Turning: Everyday Buddhism

You're in for a treat in this episode. At least it was a treat for me to have a conversation with Clark Strand. Clark is a former Zen monk, author, Haiku teacher, and communicator of all things spiritual and religious. He has studied and actually practiced within many, many spiritual and religious traditions so he speaks from actual experience.

The focus of today's conversation is on his book, Waking the Buddha: How The Most Dynamic and Empowering Buddhist Movement in History is Changing Our Concept of Religion, but Clark is also the author of Seeds From a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey, Now Is the Hour of Her Return: Poems In Praise of the Divine Mother Kali, co-author, with Perdita Finn, of The Way of the Rose: The Radical Path of the Divine Feminine Hidden in the Rosary, and many other books on poetry, spirituality, and ecology. He is the co-founder of an international, non-sectarian rosary fellowship with members across the world.

I invited him on the podcast to talk about Nichiren Buddhism, Soka Gakkai, and chanting, in general. It is a subject I haven't covered on this podcast and the timing was sparked by the recent passing of Tina Turner who was a very public Soka Gakkai practitioner.

Although the focus of the conversation began with the Soka Gakkai, it became a fascinating journey to many other areas, due to Clark's wide reach and his spiritual depth.

Among many other things, we talked about the folk traditions within all religions. Or, as Clark said, "there is always a religion within a religion." …

About how the Soka Gakkai became virtually the only ethnically and racially diverse Buddhist organization religion in the world…

About why Clark states that spirituality needs to be about "ecology not theology" and that the reason the thread that runs through his spiritual experience IS ecology and the folk traditions…

And, for fellow Pure Land and Shin practitioners, about how the Pure Land tradition is the only tradition deeply grounded in ecology…

About Haiku…

About the divine feminine, the Divine Mother, and the rosary as a spiritual and NOT a religious practice … and is, essentially, a tantric mantra practice…

About the 12-Steps program…

About chanting and how it gives voice to one's intentions, dreams, or hopes … and is the most ancient form of spiritual practice…

Listen and enjoy the journey...

Learn more about Clark: https://wayoftherose.org/ https://tricycle.org/author/clarkstrand/ Buy the books: Waking the Buddha: How the Most Dynamic and Empowering Buddhist Movement in History Is Changing Our Concept of Religion Seeds from a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey: 25th Anniversary Edition: Revised & Expanded The Way of the Rose: The Radical Path of the Divine Feminine Hidden in the Rosary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarkstrand/ https://www.instagram.com/way_of_the_rose/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarkstrand/ Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

A special mini episode, celebrating our interdependence. Listen as I share a reflection on what I call my "Buddhist-Born-Again moment."

I finally learned what the Buddha taught. I finally saw that one of—if not THE most important foundations of Buddhist practice—is becoming aware of your inherent ignorance and the limitations of self.

It is surprisingly freeing to realize that we are NOT really the masters of our destiny, because the choices we make about the thoughts we think and the actions we take are a product of a complex web of experiences, surroundings, and relationships—of which everyone else is a part.

It is a seeming paradox that accepting our dependence on others can provide our ultimate freedom. In that humble, yet active acceptance we embrace what my late teacher, Rev. Koyo Kubose, expresses as "acceptance IS transcendence." In doing so, we are declaring our interdependence.

Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

In this episode, I begin with a brief celebration of the 5th anniversary of this podcast and 1 million unique downloads, then move to a reflection on conditioned existence through the lens of climate change and the pandemic.

The Buddha taught that we suffer because of change and conditioned existence. In other words, we suffer because we have a nature that is impermanent and and changeable, based on the conditions that affect us. Because of the truth of conditioned existence, there is nothing for sure ... absolute ... unchanging.

We suffer because we expect and/or desire things to be otherwise. In thinking about the smoke from wildfires and the Covid pandemic, we see that we're collectively facing the truth of life: that we have little control over the things that happen to us. The only thing we can control is our response to the things that happen to us.

Listen as I share a reflection on how these times of change and uncertainty are a time of opportunity. An opportunity to change our perspectives from habits of fear, despair, grief, or anger to more noble, compassionate responses to everyone and every being we share our world with.

Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

In this episode I am honored to talk with Satish Kumar, a peace-pilgrim, life-long activist, and former monk, who has been inspiring global change for more than 50 years. As a child, Satish renounced the world and became a wandering Jain monk. Then in his 20s, he undertook a pilgrimage for peace, walking for two years without money, from India to America, for the cause of nuclear disarmament.

