Podcasts about Zazen

Bernd Bender, Dharma-Vortrag am 23. November 2025, Zen-Tag im Akazienzendo, BerlinDōgen Zenji schrieb, „Zazen bedeutet nicht Meditation. Es ist das Tor der Freude und Leichtigkeit.“ In seinem Vortrag setzt Bernd diesen überraschenden Satz in Dialog mit einer anderen Aussage Dōgens, in der er seinen Wunsch für alle Praktizierenden formuliert, sie mögen „lernen, im Feld des Geistes zu ruhen.“ Bernd führt aus, wie wir das Feld des Geistes erfahren und inwiefern das „Tor der Freude und Leichtigkeit“ als eben jenes Feld des Geistes verstanden werden kann. Zazen ist kein Mittel, einen bestimmten meditativen Zustand oder ein anderes unserer vielen Ziele zu erreichen. Zugleich wird Zazen nicht durch bestimmte Methoden erreicht. Zazen ruht in der unmittelbaren Lebendigkeit dieses Moments, an dem wir nichts verändern müssen. In diesem Sinn ist Zazen Ausdruck der Freiheit nicht von etwas, sondern der Freiheit in genau dem, was ist.Support the show

In this talk, we explore the Zen poem often translated as Inscribing Trust in the Heart or Affirming Faith in Mind. The teaching points to a profound realization: the Way is perfect, like vast space, where there is no lack and no excess. Jogen reflects on how our habitual striving, judgment, and fixation on imperfection obscure this truth—and how practice, especially decisive Zazen, helps us touch the Way directly. Through reflections on presence, beauty, and the ordinary rhythms of life, this talk invites us to experience reality beyond our preferences, evaluations, and notions of right and wrong.This talk was given on Nov. 5, 2025 at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple. ★ Support this podcast ★

Bernd Bender, Dharma talk on August 23rd 2025 on the occasion Kagyü Mönlam, The Great Prayer Festival, at Bodhicharya, BerlinIn his dharma talk at Bodhicharya Berlin, Bernd speaks about the peculiarities of Zen-Buddhist culture and the practice of „Just Sitting.“ In the second part, Bernd offers what he calls a meditation experiment, in which one of the very brief and poetic Zen teachings is explored as a meditation instruction. In this case it is Keizan Zenji‘s „To sit Zazen is to sit in the womb of light.“ This teaching evokes a positive, motherly, nurturing energy, and a sense of being guarded, held and safe. When you rest in the immediate presence of your experience, can you sense these qualities? Like the child in the womb, life is given to us moment after moment. From this, gratitude arises naturally.Support the show

Podcast audio: The post Talk by Yugetsu “Violence, Power, and Zazen” first appeared on The Village Zendo.

11/02/2025, Gyokuden Stephanie Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Gyokuden Steph Blank honors the effort and awakening of our ancestors and calls on us—the living—to rise up in support of Decency, Dignity and Awakening.

Bernd Bender, Dharma-Vortrag am 26. Oktober 2025, Zen-Tag im Akazienzendo, BerlinAn diesem ganz besonderen Zen-Tag haben wir eine Ordinations-Zeremonie (Jukai) gefeiert, in der Laienpraktizierende die Bodhisattva-Gelübde empfangen. Als Auftakt hierzu spricht Bernd über eine Passage aus dem Skript der Zeremonie. „Alle Wesen sind deine Lehrerinnen und Lehrer. Lasse dich nicht beirren. Dies ist der Weg des Mitgefühls und des Erbarmens für alle fühlenden Wesen und alle Existenz.“Alle Menschen und alle Wesen gehen diesen Weg, wollen sich geborgen fühlen, glücklich sein und frei von Leiden. Es gibt keinen anderen Weg, und manche lassen sich darin ordinieren. In diesem Sinne, so Bernd, sind die buddhistischen Gelübde nicht „buddhistisch,“ sondern das Normalste überhaupt. Nur sehen wir das Normalste meist nicht.Im weiteren Verlauf seines Vortrags geht Bernd auf verschiedene Dimensionen  der Unterlassungsgelübde ein, die Fallstricke des Zynismus und der Verurteilung, inwiefern gerade das Scheitern das Tor des Mitgefühls öffnen kann, und wie die Gelübde als eine Beschreibung von Zazen verstanden werden können.Support the show

2025-10-28 I Inquiry I Zazen and Precepts I Flint Sparks by Appamada

10/25/2025, Dainin Marsha Angus, dharma talk at City Center. Dainin Marsha Angus teaches about cultivating and mental and physical capacity to settle into stillness.

