Suzanne Taikyo Gilman, Senior Monastic - ZCNYC - 2/18/2024 - Taikyo shares the teachings on the paramitas, focusing on dana paramita - the perfection of giving. She explores the significance of giving selflessly and the myriad ways it manifests, drawing insights from Buddhist teachings and personal experience as inspiration to shift towards compassionate and mindful living—and to attain freedom from suffering.

Danica Shoan Ankele, Senior Monastic and Dharma Holder - ZMM - 2/11/24 - Inspired by Master Guishan's Admonitions and Encouraging Words, Mn Shoan encourages us to perceive the wealth of opportunity in our own lives to engage in a personal study of cause and effect, and to thus see the reality of interdependence more clearly.

Patrick Yunen Kelly, Senior Lay Student - ZCNYC - 2/11/24 - Drawing examples from Dogen and contemporary science, Yunen shares insights from the Buddhist teachings on liberation from suffering, and our relationship with our environment. (We apologize for our malfunctioning microphone during the first few minutes of this talk.)

Jody Hojin Kimmel, Sensei - ZCNYC - 2/4/24 - Opening with a poem from David Whyte, Hojin Sensei presents a variety of teachings on courage; how we can embrace what we are most terrified of, and stand firm in this constant rebirth. To meet these moments with a "thank you." Now what's true?

Prabu Gikon Vasan, Senior Lay Practitioner - ZMM - 02/04/2024 Gikon shares some dharma teachings that helped him in his early years of practice. Are the great achievements of humankind only at the surface of our existence? What is and where is our fundamental perfection? What are the hindrances that give rise to suffering? Can Shunryu Suzuki's famous comment, "In your very imperfections, you will find a path to your way-seeking mind," be true?

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - ZMM -1/28/24 - From The Blue Cliff Record, Case 61 - Feng Hsueh's "One Atom of Dust" - How do we tame our judging mind and keep our awareness wide open? How do we live and act in a way that is truly appropriate to reality?

Degna Chikei Levister, MRO Senior Lay Student - ZCNYC - 1/28/24 - Chikei offers a glimpse of why she came to Zen Practice, and why she has stayed—this commitment to living a life in harmony.

Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi - ZMM - 1/27/24 - From the Book of Serenity, Case 60 - A woman student, aptly named “Iron Grindstone” Liu, encounters her teacher Guishan. Can we characterize diligent practice in any particular way? We may be able to look inward but can we look inward and stay all the way through it?

Michelle Seigei Spark, Lay Senior MRO Student - ZMM - 1/26/24 - Inspired by Master Dogen's writings on zazen as well as Daido Roshi's teachings, Seigei presents us with what can bring us to meditation and what can motivate us to continue to meditate.

Bear Gokan Bonebakker, Senior Monastic and Dharma Holder - ZMM - 1/25/24 - From The Eight Awarenesses of the Enlightened Person - Gokan talks about how we uncover wisdom continuously in our everyday lives.