In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shoyoroku Case 87, "Sozan's With or Without," through the lens of Zen and Martin Heidegger’s existential philosophy. Sensei explores how both traditions challenge our reliance on conceptual clinging and habitual ways of knowing, urging us to step into a direct and authentic encounter with reality.

• The Gravity of Knowing: How our questions about existence often become tangled in conceptual clinging, keeping us trapped within the limits of reason.
• Heidegger’s Insight: An introduction to das Man (“the They” or “the One”), inauthentic being, and the Kehre(radical turning) toward authenticity.
• Sozan’s Journey: Sozan Kyōnin’s 1,000-mile trek to Isan, seeking clarity about the nature of words and meaning.
• The Koan’s Depth: Isan’s laughter, the prophecy of the one-eyed dragon, and Sozan’s eventual realization—“From the first, Isan’s laughter had a sword!”
• Practical Takeaways: What roles, judgments, or certainties are we clinging to? How can we release them and see through the one-eyed dragon of clarity?

1. What question brought you to this moment in your life, and how might it be shaped by conceptual clinging?
2. What happens when the "tree of knowing" falls? What remains?
3. How can you step beyond the pull of reason’s gravity and experience the Way directly?

Join Sensei Michael Brunner as he guides us through this profound koan and the teachings of Heidegger, inviting us all to laugh with Isan, awaken the one-eyed dragon within, and see the Way that is always right here.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Shoyoroku and other koans: https://oneriverzen.org
• Explore upcoming retreats and talks with Sensei Michael: https://oneriverzen.org
• Follow Awakening Streams for more episodes
  Share your reflections and thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media!

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on Case 4 of the Sanshekishu, "Obedience," featuring the timeless teachings of Master Bankei. This case tells the story of a proud Nichiren priest who challenges Bankei, only to have his resistance gently unraveled through simple instructions.

Sensei dives deep into the heart of this story, exploring:

• The nature of ego and how it binds us to repetitive patterns.
• Why true freedom lies not in control but in letting go of judgments and expectations.
• How obedience in Zen is about aligning with reality rather than submitting to authority.
• Practical insights for recognizing and releasing resistance in your daily life.

This episode invites us to see beyond our rigid ideas of self and other, good and bad, and discover the boundless essence of who we truly are.

💡 “Freedom isn’t found in control—it’s found in letting go.”

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sanshekishu, Case 4: "Obedience"
• Daily meditation at One River Zen: Mon–Fri 6:30–7:15 AM, Sat 9:00–10:00 AM
• Awakening Streams podcast available on all major platforms

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael explores the transformative power of missteps on the spiritual path. Far from being obstacles, our mistakes are opportunities to deepen our practice, embrace humility, and awaken to the present moment.

Sensei shares insights from Zen teachings, including Dōgen's concept of uji (being-time), reminding us that every moment—including those we might label as failures—is a complete and perfect expression of our path. Through stories, reflections, and practical advice, you'll learn how to:

• Reframe mistakes as integral parts of your journey.
• Let go of perfectionism and self-judgment.
• Cultivate curiosity and compassion toward yourself and others.

Tune in to discover how to transform stumbles into stepping stones and walk the path with open-heartedness and clarity.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The role of mistakes in practice and daily life.
• Dōgen’s teaching on uji (being-time).
• Practical tips for reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth.

Connect with Us:

• Visit One River Zen for upcoming events and retreats.
• Share your reflections or feedback on this episode by emailing us at [[email protected]].

Support the Podcast:
If you find these talks meaningful, consider supporting One River Zen with a donation or by sharing this episode with friends. Your support helps us continue offering these teachings freely to all.

Thank you for listening—and for embracing every step, and misstep, on your journey!

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this teisho titled "Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment," Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shasekishu Case 14, "Muddy Road." This Zen case brings us face-to-face with the challenges of releasing guilt, shame, and the stories we cling to about ourselves and others. Sensei Brunner encourages us to examine how judgments and labels often obscure the reality of the present moment, keeping us bound to suffering.

Through the lens of "Muddy Road," we learn how to soften these boundaries, letting go of rigid ideas and allowing compassion to arise naturally. This practice becomes a way of moving beyond discursive thinking, helping us to actualize our Buddha nature in our daily lives.

Key points include:

• Recognizing and releasing attachment to guilt and shame
• Embracing the present moment without labels or preconceptions
• Allowing compassion to flow freely, unhindered by fixed judgments
• Practical guidance on embodying compassion in real-world situations

Tune in to deepen your understanding of how Zen practice teaches us to "put it down" and engage with life from a place of clarity and kindness.

For those interested in joining us for live meditation and Dharma talks, visit One River Zen for more information on schedules and events.

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner delivers a powerful teisho from our Zen of Recovery Retreat, examining Shōyōroku Case 16, "The Sound of the Bell and the Seven-Piece Robe." Sensei discusses how discipline and freedom come together in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of being fully present and responding to life as it unfolds—without the interference of our judgments or the habitual stories we tell ourselves.

This talk explores how labels and judgments shape our experience, often controlling us, and how letting go of these limitations can open us up to the vast possibilities of life. With anecdotes and teachings, Sensei reminds us that the practice is not about routine but about intentional presence and responding to the moment as it is, from the depth of our true nature.

Tune in to learn more about how we can live with greater clarity and embrace the simplicity of each moment as the gateway to awakening.

Join our meditation practice: Monday - Friday: 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM
Wednesday: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Visit One River Zen for more details and to join us in person or online.

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this teisho from our Zen of Recovery retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner dives into the teachings of Sansheki-shu, Case 2: "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road." The story of Zen master Gudo and a gambler in desperate need of transformation serves as the foundation for a profound exploration of awakening. Sensei emphasizes that the master we seek is already within us and that our true nature can only be revealed by letting go of the small self, with its limitations and judgments.

Through the virtues of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness, we can see clearly, move beyond our old patterns, and allow the vast and boundless self to emerge. This talk reminds us that awakening isn't just for our own peace, but it has far-reaching implications for everyone we meet and everything we touch. Each of us has the potential to bring healing to the world, but first, we must realize that it is up to us to step forward and lead the way.

Join us for this episode, where Sensei challenges us to let go of preconceived notions and walk the path of transformation. The world needs your awakened self now more than ever.

Meditation Schedule:

• Monday to Friday: 6:30-7:15 AM
• Wednesday Evening: 6:00-6:45 PM
• Saturday Morning: 9:00-10:00 AM

All are welcome to join us for meditation. For more details and links to the live sessions, visit One River Zen.

#Zen #DharmaTalk #Awakening #Gudo #Compassion #Recovery #Koan #Mindfulness #Buddhism #ZenRetreat #AwakenTheMaster #SanshekiShu #Meditation #12steps

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In today’s teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shōyōroku Case 91, Nansen’s Peony, a classic koan that questions the nature of reality and our habitual tendencies to divide and categorize our experience. Through Nansen’s response to Riko Taifu’s statement about the unity of all things, Sensei illuminates how our minds draw boundaries between “real” and “unreal,” and “self” and “other,” creating a fragmented view of life.

Rather than getting caught up in the endless cycle of judgment and labeling, Sensei encourages us to let go of our grasping and dwell in the seamless reality of the present moment. When we stop splitting our awareness, we begin to see that enlightenment and delusion arise from the same root. By dropping our notions of attainment and separation, we can fully embrace our lives as they are, walking into both joy and suffering with compassion and clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• The mind’s tendency to categorize is what creates the illusion of separation.
• True insight requires us to drop our conceptual thinking and experience life directly.
• Enlightenment and delusion are two sides of the same coin, rooted in the same essence.
• Practicing presence and compassion requires letting go of the desire to label experiences as "good" or "bad."

Join Sensei Michael Brunner in this exploration of Nansen’s teaching, and discover how to walk freely in the undivided reality of your own life.

