Teachings
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Coffee & Culture: Jennifer Villela interviews Henry Shukman
December 20, 20191 min read
Listen to this podcast interview (originally broadcast on December 7) on SantaFe.com. Host Jennifer Villela interviews Henry on the Coffee & Culture radio show on KTRC Radio in Santa Fe. Jennifer interviews Henry about his life as a writer, traveler, seeker and Zen practitioner to Zen Master in his new memoir One Blade of Grass. Listen to Henry talk about how Zen practice changed his life. Click here to listen.
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Dharmatalk: Case 93, Book of Equanimity: Roso Does Not Understand
December 19, 20191 min read
"... You have to know the jewel to know the treasury ..." Description: This talk begins with a two beautiful poems and unfolds into Case 93, where Roso quotes a line from the Shôdôka to Nansen: “People do not recognize the Mani jewel. I picked it up myself in the Tathagata treasury.” We learn that, most likely, it was not Roso after all, but Shiso, a student of Nansen, who addressed Nansen. What is the treasury?...
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May We Find Our Inner Light
December 14, 20192 min read
...behind the temporary unavoidable moments of human darkness is the light of calmness and clarity... [caption id="attachment_16110" align="aligncenter" width="728"] Lights of Los Luceros, Saturday December 7[/caption] As light of all kinds illuminate the festivities around our communities, we contemplate its relation to mindfulness. Different cultures around the globe celebrate the power of light to conquer darkness. The festivities are too numerous to list them all, but include our very own Zozobra; Native American Sun and Fire Dancers;...
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Dharmatalk: Case 92, Book of Equanimity: Unmon’s “One Treasure”
December 12, 20191 min read
"... It’s never apart from you, right where you are ..." Description: Case 92 begins with a quotation from an early Chinese text, the Hôzôron: “Within heaven and earth, in the midst of the universe, there is one treasure hidden in a body.” This talk focuses on the three words: one, treasure, hidden. What is Unmon’s one treasure? Why is it a treasure? Is it hidden? Post & Featured image: Wine Leaf by klickblick, pixabay license....
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Mindful Consuming
December 7, 20192 min read
Mindful, silent meals are a precious experience to be savored. The holidays for many are a time to celebrate food and family, and a chance to relax with our favorite pastimes. This presents an opportunity to call to mind the profound lessons we learn during our silent retreats, particularly during our silent meals. On the practical level, retreat participants frequently express gratitude and relief at the unprecedented experience of actually being able to eat slowly with awareness and not...
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Dharmatalk: Meditation & The Brain
December 5, 20191 min read
"The default mode of the brain is not quiet." Description: Beginning with a quote from the book, Siddhartha’s Brain, this talk explores facets of meditation across various traditions, as well as a few of the basics of what is happening in our brain when we meditate. Meditation practice can open up a deeper part of our nature where there is only commonality among all beings. Post & Featured image: Brain Mind Obsession by John Hain, Pixabay License....
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Dharmatalk: Case 91, Book of Equanimity: Nansen & the Peonies (Part 2): 2018 Rohatsu Sesshin (Part 6 of 6)
November 27, 20191 min read
"Accept what comes from silence." ~ Wendell Berry Description: This is the final talk of the 2018 Rohatsu sesshin. It begins with a few comments on this series of talks and continues on with the discussion of Case 91. The student in this koan, Minister Rikukô, is excited to present a powerful quotation to Master Nansen. Nansen’s beautiful, powerful response is further explored. Post & Featured image: rocks and hills in water by Richie Graham/scopio, purchased from scopio, for use...
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Mindful Encouragement
November 23, 20191 min read
...peace comes in the pause, the quiet between breaths... Sometimes life gets messy. In seeking relief from suffering through the practice of mindfulness we may find ourselves wading through a morass of literature, inspirational websites, commercial enterprises, guided meditations and scholarly articles. It’s not supposed to make things harder. Discernment may seem like our best guide. When that fails us, it is okay to seek guidance from others we trust. Ultimately, we are assured that peace comes...
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Henry Shukman: Radio-Cafe Interview
November 21, 20191 min read
Listen to Henry's Interview on the Radio-Cafe with Mary Charlotte Domandi. Henry and Mary Charlotte have an engaging conversation about Henry's new book, One Blade of Grass. Image: Dewdrop in the morning sun by kie-ker, Pixabay.com
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