Best Upaya Podcasts (2024)

1
Drumming and Singing Go Together 33:53

2d ago33:53

33:53

Sensei Kathie Fischer discusses the Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness, emphasizing the importance of stillness and presence in Zen practice. She explores how complications and difficulties in practice are “auspicious” rather than obstacles to be overcome, highlighting particularly how the challenges of Oryoki (formal meal practice) during Sesshin …

1
Fall Practice Period 2024: The Dustless Practice of Hui-neng 46:32

3d ago46:32

46:32

In this Zazenkai day Dharma talk during the Fall Practice Period, Sensei Kozan introduces us to the teachings of the sixth Chinese ancestor, Hui-neng. He focuses on Hui-neng’s written work, the Platform Sutra, beginning with Hui-neng’s own story of awakening. Kozan shares the tale which involves a chance encounter, a way seeking mind, rice pounding…

1
Fall Practice Period 2024: The Five Schools and Historical Context of the Golden Age of Zen 1:06:26

3d ago1:06:26

1:06:26

In this session of the Fall Practice Period, Senseis Monshin, Kozan, and Shinzan introduce key teachers, teachings, and historical context which impacted the era of Zen this practice period focuses on. Each of the Five Houses of Zen are introduced and Sensei Kozan invites participants to take up a houses of Zen to study for the remainder of the pra…

1
Fall Practice Period 2024: Beyond Words Beyond Thought 37:31

5d ago37:31

37:31

This Fall Practice Period Zazenkai talk by Sensei Shinzan addresses a core koan of our practice: how to directly engage with something that seems unattainable. Shinzan brings a subtle joy to this talk, pointing at the way we continuously filter our experience through our minds instead of meeting the universe directly. Focusing on themes of awakenin…

1
Fall Practice Period 2024: Meeting The Ancestors 1:15:36

3d ago1:15:36

1:15:36

In this opening session of the Fall Practice Period the guiding teachers, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin and Kozan set the tone for the coming weeks of communal practice. Shinzan speaks to the ubiquity of ‘Zen’ products and commodification of mindfulness. He points at the rare opportunity to practice Zen together in an authentic and direct way. Monshin a…

1
The Grandchildren of Huineng 43:16

9d ago43:16

43:16

In this Fall Practice Period and Wednesday night Dharma talk, Senseis Monshin and Shinzan share stories of ancient masters. Shinzan reflects on a fundamental question we must grapple with, why do we sit at all, what are we looking for? Monshin invokes stories of master Shitou and emphasizes that even in teachings and stories of different lineages w…

1
Wise Women of the Golden Age of Zen 39:33

16d ago39:33

39:33

In this Fall Practice Period Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Monshin discusses women ancestors of the Golden Age of Zen. “Women were practicing zen from the beginning, how is it they did not become a part of the enduring record?” We hear about a few women ancestors including the sole female empress of China, Wu Zetian, and the ways in which her…

1
Gifts from T’ang Dynasty China: The Golden Age of Zen 48:42

23d ago48:42

48:42

Senseis Kozan and Monshin introduce 2024 Upaya’s Fall Practice Period exploring the golden age of Zen during the Tang Dynasty, focusing on its cultural influences and historical challenges. They bring to light the connections between Taoism and Zen, such as non-separation and flow. Monshin discusses poetry from the era which reflects the beauty and…

1
Engaged Dharma in Israel-Palestine 59:43

1M ago59:43

59:43

Natalie Goldberg introduces an extraordinary Wednesday night Dharma talk, in which human rights activist Aviv Tatarsky calls in from Jerusalem to offer his candid view into the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Aviv discloses how his beliefs and views have shifted as he witnesses the ongoing violence and hatred in the region. He reflects on the koan of e…

1
Gathering Dharma with Joan Halifax & Matthew Kozan Palevsky: The Bodhisattva’s Secret and Wild Promise 1:32:53

1M ago1:32:53

1:32:53

In this session of Gathering Dharma Roshi Joan Halifax points unwaveringly to the heart of our deeply held questions and commitments, asking, “What is it to connect… to foster community, … to affirm our vows… to engage with the truth of suffering, … [and] to transform suffering in our world…?”. Roshi discusses the pressing issues of our time and as…

1
A Posture of Unprejudiced Attention 36:56

1M ago36:56

36:56

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk and the first talk in the Fall Chaplaincy Sesshin, we are gracefully reminded by Sensei Monshin of the roots and foundation of practice. Monshin […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
The Responsibility to Awaken with All Beings 44:10