For more teachings and to join us in meditation, visit One River Zen online or stop by for our scheduled sits.

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

In this teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner draws on Case 22 from the Mumonkan, Kashyapa’s Knock Down the Flagpole, to explore the nature of awakening and the importance of letting go of our deeply held expectations and self-concepts. Through the dialogue between Ananda and Mahakashyapa, we’re invited to reflect on what it means to release the notion of who we think we are, to drop our ego, and to meet life as it truly is.

Sensei shares the deeper meaning behind Mahakashyapa’s instruction to “knock down the flagpole,” explaining that enlightenment isn't something to be achieved or worn like a garment—it’s about stepping into the gap between knowing and unknowing, and allowing ourselves to be fully present, free from the narratives we cling to.

Join Sensei as he reflects on the challenges of facing the unknown, the beauty of practicing from a place of curiosity and openness, and how we can bring the lessons of sesshin into our daily lives.

Key points:

• The story of Ananda, Mahakashyapa, and the Buddha’s robe
• The gap between call and response as pure awareness
• Letting go of ego and fixed ideas to truly live in the present moment
• Understanding positive samadhi and the practice of showing up for life
• Knocking down our internal flagpoles to embrace the reality of our existence

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

"Wandering in the Mountains: Living Fully with Positive Samadhi"

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the kōan from the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record), Case 36: Chōsha Wandering in the Mountains. Through this powerful teaching, Sensei explains the difference between positive samadhi—the experience of fully living in the present—and absolute samadhi, which signifies the dissolution of the self in death.

Sensei discusses how Zen practice is about embracing life as it unfolds, without getting caught up in expectations or intellectual judgments. He encourages us to stop living in the storylines we’ve created and to show up for the present moment, using the energy and compassion available to us right now.

Key Topics Covered:

• The distinction between positive and absolute samadhi
• Chōsha's journey in the mountains: how to live without attachment to outcome
• The fleeting nature of life and the importance of engaging fully in each moment
• The significance of the scroll in the zendo: “The autumn leaves dance on the wind”
• Zen practice as a way to confront suffering with compassion, in both life and death

Quotes from the Episode:

• "If you're going to practice, you have to practice now. The autumn wind is blowing, friends. Don’t squander your life."
• "Positive samadhi is engaging with life, while absolute samadhi is the end of life as we know it. We must live fully before that final moment."

Listen to this episode for:

• Insights on how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life
• Reflections on the kōan and how it applies to your personal journey
• Encouragement to let go of self-judgment and embrace positive samadhi

Connect with One River Zen:

• Join us for live meditation: Monday-Friday 6:30-7:15 AM, Wednesday 6:00-6:45 PM, and Saturday 9:00-10:00 AM CST
• Visit our website for more teachings and events: OneRiverZen.org
• Follow us on social media for updates and daily reflections!

Hashtags:
#ZenPractice #PositiveSamadhi #Hekiganroku #Chosha #ZenMeditation #SotoZen #BuddhistWisdom #OneRiverZen #Mindfulness #PresentMoment

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.

"Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion"

In today’s episode, Sensei Michael Brunner offers a powerful teisho based on Shoyoroku Case 14, "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea." Through this ancient Zen encounter, Sensei explores the core teaching of letting go of our habitual stories, judgments, and expectations to embrace the clarity of the present moment.

Key insights include:

• The practice of bearing witness to our lives without the filters of the small self
• The dynamic exchange between teacher and student as a mirror for wisdom
• How compassion naturally arises from emptiness and present-moment awareness
• Practical reflections on how we can drop preconceived notions in our daily lives and respond to suffering with compassion

This episode encourages listeners to let go of their clinging to stories and to embody compassion in the simplicity of each moment. Whether you're new to Zen practice or have years of experience, this talk will offer fresh perspectives on living with greater awareness.

Resources:

• Explore Shoyoroku Case 14: "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea"
• More talks and resources from One River Zen: oneriverzen.org

Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.