Zen Community of Oregon Dharma Talks

In this talk, Jogen explores the intimate relationship between Zen practice and creativity, drawing on Dogen’s teaching that practice, realization, and expression form a complete circle. He shows how every moment of experience is a creative act—whether in the stories we tell ourselves, the identities we shape, or the way culture and attention sculpt who we become. Mind itself is a boundless, neutral space of possibility, able to generate beauty, delusion, and freedom alike. By illuminating this creative power and infusing it with compassion, we discover how to use the twenty-four hours of each day, rather than be used by them.This talk was given on August 6 2025 at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk, Hogen draws on Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Art of Living to explore the practice of aimlessness—the invitation to rest in the present moment rather than chase after a future that never arrives. Through reflections on loss, illness, mosquito bites, and the everyday struggles of sangha members, he shows how freedom is found not by solving problems with thought but by anchoring attention in direct experience. To live without a subtle sense of inadequacy is to recognize that this very life, with all its imperfections, is already a miracle. The practice of aimlessness reminds us that we are enough, and that mindful awareness is our most potent tool.This talk was given on August 24 2025 at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple.  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk, Kisei reflects on the rare gift of meeting in practice and the simple, yet profound, invitation of the Buddha: “try it out for yourself.” From the experience of sesshin and mountain practice, to Dogen’s teaching that enlightened and deluded beings share the same boat, we are reminded of the stillness and stability always present within us. Through the story of the Zen ancestor Fa Chung, who devoted thirty years to practice in the mountains, we explore what it means to have faith, to make vows, and to let the way be endless. This is a call to trust in the continuity of practice—moment by moment, year by year, and even for the next thirty years.This talk was given during Sunday Program at the end of 2025 Grasses and Trees Sesshin on August 17. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk, we explore the meaning of vow and how it shapes the direction of our lives. From the Buddhist teaching of bodhichitta—the awakened heart-mind of compassion and wisdom—to personal stories of exemplars and inherited vows, we reflect on how intention becomes the fuel for practice. Through poetry, lived experience, and the reminder that even life itself carries a vow to endure and transform, we discover that vows are not rigid goals but guiding stars. This conversation invites us to discern our own vows and orient our lives with clarity, humility, and openness.This talk was given during the Tuesday night meeting of the Vancouver Zen group on July 29th, 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk, Jogen explores the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh on signlessness and interbeing, reminding us that calmness alone is not true liberation. Through vivid examples and guided contemplations, he invites us to look beyond labels like life and death, self and other, to experience reality more directly. Weaving together insights from zazen, koans, and daily life, Jogen emphasizes the importance of inquiry and wonder in practice. Ultimately, he shows how these explorations open us to a deeper flow with existence and a more boundless sense of being. This talk was given during the Sunday Night Program at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple on July 27th 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★

This talk explores how boredom and fear of missing out often derail meditation practice and how facing them directly can deepen our path. Jogen emphasizes the unique value of sustained practice in bringing clarity of mind, calming the nervous system, and reshaping our habitual patterns. Through stories, reflections, and humor, he shows how boredom may actually signal progress rather than failure. We are invited to stay steady, embrace stillness, and rediscover the diamond-like clarity hidden beneath busyness and distraction.This talk was given by Jogen during the Wednesday night program at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple in Portland, OR on July 30th, 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk Bansho discusses many different aspects of the famous poem Affirming Faith in Mind. This talk was given by Bansho as the 3rd talk of 2025 July Sesshin.  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this talk, we explore how disappointment, though often unwelcome, can be a profound teacher. By meeting life’s letdowns with openness, we discover the tender ground of vulnerability that reveals our interconnectedness. The stories and reflections point to a shift from resisting what is to receiving it as part of the path. In the space where expectations dissolve, something truer and more spacious can quietly emerge.This talk was given on the Wednesday night program at HoW Zen Temple on July 23rd 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, we reflect on the Beginner’s Mind retreat, exploring the courage it takes to meet each moment without clinging to certainty. Through a Rilke poem, a timeless Zen story, and the shared experiences of retreat participants, we discover the power of “not knowing” as a doorway to intimacy with life. The talk invites us to let go of our assumptions, soften our habits of mind, and return to the freshness of direct experience. Coming home, we find, is not a destination but the living presence of this moment.This talk was given on July 13th 2025 during the GVZM Sunday Program. ★ Support this podcast ★

Dive into the stillness where breath begins, nurturing spacious awareness and intimacy with life. Journey through stories of serenity found in nature and the bonds we share. Discover how consumer culture distorts happiness, urging a quest for deeper fulfillment. Embrace self-awareness in the path to liberation and enlightenment while contrasting external validation with true contentment. Explore the essence of life and the importance of maintaining an open mind in our spiritual practices.