Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast show

Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Summary: The Upaya Dharma Podcast features Wednesday evening Dharma Talks and recordings from Upaya’s diverse array of programs. Our podcasts exemplify Upaya’s focus on socially engaged Buddhism, including prison work, end-of-life care, serving the homeless, training in socially engaged practices, peace & nonviolence, compassionate care training, and delivering healthcare in the Himalayas.

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  • Artist: Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot
  • Copyright: Copyright 2006-2018, Upaya Zen Center. All rights reserved.

Podcasts:

 Planting Life 2023: Sowing and Preserving Native Seeds of Antiquity (1 of 6) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 55:15

In this opening talk, the Roshi Joan begins by introducing “Papna Kavanaugh,” a Sanskrit term for practice, and discuss how Buddhism emerged in an agricultural context and highlight the practice of mindful cultivation at Upaya Zen Center. Various individuals, including Wendy, Porter Swentzell, Roxanne Swentzell, Melissa Nelson, Alonso Mendez, and Keido Troy Fernandez, are introduced for their contributions to seed preservation, indigenous knowledge, and practices.

 Winter Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Day 6 Dharma Talk With Noah Kodo Roen, Matthew Kozan Palevsky, Wendy Johnson, & Joan Halifax | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 48:34

This last talk of the winter practice period encapsulates the final reflections centered around themes of presence, gratitude, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of practice. Sensei Wendy underscores the importance of maintaining a posture of openness and awareness, inviting practitioners to remember the wider world and explore the “84,000 doorways”. Practitioners are reminded and encouraged to sit still and delve deeply into the teachings, exploring the boundlessness of existence and confronting the ultimate question, “Who is facing me?” This inquiry into self and motivation, amidst moral outrage and cognitive dissonance, serves as a call to commit to living by and in vow, aiming to bring about transformation both within oneself and in the world. The talk continues on the topic of birth and death, suggesting that understanding and facing birth and death directly is integral to the life of a Buddha. Zen Master Dogen Zenji’s teachings are mentioned, emphasizing that birth and death are not to be avoided or sought after but are to be faced and actualized, as they constitute the very life of a Buddha. This realization frees one from the dualities of existence and enables one to enter the Buddha’s mind, leading to liberation and enlightenment.

 Winter Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Day 5 Dharma Talk With Noah Kodo Roen | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:59

Sensei Kodo reflects on case 6 from the Blue Cliff Record, centered on the teaching “every day is a good day” by the Zen master Yun Men. The talk delves into Zen practice, enlightenment, and how these concepts influence our daily lives. Yun Men’s statement, devoid of any dialogue with others in the koan, prompts reflection on the nature of enlightenment and its implication on the perception of our days. Sensei Kodo explores the significance of this teaching by examining the symbolism of the moon in Zen, which represents enlightenment, and how it relates to our practice and life. The talk underscores the idea that enlightenment does not remove us from the world but rather integrates us more deeply with it, as illustrated by Dogen’s metaphor of the moon reflected in water. This metaphor suggests that enlightenment, like the moon’s reflection, is unbroken and pervasive, illuminating our existence without disrupting its natural state. Through the discussion of practicing Zen, Sensei Kodo points out that practice is not limited to meditation but encompasses a broader engagement with the precepts and the Bodhisattva way of life. This holistic approach to practice ensures that every day is indeed a good day, grounded in a deep connection to our intentions and the embodiment of the Dharma.

 Winter Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Day 3 Dharma Talk With Matthew Kozan Palevsky | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 42:57

Sensei Kozan discusses Case 27 from the Blue Cliff Record, where a monk asks Yun Men about the state when a tree withers and the leaves fall, to which Yun Men responds, “Body exposed in the golden wind.” Kozan uses this koan to delve into themes of impermanence, vulnerability, and the intrinsic beauty of our naked existence amidst the cycles of life and death. Kozan explores Yun Men’s character, a Zen master known for his succinct and sometimes startling responses, to highlight the Zen practice of direct experience beyond words and concepts. He shares stories from Yun Men’s life, including Yun Men’s enlightenment experience, which came about through a painful incident that shattered his conceptual seeking for clarity about life. The talk transitions into a reflection on how we often cling to our identities, achievements, and memories like leaves on a tree, fearing the exposure that comes when they fall away. Kozan reassures us that this exposure, this bareness, is not something to fear but a return to our true nature, which is already whole and complete. Day 4 dharma talk by Wendy Johnson was published on January 29, 2024 as episode #2169.