1M ago44:10

44:10

Sensei Kozan discusses the practice and realization of “suchness” in Zen Buddhism. He explores Dogen’s essay of the same name, and relates the practice of suchness to our work for […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Way-Seeking Mind: Instruction and Experience 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

This “way-seeking mind” Dharma talk given by Tony Back, MD precedes the upcoming G.R.A.C.E. weekend program. Through the context of his work as a medical professional Tony shares his journey […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Grief, Loss, and a Welling Heart Part 2 (8 of 8) 1:12:33

2M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

This episode is a continuation of the 8/25/24 morning session of Love and Death program where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Grief, Loss, and a Welling Heart Part 1 (7 of 8) 1:19:07

2M ago1:19:07

1:19:07

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Sharing Their Lives with Us (6 of 8) 1:05:32

2M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan guide participants to notice what attracts them and repels them in a series of photos of dying persons. Frank sobers and grounds participants before […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Living Peace, Practicing Nonviolence 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

Renowned peace activist Father John Dear speaks passionately on the actively nonviolent life and introduces his new book “The Gospel of Peace.” He insists with Martin Luther King: it is […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Near and Far Enemies: The Four Brahmaviharas Part 2 (5 of 8) 42:57

2M ago42:57

42:57

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 afternoon session of Love and Death where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Near and Far Enemies: The Four Brahmaviharas Part 1 (4 of 8) 1:08:04

2M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: May You Be Safe Part 2 (3 of 8) 1:14:08

2M ago1:14:08

1:14:08

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 morning session of Love and Death where … Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: May You Be Safe Part 1 (2 of 8) 54:45

2M ago54:45

54:45

In this session of Love and Death, Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly and skilfully through a journey from her past, a journey […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Love and Death 2024: Opening the Great Gifts: Warm Welcome (1 of 8) 56:18

2M ago56:18

56:18

Roshi Joan and Frank Ostaseski offer their warm welcome in this first session of Love & Death: Opening the Great Gifts. Roshi Joan reflects on the impacts of the pandemic, not only on medicine […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Gathering Dharma with Kathie Fischer: Early Buddhist Women: Messages in a Bottle Carried by the Currents 1:31:50

2M ago1:31:50

1:31:50

In this Gathering Dharma 2024 program session, Sensei Kathie Fischer discusses the stories and awakenings of women ancestors. In the midst of these poems of awakening Kathie picks on an important interpretation of meditation […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Everything is Connected, Everything Changes 44:13

2M ago44:13

44:13

UPDATE 4:32PM MDT: As of this UPDATE, this audio is corrected. Please download it AGAIN IF you had done so PRIOR to today (8/30/24) @3:05PM MDT. Again, please accept our […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Taking Refuge in Gaia and Responding to Her Summons: A Dharma Path for Our Times 45:49

2M ago45:49

45:49

In this Wednesday night public Dharma talk Cynthia Jurs breathes life into our commitment to caring for the Earth. Cynthia shares her touching story of being called into a practice […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
When You Find Yourself Where You Are 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

Sensei Kozan uses the koan Baizhang’s Fox to explore cause and effect. Without an understanding of cause and effect it is impossible to maintain a clear view of what aspects of […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (9 of 9) 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

This is the closing session of this program stewarded by Roshi Joan Halifax with comments from program participants. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (8 of 9) 1:03:53

3M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

In this session Roshi Norman Fischer brings the conversation to the acute point of what we lose when reading material in the non-native language of the text. He highlights the double edge […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (7 of 9) 57:22

3M ago57:22

57:22

Roshi Joan and the faculty open this session with warm reflections and stories of friendship and gratitude. Sensei Kathie Fischer takes over the session and brings in the topic of trust, sincere trust. […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (6 of 9) 56:22

3M ago56:22

56:22

Sensei Genzan flashes to us in this brief fifty minute session his deep knowledge and love for Dogen. He opens by offering practical study advice which he implements in his own […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (5 of 9) 56:54

3M ago56:54

56:54

After a delightfully endearing reading of his own fist impressions of Dogen Henry Shukman explores passages of Dogen’s work and their potential implications on practice. A main theme Henry returns to is […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (4 of 9) 50:30

3M ago50:30

50:30

In this talk Natalie Goldberg puts the focus onto the relevance of Dogen’s writings and teachings in our modern world. She shares anecdotes related to Dogen’s teachings and she embodies her prowess […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (3 of 9) 59:46

3M ago59:46

59:46

In this session the well of Dogen’s teachings is tapped by the master translator Sensei Kazuaki. Sensei Kozan traverses the path of history with Sensei Kaz, asking questions and clarifying for participants […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Bodhidharma’s Two Ways 35:26

