Upaya Zen Center’s Dharma Podcast

Senseis Kodo and Kozan share reflections from Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind, the nature of effort, and self-judgement in practice.

Source

On the final full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Genzan discuss the origin, manifestation, and potential of spiritual practice. Sensei Kaz highlights the life and teachings of Roshi Joan and her deep and meaningful contributions to awakened action in the world. Kaz uses Roshi as an example to reflect on the integration of wisdom and compassion in daily life and spiritual practice.

Source

On the fifth full day of Rohatsu, Sensei Kaz and Wendy Lau explore the roots of Buddhist teachings. Kaz reflects on an excerpt from the Avatamsaka Sutra, and discusses themes of spiritual beliefs and practices in the early centuries of Buddism making comments of how ideas of practice have changed through time. Wendy Lau discusses practical approaches to cultivating gratitude, which begins with an…

Source

On the fourth full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Shinzan explore the interplay of spiritual insight and practical or “common sense” wisdom. Sensei Kaz emphasizes maintaining ethical boundaries in spiritual practice, warning against neglecting common sense in pursuit of spiritual insight. Sensei Shinzan shares how the essence of practice remains consistent whether on the meditation cushion or…

Source

During this third full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Senseis Kaz and Monshin delve into zazen as a “distillation of the highest wisdom.” They discuss how we often selectively choose what receives our attention, typically filtering experiences through a narrow lens of personal preferences, fears, and ingrained biases. A core challenge for spiritual practitioners is to cultivate a radically different…

Source

On the second full day of Rohatsu, Senseis Kaz and Kozan delve into the concept of ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ (Prajna Paramita) and reflect on the importance of faith in the teachings and sitting practice. Kaz reframes ‘attaining’ enlightenment as ‘enjoying’ our already awakened nature, while Kozan shares the story of Gutei and his ‘one-finger Zen.’ Together, they explore the elusive nature of…

Source

On this first full day of Rohatsu Sesshin, Roshi Joan, alongside Senseis Kaz and Kodo, offers practical guidance for this time of deep practice. Kaz and Roshi address the heightened states of suffering that can arise during extended sitting practice. Drawing on Buddhist concepts like Samvega (existential unease) and Prasada (taking refuge), Roshi encourages us to let go of individual awakening and…

Source

This session of Gratefulness and Generosity, led by Roshi Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski, explores the transformative power of gratitude. Through personal stories and deep reflection, Frank and Roshi frame gratitude as a fundamental practice that can reshape our understanding of life’s challenges and blessings. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom, we are encouraged to explore gratitude as not just an…

Source

Sensei Kozan Palevsky gives a Thanksgiving dharma talk about gratitude and the first paramita of generosity. He tells the harrowing story of Buddha offering his life to a starving tiger, and asks us to consider what we would generously offer our lives for. Kozan reminds us that we do not become Buddhas alone but with and through each other.

Source

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Genzan brings his whole self to a mesmerizing and deeply heartfelt exploration of the Dharma. Reflecting on the nature of winter, Genzan invites us to ponder questions we rarely ask, encouraging a fresh perspective on the season’s quiet beauty and challenges. Drawing on the rich symbolism of winter in Zen Buddhism, he unwraps layers of Dogen’s poetry to…

Source

This is a continuation of the final session of the Awakened Action series, where … the faculty share their final thoughts on the themes explored throughout the program. They discuss […]

In the final session of the Awakened Action series, the faculty share their final thoughts on the themes explored throughout the program. They discuss the importance of using intergenerational connections, civil disobedience, and […]

In Part 7 of the Awakened Action series, Christiana Figueres opens with a poignant reflection on the world her grandchild is entering. Grappling with this question, she recalls the teaching of “grandmother’s heart”—a heart rooted in […]

In Part 6 of the Awakened Action series, Rebecca Solnit reflects on her experiences with trees, the role of joy in activism, and the complexity of human nature. She highlights the importance of balancing struggle with […]

In Part 5 of the Awakened Action series, Terry Williams recounts the deeply personal and transformative stories of navigating family tensions, cultural expectations, and environmental crises. Through reflections on conversations with her father about vulnerability and […]

In Part 4 of the Awakened Action Series, Rebecca Solnit continues the theme of the importance of storytelling. Rebecca discusses the role stories have in shaping our perceptions and actions, with a particular emphasis on […]

In Part 3 of the Awakened Action series, Roshi Joan Halifax and Terry Williams bring their depth and sincerity to bear. They explore the profound interconnection between social and environmental responsibility, contemplative practice, and storytelling. Weaving together historical, […]

In Part 2 of the Awakened Action series, faculty members Roshi Joan, Valerie Brown, Rebecca Solnit, and Terry Williams explore the power of embracing interdependence, hope, and agency in uncertain times. They critique consumer culture’s focus on individual comfort […]

In Part 1 of the Awakened Action series, Roshi Joan Halifax expresses heartfelt gratitude for the Upaya community—residents, staff, teachers, and participants, both onsite and online—who have come together to cultivate a space for connection, learning, […]

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk and prequel to the upcoming Awakened Action program at Upaya, Dr. Wendy Lau offers a heartfelt reflection on the intertwined relationship between practice and […]