Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about Case #38 in the Mumonkan, or Gateless Gate: The Buffalo Passes Through a Window.  

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Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about living life beyond regret. He draws inspiration from the insights of Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who intimately cared for individuals in the final 12 weeks of their lives. Ware compiled the top five regrets expressed by the dying. Sensei skillfully juxtaposes these regrets with Buddhism's Five Great Fears, illuminating a path towards a life that matters, emphasizing the importance of living beyond the confines of regret.  

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Join Sensei Michael in this episode as he delves into the profound concept of embracing the death of the small self. Drawing from his own transformative journey through Zen Practice, he illuminates the significance of this path in finding true appreciation for life. Exploring the wisdom encapsulated in case 63 of the Shōyōroku, "Joshu Asks About Death," Sensei Michael offers insights that invite us to contemplate our existence and the essence of living fully.  

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Sensei Michael Brunner addresses his formal students at a gathering during Ango 2023 to discuss the importance of practice and the virtue of equanimity through case 36 of the Shōyōroku: Master Ma is Unwell. Case 3 of the Shaseki-shu is also discussed: Is that so?  

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Sensei Michael discusses fully immersing ourselves into our practice and our lives - losing the cares and concerns of the constructed "small self." The koan examined is case #36 of the Hekiganroku - Roaming the Mountains.  

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In this episode, Sensei Michael Discusses Case #40 of the Hekiganrou, "Nansen's This Flower". We examine the difference between genuinely embracing your life and living in your expectations.  

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