3M ago35:26

35:26

Sensei Shinzan explores the story of Bodhidharma and then delves into his teaching on the two paths: that of reason and that of practice. Shinzan emphasizes the importance of connecting […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (2 of 9) 1:13:10

3M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Steven Heine, an expert in Asian Studies and Zen Buddhism, discusses Zen master Dogen’s teachings and the tradition of koan practice. The session explores Dogen’s views on endeavor, exertion, or vinaya. It also […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Dogen Seminar 2024 (1 of 9) 50:09

3M ago50:09

50:09

The 2024 Dogen seminar kicks off with introductions and a warm welcome. The week’s schedule is laid out, and the topics for the weekend discussions are unveiled. Each speaker gives […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Uncertainty and Possibility—Meeting the Climate Future (3 of 3) 39:51

3M ago39:51

39:51

This series features thought leaders Christiana Figueres, Rebecca Solnit, and Roshi Joan Halifax as they explore the complex interplay between climate change, loss, technology, narratives, and action. Throughout the series, […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Uncertainty and Possibility—Meeting the Climate Future (2 of 3) 1:01:03

3M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

This series features thought leaders Christiana Figueres, Rebecca Solnit, and Roshi Joan Halifax as they explore the complex interplay between climate change, loss, technology, narratives, and action. Throughout the series, […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Uncertainty and Possibility—Meeting the Climate Future (1 of 3) 57:23

3M ago57:23

57:23

This series features thought leaders Christiana Figueres, Rebecca Solnit, and Roshi Joan Halifax as they explore the complex interplay between climate change, loss, technology, narratives, and action. Throughout the series, […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Lost in Translation 52:20

3M ago52:20

52:20

Sensei Genzan shares his deep and transformative relationship with the great Zen poet, practitioner, and Soto founder Dogen Zenji. He discusses the importance of wholehearted practice, receiving precepts, and how […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Advice from Dogen for Difficult Times 48:24

3M ago48:24

48:24

Sensei Cynthia Kear discusses the parallels between our modern socio-political crisis and those faced by Soto Zen founder Eihei Dogen 800 years ago. Sensei Kear goes over Dogen’s four methods […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Writing on Empty 44:05

4M ago44:05

44:05

Natalie Goldberg, best selling author of Writing Down the Bones and fifteen other celebrated works, discusses and reads a selection from her newest publication, Writing on Empty: A Guide to […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Gathering Dharma with Tara Brach and Frank Ostaseski: Bridging the Divide 1:29:52

4M ago1:29:52

1:29:52

Tara Brach and Frank Ostaseski lead this tenderly delivered Gathering Dharma session. Together with participants Tara and Frank explore a range of topics including post pandemic reflections, the divide in personal narratives, and […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Keizan’s Compassion 35:16

4M ago35:16

35:16

In this beautiful talk, Zenshin Florence Caplow introduces us to Keizan Zenji, particularly the deep love between Keizan and his mother, and his subsequent dedication to including women in the […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
From Anatomy Lab to Dharma Lab 33:13

4M ago33:13

33:13

Wendy Dainin Lau, MD, a Zen priest and emergency medicine physician and addiction specialist, shares her unique journey from software engineering, to working in some of the busiest emergency rooms […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Gathering Dharma with Matthew Kozan Palevsky: Only A Buddha And A Buddha 1:34:43

4M ago1:34:43

1:34:43

In this installment of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan sets the stage by reminding us “the terrible impact of war” and reminds the group the importance of our resolve to face this deep […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Liberation – Always Being, Always Becoming 39:18

4M ago39:18

39:18

On the anniversary of the emancipation of black slaves in the United States, Sensei Kodo and Sensei Kozan inquire into the meaning of freedom. For black people and many others in this […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Planting Life 2024: Growing Culture and Kinship (11 of 11) 54:09

4M ago54:09

54:09

In this final gathering of Planting Life 2024, Roshi Joan leads an open circle of sharing with the community who participated virtually in this program. The group shares their commit to personal […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Planting Life 2024: Growing Culture and Kinship (10 of 11) 58:29

4M ago58:29

58:29

In this talk Melissa Nelson shares her deep passion and understanding of economies of wellbeing, regenerative practices, environmental justice movements, and decolonizing philanthropy. Dr. Nelson connects the dots, identifying the […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

1
Planting Life 2024: Growing Culture and Kinship (9 of 11) 1:18:04

4M ago1:18:04

1:18:04

In this talk Roxanne Swentzell discusses her work in cultural continuity and the founder of Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute. She speaks to the importance of preserving traditional crops and maintaining traditional foodways. […]By Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Upaya Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide