Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast

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"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom. In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.

Sensei Michael Brunner, One River Zen


    • Oct 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 16m AVG DURATION
    • 19 EPISODES
    • 3 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast

    Practice as if Your Life Depends on It | Shōyorōku Case 32 | Kyōzan's State of Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 13:27


    In this episode, Sensei Michael shares reflections from the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen. As the retreat draws to a close, he explores the powerful insights that arise when we step out of the stories we've created about ourselves and engage with the present moment. Drawing from Shōyōroku Case 32, "Kyōzan's State of Mind," Sensei Michael invites us to observe our thoughts and experience life directly, without being swept away by mental constructs.The episode also weaves in the teachings of Carl Jung from his Red Book, emphasizing the importance of letting go of fixed ideas and embracing the natural growth of our true selves. Just as Jung encourages growth without knowing the law of it, Sensei Michael reminds us that our practice is about meeting life as it is—not as we think it should be.Join us as we explore how to shift beyond intellectual understanding and step into the boundless nature of being. Remember, once you've seen your true nature, you can't unsee it—but continued practice is essential, as the weeds of delusion can quickly grow back.Key Points:The seductive power of personal stories and how to step beyond themReflections on Shōyōroku Case 32 and Kyōzan's guidance on observing thoughtInsights from Carl Jung's Red Book on natural growth and letting go of the small selfThe importance of continued practice to prevent delusions from creeping back inTakeaway: Let go of who you think you should be, and find your life where it is, right here and now. But don't stop practicing—true insight requires ongoing effort.Tune in and reflect with us at oneriverzen.org! Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Surrender | Shōyorōku Case #59 | Seirin's Deadly Snake

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 14:36


    Case #59 of the Shoyoroku – Seirin's Deadly Snake:Attention! A monk asked Master Seirin, “How about when a student proceeds on the trail?” Seirin replied, “The dead snake hits the great road. I advise you not to bump into it.” The monk said, “When it's bumped into, then what?” Seirin answered, “You lose your life!” The monk continued, “When it's not bumped into, then what?” And Seirin said, “There's no place to dodge to.” The monk said, “At that very moment, then what?” Seirin replied, “It has been lost.” The monk then said, “I wonder where it's gone.” And Seirin responded, “The grass is so deep there's no place to seek.” The monk replied, “Shield yourself, Osho! Then you'll be all right!” Finally Seirin clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Your poison is equal to mine!” Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Daring Greatly | Mumonkan Case #46 | Stepping from the Top of a Pole

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 26:35


    CASE 46: Stepping Forward From the Top of a PoleCase:Master Sekiso said, “How will you step forward from the top of a hundred-foot pole?”Another eminent master of old said, “Even though one who is sitting on the top of ahundred-foot pole has entered realization, it is not yet real. He must step forward from thetop of the pole and manifest his whole body throughout the world in ten directions.” Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Finding the Way | Mumonkan Case #19 | Ordinary Mind is the Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2024 14:38


    Sensei Michael discusses the nineteenth case of The Gateless Gate: Ordinary Mind is the Way. He stresses the importance of not looking at a spiritual path as something extra - instead finding it in every moment of our lived experience.   Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Banzo's Sword | Shaseki-shu Case #91 | The Taste of Banzo's Sword

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 13:55


    Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Discusses case number ninety-one from the Shaseki-shu - "The Taste of Banzo's Sword." Sensei teaches that when we devote ourselves fully to being open, we find the unexpected always bringing us joy and richness.   Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    In Living Color | Shoyoroku Case #6 | Baso's White and Black

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 16:16


    Attention! A monk once asked Baso, “Your reverence, abandoning the four propositions and wiping out the hundred negations, please point out to me directly the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West.” Baso said, “I don't feel like explaining to you today. Go ask Chizo.” The monk then went to ask Chizo, and Chizo said, “Why don't you ask the master?” The monk said, “The master told me to ask you.” Rubbing his head with his hand, Chizo said, “I've got a headache today. Go and ask Brother Kai.” The monk asked Kai, and Kai said, “Ever since I have been here, I don't know.” The monk returned and told Baso what had happened, and Baso said, “Chizo's head is white, Kai's head is black.” Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    What Loving-kindness? | Shasekishū Case #6 | No Loving-kindness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2024 12:12


