Do you desire to suffer less? Do you want to have less pain? With a world still suffering through a pandemic, we look at a slow emergence of our own city and country. How will we return to our forever changed lives and how will we engage what comes next?
Karma 101
Eli Brown-Stevenson gives a talk on Karma 101, doing his best to uncomplicate that which is ancient and twisted.
Smashing Pumpkins
In our increasingly divisive society, how can we see past the external signifiers of "other" and open our heart-mind to all beings. The Buddha's teachings of emptiness and compassion empower us to stand with justice and be with just this.
What ARE You Anyway?
Anshi Zachary Smith leads us on a talk around the question, “What ARE you anyway?”
There are many Koans that ask this question including, most notably, Chao Chou’s Four Gates. We discuss the Koan and the question itself as a way of getting at something fundamental about the human condition and experience.
Simplicity
Kodo Conlin leads us on a talk around simplicity.
"From beginningless time... and extending forever... it is all simply thus... If you let body and mind drop off, whilst keeping your mind open and empty of any deliberate thought, you will find a state of the utmost normalcy..." — Master Keizan
The Gift of Safety: Finding Fearlessness in a Time of Violence
Mei Elliott gives a talk called "The Gift of Safety: Finding Fearlessness in a Time of Violence." In light of the recent violence and ongoing harassment against Asian Americans, how can the Dharma support us in working with our internal "safety system" which is often wrought with fear and anxiety, particularly during times like these. How can we be free in the midst of fear and how can we train our brain to recognize safety? In addition to creating internal safety, what does the Dharma have to say about creating safety for others? One of the greatest gifts a practitioner can offer others is the gift of fearlessness; how can we train to become a refuge for all beings? This talk weaves together dharma teachings, as well as practical, tangible responses we can all take to reduce hate crimes in our communities.
Everything Changes So Why Plan?
Eli Brown-Stevenson leads us on a talk titled “Everything Changes So Why Plan?”
After reflecting on a year that certainly drives home the fundamental point of Buddhism, everything changes, Eli shared and commented on one of Suzuki Roshi's lectures "Nothing Special" expressing the importance of practicing without the expectation of obtaining something.
Dealing with our "Shadow Side"
Michael McCord leads us on a talk titled, "Dealing with our Shadow Side." He explored questions like, "How do we deal with the weaknesses that plague us over and over again?" and "What are the Zen teachings to help deal with the areas we'd like to change about ourselves?"
Learning to Trust Oneself
Mei Elliott gives a talk called “Learning to Trust Oneself.”
Being able to trust is an important foundation in any close relationship. Yet for many, trusting others comes far more easily than trusting oneself. Often when faced with making decisions, we are at a loss, lacking confidence that we will make the right choice and unable to trust ourselves to proceed. This lack of trust and confidence can ripple out beyond our decision-making, and extend into a lack of confidence in our character, intelligence, and worth. How can the teachings of the Buddha support us in establishing trust? As we engage in this inquiry together, we will also explore what it means to trust oneself in a tradition that questions the very notion of self to begin with.
Shelter in (the) Present
Heather Iarusso leads YUZ on what it means to “Shelter in (the) Present.”
Her description of the talk is as follows: How can paying radical attention to the present moment alleviate anxiety about the future, help us let go of remorse about the past, and infuse our lives with the wonder of now. Although causes and conditions are beyond our control, practicing The Way illuminates the perfection and liberation abiding in each moment.
Concentric Circles of Care: Goodwill for the Happiness of All Beings
Kodo Conlin continues on the theme from last week with a talk titled "Concentric Circles of Care: Goodwill for the Happiness of All Beings." The description for the talk is as follows:
We start where we are, developing goodwill, mettā, for ourselves. Isn't it so, that challenges mount as we begin to widen this circle of care? Together we will explore some skillful approaches for extending our mettā, pointing toward our potential for boundless goodwill.
Kodo is a Zen priest, the City Center ino (head of the meditation hall), and a resident of SFZC. To learn more about Kodo you can view his bio here.
Mettā: Accessing Refuge Amidst Affliction
Kodo Conlin leads us on a talk titled "Mettā: Accessing Refuge Amidst Affliction." His description is as follows:
Fortunate for us now, the Way is rarely practiced amidst perfect conditions. Still, we find refuge.
Mettā, the cultivation of lovingkindness, is one way to access a refuge within, even as we find ourselves challenged.
Yun Men's Appropriate Statement (Response)
Zachary Smith hosts YUZ on Yun Men's Appropriate Statement (Response). He describes the topic as follows:
Yun Men, when asked about the meaning of Buddhism - that is, of the whole body of the Buddhist Teaching - famously responded, “An appropriate statement,” and in the commentaries (Blue Cliff Record case 14) this is called, “An iron hammerhead with no handle-hole,” (and also, “A rat gnawing on ginger” but never mind that). Nonetheless we’ll be seeing if we can get a handle on the story and the message it delivers about how to live creatively and skillfully in any time but especially in these “interesting” times.
Zachary is a Zen priest, Dharma transmitted teacher, and a long-time practitioner. You can find his bio here.
But What if We're Wrong?: Seeking Truth in the Age of Propaganda
Michael McCord led YUZ on a talk around "But What if We're Wrong?: Seeking truth in the age of propaganda.”
The Political and the Spiritual
Peter Coyote speaks about the continuity between spiritual practice and political practice, providing a chronicle of his life before zen (and according to him, a chronicle of his "deficiencies") as well as why he's stuck with this practice for nearly 50 years. He also shares stories about the efficacy of Zen in relating to political obstructions.
Peter, a Zen priest and teacher, has a long history as an actor, author, director, and Emmy-winning narrator. Though he is well known for his film career (having acted in E.T., Patch Adams, Erin Brockovich, etc.) he identifies foremost as a Zen student. To learn more about Peter, you can view his bio here.
Right Intention
Mei Elliot gives a talk on the topic of Right Intention.
As we crest into 2021, many people are considering intentions and goals for the coming year. While New Year's resolutions tend to be an All-American pastime, what does intention setting have to do with Buddhist practice? And what do intentions have to do with freedom, with happiness? During this meeting, we discuss the three facets of right intention that appear in the eightfold path: renunciation, kindness, and compassion. We will also explore practices for deliberately cultivating wholesome intentions and for noticing the more subtle intentions already operating within our actions of body, speech, and mind.
The Seuss of Zen
Heather Iarusso gives a talk about Mu and the classic question: “Does a dog have Buddha Nature?” which is the first koan in the Gateless Gate (a central collection of Zen koans).
It's Not What You Think: Reconsidering Assumptions About Zen
Kodo Conlin leads us in a talk that reconsiders our assumptions about zen.
Emptiness is Always Giving
Kodo Conlin gives a talk entitled, "Emptiness is Always Giving."
Gratitude and Dukkha: A Thanksgiving Meditation
Zachary Smith leads YUZ with a talk entitled “Gratitude and Dukkha: A Thanksgiving Meditation."
Perhaps the single most obvious feature of humans as a species is how continually dissatisfied with life, and their lot in it, they seem to be-- often regardless of the actual circumstances. The Buddha summed up this observation in the First Noble Truth and offered a ground-breaking and novel explanation for it in the Second. The rest, as they say, is history but it’s still a rich area of investigation because, frankly, things have not improved much in the last 2,500 years. On this special occasion we’ll revisit the fundamental question of suffering and see how it can be turned through Practice.