Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Two years after Roshi Bernie Glassman’s passing and the day after the Presidential Election, Roshi Eve Myonen Marko explores the need to accept the ‘not knowing mind’. To accept the limited, liberal conceptual framework in understanding our current circumstances.   Only in a mind of not knowing, can we see life as it is in order to do something about it. Ultimately, as Roshi Bernie said, ‘even if we can move the needle a hairsbreadth.’

“Resilience is about intentionally remembering. Remembering that there is love, space, and compassion. That there are so many of us doing important work on behalf of all of us.” – Lama Rod Owens In this Election Series Dharma talk, Lama Rod Owens looks at systems of trauma. He talks about resilience, compassion, suffering, and the need to embody our feelings and our practice. Note: You can register (free/by donation) for Upaya’s Election Series by clicking here. If you register, you will be able to see a Q&A that is not in this podcast. For Series description and to access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Election Podcast Series – 5 Parts

In this Election Series Talk, Sharon Salzberg talks about having a sense of agency and committing to taking a step even if it doesn’t seem like much. She also talks about moving from grief to resilience and from anger to courage. Lastly, Sharon Salzberg leads a loving-kindness meditation. Note: You can register (free/by donation) for Upaya’s Election Series by clicking here. If you register, you will be able to see a Q&A that is not in this podcast. For Series description and to access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Election Podcast Series – 5 Parts

In this Dharma Talk, Sensei Jose Shinzan Palma, speaks to the importance of Sangha in cultivating a spiritual practice. Zen awakening is realized within the domain of our relationships.

In this Election Series Talk, Rhonda V. Magee, Professor of Law and Mindfulness Teacher, asks us to reflect on how our spiritual practice can support us at this moment so we can engage in the world with a deep understanding of our intention and commitment. Note: You can register (free/by donation) for Upaya’s Election Series by clicking here. If you register, you will be able to see the Q&As in applicable episodes. For Series description and to access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Election Podcast Series – 5 Parts

In the Upaya Poetry Series, Carol Moldaw reads from recent and older work. In the work, she examines her personal lineage coming from her mother and father, as well as its meeting point with her life now and the natural world she attentively inhabits. It ends with “mindless, heartless ecstasy.”

Reggie Hubbard brings together his background in yoga and political activism to address the relevant issues regarding the national election in November of this year. Note: You can register (free/by donation) for Upaya’s Election Series by clicking here. If you register, you will be able to see the Q&As in applicable episodes. For Series description and to access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Election Podcast Series – 5 Parts

In the last talk of Fall Practice Period SESSHIN, Sensei Jose Shinzan Palma talks about showing up and building the bridge between our practice on the cushion and our practice in the world. He also talks about mantras being an ode to joy and how chanting them embodies the energy and celebratory part of a practice. Lastly, Sensei Shinzan teaches us about the Kozan “Mazu’s Heart Sutra.” For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Fall Practice Period Sesshin talk, Sensei Sokaku Kathie Fischer talks about the nature and texture of our sensory realms. Sensei Kathie Fischer also looks at the Koan “Zhaozhou and the Monk” and shares the history and story of Xuan Zang. This talk is also our usual Wednesday evening dharma talk. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Fall Practice Period SESSHIN talk, Stephen Batchelor talks about the ethics of uncertainty. He looks at how the silence of Gautama invites us to stay with questions instead of reaching for the comfort answers. He also talks about Gautama’s teachings being beyond the dividing binary of language. Lastly, Stephen Batchelor shares his opinion of the Heart Sutra with us. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Fall Practice Period Sesshin talk, Matthew Kozan Palevsky explores the often overlooked paramita of patience. Kozan reads poetry from Louise Glück, uses teachings from Shantideva’s “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life,” and talks about Zazen being a practice of patience. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

“Samsara is the world confused by our grasping. Without grasping samsara and nirvana are the same.” – Monshin Nannette Overley In this Fall Practice Period SESSHIN talk, Monshin Nannette Overley leads us in an exploration of nirvana. She looks at the root of nirvana and at different translations of it in the Heart Sutra. Monshin also shares a story of awakened action in a care home. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Fall Practice Period SESSHIN talk, local Upaya Sangha member Jane Steinberg talks about continuous practice, the circle of the way, the road of our great Buddhist ancestors, and the state of uncertainty in the world. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Fall Practice Period SESSHIN talk, Kigaku Noah Rossetter talks about the heart of practice. He focuses on the practice of letting go of concepts and the importance of resetting in practice and in life. Kigaku also tells us about “Mu” the negating particle of the Japanese Heart Sutra. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra

In this Dharma talk, Matthew Kozan Palevsky talks about noticing our habit of fear and the different ways fear manifests in our lives. He also looks at the relationship between the fear erected walls of the mind and the three poisons (greed, anger, and delusion). Lastly, Kozan talks about embodied fearlessness being the greatest gift of prajna paramita. To see video of the teachings, please sign up for our Fall Practice Period by clicking here. This talk is also our usual Wednesday evening dharma talk. For Series description, please visit Fall Practice Period Opening. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: FALL PRACTICE PERIOD 2020: The Heart Sutra