"Practice" part of convo between Siddhesh Mukerji & Rev. Liên.GUEST:SIDDHESH MUKERJI (he/him) is a Zen practitioner and a scholar of engaged Buddhism and Buddhist social work. He was born in India, grew up in the United States, and currently lives in Ireland.HOST:REV. LIÊN SHUTT (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society's reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org. Her new book, Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. See all her offerings at EVENTS

10/19/2025, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler reflects on the “Finding Yourself” chapter of “Becoming Yourself,” in which Suzuki Roshi teaches that finding real freedom is not about overcoming the limitations of our life, but rather embracing them: “To find true joy under some limitation is the way to realize the whole universe."

10/12/2025, Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson uses the image of bubbles and the teaching of the Three Marks of Existence to explore how Zen practice helps us meet impermanence, suffering, and no-self in the body, not through ideas, but through presence.

10/05/2025, Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Tatsudo Nicole Baden explores how Zen practice literally shifts the architecture of our experience — from a narrow, biographical “here” into a living, embodied field of contact.

The form of meditation we do in Zen, unless we're working on a koan, is called shikantaza – nothing but sitting – or silent illumination. It's been called a “method of no method,” in which we let go of any striving whatsoever – even to control our meditative experience. So can we do “bad zazen?” Theoretically, there's no such thing, and yet it sure feels like there is! What is this about?

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - ZMM - 9/27/25 - Zazen is a powerful practice for entering an intimate relationship with ourselves. Without adding anything extra, we have available at all times our true mind, our buddha nature, perfect and complete. But how to work with it skillfully? How to let go of all the suffering we carry, and re-create, moment by moment? Drawing from Dogen's Genjokoan, Shugen Roshi takes up the opportunity this radical intimacy offers. - Fall 2025 Ango - Genjokoan Series of Talks - Part 5

09/27/2025, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at City Center. Chikudo Catherine Spaeth teaches that zazen shows us what to care for, and leads the way in our request to study the precepts with a teacher. In this caring we become a good friend to our practice.

Podcast audio: The post Shinryu Roshi “The Root, Flowering, and Fruit of Zazen” first appeared on The Village Zendo.

09/17/2025, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, dharma talk at City Center. Kim Kōgen Daihō Hart explores her personal journey through anxiety to the realization that it is our own, all too real human struggles that light the path to liberation.

In this episode of The Mindfulness Podcast, Lele Terenzani sits down with Nieta De Young to explore her transformative journey into Zen practice. From her recent four-day retreat and the ancient Jukai ceremony to the deep connections between Zen and mindfulness, Nieta shares insights on stillness, presence, and why these practices matter in our fast-paced, distracted world. Discover the beauty of Zazen, the paradox of “no goals,” and even a simple walking meditation you can try today.

09/06/2025, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center. Shosan Victoria Austin points out that most of us are trying to find stability in less-than-perfect places, times, and conditions. How do we build an external and internal environment that supports us to meditate in peace?

08/06/2025, Kristin Diggs, dharma talk at City Center. Nyokai Kristin Diggs talks about the centrality of self-study in the context of Soto Zen, the interdependent nature of body-mind-self and all phenomena, and wise view within the context of Big Mind, which includes the whole universe.

08/27/2025, So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center. So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson explores what it means to be a good ancestor now: carrying warmth, witnessing others into fullness, and tending the ceremonies of life with reverence.

