Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Guest speaker Lorraine Padden reflects on her personal journey with Haiku and acknowledges their position (and all of ours) as a student of the art form. This session puts emphasis on socially conscious Haiku and underscores the importance of addressing human suffering and transformation. The conversation delves into various Haiku examples, discussing their structure, themes, and intersections between the natural world and human experiences. The poems touch on topics such as war, plastic pollution, deforestation, and social challenges. We are encouraged to take a broader perspective and to explore the overlooked aspects of our world, inviting introspection on what we might be overlooking and why.

This episode is a continuation of the morning session that set the foundation for exploring haiku, both classic and contemporary expressions, including free haiku and 5-7-5 structure. Roshi Joan, Natalie Goldberg, and Sensei Kaz share their insights and joys coming from their relationship with haiku. Participants are encouraged to write and practice their own haiku. The speakers emphasize the importance of not interpreting or analyzing haiku but rather enjoying the surprise and beauty of the form. The speakers expressed their ongoing struggle to understand haiku and shared a personal story about receiving critical feedback on their own haiku – something we have to be open to if we hope to improve in our life and practice.

This session set the foundation for exploring haiku, both classic and contemporary expressions, including free haiku and 5-7-5 structure. Roshi Joan, Natalie Goldberg, and Sensei Kaz share their insights and joys coming from their relationship with haiku. Participants are encouraged to write and practice their own haiku. The speakers emphasize the importance of not interpreting or analyzing haiku but rather enjoying the surprise and beauty of the form. The speakers expressed their ongoing struggle to understand haiku and shared a personal story about receiving critical feedback on their own haiku – something we have to be open to if we hope to improve in our life and practice.

In the 2nd half of this program (discourse between Christiana and Roshi on climate change) Roshi Joan facilitates some beautiful dialogue from participants who share vulnerable truths about their hope and hopelessness around humanity and climate change. Roshi expresses her belief that we are in a crisis of story, and that limiting our beliefs about humanity in a cynical way creates a kind of self fulfilling prophecy.

In this very deep discourse between Christiana Figueres, Roshi Joan and the participants of this program we explore the complexity of human systems, social action, and the human experience. Christiana opens with her perspective on speech itself being social action, and the importance of reframing phrases like “war on pollution” or “fighting climate change” with words that better reflect our desire for a more compassionate and understanding world. Christiana continues on to explain her interactions with petrol states like Saudi Arabia, and how they understand their responsibilities to slow climate change.

Frank and Roshi discuss the profound experience of being seen and truly felt. Through personal anecdotes and poetic expressions, they explore the transformative power of presence and being real. Explore the deep connections that unfold when we allow ourselves to slow down, dissolve complexity, and experience life with authenticity.

In the concluding part of the afternoon session & the series, How The World Is Made, Roshi Norman continues on the importance of thought and language in the creation of the world. Roshi Norman reads some of his own poetry and reflects on the moments we feel the authentic world and find our chance to experience healing.

In this second half of the series (1st part of the afternoon session) How The World Is Made, Roshi Norman continues on the importance of thought and language in the creation of the world. Roshi Norman reads som of his own poetry and reflects on the moments we feel the authentic world and find our chance to experience healing.

This talk is a continuation of the morning session : an opportunity to expand your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and contemplate the intimate connection between your mind and the world. Join Norman Fischer Roshi as he navigates the depths of thought and consciousness, leaving you with a fresh perspective on the world and your place within it. Don’t miss this chance to embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

This talk is an opportunity to expand your perspective, challenge your assumptions, and contemplate the intimate connection between your mind and the world. Join Norman Fischer Roshi as he navigates the depths of thought and consciousness, leaving you with a fresh perspective on the world and your place within it. Don’t miss this chance to embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

In this final talk of Upaya Zen Center’s 2023 Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kaz opens with a reflection from a time he worked with clinicians to support their happiness and well being. Kaz touches on the challenges faced by doctors, emphasizing the significance of personal and professional moral integrity for clinicians. Roshi Enkyo continues the talk by wondering how we should practice in a way that is sincere and direct. Roshi Enkyo reminds us that sitting zazen itself is awakening. Roshi Joan discusses the form of Rohatsu and of living in community as realizing our one body.  Roshi continues by passionately speaking to the real essence of practice, of not holding on to reference points and submerging ourselves into intimacy with the world.

In this Talk Sensei Kaz reads a piece of his work which addresses the misery of war, the power of praying for one’s enemies, and the vision of a world without violence. Kaz emphasizes the importance of seeing others, even enemies, as one with us and encourages the practice of confession as a basis for transformation. Roshi Enkyo continues on this theme calling for action, urging listeners to be present, bear witness to the suffering in the world, and actively contribute to positive change. The notion of breaking in and breaking out together within the Zen Center community is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of shared practice and mutual support.

In this Dharma talk, Sensei Kaz and Sensei Kozan discuss various breakthroughs in the practice of Zen Buddhism including the simple breakthrough of witnessing the melting snow and clear skies of the winter in Santa Fe. The conversation delves into the historical breakthroughs in Buddhism, including the rise of Mahayana Buddhism around the time of Christ and later in the arising of the sudden school of enlightenment, as well as other moments in history. Kozan shares personal stories of breakthrough moments he’s had including a meaningful interaction with him and Roshi Joan.

In this Dharma talk Sensei Kaz speaks to the reality of suffering in the world, in himself, his friends, family, society and environment. Kaz reminds us the reason we sit zazen and participate in Rohatsu is to reduce that suffering and to share the clarity and freedoms we experience with others. Sensei Kaz continues by touching the deep truth of freedom and the potential to realize it in each moment. Roshi Enkyo shares a personal breakthrough experience during a snowy walk, emphasizing the transformative power of breaking through old ways of thinking and seeing a new path in life. The talk concludes with a call to sit in honor of Shakyamuni Buddha and embrace the path of breaking through self-grasping and confusion to recognize one’s true nature.

In this day one Rohatsu dharma talk, Sensei Kaz and Roshi Joan reflect on the breakthrough enlightenment of Buddha, emphasizing the relevance of Buddha’s message in addressing contemporary sufferings. They highlight Buddha as a poet who found a transformative language to inspire and connect with people. Drawing parallels, they mention Thich Nhat Hanh’s impactful communication during a challenging period in Vietnam. The talk explores the theme of apramada (heedfulness and carefulness), emphasizing the importance of conscientiousness in daily life, societal engagement, and climate care. Roshi Joan shares personal experiences with Thich Nhat Hanh and Bernie Glassman Roshi, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual practice and global responsibility. The message is to embrace life’s uncertainties with care, cultivating a poetic awareness that sees past surface realities and connects deeply with the present moment.