“This life, all is well. Can we really say this? Is it alright to say that life is good?” —Harada Roshi    In this dharma talk from summer sesshin, Koshin Sensei reflects on his first sesshin sitting between two participants – one steady and grounded the other fidgety and agitated. They each represent a different […]

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“The heart believes in tomorrow’s cherry blossoms. The storm comes at night and blows them away.”     Everything is subject to change. We all experience loss. Can this inevitability spark in us an urgency to practice diligently and to live our lives fully?          In this recent dharma talk from Summer Sesshin, […]

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“This practice has kept me alive.”     When what has been lost brings the return of something new, when the debilitations of illness remind us of the deep dignities of being alive, these are the healing stories of care and compassion.         During the final evening of the Closing Retreat for […]

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“There is a lot of talk in dharma practice about stillness, peace and perfect alignment with life — there’s something beautiful about invoking that possibility but it often contrasts very much with the lack of peace one might feel. How often do we judge that lack of peace as something that shouldn’t be happening?”   […]

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“What would it be like to say, with some humor, ‘Ah, who cares if I am uncomfortable?’ This whole world is uncomfortable! How do we find the softness and tenderness for that fear but not live in reaction to it?” In a recent virtual dharma talk, Sensei Koshin discusses the struggles the sangha has been […]

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In a recent book launch, Marie Howe, Victoria Redel, Tenku Ruff and Sebene Selassie read poetry from “The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns” by Matty Weingast. Composed around the Buddha’s lifetime, the Therigatha (Verses of the Elder Nuns) contains poems of princesses and courtesans, tired wives of arranged marriages and the […]

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“The beauty of this practice is that you can feel your feelings without identifying who you are by what you are feeling.” The Zen Masters of old would teach that those without preferences had their path laid out before them. Easier said than done! How do we soften the clinging to our preferences so that […]

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“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe”, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.” – Albert Einstein In this talk, Sensei Koshin shares his thoughts on the idea of self-compassion, and “practicing at […]

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“Learning how to relax is a place of practice.”  In this vulnerable dharma talk, Sensei Chodo engages the students in the ancient art of Mondo Zen, or dialogue between teacher and pupil. He first shares a story of a classic zen teacher/student interaction and then queries: what does it take to relax into this moment […]

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“No one can live your life except you. No one can live my life except me” – Maezumi Roshi   In this recent talk, Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell GC-C discusses a heart opening experience with an unexpected teacher, appreciating the miracle of natural-born abilities, and finding practice in the middle of New York City. The […]

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A talk by Sensei Chodo

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A talk from Sensei Shinzan

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A talk from Sensei Dai-En

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“…those whose lose mindfulness, lose.”       From Shakyamuni Buddha, down through generations of ancestors, including Dogen Zenji, and into the present moment have come a series of teachings on the eight awarenesses of awakened beings. One is called Maintaining Right Mindfulness or Not Neglecting Mindfulness. Practicing this in the midst of our tumbling […]

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A talk from Sensei Koshin

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Koshin Sensei remembers Ram Dass and Iron Grinder Liu.

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A talk by Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell GC-C

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A talk by Koshin Sensei

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A talk by Shinzan Sensei

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A talk by Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell GC-C

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A talk by Shinzan Palma Sensei

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A talk by Koshin Sensei

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Koshin Sensei discusses case 2 of the Mumonkan: Baizhang’s fox, karma, and the four noble truths.

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A talk by Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell GC-C

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“This practice is actually about liberation, not about being comfortable, feeling good, or getting a reward.”   What are you afraid of? Can we remain focused and grounded when what we fear is right in front of us?   In this recent Zazenkai dharma talk, Koshin Sensei challenges us to look our fears in the […]

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Koshin Sensei discusses case #17 of the Book of Serenity: Hogen’s Hair’s Breadth

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Koshin Sensei discusses case 30 of the Mumonkan, mind, and interrupting the process of identifying with your brain.

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A talk by Koshin Sensei

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A talk by Chodo Sensei

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Koshin Sensei discusses taking refuge in the three treasures.

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Chodo Sensei discusses the first noble truth.

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Koshin Sensei discusses the fourth grave precept: not to lie but to tell the truth.

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Sensei Chodo Robert Campbell GC-C discusses working with teachings we don’t want. References: Magdalene (Marie Howe), Zen Master Raven (Robert Aitken Roshi), Rumi

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Koshin Sensei discusses delusion and impermanence

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Koshin Sensei talks about taking the medicine of practice and how it serves the world.

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“Treat others with great care.”   What is possible when we disbelieve our doubt? When we show up to wholeheartedly practice together, worlds come alive. There is an expansive reservoir of compassion and care for all beings.     In this dharma talk, Koshin Sensei shares a few teachings that are staying with him from […]

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Koshin Sensei discusses the reach of our actions.

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Sallie joined us in NYC to share her insights and answer questions around the dying process.

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How can our grief merge with our practice? By Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison

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Koshin Sensei speaks on Self Realization.

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Koshin Sensei addresses the Third Grave Precept.

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Appreciating all the Teachings by Robert Chodo Campbell Chodo Sensei urges us to appreciate our lives and the opportunity to practice together.

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Dragon Howls and Tiger Roars by Koshin Paley Ellison In practice, you are learning how to trust your way, but not your conditioned way. You must realize it for yourself.

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In every moment, how can we embody the spirit of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva who hears the cries of the world and takes action?

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Sitting down and having a meditation practice is one thing, but what you do when you're meditating is what really matters. Can you allow yourself to experience what you’re experiencing when you experience it?

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Innkeeper of the Universe by Koshin Paley Ellison

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“Non-doing allows us to cultivate compassionate presence.”         Doing nothing is not about inaction. In this dharma talk, Chodo Sensei invites us to set down our preoccupation with doing – excessive striving, frenetic working – and consider the generative possibilities of non-doing. Can we practice full presence, broad awareness, and deep compassion? […]

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Freedom is Total Responsibility by Koshin Paley Ellison

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The Moon in the Water by Koshin Paley Ellison.

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Surrender Everything by Koshin Paley Ellison

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