Podcasts about Sesshin

Sesshin day 3. Teisho by Sangen Salo sensei during the April 5-day sesshin 2025 at Sanneji Zen Temple in Karjaa, Finland.

Sesshin day 2. Teisho by Sangen Salo sensei during the April 5-day sesshin 2025 at Sanneji Zen Temple in Karjaa, Finland.

In this second full day of Spring Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Shinzan explores the Four Bodhisattva Vows as expressions of what Suzuki Roshi described as an “inflexible determination to carry out one's will […]

In this closing talk from the last day of Spring Practice Period Sesshin, the faculty of the practice period weave together final reflections on the vows and actions of true bodhisattvas. Sensei […]

In this third full day of Spring Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Monshin explores the concepts of beneficial action and identity action from Dogen's Bodhisattva's Four Methods of Guidance. She identifies beneficial action as “skillfully […]

In this talk during the fifth full day of Spring Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Cynthia Ryotan explores the fourth of the bodhisattva's methods of guidance: kind speech. She fames the importance of […]

In this talk during the Spring Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Ryotan explores the first of Dogen's Four Methods of Guidance: Dana (generosity). Dogen himself lived in a tumultuous era of social upheaval, war, […]

In this opening talk for the Spring Practice Period Sesshin, Senseis Monshin, Ryotan, and Shinzan offer their remarks and suggestions to make the most of the deep quiet and practice of sesshin. Sensei Shinzan explains […]

Sesshin day 1. Teisho by Sangen Salo sensei during the April 5-day sesshin 2025 at Sanneji Zen Temple in Karjaa, Finland.

Are you dreaming? How is your experience, like a dream?In one sense, the words you are reading, the sounds you are hearing, the thoughts racing through your mind and the ones seeming to linger in the background, the worries, and any other emotion that you might be experiencing, including experience itself—all are un-pin-down-able, you can not grasp them, you can not even find a single unchanging sensation that you can call yourself.All appearance is as ephemeral as a dream.In Zen practice we are encouraged to inquire into this dream-like experience. To really taste and know experientially the empty-yet-apparent nature of all experiences.Such an inquiry can revitalize wonder in our living.For if this were a dream, then these characters, these people you seem to meet, the environments that you traverse, the feelings and thoughts that arise—are all part of the dream.Blue Cliff Record Case 40: Nan Chuan's As a DreamAn officer from the monastery was talking with Nan Ch'uan and said, “The Great Teacher Chao said, ‘Heaven, earth, and I have the same root; myriad things and I are one body.' This is quite marvelous.”Nan Ch'uan pointed to a flower in the garden. He called to the officer and said, “People these days see this flower as a dream.We can practice seeing the dream-like nature of reality and open to the oneness of experience. If heaven, earth and yourself have the same root, if the myriad things and you are one body. What is this root, what is this body?What is our shared nature?Meeting the Characters in This DreamI want to share a practice I have been exploring as a way of meeting the characters in this waking dream, as if they were characters in a night-time dream. I have found that when I entertain that this is a dream, and meet the characters and myself fresh, with compassion and curiosity. I can step outside of my projections and strategies of protection, and see the mystery of who and what we are.I would like to share the practice here. If you would prefer to listen to the guided meditation version. Click the link above. Today's audio is just the guided meditation of this exercise. You may want to have a journal as you listen or read along.* Recall a situation in your life where it feels stuck, this could be a relational conflict, work situation, impasse, your experience of the political situation.* See the different characters in this waking dream, see the environment where this situation is occurring from a zoomed out position. Remind yourself that this is a dream and notice if anything changes in how you are seeing and experiencing the situation.* Now see the dream of yourself in this situation, notice what feelings, beliefs are alive in you—what do you want? What are you afraid of?* Zoom out again and see the whole scene. Next imagine stepping into one of the other characters in the dream, this could be a person with a different belief or position, someone who is not you. What do you see from their vantage point? What feelings and beliefs are alive in them? What do they want? What might they be afraid of?* Zoom out again and see the whole scene. Now see if there is another perspective, maybe that of a third character, a pet, or part of the landscape of the dream (sky, chair, wall, floor) What is it like to step into their position? What do you see from their vantage point? How do they feel about this situation? What might they want for you? What wisdom might they have?* Come back to seeing the whole dream, the whole scene in this situation. Notice if you see anything you didn't notice before. What is it like to come back to the situation itself, after having stepped into the dreams of the various characters?Notice if you feel curious or open or more compassionate?* Come back to this dream, feel your body here, connect to your senses, look around your space. Take a moment to write down or draw anything you learned or observed.I'd be curious to hear about your experience. Feel free to leave a comment.* What was it like to see this situation as a dream?* What did you learn from stepping into the other characters in this waking dream?* Are you aware of anything that you weren't aware of before?I'm also curious to hear from you. We have been diving into the exploration of the dream-like nature of reality, are there other topics that you are interested in hearing more about or focusing on? I'm considering doing a Summer Read of The Hidden Lamp. This is a collective of koans/stories from the women ancestors with commentary from contemporary teachers. I would share the koans we are focusing on throughout the summer, and you could read along or listen to my talks on the koans. We could share thoughts and experiences with the koan live on zoom on Monday nights and through the comment section here on Substack. I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and somatic mindfulness. I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.I currently have a couple of spaces open in my Spiritual Counseling practice for the Summer. And my books are open for June if you would like to book an astrology reading. It's quite an interesting year astrologically and I do natal readings as well as solar return and year ahead readings.Below you can find a list of weekly and monthly online and in-person practice opportunities.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring Zen and Dreams.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKZen Practice opportunities through ZCOLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 12 - 18, in-person at Great Vow Zen Monastery16 Bodhisattva Precepts Class—May 4 - June 8, online class series exploring the ethical teachings of Zen BuddhismGrasses, Trees and the Great Earth Sesshin—August 11 - 17, in-person at Great Vow Zen Monastery (this retreat is held outdoors, camping is encouraged but indoor dorm spaces are available)In-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaInterdependence Sesshin: A Five Day Residential Retreat Wednesday July 2 - Sunday July 6 in Montrose, WV at Saranam Retreat Center (Mud Lotus is hosting its first Sesshin!)Weekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Ensinamentos Zen com Monge Genshō Rōshi ------ Site: daissen.org.br Instagram: @zendaissen e @mongegensho Youtube: Zen Budismo por Monge Genshō Aplicativo do Daissen na Play Store e App Store: Zen Daissen https://linktr.ee/zendaissen

Sesshin Day 4 - Love in Zen by Ordinary Mind Zen School

Sesshin Day 5 - The Wonderful Emptiness of Everyday Life. by Ordinary Mind Zen School

Sesshin Day 1 - Stuckness and Flow by Ordinary Mind Zen School

Sesshin Day 2 - No Fixed Self by Ordinary Mind Zen School

Sesshin Day 3 - Transform Bad Circumstances into the Path by Ordinary Mind Zen School

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.

Dream as Analogy for RealityThis world is psychoactive. So much so that we don't even realize how are fundamental beliefs and unquestioned assumptions shape our sense of who we are and what the world is.One of those assumptions is the referent to this simple, and often thought/spoken phrase I am.Its innocuous, we think it constantly. I am hungry, I am tired, I am sad, I am lonely, I am scared, etc.When we say “I am” —this thought or sensation goes unquestioned, and so we build our life or our sense of self on these unquestioned thoughts and feelings.Sometimes the shape of the I AM, is really negative or painful, I am not good enough, I am bad at this, I am unworthy.Or it takes the shape of shame, anger, fear, desire, anxiety, hatred.We usually get totally bought in to those feelings, sensations or thoughts being who we are— we suffer them. We become trapped in the world that is created through believing them or identifying with them.In the dharma practice, we are practicing looking into these basic assumptions, to ask well what does this I AM refer to?We can do this now, notice the sense of I am. How are you experiencing it? Is it a thought, a feeling, a sensation, something else?And if so, what is the nature of this thought, sensation, belief or emotion?When we look, with non-judgmental awareness and genuine curiosity what we begin to see is — the I Am is ungraspable, it changes, its spacious, flowing, here only in the moment of its happening, non-referential.So, the encouragement is to look, to really look, to see what happens in your own experience.Often we don't look back into the sense of I AM, we let it be a given, so this kind of inward looking, turning our awareness around, can feel strange and unnatural.Nothing happens—or there is nothing there, or its just this.These are actually profound experiences, but subtle, we are expecting some big fireworks experience of no-self or emptiness, and don't appreciate the profundity of verifying for ourselves the ungraspable, spacious nature of our sense of self.The openness of not-finding, is the openness of being. The openness of pure possibility.The dream-like nature of reality is one way of describing the ungraspability, the spaciousness, openness and the insubstantiality of direct experience itself .Any word is imperfect.So we have a lot of different analogies. Dream is a good one. There is also illusion, magic show, echo, reflection in water, phantom. Modern practitioners sometimes say, like a motion picture or a hologram.I feel like dream is particularly evocative, it shows up most in the Zen teachings.And its's a practice. An invitation to see through the assumptions or reactions we paste onto reality. This is a DreamTo practice seeing the insubstantiality of thoughts, feelings, emotions, reactions, fears, we can invite this slogan or phrase:This is a dream, am I dreaming?To work with this as an inquiry or koan, doesn't mean that we are carrying it around all the time, zapping things that we don't like into dreams.Its a living question, its about inviting curiosity.So maybe you are standing in line, and frustration is building—and your mind starts thinking about all the things that you need to do, or how you are going to be late, or how you don't want to be here. You can inquire:What if this is a dream? And really entertain it, what changes?When its a dream, we are usually present.So you might notice the other people, these characters in your dream—who are they? You might notice other things in the room, the colors, smells, sounds.You