zen – Integrating Presence

Bodhinaut: (Traditional) Zen For The Meme Generation

Recently got this ping from Dharma friend Kyle Shive whom I’ve enjoyed very much studying, practicing and talking deep dhamma with in real life and online: I started my Zen channel today! Like and subscribe. I’m gonna start doing a video once a day. Taking old Zen stories and giving them a little modern twist:Continue reading “Bodhinaut: (Traditional) Zen For The Meme Generation”

(Somewhat) Recent Integrating Presence Interviews And Talks On YouTube: Creativity, Communication & Heartful Presences

I somewhat recently started recording chats with folks online again and recording them, but for the time being, much of them just for my YouTube channel. I may or may not go back and add them to my traditional podcast feed later Amrit Singh and I talk about spiritual practices, Kundalini Yoga, service work, workingContinue reading “(Somewhat) Recent Integrating Presence Interviews And Talks On YouTube: Creativity, Communication & Heartful Presences”

Awakening: A Two Part Series With Randi Green And Alex Manning — (Part 1:) Definition, Purpose & Probability And (Part 2:) On Tools & Teachers

(Note: If listening to this as/in a podcast (app) please visit the episode page for part two) In February 2023, Randi Green and I were joined by Alex Manning to discuss awakening. In the first of this two part series we talk about the definition, purpose and probability of awakening as well as the processes,Continue reading “Awakening: A Two Part Series With Randi Green And Alex Manning — (Part 1:) Definition, Purpose & Probability And (Part 2:) On Tools & Teachers”

Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For January 2022

Meditation, concentration, contemplation, intoxicating substances, cravings, awakening, wisdom, and future Buddhahood round out the main topics for month five of “The Pāramitā Challenge” in January 2022. See also Months 1-3 and Month 4.

In addition to contemplating topics about the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, this challenge also includes precepts, the (10 Abodes from the) 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For December 2021

Apparently November 2021 was a break so December is month 4 of “The Pāramitā Challenge” (which I previously wrote and spoke on the first three months.)

This month includes the Pāramitā on diligence, the Right Speech precept (also doubling as a past Insight Timer live event) and the middle stages of the 10 Abodes from the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva.

Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For August, September And October 2021

When presented with “The Pāramitā Challenge” I accepted and here we are. In addition to the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, the challenge also includes precepts and the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

So far, instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

I’ve not taken Bodhisattva vows, and so with little instruction in Mahāyāna Buddhism, apart from maybe a smidgen of the zen stuff, there’s the benefit of beginner’s mind is a nice way to put it. I shoot from the hip with a lot in this recording and will often use a Theravada lens and a lot of inquiry as I ponder out loud. It may come off at times as criticism and sometimes it may actually be, but these are mostly solo efforts at summonings what is really meant by the material.

Qi And Astrology | (8/31/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny presents the long standing Five Element system mostly in terms of astrology, Qi and the body — an expansion on his article Qi and the “Real” Organs — with me commenting along the way until theContinue reading “Qi And Astrology | (8/31/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”

Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination”

A Confluence Zen Center study group, for six consecutive Thursday evenings starting April 8th: . . . will be reading a commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s , “Record of the Transmission of Illumination” [German-English translation in PDF from Terebess and PDF from Shastaabbey]. This is the current text that Daigaku is translating. WeContinue reading “Study Group: A Commentary by Inoue Gien Roshi on Keizan Zenji’s “Record of the Transmission of Illumination””

Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I reprise Zen, dig into Chán and primarily present Yi Jin Jing in light of its importance for linking body and mind. Show notes are as follows: (From Denny with the bulk of his notesContinue reading “Chán, Zen And Yi Jin Jing | (3/30/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”

Immigrant Buddhism | (11/24/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I sum up the themes of our last two conversations on Mahayana and Theravada while adding in the 3rd Buddhist Council. We then wrap-up the developmental history of Buddhism in China, South East Asia and Tibet. Finally weContinue reading “Immigrant Buddhism | (11/24/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”

Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20

Rohatsu is Japanese for “eighth day of the twelfth month” when Japanese Zen Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the historical Buddha. Below is a dharma talk from the Jewel Mirror Sesshin with Hokyoji Zen Practice Community I partially attended in August via Zoom. Fortunately or unfortunately, or both, or neither, Zoom retreats are part of meditationContinue reading “Hokyoji Zen Practice Community’s Zoom Rohatsu Sesshin (Retreat) 11/30/20 – 12/06/20”

Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue

At Confluence Zen Center’s recent five year anniversary gathering and book signing in Maplewood, Missouri, I picked up a copy of A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s Gokudō Yōjinshū (Guidelines for Studying the Way) by Gien Inoue translated by Daigaku Rummé and Keiko Ohmae. [Also available via Amazon.] Having attending ConfluenceContinue reading “Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue”