Note to Self

On an anniversary of when he first came to practice, Eli Brown-Stevenson shares some of the choices he made—and a few things he wishes he had paid closer attention to—in a reflection for his younger self and, maybe, for anyone else finding their way into practice too.

The Intersection of Leadership and Zen Principles

Michael McCord discusses the intersection of leadership and Zen principles. Whether you have a formal leadership role at home (parent), school (resident assistant; teachers assistant) or work (managing, mentoring), we all impact each other and also take on many undefined roles where others look to us directly or indirectly. 

What we find in looking at this is that relationships are the core of our existence and how we hold our trauma, stress, fears and narratives have a significant impact on those around us.  And for those we are in a leadership role with (even if informal), we have a greater impact.  We consider the Bodhisattva vow which is central to Soto Zen practice. That, as a key part of our intention, we are attempting to tidy up our house in order to be able to better help others, less encumbered by our difficulties and focused on how we can be a gift to the world, helping those around us suffer less and thrive more.

Mistakes

Kōgetsu Mok talks about the koan of our lives as we meet impossible situations, difficult conversations, the mountains of uncertainty, and challenging times. 

How can Zen practice help train us to meet these moments with better self-awareness, skillful action, grace, and integrity? 

Can we be kind to ourselves in the process, forgive the mistakes of others and ourselves, and see that the mess is beautiful and wholly included in practice? 

Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional

Michael McCord references a quote by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami: Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

This is very much in alignment with the basic noble truths of Zen and yet can be so elusive in the moments we inhabit.

How do we live into a future where we hold the discomforts, annoyances, turmoil and pain of our existence in altogether different way?  What can I do today or tomorrow?

Way Seeking Mind Talk

Tim Wicks, the City Center Head of Practice, gives a brief way seeking mind talk telling the story of how he came to practice Zen. He also speaks about three basic tenets of Buddhism and how they are practiced in community.

Kindness

Kōgetsu Mok discusses Suzuki Roshi's "Not Always So"—Be Kind with Yourself.

Our practice has an emphasis on warm heart and warm zazen. This kind of practice shows us how to take care of ourselves, our lives and others. When we're kind with our breathing, true practice can emerge as we learn to manage our impulses and busy lives.

Pausing

Hiro Ikushima speaks on the theme of pausing.

In a world that moves swiftly and often without mercy, the simple act of pausing can feel revolutionary. A single breath, a quiet moment of stopping, can open a doorway back to our own hearts. We explore how pausing allows us to meet life with greater tenderness, clarity, and courage — how it invites us to respond rather than react and move through the world with more spaciousness and care.

Painting

Eli Brown-Stevenson offers a talk titled The Art of Just This. 

Inspired by art and this quote from Suzuki Roshi, Eli talks about the importance of being with the process and not just focused on outcomes and results. 

“A wonderful painting is the result of the feeling in your fingers. If you have the feeling of the thickness of the ink in your in your brush, the painting is already there before you paint.”

Stopping Burnout

Michael McCord discusses how one might stop the momentum of burn out.

The Buddha lived a life of extreme luxury and then dove head-long into asceticism for many years, only to come to the realization that a balanced life was where harmony could be found. His story is a road map for modern life full of pursuit, accomplishment and acquisition.  Even when a person buys-in to the concept of equanimous living, it doesn't mean that the momentum of a life will change that much.  Since we live in our bodies and minds (actually these are joined but appear different much of the time), second by second, and that IS our life, how does the way I have put my life together actually work for me?

Resentment

Resentment often lingers quietly, heavy, unspoken, and rooted in pain. But it can be your teacher, showing you where you are still holding on. In this talk, Hiro Ikushima explores how Zen practice invites us to meet resentment with tenderness and curiosity. By turning toward it, we may uncover the hurt beneath and open the way to healing, compassion, and freedom. Even our hardest emotions can become gateways on the path of practice.

Patience

As children, many of us were raised by parents who told us to “be patient—and yet, few of us learned exactly what patience is or how to cultivate it. Mei Elliott explores what patience looks like, and how we can manifest it in our life and practice. If we're experiencing any form of suffering—large or small—patience can provide a doorway to freedom amidst difficulty.

Affinity

Eli Brown-Stevenson talks about the transformative power of ‘affinity’—that natural resonance of being seen and welcomed—and how zazen practice can help us meet ourselves and others with openness, trust, and compassion.

Mental Posture

Zachary Smith reflects on a talk given by Zentatsu Richard Baker, SFZC’s second Abbot, in 2012 about the idea of “mental posture”. Zach discusses how this idea can help us both with sitting and with bringing practice to our daily activity outside the Zendo.

Hearing 'Others'

Michael McCord discusses taking refuge in sangha, from the standpoint of Buddhist training for being with not only the sangha and the world, but clues to our own mystery of suffering. How good is our hearing for those with whom we do not agree?  How do we cultivate being present with people whom we find oppressive or askew with our views, especially if we are trying to find our voice?