might notice what you are drawn towards, or what becomes present that you weren't aware of before.What does waiting feel like in a dream?If this were a dream you were remembering in the morning, what parts of it would you share, or record.Regard all dharmas as dreams is the first of the five slogans for awakening absolute bodhicitta in the Lojong. Pema Chodron comments in her book Start Where you Are.Really, regard everything as a dream. Life is a dream. Death is a dream, for that matter sleeping is a dream and waking is a dream. Another way to say this is everything is a passing memory.She goes on to tell a story of someone who opened to the dream like nature of reality spontaneously while on a solo backpacking trip. He started to feel like the mountains were dream mountains, and his food was dream food. He was writing on dream paper, dream words. The man remarked that in that state there was a vastness and a peace, a kind of possibility and okness about the way things were.Pema Chodron comments that the practice of regarding everything as a dream invites openness.Openness is one of the qualities of bodhicitta, its a practice of opening up to the spaciousness of being. Of being less identified with the suffering making mind. Openness brings possibility.When I entertain that this is a dream, I feel like I am leaning into life. The possibility of the hawk singing a song or the stones telling me a story, becomes vividly real. I see the magic of this world. I am filled with a kind of wonderment. Life is re-enchanted in an open kind of way.What happens for you?Is wonderment possible even in lines? Even in traffic? Even while watching the news? Even in challenging conversations or disagreements?Try it out. Let it be a living inquiry.This is a dream. Its psychoactive, it may just wake you up to the openness that you are. That this world is.For more. Listen to the talk. I would be interested to hear your comments and experiences trying on the inquiry This is a Dream. Feel free to share here.I'm Amy Kisei. I am a Zen Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Counselor, Astrologer and Artist. I offer 1:1 Spiritual Counseling sessions using IFS and somatic mindfulness. I also offer astrology readings. Check out my website to learn more. I currently live in Columbus, OH and am a supporting teacher for the Mud Lotus Sangha.Below you can find a list of weekly and monthly online and in-person practice opportunities.Weekly Online Meditation EventMonday Night Dharma — 6P PT / 9P ET Join weekly for drop-in meditation and dharma talk. We are currently exploring Zen and Dreams.Feel free to join anytime. Event lasts about 1.5 hours. ZOOM LINKZen Practice opportunities through ZCOLight of the Ancestors Sesshin—May 12 - 18, in-person at Great Vow Zen Monastery16 Bodhisattva Precepts Class—May 4 - June 8, online class series exploring the ethical teachings of Zen BuddhismIn-Person in Columbus, Ohio through Mud Lotus SanghaInterdependence Sesshin: A Five Day Residential Retreat Wednesday July 2 - Sunday July 6 in Montrose, WV at Saranam Retreat Center (Mud Lotus is hosting its first Sesshin!)Weekly Meditations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amykisei.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to StoneWater Zen Talks.This talk was recorded during the annual StoneWater Zen Spring Sesshin at Crosby Hall, Merseyside.Jeremy Ryokan Woodcock Sensei received Shukke Tokudo and Denkai from Keizan Roshi, founder and Abbot of StoneWater Zen Sangha. For more information about  StoneWater Zen, our weekly schedule (in person and on zoom) and retreats, please visit our website https://www.stonewaterzen.org/If you find these talks valuable please consider supporting StoneWater Zen by donating. To donate simply use the link belowhttps://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VME4SMQZC6CWUWe rely on your support to continue sharing this life-changing practice.

Welcome to StoneWater Zen Talks.This talk was recorded during the annual StoneWater Zen Spring Sesshin at Crosby Hall, Merseyside.Tony Shinro Doubleday Sensei received Dharma Transmission from Keizan Roshi, founder and Abbot of StoneWater Zen Sangha. For more information about  StoneWater Zen, our weekly schedule (in person and on zoom) and retreats, please visit our website https://www.stonewaterzen.org/If you find these talks valuable please consider supporting StoneWater Zen by donating. To donate simply use the link belowhttps://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VME4SMQZC6CWUWe rely on your support to continue sharing this life-changing practice.

Welcome to StoneWater Zen Talks.This talk was recorded during the annual StoneWater Zen Spring Sesshin at Crosby Hall, Merseyside.Simon Kogan Heale Sensei received Dharma Transmission from Keizan Roshi, founder and Abbot of StoneWater Zen Sangha. For more information about  StoneWater Zen, our weekly schedule (in person and on zoom) and retreats, please visit our website https://www.stonewaterzen.org/If you find these talks valuable please consider supporting StoneWater Zen by donating. To donate simply use the link belowhttps://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VME4SMQZC6CWUWe rely on your support to continue sharing this life-changing practice.

Shuso Laura Trippi gives the sixth talk of the Villa Maria Del Mar 2025 Sesshin on "Already Forgiven." Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-del-Mar-2025-Talk-6-Already-Forgiven-Shuso-Laura-Trippi.mp3

Norman gives the seventh and last talk of the Villa Maria del Mar 2025 Sesshin on "Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samadhi Part 2." Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2025-Talk-7-Dogens-Ocean-Mudra-Samadhi-Part-2.mp3

03/29/2025, Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel, dharma talk at City Center. Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel explores how the spirit of Dogen's “Tenzo Kyokun” extends beyond sesshin, inviting us to discover how zazen mind manifests in our homes and workplaces.

This Dharma talk was given by Hogen, Roshi at Great Vow Zen Monastery during Sound Sesshin on March 15th, 2025. In this talk Hogen Roshi discusses the foundation of Sesshin, The Platform Sutra and Bodhidharma. ★ Support this podcast ★

03/28/2025, Doshin Dan Gudgel, dharma talk at City Center. Doshin Dan Gudgel explores the idea of a ‘caretaker' as it relates to the Parental Mind that Dogen encourages in his Tenzo Kyokun text.

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.

Norman gives the fourth talk of the Villa Maria del Mar 2025 Sesshin  "On the Meal Chant Part 2." Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2025-Talk-4-On-the-Meal-Chant-Part-2-Living-by-Vow-2025-Tallk-10.mp3

Shuso Laura Trippi gives the third talk of the Villa Maria Del Mar 2025 Sesshin on her "Way Seeking Mind" journey to entering the practice. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2025-Talk-3-Shuso-Way-Seeking-Mind-Laura-Trippi.mp3

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.

Norman gives the second talk of the Villa Maria del Mar 2025 Sesshin  "On the Meal Chant." Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2025-Talk-2-On-The-Meal-Chant.mp3

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.

Norman gives the first talk of the Villa Maria del Mar 2025 Sesshin on "Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samadhi. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sesshin-Villa-Maria-Del-Mar-2025-Talk-1-Ocean-Mudra-Samadi.mp3  

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.

In this final talk of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Senseis Wendy Johnson, Kozan, Kodo, and Roshi Joan Halifax weave together teachings on practicing with sincerity and innocence. Beginning with reflections on practicing “without aiming,” they […]

In this talk from the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kozan explores Case 24 of Dogen's collection, “The Great Kalpa Fire,” where Zen Master Dasui teaches about the nature of impermanence and attachment. […]

In this teaching from the first full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Roshi Joan Halifax explores the profound wisdom found in everyday practice through the lens of the koan “Wash Your […]

In this talk from the second full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kodo explores the nature of non-conceptual presence through Case 249 of the Shobogenzo, “The Dharma That Has Never […]

In this talk from the third full day of the Winter Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Wendy Johnson explores Yunmen's teaching “rice in the bowl, water in the bucket” through Case 158 of the […]

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.

This talk was given by Kisei Sensei at Great Vow Zen Monestary on February 6th, 2025 during Parinirvana Sesshin. In this talk Kisei discusses the many deaths that we experience encounter during Sesshin, in our lives and how we find freedom in this moment. ★ Support this podcast ★

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.