The covid-19 crisis has caused tremendous pain, and endless suffering is being created out of that pain. Through the gift of practice-realization, we can recognize and work with our own suffering, transforming our feelings of loneliness, isolation and rage into deeper insight and broader connection. Two books are referenced in this talk: “How to Survive” […]

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.

In her talk, “Householder Koans: Awakening in the Land of Attachments,” Roshi Eve Myonen Marko reminds us that this very life that we are living is fertile ground for awakening; our actual life situations serve as portals for transformation.  She urges us to live them with respect and wisdom.  Recorded by video May 10th, 2020. […]

In his Dharma talk, “Sitting Straight, Bowing Low,” Ryotan Roshi manifests the peace of not separating from Buddha’s world. Recorded by video April 30, 2020. Audio only podcast version here:

Jo An Hoshi shares his experience working night shift on a covid unit. He points to the first noble truth and the koan,”Daowu Tends the Sick” to remind us that there is an opportunity in our suffering. We can see our likes and dislikes, come back to the present moment and respond to it with […]

Village Zendo senior student Anne Jisei Reigeluth addresses the intersection of our current challenges with our Zen practice. She brings up Case 22 of the Blue Cliff Record, Hsueh Feng’s Turtle-Nosed Snake, to explore this intersection fully. Below is the podcast/audio version of this talk.

In her talk Roshi reminds us that all over and throughout the body are the many hands and eyes of compassion. Inviting us to be alert to what erodes our compassion (greed, anger, ignorance), she encourages us to open our minds to external and internal ways of expressing compassion today, in the midst of this […]

Roshi brings up the first grave precept — “I am not separate from all that is” — to reflect on our interdependence at this time of crisis.  She talks about the many ways, great and small, that we can take skillful action to support our communities and heal our world. Recorded as a video on […]

We know these are transformative times for society. Neil Soten Theise brings up “Dasui’s Aeonic Fire” to consider how each of us might use this time to transform and awaken.   Podcast audio only here:

March 12, 2020 Ryotan Sensei speaks about how our Zen practice supports us in difficult times.