At sixty-five he still didn't claim to understand zazen, yet still hadn't missed a day in decades. Nate offers a dharma talk on what comfort costs us. Dōgen called the alternative gyoji. We explore it together.

2026-05-19 I Inquiry I A Blessing - A Birthday I Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-05-18 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Program Welcome Incense Offering & Three Bows Heart Sutra Head Student Reads the Case Head Student Raises the Staff Head Student Statement Questions for the Head Student Head Student Comment Final Statement Head Student Returns the Staff Congratulatory Statements Dedication of Merit Bodhisattva vows Three Bows Exit Procession Appamada Senior Teachers Nathan Smalley, Flint Sparks and Peg Syverson Entrusted Teachers Todd Bankler, Joel Barna, Kim Mosley, Laurie Winnette

2026-05-11 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Reflection question: How have you been shaped or formed by your primary or first relationships?

2026-05-05 I Inquiry I A hidden ally I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-04 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is the engine of missing out. The reaching is the leaving. Building on the intensive teachings of Peg, Joel, and Flint, Nate offers a dharma talk on encounter — what it is, why we keep missing it, and what the craving mind is actually building while it's busy looking elsewhere. There is a poem by Mary Oliver (below). There is a koan or two. There is a story about a youth soccer game that went poorly for a vocal subset of parents, the dharma teacher in attendance, and every available adult on the sideline— though notably not for the seven-year-olds. Except from Mary Oliver's poem, "At the River Clarion": 1. I don't know who God is exactly. But I'll tell you this. I was sitting in the river named Clarion, on a water splashed stone and all afternoon I listened to the voices of the river talking. Whenever the water struck a stone it had something to say, and the water itself, and even the mosses trailing under the water. And slowly, very slowly, it became clear to me what they were saying. Said the river I am part of holiness. And I too, said the stone. And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water. I'd been to the river before, a few times. Don't blame the river that nothing happened quickly. You don't hear such voices in an hour or a day. You don't hear them at all if selfhood has stuffed your ears. And it's difficult to hear anything anyway, through all the traffic, the ambition.

2026-04-28 | 2026 Intensive | Day 3 | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-01 | 2026 Intensive | Day 6 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-28 I Inquiry I Merciful Messengers I Suzanne Kilkus by Appamada

2026-04-30 | 2026 Intensive | Day 5 | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-04-29 | 2026 Intensive | Day 4 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-27 | 2026 Intensive | Day 2 | Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-04-26 | 2026 Intensive | Day 1 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-26 | Dharma Talk | No Gaining Mind | Ellen Hippard by Appamada

2026-04-21 I Inquiry I Into the mouth of the Demon I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-04-20 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Instructions for small group activity: Divide into groups of 3. Groups of 2 are ok. Take 2 minutes for each role. Each person will have an opportunity to share, be heard, and bear witness. Person 1 will share what they like in what they see/hear/experience about Person 2. Person 3 will listen, hold the space, and notice. They will then share their observations with person 1 & 2. Person 2 can reflect about what they have heard and what it means to them to be noticed in that way, Then change roles and repeat. Additional discussion question: what would you need to change to bring out the qualities in yourself that you see in others?

2026-04-14 I Inquiry I Leaving So Much Unborn I Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-04-13 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

References: "Nothing Holy About It," by Tim Burkett Hsin Hsin Ming, Appamada chant book (https://appamada.org/s/Appamada-Chant-Book.pdf) "The Wakeful Body," Willa Baker

2026-04-07 I Inquiry I The Smallest Thing I Josh Gifford by Appamada

2026-03-23 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

This Dharma Talk is experiential, with the Sangha addressing and sharing from the prompts of the previous Dharma Talk on "Cooking & the Sangha". There is a brief summary talk given and then we delve more deeply into the topic with discussion prompts. Prior attendance at the first Dharma Talk is NOT a requirement.