Zen Roshi (and ordained Christian minister), Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the Christian notion of sin. In Aramaic sin means to miss, and does not have guilt or shame associated with it like we do. St. Thomas: “If they ask you, ‘What is the sign of your father in you?’, say to them ‘It is movement and repose.'” What is movement and repose, or rest, in Zen and Christian practice? Rest is a silent, choiceness awareness, without time, without movement. Dec 13, 1981

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee discusses oneness and self-restraint. Eventually there is serenity and a child-like innocence. And the innocent Self sees everything… and the whole world is divine. Breathing into the Hara, your focus deepens and mysteries reveal themselves. You don’t need to solve them. The mysteries reveal themselves to you. Apr 14, 1981

What is happiness? The tale of the farmer who demanded from God to have control of the weather, and God said yes. Challenges in life are how you learn. Finding your true self takes work. Are you free or is your conditioning controlling you? Dig into yourself and ask “Who am I?” People get attached to their misery. The tale of the soldier whose boots are too small. Jun 21, 1981

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses finding ways to integrate ourselves. Strengthening the tanden (Hara). How to work on the division between our senses and our thinking. Body and soul. Matter and consciousness. How can we find oneness while we’re divided inside? Jun 14, 1981

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the meaning of knowledge and ignorance in Buddhism and the Bible. The Tree Of Knowledge and the Tree Of Life. Zen practice is not an intellectual endeavor. The tale of the blind man and the lantern. Be a light until yourself. Feb 17, 1985

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses Chinese Master Yoka Daishi. We were all born with our true religion. It is essential in us. Not some borrowed doctrine. It’s not something outside which you seek. It’s the seeker. When you are silent, it speaks. Your absence is its presence.When you look in the mirror, do you see you? Feb 10, 1985

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching. Also, the tale of the master swordsman, the rat and the palace cat. If you look for an enemy, you will find one. If I give a gift and it’s not accepted, to whom does the gift belong? Sep 22, 1985

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the beginning stanzas of the Diamond Sutra. What to do with our thoughts? Where is the mind? What is faith? Is there a wisdom that is the ground of mind? Where does it abide? What do you think is holy? Do not sit in meditation waiting for enlightenment. Direct your attention to the mind. Mar 2, 1986

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, on listening to teachings as if you are an empty tape recorder—not judging, evaluating, or comparing. The Dhammapada, or stepping into the dharma. Also, our world is real, but it is illusory. Like looking at reality through a keyhole. A limited view. Also, when your thoughts cease, who are you? And Rainer Maria Rilke. Sep 4, 1983

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when you breathe, it is not you doing the breathing. As you watch this breath, in time you’ll discover something remarkable about it. To begin work toward realization, focus on the breath. Not breathing. The breath. What is this life living you? It’s the same as that which sings in the birds. In your eyes He is seeing. In your hands He is doing. Jan 8, 1984