In this final Wednesday Night Dharma Talk of 2024, Sensei Monshin explores the deeper meaning of giving during the holiday season. Drawing from both Buddhist teachings about dana paramita (the practice of giving) and indigenous wisdom – particularly Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” – Monshin weaves a rich tapestry of insights about generosity. The talk comes alive through personal…

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Senseis Kodo and Kozan share reflections from Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind, the nature of effort, and self-judgement in practice.

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On the final full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Genzan discuss the origin, manifestation, and potential of spiritual practice. Sensei Kaz highlights the life and teachings of Roshi Joan and her deep and meaningful contributions to awakened action in the world. Kaz uses Roshi as an example to reflect on the integration of wisdom and compassion in daily life and spiritual practice.

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On the fifth full day of Rohatsu, Sensei Kaz and Wendy Lau explore the roots of Buddhist teachings. Kaz reflects on an excerpt from the Avatamsaka Sutra, and discusses themes of spiritual beliefs and practices in the early centuries of Buddism making comments of how ideas of practice have changed through time. Wendy Lau discusses practical approaches to cultivating gratitude, which begins with an…

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On the fourth full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Shinzan explore the interplay of spiritual insight and practical or “common sense” wisdom. Sensei Kaz emphasizes maintaining ethical boundaries in spiritual practice, warning against neglecting common sense in pursuit of spiritual insight. Sensei Shinzan shares how the essence of practice remains consistent whether on the meditation cushion or…

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During this third full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Senseis Kaz and Monshin delve into zazen as a “distillation of the highest wisdom.” They discuss how we often selectively choose what receives our attention, typically filtering experiences through a narrow lens of personal preferences, fears, and ingrained biases. A core challenge for spiritual practitioners is to cultivate a radically different…

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On the second full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Kozan delve into the concept of ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ (Prajna Paramita) and reflect on the importance of faith in the teachings and sitting practice. Kaz reframes ‘attaining’ enlightenment as ‘enjoying’ our already awakened nature, while Kozan shares the story of Gutei and his ‘one-finger Zen.’ Together, they explore the elusive nature of…

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On this first full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Roshi Joan, alongside Senseis Kaz and Kodo, offers practical guidance for this time of deep practice. Kaz and Roshi address the heightened states of suffering that can arise during extended sitting practice. Drawing on Buddhist concepts like Samvega (existential unease) and Prasada (taking refuge), Roshi encourages us to let go of individual awakening and…

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This session of Gratefulness and Generosity, led by Roshi Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski, explores the transformative power of gratitude. Through personal stories and deep reflection, Frank and Roshi frame gratitude as a fundamental practice that can reshape our understanding of life’s challenges and blessings. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom, we are encouraged to explore gratitude as not just an…

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Sensei Kozan Palevsky gives a Thanksgiving dharma talk about gratitude and the first paramita of generosity. He tells the harrowing story of Buddha offering his life to a starving tiger, and asks us to consider what we would generously offer our lives for. Kozan reminds us that we do not become Buddhas alone but with and through each other.

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