Podcasts about Upaya

In this opening session of Upaya's 2026 Dogen Seminar, Roshi Joan Halifax welcomes a gathering of teachers assembled to explore the life and teaching of Eihei Dogen, the 13th-century Zen master and founder of the Soto school of Zen. Sensei Kaz Tanahashi, whose decades of translation work brought Dogen's Shobogenzo into English, traces its long path from centuries of obscurity to worldwide… Source

In this session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Steven Heine, professor of religion and history and director of Asian Studies at Florida International University, traces Dogen's life and teaching — from proverbs posted at Soto temple gates to manga retellings of his years in China. Returning to a question raised the night before, about Bodhidharma's charge to “bear what is unbearable… Source

In this session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Roshi Konjin Gaelyn Godwin gives a close textual reading of Dogen's fascicle Shunju, tracing a single koan — when a monk asks how to escape cold and heat, and Dongshan answers, “When it's cold, the cold kills you. When it's hot, the heat kills you” — through the Blue Cliff Record, multiple named commentators, and competing translations. Source

In this session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Sensei Kaz Tanahashi traces Dogen's contemporary journey from a Zen ancestor barely mentioned by D.T. Suzuki — whose paradigm of sudden awakening had little room for Dogen's teaching — to a figure now studied in more than two hundred English-language publications and translated into other languages across the world. He recounts his own thirty-three… Source

In this session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Roshi Norman Fischer takes up Dogen's fascicle Bodhisattva Shishobo, the Four Methods of Guidance: generosity, kind speech, beneficial action, and identity action. He frames this text as a departure from Dogen's earlier work — scholars believe it may reflect a late-life turn in Dogen away from esoteric philosophy and toward plain ethical conduct. Source

In this session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Reverend Tenmyo Dojima introduces baika, the Soto Zen tradition of Buddhist hymn-singing, chanting a hymn drawn from one of Dogen's own poems: “Even upon a high, steep cliff where the rough waves cannot reach, the true Dharma clings and takes firm root, just as oysters cling to the rock.” Roshi Joan introduces the faculty panel of the weekend's… Source

In this final session of Upaya's Dogen Seminar 2026, Sensei Sokaku Kathie Fischer takes up Dogen's Mountains and Waters Sutra, tracing how sustained attention dissolves the boundary between self and world. Drawing on stories from her own practice life, she returns often to the way small, ordinary contact with things — a stone, a teacup, a mountain trail — can either be led by our concepts or… Source

