Wisehearted™

Working with Case 65 of the Blue Cliff Record, "A non-Buddhist questions the Buddha," Shiro leads the sangha in a discussion of words and no words, is and is not, and the technology of Zen. How do we go beyond what we know, beyond our own imagining event, to see a new way forward for ourselves, our families, communities and world? Sangha members discuss quantum physics, art, music, Dogen, intimacy, boundaries, the equations and assumptions that can dominate our being, and look at how to penetrate our known way of being to see the true self. "What about the one who goes beyond?"

In this talk about inspiration, Akasha Burrier pushes the community to accept the responsibility of being awake, to take zen into every moment of our lives, and to show our colors to the world.  Sangha members in return share inspiring moments from the life of Thich Nyat Hanh, writings from "Street Zen," a book on the life and work of Issan Dorsey, the inspiration of death in the family, original songs and more. 

It is said that Buddha, right at the moment of his birth, took seven steps and said, "I alone am the world honoured one." In this free-ranging talk, Shiro works with cases 2 and 57 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Joshu's Supreme Way" and "Nondiscrimiation" to explore the concepts of picking and choosing, discrimination, narcissism, exactly which "I" we are talking about when we say "I", and what it means to be alone in the context of our practice, our sangha and our larger community. Are we always alone? Or never alone?

In this dharma talk from Dec 19th, 2021, Shiro talks about taking Zen home for the Holidays, often into non-Buddhist surroundings, traditions and ceremonies. Working line by line with the Meal Gatha, Shiro talks about holding Zen as a context for our lives rather than content to hold or to be sold. How do we work with and drop our expectations of what we think things will be or should be or could be, and instead, just be. Innumerable labors brought us this food, this family, this life. We should know how it comes to us.

Shiro on the importance of nurturing the 300-year-old tree that is Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, our practice and our lives. Following Tenshin Roshi's talk on the passing of Baigaku Junyu Roshi, Shiro uses the koan "Obaku's Eaters of Dregs" to explore our role in carrying the dharma forward. Are there truly no teachers of Zen as expounded in the text? Or are they sitting right here in this room? What is our responsibility--our ability to respond--to the needs of the moment right here right now in this world, today? And how do we manifest this ancient wisdom to end suffering now? Talk 3 from the 2021 Rohatsu Sesshin at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center.

In this talk on the second day of the passing of Baigaku Junyu Osho (Maezumi Roshi's Brother), Tenshin Roshi discusses this benefactor's massive contributions to Zen Buddhism in the West, his unflagging support of Yokoji Zen Mountain Center throughout the years, and perhaps most importantly what it means to step up and live an enlightened life. How will you do it? Will you do it? Are you willing to be a target? Who among us will take this forward and make sure it never dies, this practice, this life, this enlightenment of ours? Are you ready? Listen to the Abbot of Zen Mountain Center as he reflects on the meaning of practice, the history of Yokoji, and more from the Rohatsu Sesshin of 2021.

Shiro and the Sangha discuss Case 62 of the Book of Equanimity, "Beiko's No Enlightenment." Can we, should we, could we chase down enlightenment? What exactly does that mean? In this talk and discussion we look at how art, music, accounting, teaching, anything is a perfect expression of our own true Self, and how we move fluidly every day between delusion and enlightenment. What role do Dharma talks play? Where does our own responsibility lie? And, ultimately, the importance of zazen and our own personal practice.

Beginning with Case 86 in the Book of Equanimity, "Rinzai's Great Enlightenment," Shiro and the Sangha discuss the folly of chasing after enlightenment as something new to be acquired or attained. Who is the enlightened one? Where does she stand? What does she see, hear, touch, taste, smell? We also look at the merits of sustained and diligent practice, the role of forms and ceremony, and finally, engaged in a spirited discussion on the use of "the stick" in Zen training. When is it a hit, a nudge, tough love, soft love and how does the historical precedent of Rinzai's time apply now, resonate now?

What to do after Sesshin, or after any period of intense training or focus? Rest. In this episode, Shiro works with Case 23 of the Blue Cliff Record, "The Summit of Mystic Peak," and looks at how we move, work, live, play, laugh, love, cry and be effective in a chaotic modern world. How to be Buddha now. How to be heard. Exploring the questions of appropriate action, holding fast and letting go, and how to simply go on vacation.

In this week's episode, Prajna Heart Zen Center co-founder Lauri Akasha Burrier talks about words, the power of words, and how we can use them (or not) to free ourselves from the shackles of our minds, from forces both internally and externally imposed. Inspired by Bob Marley's Redemption Song, this talks engages the PHZC sangha in how we engage--with our Zen practice, with our lives, with the world around us as it exists and as we want it to be.

In this talk, delivered on the second day of the Fall 2021 Beginner's Mind Sesshin at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center, Shiro talks about the fundamental point of Zazen, linking basic breath practice and counting of the breath to the Four Noble Truths and the end of suffering in our lives. How do we start freeing ourselves from the shackles of our thoughts? How do we not become a tool of our thinking mind and emotions? Zazen. Starting with Case 6 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Ummon's Good Day," this free ranging talk also features questions and answers from the Sangha, more powerful perhaps than the main talk itself.

Continuing the discussion of intimacy with self, other and all things, Shiro shares the Precious Mirror Samadhi Sutra and invites us all to first look in the mirror, then look up and out, then look back at the mirror. Who is seeing through these eyes? What is this body? That tree? The crow cackling? Dharma talk followed by Sangha Discussion.

What happens when we go deep with our Zazen, developing the ability to concentrate on something as small as an atom, a particle of dust? Shiro and the sangha of Prajna Heart Zen Center explore what it means to go in to go out, to become intimate with the true self and thus with all things.  Case 50 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Ummon's Dust-Particle Samadhi."

With the six senses as recognized by Zen Buddhism--sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell and mind--all providing input, who exactly is it receiving the feed? Who is that monkey in the middle. Shiro and the sangha of Prajna Heart Zen Center have some fun with Case 72 of the Book of Equanimity, "Chuyu's Monkey."

Shiro and the Sangha explore the relationship between the usual 5 senses as we know them (sight, taste, touch, sound and smell) and the mind. Can you taste your thoughts? Find peace? Put your mind to rest? Beginning with Case 41 of the Mumonkan, "Bodhidharma Puts the Mind to Rest," the community engages in a lively discussion and exercise in concentrated meditation, sense by sense.