08/24/2025, Marc Lesser, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Marc Lesser points out that “And yet” is a way of seeing differently, with greater confidence and greater humility. “And yet” could be how we describe history, our lives, and our futures.

08/23/2025, Myles Cowherd, dharma talk at City Center. Myles Cowherd explores the transformative power of sincerity and acceptance as a counterpoint to a life of seriousness and fear.

 This Teisho was given by the Reverend Karen Do'on Weik Roshi at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo on July 10, 2024. In this talk Do'on Roshi revisists the 1st case from the Mumonkan (aka The Gateless Gate) known as Joshu's Dog.   If you would like to learn more about the Buddhist Temple of Toledo or to make a donation in support of this podcast please visit buddhisttempleoftoledo.org.   Part of Reverand Do'on's Teisho on the Mumonkan series.

08/20/2025, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center. Shosan Victoria Austin teaches that when we train our posture and breathing in a manner that helps us sit at night, aided by traditional images and teachings, we can hold the dreamy parts of experience in stillness and understanding.

Podcast Audio: The post Talk by Jiryu “Speak Up If You're Stuck in a Zazen Rut” first appeared on The Village Zendo.

08/16/2025, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman unpacks what it might mean to become yourself through the simple but challenging practice of shikantaza (just sitting), referencing Suzuki Roshi's teachings and two Zen koans.

08/10/2025, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Osho, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Osho discusses the reality that a human body will turn to dust and yet it is the body in which we carry the dharma and come to know it. As Dogen Zenji, founder of Soto Zen, taught, "To expound the dharma with this body is foremost."

Orientation, Introductions, Kinhin explanation, begin Zazen

"A Ceremony for the Encouragement of Zazen" talk and discussion

Our great ancestor friend Keizan takes us on a wild ride of epically thorough zazen instruction, warnings, epiphanies, inspirations, cosmic descriptions and everything in between in ACZC's fresh new translation of his classic “Points to Keep in Mind for Zazen” (Zazen Yojinki). What is the mind and what should we do with it? What should we do with tip of our nose and our belly button during zazen? If we feel sleepy, learned, scattered, or enlightened, does Keizan have the remedy?? (Yes!) Find out here!

07/27/2025, Zenshin Greg Fain, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Zenshin Greg Fain talks about gratitude and grief in the context of Thusness. Gratitude and grief can both be dharma gates to bring us closer to a felt sense of connection with each other, and all of existence.

07/20/2025, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler reflects on recent departures from Green Gulch of the elder teachers of the founding generation, and how at the same time as that loss, a new flower of teaching blossoms as "Becoming Yourself," the new book of Suzuki Roshi's talks, is released.

Prompts for contemplation / discussion during this talk: 1) Is your zazen practice supported by dedication, intension, and time? 2) What hinders your zazen practice? 3) How can we support each other in our practice of zazen? 4) Any other thoughts about zazen practice?

07/05/2025, Mark Lesser, dharma talk at City Center. Marc Lesser discusses a teaching from Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh: Breathing, smiling and living are three ways to practice.

07/02/2025, Doshin Dan Gudgel, dharma talk at City Center. Doshin Dan Gudgel explores the image of Indra's Net and how it relates to life in this complicated, messy modern world.

This talk was given by Bansho during Ancestors Sesshin 2025 on the fourth day. This talk is about "Yunmen's Light" Koan, and many other topics about practicing when deeper in sesshin. He discusses the essence of the practice of zazen, and what we are really doing when we sit. ★ Support this podcast ★

