This talk begins with a discussion of the work of the twentieth century philosopher Edmund Husserl and the practice that he called the epoche (bracketing our beliefs and concepts about self and the world). I then demonstrate the epoche by exploring the text “The Invitation” by the contemporary spiritual teacher know as Mooji.

In this guided meditation we begin with contemplating Dogen’s instructions on Zazen to “Now sit steadfastly and think not-thinking. How do you think not-thinking? Beyond thinking. This is the essential art of Zazen”. We then explore what we need to practice to be before thinking. What is being before thinking. Following the introduction I introduce three core processes that were identified by Francisco Varela and his colleagues: (1) Suspending; (2) Re-directing; and (3) Letting Go. I also discuss (4) Resistance; and (5) Returning.

In this talk I explore The Observing Self. I often say to my students, stand as Awareness, and be kind to self and others. Joko Beck said

“That which observes cannot be found and cannot be described. If we look for it there is nothing there. Since there is nothing we can know about it, we can almost say it is another dimension” 1989: 123. In the end, we are all a mystery to ourselves. At the core of our being lies a mystery – what Joko Beck, following Arthur Deikman (1982) called the Observing Self. In this talk we explore the far-out realm of the Observing Self, the Open Door. I would like to invite you to come on this journey with me - You might be surprised as to what you might find!

Underlying most forms of meditation is the basic act of returning: coming back to a meditation object (e.g., the breath, the body, a koan), drifting away, and then coming back, again and again. In this guided meditation, Rhys Price-Robertson encourages gentle exploration of returning in meditation, not with the idea that there are right or wrong ways to return in practice, but rather with the intention of cultivating interest and curiosity.

Originally formulated by Joko Beck, the practice principles are common to all the different centres of the Ordinary Mind Zen School around the world. In this dialogue we explore our mutual understanding of the practice principles and how we can use them to remind us how to practice, both formally, in our Zazen practice, and informally in our everyday life.

In this guided meditation Andrew takes us on a tour round the practice triangle to demonstrate the experiential shift in the sense of self as we move through these different ways of experiencing self. The first position is “self-as-content” (often known as the ego-self); the second position is the “self-as-process”, which is the beginning of negating our identification with the ego-self as the “owner” of thoughts and feelings; the final position is “self-as-witnessing consciousness” where we are no longer identified with thoughts and feelings, allowing us to be present to them as the knowing container of all contents, leading to transformation.

All guided meditations take us on a journey to discover our true self. However, the map is not the territory but some maps can be more helpful than others. In this guided meditation, Andrew once again maps out the territory which points the way to our true self – even through consciousness is in a never ending process of transformation our true self has no beginning or ending.

In this talk Andrew seeks to clarify and de-mystify the traditional pathways of Zen practice. Starting as a seeker and moving to finding a teacher and sangha, formalising a relationship with a teacher and then receiving the precepts. The talk also includes a discussion of the three stages of transmission.

In this guided meditation I explore the nature of taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

In this guided meditation I explore the nature of taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.