Original Mind Zen

Zen is nothing special. It's about realizing and actualizing the fact that everything we do is the action of a Buddha.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

Treat every day like it's the anniversary of your own awakening--because it is. Stop doubting that you are a Buddha. Realize that your mind is already perfect and needs to cultivation.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

Look through your thoughts to see clearly. That clarity is your true nature, which is closer to you than your own breath. All that it takes is the courage to let go of all conceptualizations.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

Awakening means realizing the fundamental interconnectedness of reality, how we and all beings are connected. When this happens, we see how everything in this world sustains us. This is the highest form of gratitude.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

We don't need to go anywhere to wake up. We bring awakening with us wherever we go; it's our true, original nature. In fact, "here" is the only place where awakening can manifest.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

The Buddha's last words to his students were to, "Be a lamp unto yourselves." This means that we already have all of the wisdom that we need. We don't need scriptures, gurus, Zen masters, gods, or saviors. All we need to do is look inwards to our own natural inner peace.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

The entire world is the awakened body of all Buddhas; all we have to do is open ourselves to this fact. We can do this by accepting everything we encounter as an expression of awakening.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

Meditation and mindfulness are not means to waking up; they are expressions of it. We are awake when we pay attention. Waking up means to stop trying to get something from life--from this moment--and just accept here and now fully, unconditionally.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

A life of contemplation is one that asks questions, one that dwells in the space that questions open. Asking "Who am I?" is central to Zen, not in pursuit of a verbal or conceptual answer; but the very asking--the embracing of the non-conceptual--is itself being awake.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.

In this talk, Taesan explores how to avoid picking and choosing, which is the source of our anxiety and unhappiness.

Introduction and sound engineering by Tom Eunsahn Gartland.