Podcasts about chinese zen

The Linji lu (Record of Linji) has been an essential text of Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhism for nearly a thousand years. A compilation of sermons, statements, and acts attributed to the great Chinese Zen master Linji Yixuan (d. 866), it serves as both an authoritative statement of Zen's basic standpoint and a central source of material for Zen koan practice. Zen practitioners cherish it for its unusual simplicity, directness, and ability to inspire. Linji Yixuan ( died 866 CE) was the founder of the Linji school of Chán Buddhism during Tang dynasty China.

"Zen in Our Time" and "Connecting the Dots" are themes that I have hit upon for 2025, forming the thread running through (one meaning of "sutra") all of my DharmaByte newsletter columns and online UnMind podcasts this year. Contextualizing the teachings and legacy of Zen in modern times — without throwing the baby out with the bathwater — is key to transmitting Zen's legacy. Connecting the dots in the vast matrix of Dharma — while bridging the gap between 500 BC to 2025 CE in terms of the cultures, causes and conditions — is necessary to foster the evolution of Shakyamuni's Great Vow, from the closing verse of the Lotus Sutra's Lifespan Chapter: I am always thinking: by what means can I cause sentient beings to be able to enter the highest path and quickly attain the Dharma? As in so many aspects of our overloaded society, when contemplating the next column or podcast, the question always arises, "Where do I begin?" I turn to my collaborators — Hokai Jeff Harper, publisher of the newsletter, and Shinjin Larry Little, producer of the podcast — for clarity and inspiration. Jeff responded to my call for suggested topics with an intriguing trio: • To everything there is a season• The wax and wane of householder zazen practice• What we are feeling right now IS impermanence manifesting itself Instead of choosing one over the others, it occurred to me that all three are important. And they are interrelated, in a kind of fish-trap narrowing of focus, from the universal span of spacetime as a causal nexus for humankind; then homing in on the social level, considering the modern householder's vacillation in attempting to pursue what began long ago as a monastic lifestyle; and finally zeroing in on the personal: the intimacy of realization within the immediate flow of reality. I will attempt to treat them in succession over the next three installments, in the context of transmission of Zen's Original Mind. TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASONIf you find the 1960s Pete Seeger song popularized by the Byrds running through your brain, you are not alone. If you recollect the poem from Ecclesiastes — which I studied in a unique, small-town high school literature course — you may be hearing echoes of: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Or from Tozan Ryokai: Within causes and conditions, time and season, IT is serene and illuminating And finally, from Dogen Zenji: Firewood becomes ash and it does not become firewood again.Yet do not suppose that the ash is future and the firewood past. You should understand that firewood abides in the phenomenal expression of firewood, which fully includes past and future, and is independent of past and future. Ash abides in the phenomenal expression of ash, which fully includes future and past.
 Just as firewood does not become firewood again after it is ash, you do not return to birth after death... Birth is an expression complete this moment; death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring; you do not call winter the "beginning" of spring, nor summer the "end" of spring. There are many more such incisive and insightful references to time in the literature of Zen, as well as Western thinking, of course, most notably Master Dogen's fascicle titled "Uji," which translates as something like "Being-time," "Existence-time," or "Living time," as Uchiyama-roshi renders it. This 13th Century writing is said to have anticipated the theory of Relativity, Einsteins' prodigious accomplishment, perhaps the most important scientific breakthrough of the 20th Century. But these few recollections from the rich legacy of Zen's written record will suffice for our purposes of connecting some of the dots in Indra's Net, or the modern components of the "Matrix of the Thus-Come One" as described in the Surangama Sutra. Scanning the Biblical poem, it is striking to see so many various activities and reactions to the obligations and behaviors of daily human life listed in equally dispassionate terms, not implying false equivalencies, but for example to blithely assert that there is "a time to kill" and "a time to heal"; "a time of war" and "a time of peace" — in the same breath — is in itself breathtaking, considering the admonition against killing, or murder, found in the Ten Commandments as well as the first Five Grave Precepts of Buddhism. Jumping to Master Tozan, or Dongshan, the founder of Soto Zen in 9th Century China, we find a hint of some resolution of the "whole catastrophe" in his reference to "IT" being "serene and illuminating," regardless of time and season, causes and conditions. This "it" appears in various Buddhist sayings and teachings, as tathata in Sanskrit — the inexpressible; or inmo in Japanese — the ineffable, the essential. These all point to what I analogize as a "singularity of consciouness" that emerges in zazen, where we pass the event horizon of conventional perception — the mind collapsing inward of its own mass — returning to and revealing our Original Mind, merging subject and object, duality and nonduality, in mokurai — the resolution of all apparent dichotomies. Earlier in Tozan's Precious Mirror Samadhi, or Hokyo Zammai, from which the above quote is taken, he magnifies the central place of this "it" in the experiential realm of Zen realization: Although IT is not constructed, IT is not beyond wordsLike facing a precious mirror, form and reflection behold each otherYou are not IT but in truth IT is you Master Dogen's coinage of "the backward step" captures this 180-degree attitude adjustment in the way we usually approach learning, self-improvement, and general development as human beings on the learning curve of reality. "From the very beginning all beings are buddhas," as Hakuin Zenji, 18th Century Rinzai Zen master, poet and artist states in the first line of his famous poem, "Song of Zazen." For every thing there may be a season, but when it comes to the most important thing in Buddhism, there is fundamentally no change — from beginning to middle to end — of this "poor player," life, strutting and fretting his/her hour upon the stage. In another line from Chinese Zen, the third Ancestor in 6th Century China captures this succinctly: Change appearing to occur in the empty world we call realonly because of our ignorance. So, somehow, once again, we are getting it all wrong, backwards. Our recourse is, of course, to get our butts back to the cushion; trust the original mind; take the backward step; and embrace the revolutionary notion that WE are not IT, but in truth IT is US. I cannot resist the urge to close this segment with one of my favorite quotes from the great Master Pogo: We have met the enemy and he is us. It may be a comfort to realize that "mine enemy grows older" as we age. We just have to outlive our enemies, including our own ignorance. Next month we will take up the second suggestion, the waxing and waning of householder zazen practice. Been there, done that.

Selected passages from the "The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen" (Platform Sutra), using an amalgam of translations.Hui-neng (638-713) was a seminal figure in Buddhist history and is one of the most beloved and respected figure in Zen Buddhism. An illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment in a flash, he became the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Zen, and is regarded as the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" school. He is the supreme exemplar of the fact that neither education nor social background has any bearing on the attainment of enlightenment. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, which is said to be a record of his teachings, is a highly influential text in the East Asian Buddhist tradition.

In het derde schilderij beweegt hij en ziet de achterkant van de stier – want hij staat naast een boom, en de man staat achter hem – dus hij kijkt… en alleen de achterkant is te zien op het schilderij. (Vrienden van Osho) De Tien Stieren van Zen zijn uniek in de geschiedenis van het menselijk bewustzijn. Waarheid is op vele manieren uitgedrukt, en het is altijd gebleken dat het on-uitgedrukt blijft, wat je ook doet. Hoe je het ook uitdrukt, het ontglipt, het is ongrijpbaar. Het ontsnapt eenvoudig aan een beschrijving. De woorden die je ervoor gebruikt kunnen het niet bevatten. En zodra je het hebt uitgedrukt, voel je je onmiddellijk gefrustreerd, alsof het essentiële is achtergebleven en alleen het niet-essentiële is uitgedrukt. De Tien Stieren van Zen hebben in één enkele poging geprobeerd het onuitsprekelijke uit te drukken. Dus eerst iets over de geschiedenis van deze tien stieren.In principe waren er acht afbeeldingen, geen tien; en ze waren niet boeddhistisch, ze waren taoïstisch. Het begin ervan is verloren gegaan. Niemand weet hoe ze begonnen, wie de eerste stieren schilderde. Maar in de twaalfde eeuw schilderde een Chinese Zen meester, Kakuan, ze opnieuw; en niet alleen dat, hij voegde er nog twee afbeeldingen aan toe, en acht werden er tien. De Taoïstische afbeeldingen eindigden op de achtste; de achtste is leegte, het niets. Maar Kakuan voegde er twee nieuwe beelden aan toe. Dat is de eigenlijke bijdrage van Zen aan het religieuze bewustzijn.

This podcast is a talk I gave and meeting with the All Beings Zen Sangha in Washington DC. On October 19th. Inryu Ponce-Barger is the teacher of this group and their website is allbeingszen.org. The focus of the group right now and therefore of the talk is the Sandokai, an ancient Chinese Zen poem that is chanted at the SF Zen Center. I talk about being at Tassajara when Shunryu Suzuki lectured on it and studying it with him. There's a page on cuke.com for the Sandokai: cuke.com/Cucumber%20Project/lectures/sandokai.htm  - DC

KeywordsResilience - Poetry - Meditation - Mindfulness - Awakening - Flow States - ZenIn this episode of Resilience Unravelled Henry Shukman, a widely published poet, author, meditation teacher and Zen master of the Sanbo Zen lineage, shares his personal story. Henry grew up in Oxford, UK, where his parents were professors and his early love of poetry led to an interest in Chinese Zen poetry, and ultimately to him becoming a writer and poet. Henry suffered from severe eczema from infancy into his 20's, along with associated psychological problems, and meditation was a key element in a long journey of healing. He travelled extensively, eventually settling in New Mexico where he became fascinated by the indigenous culture's deep connection to the earth and where he was introduced to meditation and Zen, which in turn influenced his writing.Main topicsThe meditative quality of poetry and how it can bring one back to the present momentUsing poetry in meditation to create a serene atmosphere.The differences between various forms of meditationThe concept of awakeningThe connection between meditation and mindfulnessThe transformative power of poetry and its potential to enrich one's lifeThe concept of original sin and its influence on Western cultureThe idea of karma and its physical consequencesThe concepts of mindfulness, support, and absorptionThe concept of flow states and how they can be achieved through complete absorption in a task, leading to enhanced performance and increased happiness.How flow is not limited to specific professions or activities and can be accessed through simple practices like meditationThe relationship between meditation and religion and the practical and philosophical significance of meditationAction itemsHenry's book is called "Original Love: The 4 Ends on the Path of Awakening," and it has an accompanying meditation app, "The Way."

