Zencare Podcast

“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” — John Lewis Sensei Chodo gives a moving and wide-ranging talk, discussing: Bodhidharma meeting Emperor Wu, breaking down and explaining the meaning behind the heart sutra, and the wisdom inherent in our primordial nature. He also shares lessons from The […]

The post How Much Merit Have I Earned? | Robert Chodo Campbell appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“Not holding back is a place of practice.” Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Dogen, Koshin gives a wide-ranging talk on the importance of practicing past the point of discomfort and not having the practice adapt to your preferences. He also reminds us of the debt we owe to teachers of old who have kept […]

The post The Difference Between Student And Master | Koshin Paley Ellison appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“Everything is an aspect of continuous practice, particularly what we think shouldn’t be happening.” Sensei Koshin delivers an important talk on the merits of both study and practice; how the two compliment and deepen each other. But, as he is quick to mention, practice of mindfulness must always take precedence. He also discusses the importance […]

The post Speaking One Foot Does Not Compare With Practicing One Inch | Koshin Paley Ellison appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“How can we sit just for ourselves with what is happening around us?” On Saturday, June 27th, the Zen Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group launched its Sit for Scholarship 2020 event where formal students, members, friends and fans of the Zen Center sat together (online) in meditation to raise funds for the Zen Center’s […]

The post Sit For Scholarship: “You Could Make This Place Beautiful” | Koshin Paley Ellison & Robert Chodo Campbell appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“Flow and swirl at the world, carried along as if by a dark current. All you can do is keep swimming. All you can do is keep singing.” In this vulnerable dharma talk, Sensei Chodo describes the grief he and Sensei Koshin experienced as they witnessed the passing of their beloved Maine Coon cat, Obi. […]

The post Practicing Within The Imperfection | Robert Chodo Campbell appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“Sacrifice is a way to connect to what we give most value.” How much are we willing to shift? This is the question posed by Sensei Koshin several weeks after protests broke out across the country and the world, highlighting racial and economic inequalities. Connecting to ancestors in the zen lineage and his own family […]

The post How much are we willing to change? | Koshin Paley Ellison appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“Living for 100 years doesn’t compare with living for one day and arousing determination for the Way.” As the New York Zen Center engages in a Commit to Sit period and as the world reels from issues of inequality, Sensei Chodo delivers a dharma talk on the importance of practice. He reminds us to practice […]

The post Whatever It Takes – Just Commit | Robert Chodo Campbell appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“This kind of group practice can be of real benefit to a world such as ours. Perhaps it is not so irrelevant to a world in which harmony is scarcer than diamonds.” — Taizan Maezumi Roshi   Tensions and protests are escalating throughout the United States. Several weeks ago, Sensei Chodo addressed the sangha after […]

The post Finding Groundedness After Violence and Tumult | Robert Chodo Campbell appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

“What’s inspiring about this practice to me is: How do we make it a land of the free for everyone? This is a liberation practice.” On the 7th day of the passing of George Floyd, the New York Zen Center held a memorial service in remembrance. Sensei Koshin delivers a dharma talk on the excruciating […]

The post Remembering George Floyd | Koshin Paley Ellison appeared first on New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.