Now in his 80s, Satish has devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment. Over the decades, he has been the guiding spirit behind a number of internationally respected ecological and educational ventures, as well as a world-renown author and international speaker.

But the focus of today's conversation is his new book, Radical Love: From Separation to Connection with the Earth, Each Other, and Ourselves. You will be inspired and uplifted by this conversation with Satish, where he talks about life as a pilgrimage … and the Trinity of soil, soul, and society … How we are "soil beings"… and how activists must become optimists—wonderful inspiration in this age of doom scrolling and climate despair.

Learn more about Satish and the book: https://www.parallax.org/authors/satish-kumar/ https://www.resurgence.org/satish-kumar/ Buy the book: https://bookshop.org https://shop.resurgence.org/product/view/REBK111/radical-love Browse more books by Satish Kumar: https://bookshop.org/search?keywords=Satish+Kumar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqSqU_pPRPR/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/page/52728482105/search/?q=Satish%20Kumar Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

In this episode, I celebrate May Day with a re-release of Episode 13 of this podcast, Right Effort: Joyful Balance. I originally released the episode for Labor Day 2018. I thought back on it during the last couple of weeks as I struggled to be still and relax, while recovering from oral surgery during the first week of warm weather.

I was restless because, despite the beautiful smells, sounds, and feelings of the NOW of spring around me, I wasn't really there. My attention was on another time where I was accomplishing things on my mental to-do list. I narrate my recent experience trying to understand Right Effort in an intro to the longer episode from 2018.

In this chock-full episode, I review the whole Eightfold Path but focus on ways to create a joyful balance around effort. I talk about the Five Hindrances, especially one of my own battles: restlessness. I think many of you will agree. Even in meditation, we can't wait to "get at it." We are bored while we're working and agitated while relaxing.

Let my restlessness and inability to relax and enjoy the beginning of summer serve as an example for you. A time to pause and consider whether your "efforts" in life are "right"? Are they in balance? Are you trying to be perfect? Are you so consistently acting from the habit of self-perfection and achievement that you're unable to relax?

It all hinges on paying attention; about noticing. That is the hard part. Adjusting your habits isn't as hard. Listen to find ways to help in creating "joyous effort" through "The Five Daily Guidelines" offered by The Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism:

The Five Daily Guidelines: 5 Daily Guidelines

Join me and Bob Unyo Ahlander Sensei, virtually on Zoom, for the first session of the next Introduction to Buddhism Course starting Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at 7:30PM. Find out more:Introduction to Buddhism info and registration Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

Don't miss this fascinating episode where I talk with Cindy Rasicot, an award-winning author of Finding Venerable Mother: A Daughter's Spiritual Quest to Thailand and creator of Casual Buddhism, a weekly YouTube series that welcomes people from all walks of life to explore their spiritual practice in conversation with Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

The focus of the conversation is Cindy's spiritual life—especially her relationship with Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, the first woman to be ordained in Thailand.

We talk, of course, about Venerable Dhammananda and her amazing and inspirational life journey from academic to activist to spiritual leader ... and about women in Buddhism.

We discuss how Buddhism can be "caught not taught" to be, first, experiential, then conceptual, which is Cindy's experience with Buddhism.

We also talk about the importance of healing the mother-daughter relationship … And the riches of experiencing multiple spiritual traditions, as is modeled by Venerable Dhammananda.

Learn more about Cindy Rasicot and the book: https://cindyrasicot.com/ Buy the book (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3KnnM5s Instagram: https://instagram.com/cindy.rasicot Facebook: https://facebook.com/cindy.rasicot.author Casual Buddhism YouTube Series: Casual Buddhism - Youtube.com Casual Buddhism with Wendy Shinyo & Venerable: https://youtu.be/9jjq_jKnYX8 Ted Talk with Venerable Dhammanada: Ted Talk: Dhammananda Bikkuni, "Empowering Our Potentiality" Learn more about Venerable Dhammananda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhammananda_Bhikkhuni Venerable Dhammananda's Songdhammakalyani Monastery: https://www.thaibhikkhunis.com/en/ Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits, including a membership community and virtual sangha:https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

In this episode I talk with Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, an author, Zen teacher, and Jungian psychotherapist who has devoted his life to the study and application of psychotherapy and Buddhism.

In our conversation, we discuss Koshin's latest book, Untangled: Walking The Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion. Among many other things, we talk about:

* The needy Cookie Monster in him, myself, and maybe many of you.

* The power of perspective in helping you to recognize when your old stories resurface.

* The 3 kinds of minds: Grandmotherly Mind, Great Mind, and Joyful Mind.

