Does all apparent negativity come from ourselves? Suffering, dissatisfaction, and anxiety; recurring negativity and thought patterns. The momentum needs to be seen closely before it actually gets a foothold. Praise and blame are extra, and are all about getting control. Watch what comes until you see the disturbance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofGyKXseRDM&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1FCjhpatXI

That aspect of causality that’s ignored because we want a result is the deeper cause and effect which goes beyond the physical form, beyond the illusion of the three dimensions. What is this human experience? Don’t jump to conclusions; the main issue is mistaken identity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWnPPV5oNY

What underlies the stories we get hooked by? What is the difference between observing and noticing or observing and receiving? What does it mean that the wall is the buddha, the dharma and the sangha? These and other questions from sangha elicit profound and unexpected responses from Sokuzan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1m_qAoUFI

Sokuzan chats with New York comedian, Ethan Herschenfeld, on a variety of topics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKE5vPp9GE

https://www.ethanherschenfeld.com

@eherschenfeld

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWnPlklCSRg

Do things arise randomly? Does sitting practice connect us to unseen realms? What is merit? Is there merit in sitting? Sokuzan responds to these and other questions from the sangha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKBfKtNSg_Y

Sokuzan reads from a book of poems by early Buddhist nuns called "The First Free Women". A line from Patacara’s poem says, “Just see all thoughts, words and actions arising all by themselves.” This is a good way of saying what’s happening in the mind stream. You could look at this yourself by sitting down and holding still. Just a little bit of casual movement disrupts the observer of the mind stream. Inside and outside is a misunderstanding; the true understanding is you won’t see anything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKY4N2eMJBY

Sokuzan answers questions from students in the Zendo, on Zoom and YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vaHRovC36M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzTT2DbLLq0