The Zen Studies Podcast

Explore the concept of Metta, or unconditional goodwill, as a powerful tool for navigating modern divisiveness. Discover how extending kindness, even to those we perceive as enemies, doesn't equate to capitulation. Learn about the practicalities of Metta meditation, and how it can transform personal perceptions and reduce stress. Hear insights from Martin Luther King Jr. on the necessity of loving one's enemies and the shared humanity that connects us all. Ultimately, embracing goodwill encourages personal clarity and resilience.

Dive into the intriguing world of Zen with a puzzling koan involving a flower and a silent smile. Discover who Mahakashyapa was and his pivotal role as the Buddha's heir. Reflect on what his subtle grin reveals about awakening and the nature of self. Explore the contrasts between austerity and the middle way, encouraging personal inquiry into daily actions and their deeper meanings. Unpack the relationship between vigor and clarity in practice, questioning what it means for one to embody the essence of the Buddha.

When should Buddhist communities take public stands on issues that could be seen as political? If politics is about how we make decisions in groups (local communities, towns, cities, states, nations), are Sanghas really be free from politics when they are embedded in these larger groups? Silence can function as tacit approval, so is maintaining neutrality in keeping with our Buddhist values? On the other hand, there are many good reasons for Sanghas to avoid bringing discussions of politics in their places of practice, and I discuss them.

Discover the intriguing world of shikantaza, where meditation is about letting go of striving. Explore why some find this seemingly simple practice challenging due to distractions and dullness. Gain insights into the Soto school's emphasis on posture over thought control, while learning to navigate feelings of 'bad zazen.' Uncover practical techniques for enhancing focus, blending tranquility with illumination. Embrace the idea that there's no such thing as bad meditation, as self-compassion plays a crucial role in our practice.

Explore how the precepts serve as a comforting mirror and source of reassurance in our lives. Delve into the complex relationship between anger, forgiveness, and justice, particularly in the face of personal harm. Discover the anxiety that can follow sudden insights into emptiness, known as accidental kensho, and the importance of support from teachers and community. This engaging Q&A format brings thoughtful responses to pressing questions about mindfulness and emotional challenges.

Discover the intriguing process of examining karmic patterns to enhance your Zen practice. The discussion unravels how self-examination can lead to significant personal growth. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own karma without falling into the trap of self-blame. Learn how to conduct a personal morality inventory, gaining clarity on the interplay of positive and negative karma. This enlightening journey ultimately connects these insights to a deeper realization of one's true self.

Part two of three of my series on "Learning the Self," one of my Ten Fields of Zen. Last episode I discussed why we "study the self" in Zen, and what "self" we're talking about if the self is empty of any inherent nature! Now I move on to what is meant by "Learning the Self." This part of our practice has two essential aspects. Karma Work is taking care of your Phenomenal Self - becoming intimately familiar with your own body and mind and learning to live in accord with the Dharma. Realization of your True Nature involves seeking out, questioning, and seeing through your belief in an inherent self-nature, thereby awakening to your True Nature. In this episodes I begin my explanation of Karma Work.

Dive into the transformative journey of Learning the Self, where self-awareness in Zen practice takes center stage. Discover how Zen Master Dogen's teachings illuminate personal experience as a vital path to liberation. Explore the multifaceted nature of identity, including the illusory aspects we cling to. Unravel the impact of interconnectedness and personal struggles on understanding one’s true nature. The insights shared invite deep introspection and challenge listeners to embrace their unique, imperfect existence as a gateway to awakening.

Since the Buddha's time, certain practitioners have chosen to leave the household life to dedicate themselves completely to formal Buddhist training. Undergoing a ceremony of ordination in which they took monastic vows, these monks and nuns lived the remainder of their lives within a Sangha – community – of other ordained people. In modern Western Zen, you will find a thoroughly confusing situation where ordained people who live fully monastic lives are rare, most ordained people are called "priests" and live householder lives, and practitioners who are not ordained often teach the Dharma and lead lay Sanghas (functions historically reserved for ordained people). What is the use – if any – of continuing with a tradition of "ordination?" I discuss the value of monks, priests, and lay practitioners in the context of Zen as it is currently manifesting in the United States.

I discuss the oldest source of Buddhist teachings on Dana as a bodhisattva perfection – the Jataka tales, or stories about Shakyamuni Buddha's remarkable actions during previous lifetimes. Such stories inspired people to follow the bodhisattva path in both Theravadin and Mahayana Buddhism, so I spend some discussing the Theravadin paramis, and particularly the parami of Dana.