Valerie Forstman: Zen’s Subverting Impulse: Overturning the One
Blue Cliff
Valerie interviews scholar David Hinton
Valerie interviews scholar and author David Hinton about his new book, “The Blue Cliff Record.” David speaks about several fascinating topics, for example “absence” and “presence.” Absence, David says, is
Watch Video
Teisho: Valerie Forstman: The Zero Point
In this teisho, Valerie continues with the theme “beginners mind.” Drawing on Dogen’s fascicle “Continuous Practice” from the Shobogenzo, we are reminded of the all-inclusive and undivided circle of the
Watch Video
Teisho: Valerie Forstman: You Are That Shining
This teisho by Valerie is offered on the night of the first full moon of the new year while a gentle snow settles on the piñon pines outside the zendo.
Watch Video
Eyebrow to Eyebrow, Shana Smith (Video)
Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Shana Smith examines “Zuigan’s Eyebrows,” Case 8 in the Blue Cliff Record, and sheds abundant light and color on what it might feel like to be
Continue reading
Nansen’s Circle and the Seamless Tomb
Valerie takes up case 69 from the Hekiganroku, “Nansen draws a circle,” and traces what it might mean to accord with this “circle” (or perhaps to notice how powerfully we
Watch Video
The Essential World and Total Circumstance, Valerie Forstman (Video)
How does just-sitting nourish the positive samadhi of activity? How to step off the 100-foot pole of cessation into everywhere, everyone? Ryoun Roshi says “the dewdrop world must be forgotten
Watch Video