Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.