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The Stream of Unhindered Life: Compassion, Koans, and the Unstoppable Function
ð§ Awakening Streams Episode Notes
Title: ZEN KOAN: The 2 Secrets of True Compassion | Sensei Michael Brunner
Teacher: Sensei SÅen Michael Brunner, SÅtÅ Zen Buddhist Priest (Lineage: Dainin Katagiri Roshi through Rev. Dr. Sojun Diane Martin Roshi).
Community: One River Zen, Ottawa, Illinois.
â
CORE TEACHING: Throughout the Body
This talk, given by Sensei Michael Brunner, challenges the idea that Zen practice is limited to the cushion. He connects the deepest spiritual teachings to the tangible work of One River Zen's community missions, Karuna Pantry and the soon-to-open Davidâs Clubhouse in Ottawa, Illinois.
DÅgen's Teaching: Sensei Brunner grounds the talk in DÅgen's famous quote: "To study the Buddha Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by the ten thousand things." The practice is about being a true person, not a perfected image of a Buddhist.
The Koan of Spontaneity: We explore ShÅyÅroku, Case 54: Unganâs Great Compassionate One. The Koan uses the image of AvalokiteÅvara (Bodhisattva of Great Compassion) to ask how boundless compassion functions.
DÅgoâs Pointer: DÅgo likens it to "a man who reaches behind him at night to search for his pillow." This is spontaneous, intuitive action, free of thought or strategy.
The Critical Difference: The key is the subtle yet profound difference between two phrases:
Ungan's Partial View: "All over the body are hands and eyes." (Implies compassion is something "I" do or applyas a toolâ80% there).
DÅgo's Complete View: "Throughout the body are hands and eyes." (Implies compassion is what this life isâthe unobstructed functioning of original nature. It is not applied; it is simply how life operates when the self-story is not in the way).
The Final Invitation: The talk concludes with the understanding that "supernatural" functioning is simply reality without the distortion of the ego. The true Koan for the listener is: "How will you spend the very real currency you possess with your next breathâthis currency that is your life?"
â
Connect with Sensei Michael Brunner:
Website: brunnerzen.org
Organization: oneriverzen.org
𪷠Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
Teachings and reflections with Sensei Michael Brunner (SÅen) of One River Zen Center, 121 E Prospect St, Ottawa IL 61350.
ð Learn more & join practice: https://www.oneriverzen.org
ð§ Listen to more episodes: Awakening Streams Podcast
ð Support the Sangha: https://www.oneriverzen.org/donate
#SenseiMichaelBrunner #MichaelBrunnerOttawa #OneRiverZen #ZenKoan #ZenPodcast #OttawaIL #SotoZen
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By Sensei Michael Brunner, One River Zenð§ Awakening Streams Episode Notes
Title: ZEN KOAN: The 2 Secrets of True Compassion | Sensei Michael Brunner
Teacher: Sensei SÅen Michael Brunner, SÅtÅ Zen Buddhist Priest (Lineage: Dainin Katagiri Roshi through Rev. Dr. Sojun Diane Martin Roshi).
Community: One River Zen, Ottawa, Illinois.
â
CORE TEACHING: Throughout the Body
This talk, given by Sensei Michael Brunner, challenges the idea that Zen practice is limited to the cushion. He connects the deepest spiritual teachings to the tangible work of One River Zen's community missions, Karuna Pantry and the soon-to-open Davidâs Clubhouse in Ottawa, Illinois.
DÅgen's Teaching: Sensei Brunner grounds the talk in DÅgen's famous quote: "To study the Buddha Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by the ten thousand things." The practice is about being a true person, not a perfected image of a Buddhist.
The Koan of Spontaneity: We explore ShÅyÅroku, Case 54: Unganâs Great Compassionate One. The Koan uses the image of AvalokiteÅvara (Bodhisattva of Great Compassion) to ask how boundless compassion functions.
DÅgoâs Pointer: DÅgo likens it to "a man who reaches behind him at night to search for his pillow." This is spontaneous, intuitive action, free of thought or strategy.
The Critical Difference: The key is the subtle yet profound difference between two phrases:
Ungan's Partial View: "All over the body are hands and eyes." (Implies compassion is something "I" do or applyas a toolâ80% there).
DÅgo's Complete View: "Throughout the body are hands and eyes." (Implies compassion is what this life isâthe unobstructed functioning of original nature. It is not applied; it is simply how life operates when the self-story is not in the way).
The Final Invitation: The talk concludes with the understanding that "supernatural" functioning is simply reality without the distortion of the ego. The true Koan for the listener is: "How will you spend the very real currency you possess with your next breathâthis currency that is your life?"
â
Connect with Sensei Michael Brunner:
Website: brunnerzen.org
Organization: oneriverzen.org
𪷠Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
Teachings and reflections with Sensei Michael Brunner (SÅen) of One River Zen Center, 121 E Prospect St, Ottawa IL 61350.
ð Learn more & join practice: https://www.oneriverzen.org
ð§ Listen to more episodes: Awakening Streams Podcast
ð Support the Sangha: https://www.oneriverzen.org/donate
#SenseiMichaelBrunner #MichaelBrunnerOttawa #OneRiverZen #ZenKoan #ZenPodcast #OttawaIL #SotoZen