The Zen Studies Podcast

Shikantaza, or the practice of "just sitting," can be challenging. We're asked not to try to control our meditative experience, but are we just supposed to sit there like a sack of potatoes and let habit energy have its way? I present a simple approach to returning to your intention whenever you have a moment of awareness in your sitting, and making that intention very simple and free from expectation of results. We simply intend four "S's": To sit upright, still, silent, and simply be.

Explore the often-suppressed topic of grief through the lens of Buddhism. Discover why acknowledging grief is crucial, especially in light of recent global losses. Delve into the stages of grief and the societal ramifications of avoidance. Reflect on Buddha's teachings and Kisa Gotami's poignant story about grief and desire. Learn about the risk of spiritual bypassing and witness the power of open mourning through an 18th-century tale. Prepare for integrating grief as a vital part of Buddhist practice.

The Lotus Sutra is one of the oldest and most central sutras in Mahayana Buddhism. The sutra states repeatedly that people who perform small acts of devotion, such as making an offering at memorial to the Buddha, "have fulfilled the Buddha Way." What does this mean? I think the Lotus Sutra, and Mahayana Buddhism more generally, is saying that we can transform the universe in an instant, that the smallest of our actions matters, and that the key to all of it is the state of our own mind and heart.

I continue in a second episode with my reflections on Chan master Hongzhi's "Guidepost of Silent Illumination. I discuss the interdependence of absolute and relative and why that matters in real life; how skillful bodhisattva action arises out of zazen; how silence is the supreme mode of communication, and how serenity and illumination - calm and insight - are both contained in zazen.

In this episode and the next, I riff off of 12th-century Chan master Hongzhi's short text, "Guidepost of Silent Illumination," one of the most positive and encouraging Zen teachings a know. By "riff" I mean I'll play off of, and spontaneously elaborate on, Hongzhi's words, as opposed to explaining or analyzing them in an exhaustive or comprehensive way. I take this approach because it's more fun, but also because "Guidepost of Silent Illumination," like most Chan and Zen writings, is essentially poetry.

Explore the intriguing concept of impermanence in Buddhism, highlighting its relevance in today's world. Discover how facing life and death can spark transformative practices and deepen intimacy with existence. Learn about the Buddha's journey and the importance of letting go to alleviate suffering. Embrace the balance between resistance and acceptance for a life filled with gratitude. Delve into contemplative practices that help confront mortality, offering a pathway to peace amid life's uncertainties.

Fear is a natural response that helps us protect ourselves and our loved ones, but it can also be inappropriate and debilitating. Buddhist practice offers many ways to help us manage our fear. We start with mindfulness of fear in and of itself, and then become mindful of what feeds it versus what decreases it. We then act in ways that increase our equanimity. We also let go of expectations, assumptions, and narratives in order to decrease suffering and ground ourselves in the absolute aspect of reality.

The importance of self-esteem in Buddhist practice is explored, emphasizing how it fuels confidence for courageous steps. Doubt is illustrated through Mara's story, showcasing the necessity of self-assurance. Negative self-perception obstructs meditation and spiritual growth. The Lost Son parable reveals the potential for recognizing one's inherent Buddhahood. Distinctions are made between conditional and unconditional self-esteem, highlighting the value of accepting one's life manifestation. Ultimately, cultivating stable self-esteem cultivates dignity and enhances practice.

Taking Action is the second area of practice in Crisis Buddhism. It means working to help alleviate or prevent the suffering we witness in the world by leaving our homes, interacting with others, and engaging in bodhisattva activity in an active, tangible way. In this episode I begin addressing three reasons we resist Taking Action: We don't think it's "our thing," we don't have the time or energy, or we don't see anything we do that's also worth doing.

Crisis Buddhism requires us to mindfully balance three essential areas of practice: Bearing Witness, Taking Action, and Taking Care. In this episode I discuss Bearing Witness, or exposing ourselves to the suffering of the world in all its forms in order to make wise decisions, activate our natural compassion, and awaken a sense of urgency. How do we Bear Witness without becoming overwhelmed, depressed, or despairing? We embrace it as a noble practice of compassion and wisdom.