Relationship is meeting what arises with full feeling and consciousness. Dependent co-origination means that our consciousness arises at the same time as all consciousness. Lost in inner dialogue, we do not experience true relationship. Zazen (sitting) is an opportunity to meet what arises in the moment in a silent, unmoving state. Myosho Ginny Matthews describes practices of zazen, chanting, and samu (work) which were engaged in her sangha and with her teacher, Sasaki Roshi, who came to the U.S. from Japan and lived into his 108th year. We can learn to dissolve through work practice, but it is harder to dissolve into the complexity of work in the world. A teisho is a spontaneous commentary on a koan, which is an enigmatic question used in Rinzai Zen Buddhism to open to a state beyond the fixated self. There is the opportunity to manifest true beingness in koan practice. We can't stay dissolved in the Absolute as a human being—we go in and out. Mystical traditions say our relations come out of the womb that birthed us all. Sweat lodge is an experience of going into the womb of the Earth. Practice is to make relationship with whatever is in our world. We're not in relationship if we're not present and attentive. Death is not an isolated event; it is a complement to the ongoing reborn quality of each moment. We can learn to hold opinions lightly. If we make relationship with the reality of the moment, it's usually not as difficult as we think it will be. In grief, pain lives with us. Suffering is holding onto pain beyond its reality as it changes into something else. We can disappear in a moment of bowing. Myosho Ginny Matthews was a student of Joshu Sasaki Roshi for 40 years. She took lay ordination in 2000, leads retreats on practice, is a dance teacher and choreographer, and is featured in the book, The Unknown She: Eight Faces of an Emerging Consciousness.

06/14/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the final section of the Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon by Dogen Zenji.

06/13/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the second section of the Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon by Dogen Zenji.

06/11/2025, Rebecca Li, dharma talk at City Center. Dr. Rebecca Li explains how the practice of Silent Illumination is to actualize the Buddha's teachings to be free from suffering.

06/12/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the opening paragraphs of the Eihei Koso Hotsugonmon by Dogen Zenji.

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Wednesday, June 11th 2025 by Zenshin Greg Fain.

06/04/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the life of Huineng and living a life of vow, in this talk from the summer 2025 practice intensive at Beginner's Mind Temple.

05/31/2025, Teah Strozer, dharma talk at City Center. Teah Strozer explores the ways that our assumptions and fixed ideas about people or situations can blind us to change and to what's actually in front of us.

05/17/2025, Zentatsu Richard Baker Roshi, dharma talk at City Center. Former Abbot Zentatsu Richard Baker Roshi discusses lessons from a life of practice, and from close observation of Shunryu Suzuki's life and teachings.

In this extemporaneous Q&A episode, I address these questions: What is the responsibility of Buddhists to stand for what is right? What is the difference between the Buddhist goal of "detaching from clinging and aversion" and the pathological states of detachment from reality called "dissociation?" How would you describe the desirable level of overlap between shikantaza (the zazen of just sitting) and trance?

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about objecting to marriages, watching strangers' luggage, asking for more chairs, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: How should I handle my sister-in law who doesn't think I should be married to her brother? How should we respond to strangers asking us to watch their belongings? How do you send invitations or thank you notes when you don't know the recipient's address? Is there a polite way to suggest to my brother that he should have enough dining chairs for everyone? Bonkers: An undisclosed dress code for a wedding rehearsal dinner THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Trailer for "Freaky Friday" movie Zafu and Zazen on Wikipedia YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO... Support our show through Patreon Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts Call, text, or email us your questions Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Visit our official website Sign up for our newsletter Buy some fabulous official merchandise CREDITS Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton Theme Music: Rob Paravonian ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW Click here for details TRANSCRIPT Episode 211See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about objecting to marriages, watching strangers' luggage, asking for more chairs, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: How should I handle my sister-in law who doesn't think I should be married to her brother? How should we respond to strangers asking us to watch their belongings? How do you send invitations or thank you notes when you don't know the recipient's address? Is there a polite way to suggest to my brother that he should have enough dining chairs for everyone? Bonkers: An undisclosed dress code for a wedding rehearsal dinner THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Trailer for "Freaky Friday" movie Zafu and Zazen on Wikipedia YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO... Support our show through Patreon Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts Call, text, or email us your questions Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Visit our official website Sign up for our newsletter Buy some fabulous official merchandise CREDITS Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton Theme Music: Rob Paravonian ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW Click here for details TRANSCRIPT Episode 211 THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: INCOGNI Use promo code WYRBW at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/wyrbw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices