Mountain Cloud Zen Podcasts Dharma Talk: “Listen to the Heart of Things” with Maria Reis Habito
Feb 11, 2025
Maria Reis Habito, a skilled speaker on Zen and spirituality, captivates listeners with her insights on reconnecting with our true nature through the sounds of nature. She explores how listening to simple elements like birds and rain can lead to profound self-discovery. Delving into historical koans and the teachings of Father Shigeto Oshida, Maria emphasizes the balance between oneness and everyday life. She also highlights the wisdom of Guan Yin and the importance of silence and compassion in fostering spiritual growth.
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The Bush Warbler's Call
- One night, the friars in Father Oshida's monastery were awakened by the unusual sound of a Japanese bush warbler calling in the night.
- This experience profoundly impacted Oshida, opening him to the world of the sacred.
The Sacred and the Unborn
- The world of the sacred, Kotohogi, points to our infinite and empty true nature.
- This is the same nature Buddha Shakyamuni experienced and is called the world of the unborn or the unconditioned.
Listening to the Rain
- Practice listening to the sound of rain to dissolve the distinction between inside and outside.
- Let go of the separation between the listener and the sound, experiencing the universe dancing in the rain's sound.