* Self-clinging as a deep form of stealing.

* And how everything, everywhere is a "place of practice."

I was thrilled to have this conversation with Koshin. Keep listening and you'll know why … you can actually hear the twinkle in his eyes and his beaming smile.

Learn more about Koshin and the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care: About Koshin: https://zencare.org/sensei-koshin-paley-ellison/ New York Zen Center: https://zencare.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zencare Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkzencenter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-zen-center-for-contemplative-care/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nyzencenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newyorkzencenterforcontemp4985 ************** Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits! https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

Welcome to a special BONUS podcast, introducing our first "Chat with Everyday Buddhism" YouTube videocast on our Everyday Buddhism YouTube channel and now as an audio version for the podcast. It is our very first episode of "Chat with Everyday Buddhism" where we are planning a series of chats with our sangha leaders, our sangha members, and special guests. In the first chat, join a conversation with Wendy Shinyo Sensei, the host of the Everyday Buddhism podcast and leader of the Everyday Sangha; Bradley Jinaiyo Sensei and Terry Hosken, practice leaders of the Everyday Sangha. In this episode we talk about what Everyday Buddhism is all about and the benefit of finding community with a sangha. If you would like to ask a question or suggest a subject for us to discuss on upcoming "chat with buddhism" casts, you can do so by leaving me a voice mail on the everyday buddhism website or send an email. Go to www.everyday-buddhism.com/contact to send am email or click on the tab on the sidebar to leave us a voice mail message that is no longer than 2 minutes. ************** Check out the conversation on our YouTube channel:https://youtu.be/L1cydaz03fg Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits! https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

In this episode, I talk with Emma Varvaloucas, an editor and writer with a decade+ focusing on discovering and publicizing underreported good news in the nonprofit media space. Emma is the executive director of The Progress Network, where she writes the popular What Could Go Right? weekly newsletter and is co-host of the What Could Go Right? podcast. She was formerly the executive editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, and the editor of two books from Wisdom Publications. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss how we can train our minds to not overreact to the negative and scary things that are happening in the world so that we might respond with equanimity rather than join the chorus of divisiveness and despair. Among many other things, we talk about the news, social media, polarization … and a non-grasping way of thinking about progress as not a utopia just around the corner but more a noticing of the gradual arc of improvement in people's lives by focusing less on the click-bait negative headlines and more on what is going right. Learn more about The Progress Network: Website: https://theprogressnetwork.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressntwrk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/progressntwrk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressntwrk/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-progress-network/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progressntwrk?_t=8VeFaR9Zyxq&_r=1 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2_M_Y7-PyJurGXbTuThtw ************** Check out my Substack posts for more everyday Buddhism: https://wendyshinyohaylett.substack.com/ If this podcast has helped you understand Buddhism or help in your everyday life, consider making a one-time donation here: https://donorbox.org/podcast-donations Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits! https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism Support the podcast through the affiliate link to buy the book, Everyday Buddhism: Real-Life Buddhist Teachings & Practices for Real Change: Buy the book, Everyday Buddhism

Enjoy a special release of a Members Only Feature: Bonus Contemplation Podcasts. These are short podcasts for you to use as subjects for contemplation or analytical meditation.

I've released this contemplation, "Impermanence", as a birthday gift to my podcast audience, in celebration of my 70th birthday. It is by my friend and fellow Buddhist teacher, Kaspa Thompson. It purposely follows the episode, "Navigating Grief and Loss" by Kimberly Brown.

Kaspa directs the Bright Earth with their partner, Satya, and works as a psychotherapist. They has been a Buddhist teacher for more than a decade and has a special interest in outside practice. They are a committee member of the Eco Dharma Network, and Chair of the Network of Buddhist Organisations UK.

I am publicly releasing another bonus podcast, at the same time. It is a reflection on the Five Remembrances and presented by my dear friend and Everyday Buddhism Sangha leader, Bradley Jinaiyo Nussbaum. These bonus contemplation podcasts will be released regularly and presented by myself or some of my Bright Dawn Lay Minister/lay ministry student friends and colleagues.

To be sure you don't miss any of them, join the Everyday Buddhism Membership Community or Everyday Sangha:

https://www.everydaybuddhismcommunity.com/join-community-or-sangha.html

For more about Kaspa and the Bright Earth Pure Land Buddhist Temple, check out these websites:

https://www.brightearth.org/

http://www.kaspathompson.co.uk/

*****************

Become a patron to support this podcast and get special member benefits!https://www.patreon.com/EverydayBuddhism