Best Zazen Podcasts (2024)

1
Treeleaf Zendo Podcast - Keizan Zenji's 'Zazen-Yojinki' (5) 34:29

5d ago34:29

34:29

We continue with the fifth instalment of this series of talks based on master Keizan's 'Zazen-Yojinki'. In this episode, we are looking at what zazen is by understanding what zazen isn't. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: July Monthly Zazenkai»By Treeleaf Zendo

1
275 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Five – Precepts: Transcending Self-Attachment (3 of 3) 20:21

5d ago20:21

20:21

This episode is the third installment of chapter five of my book-in-process, The Ten Fields of Zen: A Primer for Practitioners. In the first episode, I described the central role of Precepts in Zen and covered the Three Refuges, Three Pure Precepts, and two of the Grave Precepts. In the last episode, I talked about the Grave (serious, or weighty) P…

1
On Community (Part 2) 46:13

2d ago46:13

46:13

This talk continues the exploration of how to discover and develop a sense of community. It differentiates between intimacy as undividedness with all beings (the spiritual dimension of community) and intimacy as closeness (the conventional longing for being known and understood by others in our physicality, feelings, and thoughts). Regarding this l…

1
Keep It Simple 40:40

16d ago40:40

40:40

The simplicity of Zen practice, with some inspiration from Henry David Thoreau. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript The post Keep It Simple appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.By Rochester Zen Center

1
274 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Five – Precepts: Transcending Self-Attachment (2 of 3) 25:33

16d ago25:33

25:33

This episode is the second part of chapter five of my book-in-process, The Ten Fields of Zen: A Primer for Practitioners. In the last episode, I described the central role of Precepts in Zen and covered the Three Refuges, Three Pure Precepts, and two of the Grave Precepts. In this episode, I talk about the Grave (serious, or weighty) Precepts three…

1
Pause for the Pause 39:58

20d ago39:58

39:58

This talk was given as part of a Weekend Sitting at the Boulder Zen Center. It highlights the distinction between the contents of mind and the field of mind and its importance for practice. Dogen encouraged his students "to be continuously intimate with the field of mind." The talk presents two attentional practices to discover and establish onesel…

1
273 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Five – Precepts: Transcending Self-Attachment (1 of 3) 27:28

24d ago27:28

27:28

The fifth Field of Zen Practice is living according to moral Precepts. The Buddhist precepts guide our ethical conduct, ensuring we minimize the harm we do to self and others. Such conduct is a prerequisite for the peace of mind we need for spiritual practice. The precepts also serve as valuable tools for studying the self; when we are tempted to b…

1
No Other 49:16

20d ago49:16

49:16

Our discriminating mind divides the social world into groups based on perceived differences — racial, gender, class, age, ability, etc. How can we actualize our intrinsic not-twoness through Zen practice? Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript The post No Other appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.…

1
Nagarjuna and the Two Truths 42:39

22d ago42:39

42:39

In this sixth episode in the series Indian Buddhist Philosophy: Progressive Stages of Insight into Emptiness, Sono discusses the Two Truths of Nagarjuna, the important insight into the “emptiness” of emptiness and how these philosophical insights shape how we practice.By Andrew Tootell

1
272 - Keizan's Denkoroku Chapter 3: Ananda and the Flagpole 32:05

26d ago32:05

32:05

According to Zen master Keizan’s Denkoroku, Ananda spent 20 years at the Buddha’s side. He had a perfect memory, understood all the teachings, was an impeccable practitioner, and attained arhatship. Despite this, the Buddha made Kashyapa his Dharma heir, and Ananda spent another 20 years practicing with Kashyapa. Finally, Ananda asked Kashyapa, “Wh…

1
Zen and Focusing as Personal Practice, an interview with Dr. Greg Madison 1:28:50

1M ago1:28:50

1:28:50

This is a special conversational episode. Christian (Zenki Roshi) is interviewed by Dr. Greg Madison, a British psychologist and psychotherapist. More than usual, Christian connects the concepts and practices he teaches with his own biographical journey. In the beginning, the conversation centers around Christian's encounter of and interest in Gene…

1
Meditation: A Still Forest Pool, by Shinsho 28:27

1M ago28:27

28:27

Meditation: A Still Forest Pool, by Shinsho by Andrew TootellBy Andrew Tootell

1
Meditation: Song of Zazen 34:47

1M ago34:47

34:47

Zen Buddhism can be understood as a form of performance art.In this recording, Sono performs the song by the 17th century monk Hakuin, called “Song of Zazen”.By Andrew Tootell