Self-care podcast exploring Benefits of Meditation Practice, Why We Fear Silence & Ways to Support Our Nervous System Through Change With Elena Brower. TOPICS:: ** Benefits of Meditation Practice (10:17). ** Why We Fear Silence (17:06). ** Ways to Support Our Nervous System Through Change (23:47).   NOTES:: Show notes: amberapproved.ca/podcast/688 Leave me a review at amberapproved.ca/review Email me at info@amberapproved.ca   Health Practitioners sign up for the Body Freedom Certification Waitlist: https://amber-romaniuk.mykajabi.com/body-freedom-certification-waitlist      Take the NEW Free Hormone Imbalance Quiz here: https://amberapproved.ca/hormone-imbalance-quiz    Subscribe to newsletter: https://amber-romaniuk.mykajabi.com/newsletter-sign-up    SHOW LINKS: Click below to schedule a 30 minute Complimentary Body Freedom Consultation https://amberapproved.ca/body-freedom-consultation/  Take my free Emotional Eating Quiz here: http://amberapproved.ca/emotional-eating-quiz Listen to Episode 668 about what it's like to work with me here: https://amberapproved.ca/podcast/668  Follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/amberromaniuk Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amberromaniuk/    ABOUT MY GUEST:  Mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and podcast host, Elena Brower is a celebrated international yoga and meditation teacher on Glo, guiding transformative practices since 1999. Her new book, Hold Nothing, was published by Shambhala Publications in November 2025. Her column on Substack by the same name, Hold Nothing, supports girls and women, through On The Inside, Girls on Fire Leaders, Women for Women, and Free Food Kitchen.   Her debut book, Art of Attention, was published in 2012 and has been translated into seven languages. Her bestselling journals Practice You and Being You, her collection of poetry entitled Softening Time, along with courses, classes, and talks, explore stages of studentship, practice, life, and listening.   She hosts the acclaimed podcast Practice You, a series of deep, compassionate conversations with teachers, artists, and thinkers, intended to support you through life's transitions, encouraging presence, care, and openness. Offering new virtual classes weekly on Glo.com, Elena weaves body, breath, art, and contemplative mindfulness into practice. Bridging ancient yogic precision with creative depth and emotional intelligence, she serves individuals in cultivating resilience and inner alignment.   In 2023, she received Jukai (lay Buddhist vows) from Roshi Joan Jiko Halifax at Upaya Zen Center, and is a student in Upaya's Chaplaincy Training. As part of her service, she volunteers in hospice and penitentiary settings.   https://elenabrower.com/holdnothing | https://instagram.com/elenabrower    MY PARTNERS: Designs For Health Blood Sugar Bundle! One of the hardest parts of overcoming my emotional eating was the INSANE SUGAR and carb cravings. It was the intense sugar and carb cravings. That's why I created my Blood Sugar Bundle with Designs for Health to support your body while you work on emotional eating and breaking binge patterns. It includes chromium for blood sugar balance, L-glutamine to help curb cravings fast, a high-quality probiotic for gut health, and a clean Pure Paleo protein powder to keep you full and stable. I only recommend Designs for Health to my clients because they are third-party tested, family-owned, and use the highest quality ingredients. Quality matters when it comes to truly supporting your body and getting results. Get 30% off The Blood Sugar Bundle in USA and Canada automatically applied at checkout below! Canada Blood Sugar Bundle here for 30% off!  USA Blood Sugar Bundle here for 30% off! You can also get 30% off any Designs for Health supplements anytime, it's my gift to you. Canada: www.designsforhealth.ca  (code AMBER30) USA: www.designsforhealth.com (code AMBER88)   MY PARTNERS: HERBAL FACE FOOD Stubborn eczema, red spots, aging spots, or acne on your face, chest, arms, or back from hormones or hard water damage? I have something SO amazing for you. Our mineral-heavy water started impacting my skin the moment we moved, and I had never experienced eczema or skin issues in my life. Hard water can strip natural oils, disrupt the microbiome, and weaken the skin barrier — leaving you inflamed, reactive, and stuck in flare-ups. That's exactly what happened to my neck, and within almost two weeks of using Herbal Face Food, my eczema is almost gone. This stuff is legit — and I only share my favorite things that actually work. Their formulas are made with ultra-potent, organic, whole-plant botanicals rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and phytonutrients that calm inflammation, rebuild the skin barrier, and fight visible signs of aging instead of masking symptoms. The Cure is their most targeted antioxidant treatment designed to visibly improve stubborn concerns like eczema, melasma, rosacea, scarring, sun damage, and deeper signs of aging. The Cream is a deeply hydrating, ultra-potent botanical moisturizer that firms, smooths, strengthens the skin barrier, and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The Soap gently cleanses without stripping, using powerful plant concentrates to protect, nourish, and support healthy, youthful-looking skin on both the face and body. If your skin has been struggling from hormones, environmental stress, hard water damage, or premature aging, I'm sharing exactly what I'm using and why it's working. Shop through my link in the show notes or visit https://herbalfacefood.com/?ref=AMBER88 and use code AMBER88 at checkout for 30% off your entire order.

MetroTV, Upaya pencarian korban gempa dahsyat di Kolombia memasuki fase kritis. Petugas penyelamat bersama warga terus berusaha mencari korban di antara reruntuhan bangunan.

Kebakaran hutan melanda kawasan Cagar Alam Deliblato Sands, timur laut Serbia. Petugas pemadam kebakaran bersama helikopter dikerahkan untuk mengatasi kobaran api yang telah melalap sedikitnya 700 hektare lahan.Upaya pemadaman terus dilakukan secara intensif. Helikopter water bombing dikerahkan untuk menjangkau titik-titik api dari udara. Kepulan asap tebal terlihat membumbung tinggi hingga mendekati permukiman warga, termasuk di sekitar Desa Sumarak.

Ketegangan kembali meningkat di Lebanon Selatan di tengah berlangsungnya putaran ketujuh pembicaraan damai di Roma. Di saat upaya diplomasi terus berjalan, militer Israel dilaporkan melakukan perusakan lahan di wilayah Wadi Al Salouqi.

Bentrokan dahsyat pecah di kawasan Beni Ansar setelah ratusan migran terlibat saling serang dengan polisi dan pasukan keamanan Maroko. Insiden ini terjadi saat petugas berusaha menggagalkan upaya para migran yang mencoba menerobos masuk ke wilayah enklave Spanyol di Melilla.

Kebakaran hutan melanda wilayah selatan Italia, memaksa petugas pemadam mengerahkan pesawat penjatuh air dan helikopter untuk menahan penyebaran api.

Perang narasi digital kini mengancam persatuan Indonesia melalui penyebaran hoaks dan polarisasi yang masif di media sosial.Di balik fenomena ini, tersembunyi aktor-aktor intelektual dengan berbagai kepentingan, mulai dari kepentingan politik elektoral hingga sindikat gelap yang sengaja memecah belah bangsa demi keuntungan kelompok mereka.Polda Metro Jaya pun berhasil membongkar sindikat pendengung atau buzzer yang menyebarkan informasi tidak benar (hoax) di media sosial (medsos), dan menetapkan delapan orang sebagai tersangka. Perang Narasi Digital: Siapa Bermain di Balik Upaya Memecah Belah Bangsa?Narasumber1. Pakar Politik dari Universitas Sriwijaya (Unsri) Dr M Husni Thamrin, M.Si2. Pengamat hukum dan politik dari Universitas Nasional Jakarta, Saiful Anam.

Panglima Komando Gabungan Wilayah Pertahanan III Letjen Lucky Avianto menyampaikan perkembangan operasi TNI dalam menjaga keamanan di wilayah Papua.Dalam evaluasi operasi Kogabwilhan III, TNI mengapresiasi keberhasilan Satgas dalam proses evakuasi warga asli Papua yang menjadi korban aksi kelompok kriminal bersenjata (KKB) di Yahukimo.TNI menyebut setiap langkah operasi dilakukan secara terukur sesuai aturan hukum dan prosedur yang berlaku. Upaya pengamanan terus dilakukan untuk menjaga stabilitas serta melindungi masyarakat di wilayah Papua.

Panglima Komando Gabungan Wilayah Pertahanan III Letjen TNI Lucky Avianto memimpin langsung proses evakuasi puing pesawat Pilatus milik PT AMA di Distrik Balinggama, Papua Pegunungan.Proses pembersihan landasan perintis dilakukan untuk mempercepat pemulihan akses transportasi udara yang menjadi jalur penting bagi kebutuhan logistik dan pelayanan masyarakat setempat.Dalam kegiatan tersebut, personel TNI bersama masyarakat, tokoh adat, dan tokoh agama melakukan pembersihan area landasan agar aktivitas penerbangan dapat kembali berjalan.Upaya pemulihan ini menjadi bagian dari langkah menjaga kelancaran akses masyarakat di wilayah Papua Pegunungan.

Sedikitnya tujuh kasus dugaan kekerasan seksual di lingkungan pondok pesantren terungkap di berbagai daerah sepanjang Mei hingga Juli 2026. Temuan ini memunculkan keprihatinan publik terhadap perlindungan anak di lembaga pendidikan berbasis keagamaan. Lalu, bagaimana langkah Kementerian Agama dalam memperkuat pengawasan, pencegahan, dan penindakan terhadap pelaku? Simak penjelasan Direktur Pesantren Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Islam Kementerian Agama, Dr. H. Basnang Said, dalam perbincangan bersama Radio Elshinta.

Menteri Lingkungan Hidup, Jumhur Hidayat, meninjau langsung lokasi kebakaran di TPA Jatiwaringin, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten. Pemerintah menargetkan api segera padam setelah sisa titik bara tinggal sekitar 3,6 persen. Upaya penanganan diperkuat dengan penambahan helikopter water bombing serta langkah antisipasi untuk mencegah kebakaran serupa di berbagai tempat pemrosesan akhir (TPA) di Indonesia.

Peningkatan kualitas pendidikan tinggi dan penguatan kolaborasi antarperguruan tinggi menjadi fokus penyelenggaraan QS Higher Education Summit Asia Pacific 2026. Forum internasional ini akan digelar di Bali dengan Indonesia sebagai tuan rumah.

Upaya mendorong minat kewirausahaan di kalangan generasi muda terus dilakukan melalui kolaborasi antara perusahaan asuransi syariah dan lembaga amal Zariah dalam program bertajuk SIGAP. Program ini berfokus pada pengembangan usaha, manajemen keuangan syariah, hingga pendampingan dan pemberian modal bagi pelaku usaha muda.Latar belakang program ini didasari oleh tingginya potensi generasi muda Indonesia di sektor kewirausahaan, meski sebagian besar masih menghadapi kendala modal dan kurangnya pengetahuan dalam memulai usaha.Sektor UMKM sendiri menjadi salah satu penopang utama perekonomian nasional dengan kontribusi besar terhadap PDB serta aktivitas ekonomi di berbagai daerah. Program ini diharapkan dapat memperkuat ekosistem wirausaha muda yang berkelanjutan.

PPIA UNSW's Indonesian Night Market is an event that celebrates Indonesian culture and contributes to broader Indonesia-Australia relations. - Indonesian Night Market dari PPIA UNSW menjadi acara yang merayakan budaya Indonesia dan berkontribusi pada hubungan Indonesia-Australia secara lebih luas.Listen to SBS Indonesian on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3pm.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our podcasts. - Dengarkan SBS Indonesian setiap hari Senin, Rabu, Jumat, dan Minggu jam 3 sore.Ikuti kami di Facebook dan Instagram, serta jangan lewatkan podcast kami.

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, offered during Upaya's Young Adult Sesshin, Sensei Kodo and Sensei Dainin explore two practices that shape the foundation of sesshin: noble silence and Oryoki. Kodo opens by naming what we're actually up against: a culture of constant stimulation that makes stillness feel uncomfortable, citing silence as “an alternative to modern culture, i.e., samsara. Source

Selain layanan akomodasi, jemaah haji Indonesia gelombang kedua yang tiba di Madinah juga mendapatkan pendampingan kesehatan dari petugas haji. Upaya ini dilakukan untuk mengantisipasi berbagai gangguan kesehatan akibat cuaca panas ekstrem dan kelelahan setelah menjalani rangkaian puncak ibadah haji di Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, dan Makkah. Simak kesiapan petugas dalam menjaga kondisi kesehatan jemaah agar tetap prima selama berada di Kota Nabi hingga menjelang kepulangan ke Tanah Air.(BEH/MCH 2026)@kemenhaj#ElshintaHaji2026 #LiputanHaji2026 #Haji2026 #HajiRamahLansia #TriSuksesHaji #KemenhajRI

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Dainin — emergency physician turned dharma teacher — explores what western medicine trains us to suppress and what Zen practice invites us to reclaim. Tracing her own path from clinical dissociation to a reawakening of compassion and connection at Upaya's Being with Dying training, she turns to the well known koan of a water buffalo whose tail catches in… Source

Audiobook.  Mature listeners only (18+).  Song/Poem referred was written by Hefker the Rabbi at Upaya.

