Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast
Winter Is Coming
Nov 25, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Kenzan Kene, a spiritual teacher with deep insights into Zen Buddhism, explores the symbolism of winter. He draws on Dogen's poetry to highlight themes of tranquility and resilience during the cold months. Kene emphasizes the need to embrace challenges as transformative opportunities, likening winter’s beauty to spiritual growth. The talk also underscores the significance of community, nature, and the ever-changing aspects of identity, encouraging listeners to find refuge in profound teachings and personal reflection.
45:33
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Winter, despite its harshness, offers an opportunity for deep reflection and restoration, urging us to appreciate its quiet beauty.
- The Abhaya mudra serves as a practical tool to foster resilience and courage, grounding practitioners amidst their fears and challenges.
Deep dives
Embracing the Winter Season
Winter is often viewed negatively due to its coldness and darkness, yet within Zen practice, it symbolizes a time for deep contemplation and restoration. This season fosters a unique opportunity to reflect and embrace the tranquility that comes with the longer nights and quieter surroundings. The speaker, drawing from Dogen's poetry, emphasizes that winter should be appreciated as a natural phase of life, much like spring and autumn. By shifting our perspective, we can find beauty and wisdom in the stillness of winter, allowing it to become a vital part of our practice.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