 Winter Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Day 2 Dharma Talk With Joan Halifax | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:51

Roshi Joan Halifax begins by reflecting on the profound teachings and personal qualities of Thich Nhat Hanh, affectionately known as Thay. After nearly two years after Thich Nhat Hanh’s passing, Roshi recounts stories that illustrate Thay’s deep compassion, wisdom, and unique approach to practice, emphasizing his influence on her and the wider Buddhist community. Roshi Joan also shares humorous anecdotes about Thay, revealing his sharp wit and capacity to challenge conventional thinking, even in matters as delicate as marital advice. These stories serve to humanize Thay, showing that his wisdom was not only profound but also grounded and accessible. Roshi also explores the transformation of anger into anguish and ultimately into a vow to awaken for the benefit of others. Roshi Joan speaks to the importance of acknowledging our emotions and transforming them into actions that reflect our deepest values and vows.

 Winter Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Day 1 Dharma Talk With Noah Kodo Roen, Matthew Kozan Palevsky, Wendy Johnson, & Joan Halifax | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:51

The teachers of this practice period each share their personal stories of finding Zen practice. Sensei Kodo shares his path to Zen practice, which began from a deep curiosity about consciousness and what constitutes the human mind. His journey led him to Upaya and an exploration of the Zen practice of “nothing extra.” Sensei Kozan found Zen when he began searching for meaning beyond conventional life achievements. After various explorations to different practices a friend’s tragic death brought him to the doorstep of Zen practice which offered a profound sense of stillness and presence. Sensei Wendy Johnson introduces herself by highlighting her background, which is deeply rooted in political activism and a complex family history. She shares her spiritual journey that led her from political activism to Zen Buddhism, influenced by significant encounters with Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Wendy emphasizes the importance of engaged practice, blending activism with Zen principles, and reflects on her gratitude for her years of practice amidst the challenges of contemporary times. Roshi Joan Halifax humorously comments on the often grim portrayal of Zen masters and shares her personal journey from a state of moral outrage to finding peace and practice in Zen Buddhism. Influenced by encounters with Thich Nhat Hanh, Roshi’s narrative underscores the transformation from intense anger to a practice characterized by ease, joy, and a profound engagement with the world.

 Practicing in the Raging Fire | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 38:57

“Things are heating up all over the world. . .we as Buddhas practice in the raging fire.” In this dharma talk, Upaya visiting teacher Sensei Cynthia Kear navigates practice in the midst of the fires raging around the world caused by greed, hatred, and delusion. How do we practice in these circumstances? In the words of Dogen, “Buddhas don’t wait for enlightenment.” In our everyday lives, we simply act upright and embody “the awesome presence of active Buddhas”. Cynthia asks “Can these ordinary, mundane lives be the embodiment of practice-realization?” Cynthia responds with a resounding “yes” and highlights the importance of vow as a guiding force in our lives. “Vow is my zip code. It’s just where I live, wherever I am.” To Cynthia, vow is an energy we can harness to live as active Buddhas. We simply continue inquiring how our vows would have us respond to the raging fires around us. Though we don’t know what impact we will have, we simply practice authentically, joyfully, and we do what we can. As we return to our vows again and again, we are able to offer stability and uprightness in the midst of raging fire.

  Monshin Nannette Overley: Winter Practice Period 2024: Dharma Talk With Monshin Nannette Overley | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 43:52

Sensei Monshin discusses Case 40 from the Blue Cliff Record, which revolves around a conversation between Officer Lu Hsuan and Zen Master Nan Ch’uan. Lu Hsuan quotes another master who expresses the unity of heaven, earth, and self, and marvels at it. Nan Ch’uan, in response, points to a flower and suggests that people perceive such natural phenomena as a dream. Monshin navigates through the philosophical and spiritual landscapes that inform Zen teachings, pointing out the importance of approaching Zen koans not as puzzles to be solved intellectually but as gateways to direct, experiential understanding. Monshin suggests that our current cultural disconnection from this deep and natural wisdom has contributed to the current ecological crisis, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with these ancient insights for the sake of both spiritual awakening and ecological sustainability. She encourages an experiential engagement with these teachings, allowing them to transform our understanding and relationship with the world, moving beyond dualities to recognize the fundamental unity and interdependence of all existence.

  Matthew Kozan Palevsky: Winter Practice Period 2024: Dharma Talk With Matthew Kozan Palevsky | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 37:50

Sensei Kozan’s talk explores Case 3 of the Blue Cliff Record, involving Great Master Ma’s response to a question about his health. Kozan begins by contextualizing the story with a brief history of Master Ma, highlighting his significance in the lineage of Chinese Zen ancestors and his enduring legacy despite the tumultuous times he lived through. The core of the talk revolves around Master Ma’s reply to the question about his health, “Sunface Buddha, moon-face Buddha.” Kozan interprets this response as a teaching on the nature of existence and the Buddha-nature inherent in all conditions of life, whether in strength or illness. Master Ma’s teachings emphasized that the very mind is Buddha, and apart from the mind, there is no Buddha which points a non-dualistic way of being. The talk concludes by suggesting that our practice involves continually returning to a direct relationship with life before conceptualizing or dividing it, using phrases like “Is that so?” as a tool to open ourselves to the present moment without attachment to our judgments or beliefs.