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk during Upaya's Being with Dying intensive, Frank Ostaseski speaks to participants from the loss of three close friends within a matter of weeks. Rather than offering technique or teaching, he invites open inquiry into grief itself: what it feels like in the body, how it moves, and why we so often push it away. “I think to grieve is to be human,” he says. Source

In this Zazenkai Day talk during Upaya's Spring Practice Period, Sensei Shinzan surveys the first six pictures of the ox herding series, from the first pull toward practice to the hard won ease of riding the ox home. He then turns to a recent question a student brought to him: how do I know if I'm practicing correctly, and when is rest just laziness? Shinzan answers through an encounter between… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, offered during the fourth day of Upaya's Spring Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Shinzan guides us through the seventh and eighth stages of the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures — two of the most profound moments in the Zen map of awakening. The seventh stage, Forgetting the Ox, marks the end of the seeker: grasping falls away, the division between practice and life… Source

In this opening session of Upaya's Spring Practice Period, Senseis Ryotan, Monshin, and Shinzan, and Hoshi Senko welcome residents, guests, and the Cloud Sangha into a month of shared practice. Drawing on the 12th-century ox-herding series and John Daido Loori's Riding the Ox Home as the program's central text, the teachers frame the ten pictures not as a linear progression but as a spiral… Source

In this second session of Upaya's Spring Practice Period, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin, and Ryotan, and Hoshi Senko introduce the text that anchors this practice period — The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures: Our Journey of Awakening — its origins, images, and themes. The ox-herding metaphor traces back to the Buddha's teachings on mindful practice, traveling through India and China before becoming… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, offered during Upaya's Spring Practice Period, Sensei Ryotan explores a central theme of the ten ox-herding pictures: why is simply being present so difficult? Drawing on John Daido Loori's Riding the Ox Home and the child psychologist D.W. Winnicott's concept of “going on being,” Ryotan traces how conditioning — laid down in childhood and reinforced throughout… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, offered during Upaya's Spring Practice Period, Sensei Monshin and Hoshi Senko guide us through the heart of the oxherding pictures — the ancient Zen metaphor of spiritual maturation. Monshin frames the third and fourth paintings, seeing and catching the ox, as our commitment to the path. Why face the bull? What truly moves us toward such a challenging practice? Source

Makin panjang perang Iran berlangsung, makin besar ongkos yang harus dibayar. Upaya-upaya seperti kebijakan WFH, efisiensi, dan pembatasan bahan bakar sulit diyakini bisa menambal kantong negara yang jebol karena harus menambah anggaran subsidi energi. Menaikkan harga BBM dan memotong program berbiaya besar adalah satu-satunya jalan menyelamatkan APBN. - - - Kunjungi⁠ s.id/bacatempo untuk mendapatkan diskon berlangganan Tempo Digital. Unduh aplikasi⁠⁠ Tempo⁠⁠ untuk membaca berbagai liputan mendalam Tempo. Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Butsumon Tuck Stibich — a resident priest at Upaya — opens with a teaching from Thich Nhat Hanh. No stranger to war, Thich Nhat Hanh explains that our anxiety about the world's suffering is an obstacle to service: that fear and worry do not help us cultivate peace, or become a refuge for others. Reflecting on this and the vows made in Jukai… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk coinciding with Lunar New Year, Senseis Kodo and Dainin Lau guide viewers through a recording of Upaya's Gate of Sweet Nectar — a monthly new moon ceremony of radical hospitality toward all hungry and wandering spirits. These hungry ghosts become a mirror for the parts of ourselves blinded by greed, aversion, and delusion — the states that make us unable to… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk following the Winter Practice Period at Upaya, Sensei Fushin explores silence not as absence or void, but as presence—”that face before we were born looking back at us.” Through three powerful stories from his work as a family law attorney and former chaplain, he reveals silence as an active force that holds, supports, and heals. In a conference room after a… Source