1
Forgetting Everything 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 6 Commentary on the teachings of Roshi Maurine Stuart (Part 3). From Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart. Edited by Roko Sherry Chayat. Shambhala Press, 1996. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript The post Forgetting Everything appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.…

1
Listening to the Mind 51:01

1M ago51:01

51:01

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on the teachings of Roshi Maurine Stuart (Part 2). From Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart. Edited by Roko Sherry Chayat. Shambhala Press, 1996. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript The post Listening to the Mind appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.…

1
No Big Deal 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on the teachings of Roshi Maurine Stuart (Part 1). From Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart. Edited by Roko Sherry Chayat. Shambhala Press, 1996. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcript The post No Big Deal appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.…

1
Suffering 49:03

1M ago49:03

49:03

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on the teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi (Part 3). From Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Edited by Kogen Czarina. Afterword by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcr…

1
The Illusion of a Separate Self 55:53

1M ago55:53

55:53

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 2 Commentary on the teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi (Part 2). From Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Edited by Kogen Czarina. Afterword by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcr…

1
Zazen 50:26

1M ago50:26

50:26

June 2024 Sesshin, Day 1 Commentary on the teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi (Part 1). From Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha: The Life and Teachings of Tangen Harada Roshi. Translated by Belenda Attaway Yamakawa. Edited by Kogen Czarina. Afterword by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Shambhala Press, 2012. Teisho by Sensei Dhara Kowal. Automated Transcr…

1
Treeleaf Zendo Podcast - Keizan Zenji's 'Zazen-Yojinki' (4) 41:55

1M ago41:55

41:55

This week, Master Keizan tells us what Zazen is, and is not (and also to have clean feet). Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: June 2024, Monthly Zazenkai »By Treeleaf Zendo

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271 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Four - Dharma Study: Wrestling with the Teachings (2 of 2) 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

This episode and the last, “Dharma Study: Wrestling with the Teachings,” comprise chapter four of my book, The Ten Fields of Zen Practice: A Primer for Practitioners. In the last episode, Part 1, I talked about the value of Dharma Study and how best to approach it. Then I discussed how to go about deciding what you want to study. In this episode I …

1
On Community (Part 1) 53:38

2M ago53:38

53:38

This talk explores the experience of loneliness and the practice and views we might want to adopt to foster a sense of community: (1) share space instead of expecting to share beliefs or interests, (2) prioritize doing things together over talking, (3) practice mutual embodiment (notice how we interaffect each other in our sensations and movements)…

1
What does it mean to be a social activist?, by Louise Shinsho Cranny 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

How does our practice help with this work?When we come from love rather than anger and fear, without creating enemies, we avoid anxiety and burnout. We can rely on our zazen practice to step back and see clearly with a compassionate lens. Together with the fundamental truths of Buddhism, this allows us then to step up and into wise action as is req…

1
270 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Four - Dharma Study: Wrestling with the Teachings (1 of 2) 21:08

2M ago21:08

21:08

The fourth Field of Zen practice is Dharma Study, or becoming familiar with and investigating Buddhist teachings. The texts and teachings in Buddhism include tools we can use for practice and inspirational guidance for our behavior, but the most critical part of Dharma Study is challenging the ideas and views we already hold, not acquiring new ones…

1
Socially Engaged Buddhism 40:57

2M ago40:57

40:57

In this talk I discuss socially engaged Buddhism and how the paths of personal and social transformation are interdependent.As David Loy states: ‘Engagement in the world is how our individual awakening blossoms, and how contemplative practices such as meditation ground our activism, transforming it into a spiritual path”.…

1
Returning to Spiritual Practice After Clergy Sexual Misconduct 53:08

2M ago53:08

53:08

At the heart of clergy sexual misconduct is the breaking of sacred trust. This is one woman's story of finding her way back to spiritual practice and community in the aftermath of filing a complaint of clergy sexual misconduct. Coming to the Path Talk by Anna Belle Leiserson. Automated Transcript The post Returning to Spiritual Practice After Clerg…

1
Effortless Effort: Republished from 2022 41:28

2M ago41:28

41:28

This episode was first published in February 2022. We are republishing this episode because in it, Zenki Roshi addresses the most common questions asked by beginners and the issue of discomfort sometimes experienced by practitioners of all levels during zazen. What exactly are we doing in zazen meditation? What kind of effort is necessary? This tal…

1
269 - Making a Vow of Inner Nonviolence and Complete Acceptance 35:26

2M ago35:26

35:26

We all have negative aspects of ourselves we want to fix, disown, or even expunge completely from our being, but even with practice some things are extremely hard to change. As we strive to break free of our less-than-helpful aspects of self, we typically employ violent means, ranging from subtle rejection to vicious and debilitating self-loathing …