    Sensei Michael gives a Dharma Talk about letting go of our judgements about self and others as a prerequisite to awakening. Case six of the Record of Stone and Sand is discussed: No Loving-kindness  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Working With the Flow | Hekiganroku Case #80 | Joshu's Newborn Baby

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 8:47


    Sensei Michael gives a Dharma Talk about cutting through the rough turbulence of the mind to find our True Self in this very moment. Case eighty of the Blue Cliff Record is discussed: Joshu's Newborn Baby  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Freedom from Other | Hekiganroku Case #57 | Joshu's Nondiscrimination

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 11:04


    Sensei Michael discusses our inalienable intimacy with our lived experience through case fifty-seven of the Blue Cliff Record: "Joshu's Nondiscrimination."  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    The Path is the Goal | Shaseki-shu Case #37 | Publishing the Sutras

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2023 16:55


    Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Discusses case number thirty-seven from the Shaseki-shu - "Publishing the Sutras." Sensei teaches on the importance of living your life true to your intentions rather than some distant or lofty goals.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Beyond Ideas | Mumokan Case #29 | Not the Wind, Not the Flag

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 15:16


    Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner speaks during the 2023 Ango Sesshin to his students about case twenty-nine of the Gateless Gate: "Not the Wind, Not the Flag". The case inspires us to look beyond our ideas of how things are or should be and truly appreciate all that is present right here and now.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Opening to Life | Hekiganroku Case #43 | No Cold or Heat

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 13:58


    Sensei Michael speaks to students during day two of the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin about Blue Cliff Record case forty-three: "No Cold or Heat". The importance of moving beyond our judgements and preferences and truly opening to our lived experience is discussed in this case of the Hekiganroku.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Seeing Beyond | Mumonkan Case #31 | Joshu Sees Through an Old Woman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 17:16


    Sensei Michael speaks during the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin on case 31 of the Gateless Gate, Joshu Sees Through an Old Woman. Ultimately, we need to see past all of our ideas, judgements, and labels to really open to and appreciate our lives.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Let Go and Live! | Mumonkan Case #38 | A Buffalo Passes Through a Window

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 10:58


    Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about Case #38 in the Mumonkan, or Gateless Gate: The Buffalo Passes Through a Window.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Taking the Plunge | Life Beyond Regret

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 28:56


    Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about living life beyond regret. He draws inspiration from the insights of Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who intimately cared for individuals in the final 12 weeks of their lives. Ware compiled the top five regrets expressed by the dying. Sensei skillfully juxtaposes these regrets with Buddhism's Five Great Fears, illuminating a path towards a life that matters, emphasizing the importance of living beyond the confines of regret.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Dying the Great Death | Book of Equanimity Case #63, Joshu Asks About Death

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 12:45


    Join Sensei Michael in this episode as he delves into the profound concept of embracing the death of the small self. Drawing from his own transformative journey through Zen Practice, he illuminates the significance of this path in finding true appreciation for life. Exploring the wisdom encapsulated in case 63 of the Shōyōroku, "Joshu Asks About Death," Sensei Michael offers insights that invite us to contemplate our existence and the essence of living fully.  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Is that (really) so? | Book of Equanimity Case #36, Master Ma is Unwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 34:02


    Sensei Michael Brunner addresses his formal students at a gathering during Ango 2023 to discuss the importance of practice and the virtue of equanimity through case 36 of the Shōyōroku: Master Ma is Unwell. Case 3 of the Shaseki-shu is also discussed: Is that so?  Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Life Beyond the Self | Blue Cliff Record Case #36, Roaming the Mountains

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 9:09


    Sensei Michael discusses fully immersing ourselves into our practice and our lives - losing the cares and concerns of the constructed "small self." The koan examined is case #36 of the Hekiganroku - Roaming the Mountains.   Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    Am I Dreaming? Blue Cliff Record Case #40, Nansen's "This Flower"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 15:10


    In this episode, Sensei Michael Discusses Case #40 of the Hekiganrou, "Nansen's This Flower". We examine the difference between genuinely embracing your life and living in your expectations.   Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

    dreaming flower nansen blue cliff record case

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