  Noah Kodo Roen: Winter Practice Period 2024: Dharma Talk With Noah Kodo Roen | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 41:30

Sensei Kodo speaks on his koan adaptation “every atom samadhi,” inspired by Case 50 of the “Blue Cliff Record”. The discussion begins with an playful and encouraging inquiry into what constitutes “every atom samadhi,” inviting participants to offer their interpretations. “There is no wrong answer” he says, reminding us it is the question itself that is important. Sensei Kodo shares his personal reflections on his phrasing of the koan, initially drawn to the term due to its scientific connotations of atoms. Kodo goes on the interpret “every atom samadhi” as a practice of mindfulness and concentration, emphasizing moment-by-moment awareness and the importance of focusing on one task at a time to cultivate a deep, stable concentration that is both relaxed and alert. The talk continues as a critique of the modern, external pursuit of happiness through materialism and multitasking, suggesting that such efforts lead to a never-ending cycle of craving and dissatisfaction.

  Joan Halifax: The Way Of Haiku: Winter at Our Back, Facing the Edge of Spring (8 of 8) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 40:58

This is a continuation of the afternoon session where MH Rubin discusses their exploration of different philosophies to explain their photography and how they found resonance in the concept of “haiku.” They explain how the structure of haiku, with its two-part composition and emphasis on simplicity, aligned with their approach to photography. The speaker shares examples of photographs from their collection and other renowned photographers that embody the elements of haiku, including the presence of two beats or components that can evoke a shift in perception.

  Joan Halifax: The Way Of Haiku: Winter at Our Back, Facing the Edge of Spring (7 of 8) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:03:42

MH Rubin was exposed to many types of photographs through their parents’ extensive collection and developed their own photography style influenced by the eclectic mix of images he grew up with. In this talk Rubin discusses their exploration of different philosophies to explain their photography and how they found resonance in the concept of “haiku.” They explain how the structure of haiku, with its two-part composition and emphasis on simplicity, aligned with their approach to photography. The speaker shares examples of photographs from their collection and other renowned photographers that embody the elements of haiku, including the presence of two beats or components that can evoke a shift in perception.

  Joan Halifax: The Way Of Haiku: Winter at Our Back, Facing the Edge of Spring (6 of 8) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:04:09

This is a continuation of the morning session where the program teachers, and guest speaker Billy Collins explore various aspects of Haiku, highlighting elements such as simplicity, misperception, and the intersection of perceptions. They share examples of Haiku poems that evoke a sense of self-sufficiency and natural beauty, as well as scenes of emptiness that shimmer with meaning. They emphasize that Haiku often captures a moment of existence and serves as an existential pronouncement or assertion of one’s presence. They also touch upon the role of humor in Haiku, sharing playful and humorous examples. Billy Collins reads a collection of his favorite Haiku, showcasing different themes and approaches to the form.

  Joan Halifax: The Way Of Haiku: Winter at Our Back, Facing the Edge of Spring (5 of 8) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 59:21

The program teachers, and guest speaker Billy Collins explore various aspects of Haiku, highlighting elements such as simplicity, misperception, and the intersection of perceptions. They share examples of Haiku poems that evoke a sense of self-sufficiency and natural beauty, as well as scenes of emptiness that shimmer with meaning. They emphasize that Haiku often captures a moment of existence and serves as an existential pronouncement or assertion of one’s presence. They also touch upon the role of humor in Haiku, sharing playful and humorous examples. Billy Collins reads a collection of his favorite Haiku, showcasing different themes and approaches to the form.

  Joan Halifax: The Way Of Haiku: Winter at Our Back, Facing the Edge of Spring (4 of 8) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:15:33

This is a continuation of the afternoon session where Guest speaker Lorraine Padden reflects on her personal journey with Haiku and acknowledges their position (and all of ours) as a student of the art form. This session puts emphasis on socially conscious Haiku and underscores the importance of addressing human suffering and transformation. The conversation delves into various Haiku examples, discussing their structure, themes, and intersections between the natural world and human experiences. The poems touch on topics such as war, plastic pollution, deforestation, and social challenges. We are encouraged to take a broader perspective and to explore the overlooked aspects of our world, inviting introspection on what we might be overlooking and why.

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