Episode Description: Genzan Quennell shares a story about a walk that the Hindu god Indra took with the Buddha.  His takeaway from the story is that “we can cease wandering at any moment and find refuge.”  In order to do this, we have to let go of our ideas: “When we are completely empty-handed, then we […]

Series Description: In this pair of talks, Joshin Byrnes and Genzan Quennell explore the themes of the text Cultivating the Boundless Field. In the context of a sesshin, we are able to go deeper into the text and actualize the field of practice that Honghzhi’s text describes. Episode Description: Joshin Byrnes tells us that each day of sesshin brings a “new flavor.” He remarks […]

Episode Description: John Dunne introduces a practice which he refers to as “the great equanimity.” All things “taste the same,” he tells us, and he recommends experimenting in moments when we are receiving either praise or blame. He also talks about Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work with individuals suffering from chronic pain, which worked to change the patient’s relationship […]

Episode Description: John Dunne begins by startling the audience, and asking them about the heightened state of awareness which is the response. He urges the audience to “tap into” the fact that “all of our experiences are nothing other than consciousness.”  He also notes that this kind of awareness can provoke a “fear of falling apart.” […]

Episode Description: John Dunne discusses the meaning of “taking refuge” and how it connects us with our lineage and our innate capacity for awakening.  While we should cherish our connection to the ancestors, we should also not fear change and be aware that Buddhism has always been a “hybrid,” as it has incorporated itself into cultures […]

Episode Description: John Dunne talks about the habit patterns of our minds and how they can pull us into a dualistic way of seeing the world.  Dualism is a built-in survival mechanism that arrises from clinging and emotional states.  “Duality makes you behave like a jerk,” Dunne says.  Basic relationality (such as communication) would be impossible […]

Episode Description: John Dunne spends this session discussing how reflexive, or self awareness can lead us to an intuitive understanding of our Buddha nature.  The capacity of our mind that can bring us back to the present when we inevitably become distracted is in a sense non-dual.  Dunne discusses how moments of pure non-dual awareness can […]

Episode Description: John Dunne examines the nature of reality with consciousness as his starting point.  He refutes the notion of pure objectivity, arguing that a viewpoint which leaves no room for the subjective cannot accommodate interpretation or observation, which form the basis of scientific thought.  “The only way we can conceive of matter is with consciousness […]

Episode Description: John Dunne describes the importance of ritual.  In addition to providing us with a supportive structure, it also imbues us with trust in our own capacity for fundamental happiness.  In the conventional sense, we are taking refuge in our community and its leaders, the buddhist teachings, and Shakamuni, but in the ultimate sense we […]

Episode Description: Sensei Kaz Tanahashi tells us, on the final day of our retreat that we are in the “home stretch.”  Rather than rushing toward the finish line, we should try enjoy each moment.  He finishes with an anecdote about Hanshan, also known as “cold mountain.”  Roshi Enkyo O’Hara speaks about social progress.  She challenges us […]