1
Meditation: Why do you sit? 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

In this meditation we contemplate the question: Why do you sit?Like a Koan there is no right answer. Are we “Performing our vows”?“Renewing our commitment”? “Embodying the practice principles?” What kind of engagement with life is Zazen? The practice of nonseparation?The practice of leaving everything alone? Nonthinking is a kind of letting be – le…

1
The Liberatory potential of the Emptiness Teachings 44:45

2M ago44:45

44:45

In this lecture/discussion, Sono explains the concept of dependent arising in Buddhism, emphasizing that things only exist conventionally and do not have inherent existence. This idea, also known as emptiness, was clarified as the absence of something rather than the presence of something else. Sono further discussed how this concept relates to the…

1
Treeleaf Zendo Podcast - Keizan Zenji's 'Zazen-Yojinki' (3) 43:56

2M ago43:56

43:56

This week, Master Keizan offers practical advice, relevant even today, although some bits maybe more suited to the 13th Century, on one's life surrounding Zazen Practice. Further reading and discussion for this talk are available on the Treeleaf forum: Treeleaf Sangha's May Monthly Zazenkai »By Treeleaf Zendo

1
What's Love Got to Do With It? (Sesshin Day 1) 48:20

2M ago48:20

48:20

This talk is the first of seven Sesshin talks. (A Sesshin is a 7-day Zen meditation intensive.) It starts with the question, 'What does it mean to love?' The word 'love' carries all kind of baggage. So much so that in American Zen it doesn't seem to have a whole lot of currency. Yet, we're all longing for the spiritual dimension of love. This wide-…

1
268 - Teisho, An Encouragement Talk During Zazen 29:52

3M ago29:52

29:52

Last week I led a sesshin, or silent Zen retreat. Participants participated in a 24-hour schedule of zazen, chanting, silent work, formal meals, and rest. Once or twice a day, I offered a "teisho" during zazen. "Tei" means to offer or put forth, and "sho" means to recite or proclaim. Teisho are sometimes called "encouragement talks," and they are m…

1
Grasping and Aversion 36:45

3M ago36:45

36:45

Bringing awareness to the habitual reactivity that diminishes our lives. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Grasping and Aversion appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.By Rochester Zen Center

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267 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field Three - Mindfulness: Cultivating Awareness Every Moment 28:35

3M ago28:35

28:35

The third Field of Zen practice is Mindfulness, which is cultivating clear awareness of what is happening, moment by moment, within you and around you. Mindfulness is absolutely fundamental to Zen practice, allowing you to practice within all the other Fields. Without awareness, you can’t live your life by choice instead of by karma.…

1
Everyday Zen 40:48

3M ago40:48

40:48

April 2024 Sesshin, Day 6 Commentary on the teachings of Charlotte Joko Beck from Everyday Zen: Love and Work. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Everyday Zen appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.By Rochester Zen Center

1
On Formal and Daily Practice 45:35

3M ago45:35

45:35

This talk was given as part of the closing ceremony of the 3-month Everyday Zen Practice Period. At the end of retreats and periods of intensified practice, many practitioners wonder how they can carry the renewed and invigorated sense of practice into their everyday lives. The answer is simple but not easy to implement: continue to stay fully pres…

1
Living Dharma #2 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

April 2024 Sesshin, Day 5 Commentary on the teachings of Ajahn Chah (Part 2) from Living Dharma: Teachings and Meditation Instructions from Twelve Theravada Masters by Jack Kornfield. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Living Dharma #2 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.…

1
Living Dharma #1 39:30

3M ago39:30

39:30

April 2024 Sesshin, Day 4 Commentary on the teachings of Ajahn Chah from Living Dharma: Teachings and Meditation Instructions from Twelve Theravada Masters by Jack Kornfield Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Living Dharma #1 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.By Rochester Zen Center

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Attaining the Way #3 42:26

3M ago42:26

42:26

April 2024 Sesshin, Day 3 Commentary on the teachings of Chan Master Sheng Yen, Part 3. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript The post Attaining the Way #3 appeared first on Rochester Zen Center.By Rochester Zen Center

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266 - What Would the Buddha Say About the Suffering in the World? 21:01

3M ago21:01

21:01

Recently, someone submitted a Dharma question for me to address: “I wonder what Buddha would say to us about the crises facing humanity, particularly the suffering of our own making?” I can't know, but I dare to put some words in the Buddha's mouth and then present follow-up questions.By Domyo Burk

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