Zen Wisdom for Your Everyday Life

Send us Fan Mail

Most of us feel trapped by having to go through the same activities again and again. The routines of life can seem stifling, and we long for change, adventure and excitement. However, the heart of zen practice is realizing that nothing is ever the same. It's impossible to truly repeat anything. This step will never come again.

As we go through what seems like the same, ordinary day, there are endless surprises and possibilities waiting. Each day is completely unique and fresh, It is up to us to attend to each activity and person carefully, not to feel it's just a dull repetition, but a wonderful door we can walk through to a a new life.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This is a season of Rebirth, Renewal and Return.  When we become too trapped in distraction, distortion and confusion, there is a road back to our original wisdom and sanity. The holidays this year all call us to step out of our usual patterns, take time for recollection, look carefully at ourselves and others and extend and ask for forgiveness. It is time for our hearts to be cleansed and for us to see deeply the nature of the suffering that we are in the grip of. It's easy to blame the suffering on other people and circumstances. But Rebirth, Renewal and Return all require that we let go of all blame (including ourselves), and be willing, instead, to look deeply at the truth of our lives, what really is causing the difficulties. Come listen to the podcast.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We hate to make mistakes and will do anything not to. Constantly trying to correct ourselves and the world we live in, there is no end to it. Once one mistake has been corrected another one seems to pop up. Even after expending a great deal of effort, and despite success along the way, in the end many feel dissatisfied, as though something went wrong and they made a mistake. What we do not realize is that the mistake we make that is continuous, is not what we do, but the way we perceive and receive life. We grasp onto that which is fleeting and must go. We believe that whatever arises is up to us to correct. We do not see what is illusion and what is real. Zen practice returns us to simple reality and to a life that is satisfying and compassionate  no matter what appears.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Most of our life is about avoiding  all kinds of storms we hear are coming. Bad news is everywhere, and in a moment conditions change and we fear we will be assaulted by uncontrollable storms without, and within. Our first reaction is to go into lockdown, put our life on hold. We clench up, become compulsively focused on the external world and figure one strategy after another to keep safe. This never works. Ever. Our true safety, resilence, peace and clarity arise when we are able to go within and become open and available to  the day, to life, to one another and to the incredible wisdom and guidance waiting for us with each breath we take. As we practice we come out of inner lockdown and storms all over start to subside.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

,As T.S. Eliot reminds us, "Human Beings Cannot Bear Very much Reality." Most of us do all we can to avoid reality as it seems harsh and cruel. Instead, we live in dreams, hopes and assorted delusions thinking these will change things and keep us safe and well. We live in the hope of finding peace and compassion in the assorted images and fantasies we are accosted by. The practice of Zen teaches otherwise. Zen is based upon the foundation of our intrinsic ability to see clearly, know the truth and live from the point of view of the Compassionate One, Within. As we exchange delusions for reality, to our great surprise, true compassion arises within, and whatever happens, becomes the basis for us to learn how to exercise our clarity and compassion, bringing to well being to the entire world.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Most of us think that Zen practice, like life itself is complicated and difficult.  Nothing can be further from the truth. Like the essence of life and happiness, it is incredibly simple, direct and available. It is our longing for mystery and c omplexity that makes life and practice seem confusing and hard. It is our attachment to stoking the fires of endless drama. Caught in all this we do not see the miracle right in front of our eyes. This episode returns us to the simple truths of a live well lived and a heart healed. Come listen and enjoy.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Fundamentally we are all sane, clear, happy, loving. We see clearly what's in front of our eyes. However, as life goes forward the storms of our mad minds produce all kind of confusion. We're accosted by delusion, dreams and fantasies that throw us off track. Suffering quickly takes the place of our original joy.  But when we become able to see through the commotion that the mad mind presents, we see the mad mind for what it truly is and it loses its power over us. The confusion, delusion and endless hopes can no longer grab us, whirl us about and cause suffering. Instead we stand firmly upon the shore of our original, beautiful, sanity.

Come listen to the podcast to discover more.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We all want our days to be special and do all kinds of things to have that happen. We plan adventures, meet with friends, plan wonderful dinners. We want something to look forward to, so that we're not caught in the same, old routine. In Zen practice, however, there is no such thing as the same, old routine. In fact, our practice focuses upon our simple, same, daily routine. As we practice, however, we see that all of our ordinary, activities are special and can bring great meaning and delight.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Believe it or not, there are simple steps to sanity, which will stop the chaos within. So often we find ourselves twirling around like a top, searching for stability in the middle of the spin. Many feel that the faster they spin, the easier it will be to find, or create that which will produce calmness and satisfaction. But for now, we have to spin. And, it always seems as though the chaos is outside ourselves caused by constantly changing conditions. However, there is a completely different way to approach each moment of our everyday lives. This different way that grounds us, centers us, and helps us enormously appreciate what it is that is here in front of our eyes now.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

THIS IS PART TWO, OF THE GREAT CONVERSATION... BROADCAST AT THE SAME TIME AS PART 1. 

"Language issues forth and yet not a word is said."

We often feel separate from one another, longing to be seen and heard. There seems to be so many barriers to connection and we rarely feel understood.

And yet, all the while, in truth, we are forever connected. In fact, we are speaking and listening to each other and to the whole world all the time. Yet, mostly we are not aware of it. We don't know what we're truly saying or hearing, or if anyone is listening at all.

The first step in Zen practice is to sit still and listen to ourselves, becoming available to all the communication that longs to bubble up from within.

Then we will become able to listen to the sounds of the world, to hear what is really being said and to respond naturally. As this happens it becomes easy to see that we are all one.

The sense of loneliness and separation will then fade, as love and oneness rule the day.

Support the show