In her Dharma talk, “Wall Gazing,” Senior Student Traven Fusho Rice examines how our Zen practice can offer hope in these difficult days of not-knowing. Recorded by video July 16th, 2020 Audio only podcast version here:

In this talk, Soten explores the boundaries (or their absence!) between the Absolute and the Relative and what that means for personal practice and practice in the world.

In her talk, “All Together now, Let’s take a Deep Breath,” Senior Student Jisei reflects on the crisis of our times and the opportunity it offers, both individually and collectively, to wake up and heal. Recorded by video June 14th, 2020.     Audio only podcast version here:

In his talk, “16 Bodhisattvas Go In To Bathe,” senior student Seizan Ewing investigates the flow of all those whose names have been forgotten or left unsaid. He dives in, expressing gratitude for all those, known and unknown, who have embodied the Dharma, sustaining his practice and the life of our community. Recorded by video […]

In this talk, Ryoshin asks what we mean when we say that Zen brings freedom at a time of so much pain and separation in our world. The answer he proposes and explores in this talk is that the freedom of Zen can only be found by plunging into our lives.

In his talk “The Three Treasures in Times of Crisis,” Senior Student Neil Soten Theise offers a strategy for what we can do when it seems as if our practice isn’t helping us to meet the occasion. Recorded by video May 24, 2020.     Audio only podcast version here:

In her talk, “Self as City,” Senior Student Sal Gessho Randolph inquires into how we experience ourselves as everything around us changes. She speaks about self and place in light of case nine of the Blue Cliff Record, “Chao Chou’s Four Gates.” Recorded by Video May 17, 2020. Audio only podcast version here:

Our leaders are plainly untrustworthy. And when we hear about toilet paper hoarders, or protestors storming the Michigan state capitol, or covidiots crowding together on beaches, we stop trusting each other, too. But there is someone we can trust. Listen to find out.     Audio only podcast version here:

In her talk, “Practice, Awareness and Compassion in the Time of Covid,” Village Zendo senior student Traven Fusho Rice offers a “dispatch from the mud,” and examines the idea of sanctuary in these uncertain times. Recorded by video May 7th, 2020. Audio only podcast version here:

In her talk Village Zendo senior student Sal Gessho Randolph speaks about environmental thinker Donella Meadows, and how Meadows’ practice of envisioning can help us in this moment in relation to the koan “Yun Men’s The Body Exposed, The Golden Wind.” Recorded on video April 23, 2020. Audio only podcast version here: