Rochester Zen Center Teisho (Zen Talks)

Finding the Silence that doesn't depend on conditions. Dharma Talk by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Beyond Words and No Words appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Moshan Liaoran (c. mid-late 800s) was the first female ancestor to be recognized in the official record of Dharma transmission. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Moshan Liaoran and the Way of Women appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Our evolutionary heritage instills and reinforces the dream of self and other and blinds us to how little is actually within our control. Everything begins to open up when we drop our demands and learn to work with things as they are. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post The Delusion of a Separate Self appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

April 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 A commentary on Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away (Ajahn Chah). High ideals and daily frustrations- a story; Comments on Ajahn Chah's meditation instructions; and Keep at it. Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

April 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha (Tangen Harada Roshi) and Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away (Ajahn Chah). Tips on zazen posture & practice; Working with pain in sesshin; Biography of Ajahn Chah; Comments on impermanence and practice. Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What is attention? How do we cultivate it? How do we work with our habits of mind and avoid being swayed by the “attention economy”? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Giving Attention appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Shoyoroku (Book of Serenity) #4, “The Buddha Points to the Ground” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “An Experience of Enlightenment” #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on “An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “An Experience of Enlightenment” #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on “An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “An Experience of Enlightenment” #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on “An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “An Experience of Enlightenment” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2055 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on “An Experience of Enlightenment” by Flora Courtois. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1986. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “An Experience of Enlightenment” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Not floundering in dread and resentment, but rising to the occasion in these difficult times when we really don't know what will happen. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Living in Interesting Times appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Coming to the Path Talk by Ven. Danan Redding.  Automated Transcript The post Coming to the Path Talk by Ven. Danan Redding appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Nothing is certain. This too will pass. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Winds of Change appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

February 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 In part two of her overview of working with koans, Jissai Prince-Cherry emphasizes the importance of engaging the heart and mind and the need to feel and live with the koan. Dharma Talk by Ven. Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post Tips for Working on Koans, Part 2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

February 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 In the first of her two talks about koan work, Jissai Prince-Cherry also discusses breath practices and shikantaza. Dharma Talk by Ven. Jissai Prince-Cherry.  Automated Transcript The post Tips for Working on Koans, Part 1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Noticing how we habitually lose focus in the face of boredom and frustration and finding the wherewithal to stay engaged. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Learning Not to Turn Away appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Learning to let go and listen. Moving from grasping to opening. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Silence and Non-doing appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

A commentary on an episode of the Hidden Brain podcast: "Emotions 2.0: What's Better than Being Happy?" and how being open to a variety of emotions, including negative ones, dovetails with Buddhist practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Emotional Diversity and Buddhist Practice (Updated) appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 6 A commentary on Nothing Special: Living Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck  Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Nothing Special: Living Zen” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 5 The fifth and final commentary in a series on Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Zen Master Guo Gu Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Silent Illumination” #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 4 Continuing the commentary from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 on Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Zen Master Guo Gu Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Silent Illumination” #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 3 Continuing the commentary from Day 1 and Day 2 on Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Zen Master Guo Gu Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Silent Illumination” #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 2 Continuing the commentary from Day 1 on Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Zen Master Guo Gu Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Silent Illumination” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

January 2025 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening by Zen Master Guo Gu Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post “Silent Illumination” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

A look at knowing and not knowing, in the intellectual sense — that is, using the discriminating mind — versus the Zen sense of waking up to the truth of No Self. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Knowing and Not Knowing appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

December 2024 Sesshin, Day 2 Dharma Talk by Eryl Kubicka.  Automated Transcript The post Deepening Zen #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

December 2024 Sesshin, Day 1 Dharma Talk by Eryl Kubicka.  Automated Transcript The post Deepening Zen #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

The foundation of the Buddha's Path is recognizing and accepting how “things” are. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Right View and the Three Marks of Existence appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

The true potential of Taking the Precepts comes from our efforts to live them, to integrate them into our practice and our everyday interactions. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Practice and the Precepts appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Talk by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede.  Automated Transcript The post Reflections on an Election Disaster appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Noticing when we're lost in the dream and returning to direct, embodied experience. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Get Out of Your Head appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

It is what it is. The recent presidential election affected many people on a deep emotional level, and in differing ways. From the vantage point of Zen practice, how do we work with whatever we're feeling? How do we step back and see more clearly things as they are? Dharma Talk by Tom Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Es lo que Hay appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 6 Commentary on “Everyday Zen: Love and Work” by Charlotte Joko Beck. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everyday Zen #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on “Everyday Zen: Love and Work” by Charlotte Joko Beck. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Everyday Zen #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on the teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Faith in Mind #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on the teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Faith in Mind #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on the teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Faith in Mind #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

November 2024 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on the teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Faith in Mind #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Cynicism is a mindset characterized by mistrust and negativity, obstructing one's ability to see things clearly. It's also a social phenomenon that can spread across individuals and communities. A look at the science of cynicism and how Zen practice can help us to uncover our innate clarity and compassion. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Seeing Through Cynicism appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Breaking free from our preoccupation with the opinions of others. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Living Your Own Life appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 6 Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Mumonkan (The Gateless Barrier) #22, “Kasyapa and a Flag Pole” appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on Charlotte Joko Beck's Ordinary Wonder: Zen Life and Practice. Edited by Brenda Beck Hess. Shambhala Press, 2021. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “Ordinary Wonder” #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on Charlotte Joko Beck's Ordinary Wonder: Zen Life and Practice. Edited by Brenda Beck Hess. Shambhala Press, 2021. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post “Ordinary Wonder” #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on Guo Gu's The Essence of Chan: A Guide to Life and Practice According to the Teachings of Bodhidharma. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Teachings of Bodhidharma #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on Guo Gu's The Essence of Chan: A Guide to Life and Practice According to the Teachings of Bodhidharma. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Teachings of Bodhidharma #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September-October 2024 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on Guo Gu's The Essence of Chan: A Guide to Life and Practice According to the Teachings of Bodhidharma. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Teachings of Bodhidharma #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Recognizing our propensity for mental shortcuts that cut us off from what's actually happening and learning to take more in. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn.  Automated Transcript The post Mental Maps appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

What is happening in the brain when we feel bored? How can boredom aid us in our practice? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal.  Automated Transcript The post Waking up to Boredom appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

September 2024 Sesshin, Day 2 Subtitle: Working With This Conceptualizing Mind in Sesshin. Reading from the book Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. Dharma Talk by Ven. Trueman Taylor.  Automated Transcript The post Mindfulness in Plain English #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.