In this introduction to Dōgen's Tenzo Kyōkun (Instructions for the Cook) during the opening days of Upaya's Winter Practice Period, the faculty explores how awakening is realized through work, care, and ordinary activity. Roshi Joan Halifax reflects on Dōgen's three minds—joyful mind, parental mind (grandmother's heart), and big mind—emphasizing care for others in the cultivation of wholesome… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk during the Winter Practice Period at Upaya, Sensei Dainin collects our attention from the many paths we feel pulled in—gathering it toward one-pointed effort as a genuine way of relieving the suffering of self and other. Illustrating Roshi Joan's reflection—“it's good to stay in one place, watch the seasons change, and just do one thing”—through photographs of… Source

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk during the Winter Practice Period at Upaya, Sensei Wendy Johnson explores Dōgen's Tenzo Kyokun (Instructions for the Cook) through the metaphor of standing stones like those erected in England and the British Isles by Neolithic ancestors—ancient, grounded monuments embodying power and presence. She traces the text's origins to Tang Dynasty monastics who created… Source

Through the lense of Upaya 'the skilful means' of the Bodhisattva, Parami explores the seemingly contradictory themes of withdrawal and engagement on the Bodhisattva path. She demonstrates how they are synthesised by drawing on the last four stages of the spiral / transcendental path and how they culminate in the arising of the bodhicitta. Glasgow Buddhist Centre, 2023. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Roshi Joan Halifax is joined by Senseis Kodo, Dainin, and longtime Upaya friend and master Zen gardener Sensei Wendy Johnson to set the roots of the month-long Winter Ango (peaceful dwelling). Roshi traces Ango's history to ancient traditions of seasonal retreat and offers careful instruction not to trample what arises—no longer avoiding snakes, insects… Source

At a recent event in support of Dharma Moon's Yearlong Buddhist Studies program on January 6th, Ethan was joined by the great Roshi Joan Halifax, to discuss the practice, history and theory of Engaged Buddhism. Why is this integrated approach to the dharma so crucial now? Ethan begins with an impassioned plea after the ICE murder of the Renee Good in Minneapolis to come together as sangha and practice engaged dharma this year. And every time the thought arises "I could do something but it won't really make any difference," please label that thought thinking. Roshi Joan Halifax is Founder, Abbot, and Head Teacher of Upaya, a center which focused on Engaged Buddhism in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her vision for the Zen Center embraces comprehensive Buddhist studies, meditation, service, dharma art, and environmental action as integrated paths cultivating peace and interconnectedness. She is also the author of multiple books including Standing at The Edge and Being With Dying. In 2025, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your subscriptions. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber below Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and a guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed a mindful take on intuition, and Ethan also offered instruction in the RAIN method for working with emotions with self-compassion. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc). You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc). Find out about the 2026 Yearlong Buddhist Studies program at this link! A new free video course on a classic Buddhist contemplation called The Five Remembrances is available at this link. Check out all the cool offerings at our podcast sponsor Dharma Moon. Free video courses co-taught by Ethan and others, such as The Three Marks of Existence, are also available for download at Dharma Moon.          

On the closing day of Upaya's Fall Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kathy, Hoshi Senko, and Sensei Monshin offer an integrated reflection on continuing practice beyond the zendo. Sensei Kathy grounds us in the body, reminding […]

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk and Day 4 of Upaya's Fall Practice Period Sesshin, Sensei Kathie Fischer brings our attention to resonance—the way one vibration awakens or encourages another. Drawing from physics, poetry, […]

Senseis Monshin, Kathie Fischer, and Shinzan, together with Hoshi Senko, open Upaya's Fall Practice Period by welcoming participants from around the world into a month of deep study of Dogen's Genjokoan. “To study the way is […]

In this Zazenkai Day talk during Upaya's Fall Practice Period, Sensei Kathie Fischer offers her reflections on the simplicity and depth of Zen practice. She begins by exploring the role of language in […]

In this opening session of Upaya's 2025 Fall Pratice Period Sesshin, four teachers—Sensei Kathie Fischer, Sensei Shinzan (joining remotely from San Diego), Sensei Monshin, and Hoshi Senko—welcome participants into the stillness and rhythm of this […]

In this talk from Upaya's Awareness and Action series, Dr. Guo Gu, founder of the Tallahassee Chan Center, explores Embodiment and Engaged Practice—how awakening through the body becomes the ground for compassionate action in […]

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk during Fall Practice Period at Upaya, Sensei Monshin explores the meaning of dharma position. Building from Dogen's Genjokoan, she explains dharma position as an expression of the inseparability of self and […]

In this episode, Kimberly and Elena discuss and reflect on their life experiences through nearly two decades of knowing one another. They discuss radical forgiveness for our families of origin, the importance of stillness and meditation, children leaving the home, and menopause. They also discuss what led Elena to write her upcoming book “Hold Nothing,” which offers stories and prompts as an artful contemplative guide towards personal, daily practice for self-discovery and self-wisdom. Kimberly reads powerful excerpts aloud, and you can preorder the book in the link below.   Bio Elena Brower is a mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and podcast host. She is a celebrated international yoga and meditation teacher on Glo, guiding transformative practices since 1999. Her books include the “Art of Attention: A Yoga Practice Workbook for Movement as Meditation,” bestselling journal “Practice You and Being You” her collection of poetry entitled “Softening Time,” along with her courses, classes, and talks, explore stages of studentship, practice, life, and listening. Her latest book “Hold Nothing” investigates what it means to let go of narratives and return to the spacious emptiness within. She also has a column on Substack and podcast Practice You. She offers weekly classes and is a candidate in Upaya's Chaplaincy Training. She volunteers in hospice and penitentiary settings, bringing yoga, meditation, and compassionate presence to her local and broader communities.   What She Shares: –Forgiveness, repair and acceptance –Practice of daily stillness and stability –Powerful excerpts from new book –Excerpts read from new book “Hold Nothing”   What You'll Hear: –What sticks with Kimberly from Elena's teachings –Elena forgiving mother –Mercy and forgiveness for family of origen –Holding onto grudges instead of real repair –Impacting our actual spheres –Incentivizing holding grudges long-term in culture –Having direct contact with the present –In contact with body as medicine –Everyone doing their best at all times –Making our consciousness transparent to ourselves –Why Elena wanted to write a new book –Meditations and personal writings –Universal permission slip to be tender with ourselves –How stories, prompts, and artwork came about –Impact of writing in present tense –Getting reader in scene that unfolds as if happening presently –Reading excerpt from book on uncertainty –Daily sitting in stillness to allow thoughts to emerge –Importance of humility in work –Addressing accusations, controversies, and publicness –Importance of relationships, close inner-circle, close proximity –Bringing down women taking initiatives to serve –Evolving definition of family –Staying present and listening during hard conversations –Children leaving home for college –Mothering young adults –Conflicting emotions with children leaving home –Advice for mothers in new paradigm shifts –Kimberly's fresh experience taking Cece to college –Opening to stability –Stabilizing principle at center of every circumstance –Turning chaos to stability –Working in a vacuum to focus on own work –Addressing issues of AI as writers and teachers –Focus, devotion, returning to what matters –Menopausal transitions with weights, HRT, supplements, sleep, friends –Regulating nervous system through menopause –Elena's Matter of Menopause podcast for menopause education –Kimberly's underworld experience of menopause –Hormones are gods –Preorder upcoming book “Hold Nothing”   Resources Website: https://elenabrower.com/ and https://elenabrower.com/menopause/ IG:  @elenabrower Jaguar Sex Edition Sign Up Here