Simplicity Zen Podcast

Seiso Paul Cooper is an ordained priest and a transmitted teacher in the lineage of Dainin Katagiri. He has practiced and studied in both the Soto and the Rinzai traditions. He began his formal practice in 1980 and received Dharma transmission from Sojun Diane Martin Roshi. He is the founder and former guiding teacher of the Two Rivers Zen Community in Narrowsburg, NY. He currently lives in Barry, Vermont where he founded and leads the Barre Zen Meditation Center. He teaches and practices the shakuhachi as a Zen arts practice. Seiso is a psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice working as a supervisor with therapists in training and with individuals and couples in Montpelier, Vt. He is a published author and his most recent book is entitled “Zen Master Yueh Shan & Thinking's Bad Rap: A practitioners guide”. More about Paul's Book: https://www.hohmpress.com/products/zen-master-yueh-shan-thinkings-bad-rap Visit https://simplicityzen.com/ for Zen podcast episodes and online Zen training. 

 This a recorded Simplicity Zen Dharma talk by Gambo Kyogan Berry Crawford on the topic of "Showing Up". More information about Simplicity Zen Here: https://simplicityzen.com/ Podcasts Dharma TalksOnline Zen Training Speaker Bio: Gambo Kyogan Berry Crawford first started practicing Zen meditation in 1992. He lived at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and practiced as a resident in the mid 1990s. Afterwards, he practiced with Diane “Eshin” Rizzetto in the Ordinary Mind Zen School started by Joko Beck. Later, he became a student of John “Shoji” Sorenson under whom he eventually received shiho (2022) and Inka Shomei (2025) in the lineage of Soto priest Soyu Matsuoka Roshi. He has also completed the Open Mind Zen koan curriculum under Russell “Kyofu Seikyo” Mitchell and was given dharma transmission in that lineage in 2025. Berry is a member of the “Doan-ryo” at the Valley Streams Zen Sangha and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Dharma Center where he serves as Vice President. 

 Stephen a long time Zen koan practitioner and a professor of music theory at the University of North Texas. He was a professional fiddler and banjo player and an author of a book on the Americanization of Zen Chanting. This is part 2 of our discussion. You can find our earlier conversation as part of this podcast series. For more on the Simplicity Zen Podcast: https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 In this talk we explore how to work with the Zen Bodhisattva Precepts using an inquiry approach. Speaker Bio: Gambo Kyogan Berry Crawford first started practicing Zen meditation in 1992. He lived at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and practiced as a resident in the mid 1990s. Afterwards, he practiced with Diane “Eshin” Rizzetto in the Ordinary Mind Zen School started by Joko Beck. Later, he became a student of John “Shoji” Sorenson under whom he eventually received shiho (2022) and Inka Shomei (2025) in the lineage of Soto priest Soyu Matsuoka Roshi. He has also completed the Open Mind Zen koan curriculum under Russell “Kyofu Seikyo” Mitchell and was given dharma transmission in that lineage in 2025. Berry is a member of the “Doan-ryo” at the Valley Streams Zen Sangha and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Dharma Center where he serves as Vice President. More Zen podcast episodes and online Zen training: https://simplicityzen.com/ 

 James Ishmael Ford is a Zen teacher and semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister. He has dharma transmission from Houn Jiyu Kennett and Inka Shomei from John Nanryu Ji'un-ken Tarrant. He is the guiding teacher of the Empty Moon Sangha. For more about James: - http://www.jamesishmaelford.com/ For more about Simplicity Zen Podcast: - https://simplicityzen.com/ 

Berry Crawford first started practicing Zen meditation in 1992. He lived at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and practiced as a resident in the mid 1990s. Afterwards, he practiced with Diane “Eshin” Rizzetto in the Ordinary Mind Zen School started by Joko Beck. Later, Berry became a student of John “Shoji” Sorenson and in 2022 was authorized to independently teach Zen. He is a koan student of Russell “Kyofu Seikyo” Mitchell in the Open Mind Zen School and was authorized by him as an Assistant Teacher in June 2023.Simplicity Zen Podcast:https://simplicityzen.com/

Peter Levitt, founder of the Salt Spring Zen Circle and an authorized Zen teacher, shares profound insights from his journey. He discusses the nuances between preceptor and Dharma transmission in Zen. Levitt reflects on his childhood in a working-class neighborhood and the impact of cultural identity on his spirituality. He explores the intersection of Zen practice and poetry, revealing how artistic expression informs spiritual growth. Personal anecdotes highlight his transformative encounters in Zen communities, emphasizing connection and self-discovery.

Katherine Daiki Senshin Griffith, Head Teacher at the Zen Center of Los Angeles, shares her unique blend of Zen wisdom and acting experience. She discusses the evolution of leadership in Zen, particularly after significant transitions. The conversation dives into the evolving language of Zen, the influence of childhood faith on artistic growth, and how Zen practices enhance acting techniques. Griffith emphasizes the interplay of humor and seriousness in Zen, showcasing how laughter can coexist with profound spiritual insights.

An Interview with Zen Teacher and Priest Teshin Matthew SwegerTeshin Matthew Sweger is the teacher and resident priest at the North Carolina Zen Center.  He was ordained as a Buddhist priest in 2004 by Lawson Sachter Roshi, a Dharma successor to Philip Kapelau Roshi. After completing the Harada-Yasutani koan curriculum, Teshin received Dharma transmission from Sevan Ross, a Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi.   Teshin recently received Inka from James Myoun Ford Roshi, completing his formal Zen training.  He is a member of the American Zen Teachers Association.  Teshin also served as the Buddhist Chaplain for the University of Rochester for 5 years.  Along with his work at the NCZC, Teshin works as a psychotherapist and is trained in Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. More about Teshin:https://nczencenter.org/More about the Simplicity Zen Podcast:https://simplicityzen.com/

An Interview with Zen Teacher Dr Sono Andrew TootellDr Sono Andrew Tootell is an Australian Zen teacher in the Ordinary Mind Zen School.  He is the dharma heir of Barry Magid and is an accredited mental health social worker and maintains a private psychotherapy practice.  He is the teacher for the OzZen sangha.More about Andrew:https://ordinarymind.com.au/More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:https://simplicityzen.com/