Episode 71 of The Art of Aging Mindfully Podcast, dials in a brilliant, classical teaching on Non-Attachment. The koan "When you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him" is attributed to the 9th-century Chinese Zen master Linji. Linji was a prominent figure in the Zen tradition, known for his unconventional and direct teaching methods. This particular koan exemplifies his approach, which aimed to jolt students out of their habitual patterns of thought and push them toward direct realization. By presenting paradoxical and provocative statements, Linji sought to help his students transcend intellectual understanding and experience deeper spiritual insight.The significance of this koan lies in its emphasis on severing attachments to spiritual teachers and external representations of enlightenment. It urges practitioners to recognize that true spiritual awakening cannot be found through clinging to teachers, doctrines, or any fixed concepts. Instead, it highlights the importance of self-reliance and personal experience on the spiritual path. By metaphorically "killing" the Buddha, practitioners are encouraged to let go of external dependencies and cultivate an independent, direct experience of enlightenment. This process is essential for achieving true spiritual independence and realizing the ultimate nature of reality.TO SUPPORT THE ART OF AGING MINDFULNESS PODCAST:patreon.com/jaisugrimTo Train with Jai in Yogic Conditioning Longevity Classes:https://theartofagingmindfully.com/online-classes/To get your Viome Full Body Intelligence Kit, with $100 Discount:viomehq.sjv.io/eKnAO1Enter discount code ARTOFAGING TO RECEIVE $110 OFF YOUR VIOME KITEnjoy and Share this informative episode! Have a beautiful Day Everyone!

Mazu Daoyi (709–88) is one of the most eminent of the ancient Chinese Zen masters. Two of the traditionally acknowledged major schools of Zen trace their lineage through this renowned Zen ancient. He was an influential abbot of Chan Buddhism during the Tang dynasty. The earliest recorded use of the term "Chan school" is from his Extensive Records. Master Ma's teaching style of "strange words and extraordinary actions" became paradigmatic Zen lore. In the Transmission of the Lamp, compiled in 1004, Mazu is described as follows: "His appearance was remarkable. He strode along like a bull and glared about him like a tiger. If he stretched out his tongue, it reached up over his nose; on the soles of his feet were imprinted two circular marks."

The Noble Eightfold Path, the fourth of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, amounts to a prescription for practice, an octet of dimensions of daily life to pay strict attention to, in order to bring about Right View and Right Understanding, the dyad which, in combination, comprise Buddha's idea of Right Wisdom. Right, or correct, wisdom in daily life will come about naturally through the daily observation and practice of Right Conduct: right speech, action, and livelihood; along with Right Discipline: right effort, mindfulness and meditation. Needless to say, but I will say it anyway, in Zen, it all starts and ends with right meditation, opposed, we may suppose, to “wrong” meditation. And in truth, there are styles of meditation, and attitudes about it, that would be considered wrong, in the sense that they do not work well, or at least not as well as zazen, with its modus operandi of objectlessness. Such approaches as bompu Zen: meditating for health and happiness, wellbeing, i.e. ordinary goals and objectives of living; or gedo Zen: a practice that disregards the Buddhist underpinnings of Zen meditation, with its emphasis on transcending the self in order to penetrate to the depths of reality, in favor of some other framework such as Taoism or Confucianism from the original context in China, or a religious attitude of spiritual transcendence of ordinary life. So even within the personal practice of meditation itself, there can be competing ideas that lead to confusion. More so when we consider the cultural context in which we are practicing Zen. Nowadays we might want to add more dimensions to the original eight attributed to Buddha's prescription for practice in a simpler time. Perhaps today we would end up with a Noble Thirty-two-fold Path as the last of the Sixteen Noble Truths. One of the more explicit dimensions might be called “right balance,” indicating what I have termed “social samadhi.” Along with physical samadhi in the posture, which fosters emotional samadhi: less anxiety, more calm; mental samadhi: more clarity, less confusion; we begin to find more harmony, less friction, in our relationships. For Americans interested in pursuing a Zen practice, finding the right balance between the demands of household, work and family; and the necessary intensity of zazen practice may seem to be the most pressing and stressing dilemma in actualizing a Zen life in modern times.We imagine that in simpler times, people had more time to spare, and could devote a greater share of their time to meditation and study. With all the touted time-saving devices of current technology, we still seem to have little or no time to ourselves. The current droll expression, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get” captures this syndrome. An ancient version of the same idea, from the Chinese Zen poem Hsinshinming—Faith Mind, says it a bit differently, with specific relevance to Zen practice with a Taoist slant: To live in the Great Way is neither easy nor difficultBut those with limited views are fearful and irresoluteThe faster they hurry the slower they go This is a critique of those who approach Zen practice with limited views, as well as those who do not practice at all, and an admonition to practitioners to be fearless and resolute in pursuit of buddha-dharma. This general mindset underlies Right Effort, and gives a clue to how we may achieve balance in our practice.Usually when someone brings this issue up, it indicates that they suspect that they may not be practicing with sufficient intensity. They worry that it is not possible to find the time for zazen, both at home and away, without compromising obligations to family and career. For every project or task in which we invest the present moment, there are a dozen others that go wanting.The source of this dilemma is the tendency of the discriminating mind to compartmentalize, dividing life into separate categories. The next step in the process is to set the various pieces in opposition to each other. Then we conceive of them as taking time to plan, engage, and complete. Thus, we are forever caught in the bind of measured time, another compartmentalized conception. Taking this concept of time for the reality of time, we see no way out.Time-and-motion gurus, along with efficiency experts as well as life coaches, apply various techniques to this problem, such as making it visible. One such approach recommends drawing up a pie chart, in which we give a portion of the whole to each of our regular activities, whether based on a 24-hour daily, or weekly, monthly, or annual, cycle. Then we examine the activities to see if they are out of balance in some obvious way, looking to reduce one to make room for another, to arrive at a more desirable allocation of time to our goals and objectives. In other words, we use measured time to re-plan a measured dedication time to tasks.If we closely examine this process, and pay attention to the singular subjects that appear to conflict, it becomes apparent that the boundaries are not so clear. What we sort into categories are aspects of life that are more related than opposed. This is not a simplistic assertion that all is one, just an admission of the not-two nature of life promulgated in Zen teachings, particularly those from China. If, for example, we imagine that time spent in zazen is time neglecting our family, we might remember that when we do not sit in zazen for some period, our relationship to our family begins to deteriorate. We may secretly, subliminally even, resent the fact that we have to give up something for the sake of our spouse, children, or parents — or worst case, in-laws — with any lack of appreciation for our sacrifice on their part, adding insult to injury.We cannot balance our relationships to others, when they are built on such underlying self-centered impulses to begin with. Our complaint that we do not have time to do zazen is a symptom that we do not understand either time, or zazen. When we do zazen, we are using our time to its utmost efficiency and efficacy. When we leave the cushion, this mindset goes with us. We eventually begin to find that we waste less time in futile pursuits, or in resentment and acrimony between ourselves and those making demands on our time.This is especially true at work. A majority of people may report that they are happy with their work. But whether this happiness is genuine — or feigning contentment in fear of losing their job, or resistance to confronting genuine underlying unhappiness — is anyone's guess. This was probably not included in the questionnaire. But most of our discomfort at work stems from relationships.Compensation in terms of salary and benefits is always related to at least one other person, usually the identified “boss,” or management in general, especially where unions are involved. It is difficult to apply principles of compassionate engagement when the deck is stacked against us, with the other person holding all the trump cards. Often, we have no idea how much they themselves make for being our boss, but they know that — and more than we would like — about us. Our subordinates present another set of interpersonal issues, where we find ourselves on the hot seat in terms of supervising their performance, dealing with personalities that can be difficult. We are uncomfortably aware of the interconnectedness of our role in the enterprise, particularly with those in close proximity. We also have to be mindful of the viewpoint of others higher in the chain of command, to whom our boss reports. And then, over time, these roles and relationships are as impermanent as any other elements in the Buddhist universe. As the old adage has it, “Be nice to the people you meet on the way up the ladder; they are the same people you will meet on the way down.” Then there are client and supplier relationships outside the company; or students in the classroom; patients at the hospital. Patterns of relationships repeat, though the nature of the product or service varies. Sometimes disputes come out of left field, and we are blindsided with a conflict that begins to take up all of our time, including agonizing over it after work, over a drink. At the end of the day — so ubiquitous and overused a phrase that it is distasteful to repeat it — we begin to see home as a refuge from work. In some cases, work becomes a refuge from home. And the annual vacation becomes a refuge from both. Thus, our entire annual calendar is sucked into the relentless maw of time-consumption.What if this is all just fantasy, simply the workings of our imagination? The monkey-mind is endlessly capable of playing such games. What about a real vacation, a time-out from this daily merry-go-round?Zazen has been referred to as a mini-vacation, a brief respite from the rat race. One of the great secrets of Zen is that it really takes no time at all. In fact, Zen holds that we do not live in real time, unless we enter into it through zazen. When we think of the entire scope of a project — such as writing the great American novel — we shrink back, in intimidation. The mountain seems insurmountable. But the mountain is climbed one step at a time, though we might prefer a helicopter. If we see a mountain as a series of molehills, it is not so daunting. The only question is, Which molehill is in front of us, at the moment?If we think about all the other things that we do in a day, that take a half-hour or so, are there none that we could easily forego, for the sake of sitting for a half-hour? If not, how about fifteen minutes? Ten? Five? As Matsuoka Roshi would often say, “Sit five minutes: five-minute Buddha! Sit half-an-hour, Buddha for 30! But wouldn't you rather be Buddha all day?”By this, he did not mean sit zazen all day, needless to say. The effects of zazen are both immediate, and cumulative. They go with us, off the cushion. Our resistance to zazen is the molehill become mountain. I once consulted with a Canadian company named DYLEX. It is an acronym, meaning “Damn your lousy excuses!”This is a compassionate message for us. We don't need no stinking excuses. Zen and zazen is very powerful on a personal level. But its halo-effect on our multifarious activities off the cushion operates on a subtle plane. It is better to assume that it is working to bring about personal samadhi on a subliminal level, rather than look for it to manifest in some obvious way. Often, one's fellow workers and colleagues notice it before we do. This is what Matsuoka Roshi referred to as “confidence in everyday life,” one of the side-effects of Zen practice. Everything is already in balance, if not obviously so. It may not be apparent to our associates, either. After all, they are only human beings, like us. And they may not have the benefit of a practice like Zen meditation. We can afford to be a bit more balanced in practicing patience with them, in the midst of our shared suffering. We have the balancing effect of Zen. Thank Buddha!* * * Elliston Roshi is guiding teacher of the Atlanta Soto Zen Center and abbot of the Silent Thunder Order. He is also a gallery-represented fine artist expressing his Zen through visual poetry, or “music to the eyes.”UnMind is a production of the Atlanta Soto Zen Center in Atlanta, Georgia and the Silent Thunder Order. You can support these teachings by PayPal to donate@STorder.org. Gassho.Producer: Shinjin Larry Little

