Teachings
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Dharmatalk: Each is All, All is One with Valerie Forstman
November 8, 20221 min read
Upon being welcomed home from Germany, Valerie describes briefly what it's like being thrown immediately into the chaotic activity of moving from her home in Dallas to Santa Fe: "Constant activity... we are moving, all this activity and at the same time, so still." While taking a walk with co-teacher John Gaynor in Sonnenhoff, John offers Valerie this rather cerebral quote from Master Ummon, "The manifestation of the great function, knows no laws." The great function,...
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Meditative Story Podcasts
November 5, 20223 min read
A conversation and reading with Henry Shukman and Meditative Story host Rohan Gunatillake Meditative Story is a first-of-its-kind podcast listening experience that combines the emotional pull of immersive storytelling with the immediate, science-backed benefits of mindfulness practice. Meditative Story is a WaitWhat original series — created by the team who built and led TED’s media organization, and supported by its members. The Format Invention of the Meditative StoryIn each episode of Meditative Story, a different storyteller uses...
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Dharmatalk: Coming Home, I am Already That with Valerie Forstman
November 1, 20221 min read
In this talk – an offering of gratitude for the life of a beloved sangha member, Valerie turns to Case 41 in the Transmission of Light or Denkoroko. A monk who has put to rest love of worldly attachments asks, “What, master, do you love?” The master’s response is an invitation to us to realize love beyond any measure. And, here's a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Thursday Evening...
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Dharmatalk: The World Honored One, Just Sat Still with Scott Thornton
October 25, 20221 min read
Scott explores Case 32 from the Gateless Gate, A non-buddhist questions the Buddha. The non-buddhist says, in all earnestness to the Buddha: I do not ask about words, I do not ask about no-words. The world honored one, just sat still. The non-buddhist experiences a great opening as he witnesses the Buddha’s stillness and says, The world-honored one on his great benevolence and great mercy has opened the clouds of my delusion and enabled me to enter...
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Coming Home – I am Already That
October 23, 20221 min read
In this talk – an offering of gratitude for the life of a beloved sangha member, Valerie turns to Case 41 in the Transmission of Light or Denkoroko. A monk who has put to rest love of worldly attachments asks, “What, master, do you love?” The master’s response is an invitation to us to realize love beyond any measure. https://youtu.be/oiUaRTCXW4A Photo by Mark Paul Petrick
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Dharmatalk: Endless Depth of Field with Valerie Forstman
October 18, 20221 min read
In this talk from our Thursday night series, Valerie takes up Case 26 of the Gateless Gate, Hogen’s “Two Monks Roll Up the Blinds.” The setting is in Master Hogen’s teaching room and the issue at hand is our propensity to judgment. What freedom is unleashed when the boundaries we imagine don’t hold up? And what compassion. Hogen points to the blinds, presenting the bright clarity that has been there all along. And, here's a link...
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The World Honored One Just Sat Still, Scott Thornton
October 16, 20221 min read
Scott explores Case 32 from the Gateless Gate, A non-buddhist questions the Buddha. The non-buddhist says, in all earnestness to the Buddha: I do not ask about words, I do not ask about no-words. The world honored one, just sat still. The non-buddhist experiences a great opening as he witnesses the Buddha’s stillness and says, The world-honored one on his great benevolence and great mercy has opened the clouds of my delusion and enabled me...
Watch the video -
Endless Depth of Field, Valerie Forstman
October 16, 20221 min read
Gain and Loss in a World with no Boundaries In this talk from our Thursday night series, Valerie Forstman takes up Case 26 of the Gateless Gate or Mumonkan, Hogen’s “Two Monks Roll Up the Blinds.” The setting is in Master Hogen’s teaching room and the issue at hand is our propensity to judgment. What freedom is unleashed when the boundaries we imagine don’t hold up? And what compassion. Hogen points to the blinds, presenting the...
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Dharmatalk: An Offering to the World with Shana Smith
October 11, 20222 min read
"Your sitting is not for the world, it is the world." How can our practice be an offering to the world? asks meditation teacher Shana Smith. The question arose from the Florida Sanbo Zen Sangha as response to Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. Like all koans this question lived on in the weeks to follow. A number of koans came to mind as Shana thought about giving a talk to the MCZC community that addressed...
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