“If you’re a photon, what is time like for you?  What would you see if you watched somebody fall into a black hole? What’s it like from their perspective?” asks Kigaku Noah Rossetter, taking us on a journey through space and time to the center of the earth and the moment just after the big bang.  With awe-inspiring scientific facts and Dogen’s call to “reflect now, whether any being or world is left out of the present moment,” Noah invites us to allow this “cosmic geekiness” to inform our contemplative practice, to spark our curiosity, to help us slow down, and to use our time to “produce” presence and love for ourselves and for others.


Kigaku Noah Rossetter: Being Out of Time

The Upaya Dharma Podcast features Wednesday evening Dharma Talks and recordings from Upaya’s diverse array of programs. Our podcasts exemplify Upaya’s focus on socially engaged Buddhism, including prison work, end-of-life care, serving the homeless, training in socially engaged practices, peace & nonviolence, compassionate care training, and delivering healthcare in the Himalayas.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt’s discussion on Haiku delves into the depth and nuances of this poetic form, exploring its historical context, cultural significance, and the intricacies of its composition. They discuss the story of a young female poet who impressed one of Basho’s main students with her Haiku, demonstrating the longstanding tradition of Haiku as a revered art form.
Peter Levitt’s portion of the talk shifts to the writing aspect of Haiku, describing it as “poetry of the glance” – a moment captured in a brief yet profound way. He highlights the unpredictable yet truthful nature of Haiku, where the juxtaposition of elements brings forth an authenticity that resonates with both the writer and the reader.
To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

The Way Of Haiku: Waking Up Through Writing (5 of 9)

Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt’s discussion on Haiku delves into the depth and nuances of this poetic form, exploring its historical context, cultural significance, and the intricacies of its composition. They discuss the story of a young female poet who impressed one of Basho’s main students with her Haiku, demonstrating the longstanding tradition of Haiku as a revered art form. Tanahashi emphasizes the importance of sound, visual effect, and seasonal elements in Haiku. He explains that the beauty of Haiku often lies in the unexpected pairing of elements that creates a sense of surprise or a clash, leading to a deeper insight or image.
The summary for Peter Levitt’s portion of the talk is provided in the next part (#5).
To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

The Way Of Haiku: Waking Up Through Writing (4 of 9)

Beth Howard’s talk at a Haiku retreat delves into the transformative power of Haiku writing, both as a practice of mindfulness and as a tool for activism. She shares her own journey with Haiku, integrating this with her appreciation for Haiku’s capacity to capture and appreciate fleeting moments of beauty and peace, even in times of personal or global crisis. Howard also discusses her work with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, highlighting how Haiku has helped her maintain balance and focus in her advocacy against gun violence. She stresses the importance of finding common ground in legislative battles, using precise and effective communication, a skill honed through her Haiku practice.
To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

The Way Of Haiku: Waking Up Through Writing (3 of 9)

Natalie Goldberg’s talk on Haiku delves into the life of the famous Haiku poet Matsuo Basho, particularly focusing on Basho’s years of suffering, meditation under the guidance of a Zen priest, and the profound impact this had on his ability to perceive and interact with the world. Goldberg emphasizes Basho’s philosophy of staying awake to the moment, transcending the quest for complete enlightenment to find beauty in the everyday.
To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

The Way Of Haiku: Waking Up Through Writing (2 of 9)

In this opening session Roshi Joan outlines the schedule for the weekend. The faculty then discusses the transformative power of Haiku and shares personal experiences of haiku practice. The themes of each introductory talk highlights the significance of Haiku in its ability to capture moments, describe the natural world, and unlock deep intimacy with ourselves. The conversations also reveal the connections between Zen practice, the art of Haiku, activism, and personal resilience.
To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

Kigaku Noah Rossetter: Being Out of Time

Download our free app to listen on your phone