A reading of selected excerpts from the Record of Linji. The Linji lu (Record of Linji) has been an essential text of Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhism for nearly a thousand years. A compilation of sermons, statements, and acts attributed to the great Chinese Zen master Linji Yixuan (d. 866), it serves as both an authoritative statement of Zen's basic standpoint and a central source of material for Zen koan practice. Zen practitioners cherish it for its unusual simplicity, directness, and ability to inspire. Linji Yixuan ( died 866 CE) was the founder of the Linji school of Chán Buddhism during Tang dynasty China.

What is IT? Who is IT? For Alan Watts IT is God, not he or she. And here Watts argues that YOU ARE IT. If, as we have been arguing, the only real atom—as de Chardin put it—is the universe, and the only real thing is everything, then what is it? In the words of a Chinese Zen master, “Nothing is left to you at this moment but to have a good laugh!” As James Broughton put it: This is Itand I am Itand You are Itand so is Thatand He is Itand She is Itand It is Itand That is That. 

Today's episode is called Thriving in Change and Uncertainty. It begins with a short guided meditation, and then a talk about three practices for navigating and shifting our relationship with change and uncertainty.   Then, today's Zen puzzler comes from the words of Dongshan, a 9th century Chinese Zen teacher, that includes the phrase, everyone wants to leave the endless changes. It address the practice of becoming more comfortable with change and uncertainty.

March 2023 Sesshin, Day 5 Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #5 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Don't click this:https://bit.ly/2RnSdjS. Do you want to Stay Motivated?Then follow our Motivation YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jv2wBmFollow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/themindsetmeditationpodcast?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Detox your mind and heart of thoughts and emotions that don´t serve you anymore, but are there out of habit. Close your eyes, take a minimum of six slow deep breaths, and begin focusing on relaxing every inch of your body.- Start by focusing on your toes and wiggle and relax your toes- Relax your feet, rotate your ankles and relax your feet- Work up to your calves, Relax your muscles- Continue working your way up your body, one body part at a time. Within minutes as you work your way up to your head continue to take deep breaths. You will begin to feel relaxed as if you were floating. Your body and brain will be massaged into a deep sleep. Detach and let go. Feel at peace. Feel happy. Feel Free. Don't forget it may be useful for your family and friends too. Enjoy this amazing episode. Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Mindset Meditation Link to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2RnSdjSListen to our other Podcasts1. Nature Sounds for Sleep - https://spoti.fi/3kNhFdF.2. Learn Stock Market, Investing Trading and Personal finance - https://spoti.fi/3zG8OAT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 2023 Sesshin, Day 4 Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #4 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2023 Sesshin, Day 3 Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2023 Sesshin, Day 2 Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

March 2023 Sesshin, Day 1 Illuminating Silence: Insights on the Path of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-Yen and John Crook. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Illuminating Silence #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

Be aware that the relaxation flute music here is designed to help you for studying, learn, and increase creativity for better flow. Let this background music take your mind off every day worries. Add it to meditation or relaxation playlists for a sense of serenity & peace. This music is perfect for slumber as well - try getting some rest from the sound of these tracks. Let's relax with this 8 Hour EPIC Japanese and Chinese Guzheng Erhu Epic Instrumental Bamboo Flute Collection - Ideal for all types of Perfect Relaxation. Soothing, Relaxing,  Meditation, Yoga, Sleep Music. "Whenever i listen to chinese zen music i go to another place in my imagination alone sitting under a blossom tree and looking at the sunset. love this thank you so much for making this kind of music." - Avatar Just close your eyes, focus, and visualize yourself in this beautiful movie ShangShi and you are meditating, and relaxing with a Relaxing Zen Chinese, Japanese Sound in the background. Isn't it EPIC? Chinese music is so relaxing because it is often played at low volumes and has a lot of soft melodies. It also incorporates the sounds of nature, like water and birds. The sounds of bamboo being played on a stringed instrument called a Shamisen, can be very soothing and relaxing to listen to, especially when you are in an environment where you can hear natural sounds like birds chirping or water flowing. Another reason why Japanese music is so relaxing is that it has more complex melodies and harmonies than other types of music. This means that there are more interesting sounds for your brain to process when listening to Japanese music which in turn makes it easier for you to relax. "Listening to this made me want to live in ancient China and see a beautiful Nobel with their beautiful traditional costumes playing on the flute." - Subscriber. ---------------------------------- Here are some great products to help you sleep or relax better: 1- ▶ Collection of the Best Mattresses, Premium Pillows and products for Perfect sleep: https://cutt.ly/premium-sleep-aid-collection 2- ▶ Tools to Relieve Stress and Anxiety: https://cutt.ly/best-relaxation-tools ------------------------------------- ✅ Donate on CashApp: https://cash.app/$micropower Tags: Relaxing With Chinese Bamboo Flute,Bamboo Flute,Guzheng,Erhu,Instrumental Music,Instrumental Music Collection,Music Collection,chinese music,chinsese music relaxing,bamboo flute music,bamboo flute meditation music,guzheng music,chinese guzheng,erhu music,erhu music traditional,relaxing music,soft music,background music,china music,china bamboo flute,china guzheng,soul music,peace music,sleep music,meditation music,study music, chinese music,chinese,chinese music instrumental,ancient chinese music,chinese relaxing music,Tea Ceremony,asian music,beautiful chinese music,chinese guzheng,guzheng music,zen music,traditional chinese music,guzheng,chinese music traditional,zen garden,chinese music traditional instrumental,zen meditation music,instrumental zen music,chinese zen music,tea music,tea ceremony music,chinese tea music,japanese tea ceremony music,japanese music,tai chi,  Instrumental Music,chinese music,zen music,chinese zen music,guzheng,guzheng music,erhu,erhu music,instrumental zen music,zen,zen meditation music,zen meditation,chinese music traditional instrumental,chinese music instrumental,chinese music traditional,chinese guzheng,zen garden

Ultimate Chinese Zen Temple Music - Bamboo Flute Music to Find Peace, Zen - Meditation Music. Be aware that the relaxation music here is designed to help you for studying, learning, and increasing creativity for better workflow. Let this background music take your mind off everyday worries. Add it to meditation or relaxation playlists for a sense of serenity & peace. This music is perfect for slumber as well - try getting some rest to the sound of these tracks. What is in this Soothing Music and its cultural history? This song features traditional Chinese flute music for those looking for study music, music for homework, yoga music, spiritual ambient themes or just slow ambient tempos. Some of our listeners turn to the track for its piano music which we think pairs perfectly with this track. Promoting a healthy lifestyle requires living in harmony with your body and soul. This might outline various uses of calming music, from massage to spa, but it all boils down to the specific person's needs and desires. Understanding Mood Music: Music with the mood of piano and flute is soft and gentle. This song can be described as a work of art, so much so that it shows a mountain in Chinese painting. I have to say that this song captures the true essence of China's landscapes. A study in China found that music can promote peace of mind. To adopt this trend, why not turn to soothing Chinese music that can help promote serenity? Music nerds should also explore different genres, like binaural, delta and alpha waves that are similarly proven to produce relaxing end results. You should try to make an effort to experience happiness as much as you can by paying attention to the positive moments that are happening around you. As while this song is emotional, it has a mix of Eastern and Western influences. If you want to donate to help the podcast grow:

This WONDERFUL Ocean Beach Waves + Chinese Zen Healing Bamboo Flute Guzheng Pipa Erhu will allow you to Stop Overthinking, get into POWERFUL De-stressing, and achieve Restorative Meditation. As you watch this video on Spotify, imagine yourself on this breathtaking beach and listening to this soothing bamboo flute sound. Enjoy! Chinese Bamboo Flute, Relaxing Zen Music and Water... "Music flowing like water, cleaning Everything on its way"... Meditation and Healing relaxation. Relief from stress, anxiety or depressive states. Use it for Study by being better focused, Reiki, Yoga, Spa, Massage and much more. ------- If you suffer from any mental health issue, check out these resources: - Online Therapy: the most complete therapy toolbox online (a personal therapist, activity plan, worksheets, journal, live chat, yoga, and more). They are just as effective as face-to-face therapy sessions. Click to learn more or Get a 20% discount if you sign up HERE. - Panic Away: Best panic attack treatment program to eliminate anxiety. They have helped over 150,000 people transform their lives. Learn More HERE. For Weight Loss, check out: - MitoBoost: Best hack on how to trick the brain into burning fat. Learn More Here. -------- #Traditional Chinese Music #Relaxing Music # Chinese Music #Instrumental Chinese Music This Music removes all sorrows, listening and relaxing make life better... Thank you for supporting the work. With our sounds, you can Study, Cry, Sleep, Meditate, work, focus, chill, reduce stress, and more. By creating a mental state of relaxation, peace, and considerate focus, nature sounds can be deeply relaxing. Sound therapy can help retrain the brain to listen more efficiently and help focus attention on tasks. DISCLAIMER: These sounds are for educational purposes only. Please consult with your doctor for serious health issues. Tags: Soundsky podcast, RWS podcast, Relaxing White Soothing Sounds, RWS, sound sky, relaxing music, soothing music, sleeping sounds, study sounds, nature sounds, deep sleep sounds, Soothing music, sleep music, study music, meditation music, relaxing music, chinese instrumental music,flute,bamboo flute,chinese music,sad chinese instrumental music,best chinese music for relaxing,instrumental music,beautiful chinese music,sad flute,best chinese music,chinese instruments,chinese relaxing music,traditional chinese music,meditation music,relaxing music,chinese song,classical music,best chinese music for relaxing studying sleeping,music for sleep, Application de montage YouTube,Relajante música,relajación,,love,ambiance,ambient,ARENAS,nervous,troubles,meditación estudio,Tired,calm down,Nervous disorders,Depression,children,teens,Hyperactive,autistic,autism,Hyperactivated,aggressive,Violent,video,violence,nervousness,people,Care,pain,atrocious pain,Fears,phobias,fatigue,Chronic,Disease,degenerative,End of life,dying,Power,heal --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soundsky-soothing-rws/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/soundsky-soothing-rws/support

Listen to Alan Watts

Close your eyes, and visualize a safe world while listening to this immersive Chinese Zen State Bamboo Flute + Water Flowing in Forest River + Leaves Falling & Wind. Best with headphones!

Excerpts of Questions and Answers read from the text - The Zen Teaching of Huang Po on the Transmission of Mind - Translated by: John Blofeld. Huang Po (died 850) was an influential Chinese master of Chan Buddhism. He was born in Fujian, China in the Tang Dynasty. Later he became a monk in Huangbo Shan (lit. Huangbo Mountain). That is how he got his name. Huang Po was a disciple of Baizhang Huaihai and the teacher of Linji (Japanese: Rinzai). Huang Po is one of the most influential of the Chinese Zen masters.

What do we do when life throws rocks at us? “Instead of trying to discipline your mind with ill will, fault-finding, guilt, punishment, and fear, use something far more powerful: the beautiful kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness of making peace with life.” —Ajahn Brahm “ In free fall, nothing is solid and there is nothing to hold on to. There is no way to control the experience. You have to surrender, and with that surrender comes the taste of liberation.” —Master Guojun Most of us tend to live each day as if it will be just another day—like nothing will change. It always comes as a shock when we lose a job, a loved one, a relationship, our health—even though we've seen it happen again and again to those around us. Once we finally realize we're not immune, then we wonder: what now? How do we continue when the terrain suddenly gets rough? Meet your companions for this rocky part of the path: Ajahn Brahm and Chan Master Guojun—one a teacher in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the other in the Chinese Zen tradition. These two beloved meditation masters share personal stories and anecdotes from their own experiences of dealing with life's pitfalls. You'll learn from their honest, generous teachings how you can live fully—even flourish—even when the road ahead looks steep and lonely. Personal, poetic, instructive, and often laugh-out-loud funny, this is inspiring advice for people from all walks of life. “Falling is Flying is truly unique because it offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of two living Buddhist masters. With unflinching honesty, Ajahn Brahm and Chan Master Guojun share the struggles they've faced, even after becoming monks and respected teachers. Throughout the book, we see how, instead of turning away in aversion from adversity, they've used it as a stepping stone for finding the peace and happiness we all seek. I love this book and recommend it most highly!” —Toni Bernhard, author of How To Be Sick This book is available from the Dhammaloka Library. Dhammaloka Book Club is usually held on the second Saturday of every month from 2 pm to 2.45 pm, please check the BSWA event page for the latest updates. To download the audio, click on the audio track's title to open it up in Podbean. Audio teachings are available to download from our BSWA Podcast Channel (Dharma talks and guided meditations) and BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel (retreats and suttas). Videos can be viewed in our BSWA YouTube Playlists. Books and articles are available on our website here.

This episode’s reading is a selection called “The Basis of Awareness” from Instant Zen, a translation by Thomas Cleary of the writings of zen master Foyan. Foyan was a 12th century Chinese Zen master and is one of the few Zen masters that Cleary felt equal to the great ones of the Golden Age of … Continue reading "Foyan – The Basis of Awareness"

“… The capacity to awaken is not something you have. It's what you are ...” Description: In this talk given jointly by Valerie and Henry on the last day of Mountain Cloud's May 2020 4-day retreat, we consider the experiences of two of the early Chinese Zen patriarchs, Sosan and Doshin, both of whom sought […]

Here is the second part of my series of lectures about the old Chinese Zen teaching story, Hyakujo's Fox. This talk took place in September, 2021 at the Benediktushof Retreat Center in Germany.

The ten paintings that tell the famous Zen story of a farmer in search of his lost bull provide an allegorical expression of the search for enlightenment. Originally Taoist, The Ten Bulls were repainted by the 12th-century Chinese Zen master, Kakuan, and first appeared in the West in American author Paul Reps' book, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. These discourses are Osho's commentaries on the paintings, and on the poetry and prose which accompany them in Paul Reps' book. In The Search Osho dismantles probably every "why" the mind can contrive, and you may well find that you learn more about yourself in one chapter than in dozens of other books!

2021.03.11 | In this talk, Ajahn Anan tells us of a vision he had of a Dhamma discussion with a Chinese Zen master. To listen to most recent talks, you can visit our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/ajahnanan To join Ajahn Anan and the Wat Marp Jan Community online for daily chanting, meditation, and a Dhamma talk, you can email wmjdhamma@gmail.com for the link. Daily live sessions at 7pm - 9pm, Indochina Time (Bangkok, GMT+7).

Teisho by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede The post January 2019 Sesshin, Day 1: Short Autobiographies of Two Chinese Zen Masters appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.

This my second episode on the Sandokai, an ancient teaching poem composed by Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen (Shitou Xiqian, 700-790). It’s recited daily in Soto Zen temples throughout the world - one of only a handful of Zen or Buddhist scriptures similarly honored. In the first episode I read the whole poem, discussed the “big deal” about absolute and relative (why Zen talks about this topic so much), and started exploring the Sandokai line by line. In this episode I finish up that exploration.

In this talk, Andy speaks about Layman Pang, a mysterious & exceptional figure in Chinese Zen, as a gateway to discuss the connection & differences between lay and monastic practice within Buddhism.

Day 1 of summer 7-day sesshin Right Effort -- going beyond ego-centredness Text: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-yen. Edited with Preface, Introductions and Commentary by John Crook.

Day 2 of summer 7-day sesshin Entering the Great Ocean of Buddhism through Faith Text: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-yen. Edited with Preface, Introductions and Commentary by John Crook.

Day 3 of summer 7-day sesshin Pride, Shame, Guilt versus Repentance Based on No-self Text: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-yen. Edited with Preface, Introductions and Commentary by John Crook.

Day 4 of summer 7-day sesshin Genuine Humility and Repaying Our Karmic Debts Text: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-yen. Edited with Preface, Introductions and Commentary by John Crook.

Day 5 of summer 7-day sesshin Gratitude, Loving Kindness and Collective Karma Text: Illuminating Silence: The Practice of Chinese Zen by Master Sheng-yen. Edited with Preface, Introductions and Commentary by John Crook.

Among my readers, the number 1 obstacle I see people face in meditation and spirituality is letting go of thoughts, emotions, and handling the wandering mind. So, in this very first episode of my podcast, I am going to teach you how to let go of emotional pain, negative thoughts and how to quiet your mind, even if you can’t stop thinking. I’m a Buddhist, and I study Chinese Zen. And when I first started practicing the principles of Zen, I used to believe I can become completely thoughtless, still, peaceful, happy all the time, and all those spiritual good stuff. Even as I called myself a Zen practitioner, and I did practice the diligently every day, I was never at peace. Not even close. But I didn’t give up. And now, I have the answer. Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using social media! Also, please leave an honest review for Blon Lee Podcast on iTunes. Click here to do so: http://apple.co/2iOg9Ya Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! I promise I will read each and every one of them, and I will learn from your feedback and improve. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. I am looking forward to help you in anyway I can. And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. To download the transcript and checklist and read through this whole episode from start to finish, click here: http://bit.ly/2hP0W7g To download the MP3 audio file and listen to the episode however you like with it, click here: http://bit.ly/2j7QWLz Until next time!

A Zen master who has been practicing and teaching for over 25 years, Jun Po currently facilitates Hollow Bones Zen Retreats, a modern American meditation approach based on Japanese and Chinese Zen practices, in several countries around the world. He will be holding a Mondo Zen 7 day Training Retreat at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado May 21 - 28.