Posted inGateless Gate, Videos

Facing the Wall: Dharma Talk with Valerie Forstman (Video)

June 21, 2021

The dharma compels us to hear the cries of the world as our very own cries, and respond in-kind.

Valerie turns to the first encounter between Bodhidharma and Eka (who became the second ancestor), in case 41 from the Gateless Gate: Bodhidharma Puts the Mind to Rest. As she explores the essence of this case, Valerie reads a poem by Henry and a few words from a Zen teacher suffering from Covid who says amidst her disease, “this energy can’t be depleted, it’s totally void.”

Apologies for some zoom technical deficulties during the recording from 4:40-6:40. Sit through this section.

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