One Thing

Chan Master Yunmen taught: You have the one thing that matters, each and every one of you! Its great function manifests without the slightest effort on your part. What is the one thing that matters? One thing. He doesn’t put a name to it, but tells us what it does,...

The Middle Way

The Buddha taught the Middle Way and explicated its meaning. The middle way reminds us to notice when we are caught in some fixed dogma and misunderstand the import of actual conditions. The Middle Way teaching reminds us to get caught neither in the search for...

Exhale

We hear so much about practicing with breath, counting the breath, following the breath. It’s not uncommon especially when we first take up Zen practice to hear these words with half a heart, partial attention. We can easily be breathing half-heartedly while the other...

Vow to Awaken

During this month we’re concentrating on the teachings on Vow. What habits do you want to cultivate that support a wish to be happy, and to bring the light of Dharma clarity into the world of interbeing, in your ordinary relationships. We live into our practice not...

Ringing in the New Year

Happy New Year! Always a new day to awaken to Bodhi mind. What flows here and now is one life in service to all beings. Our inheritance from a long line of ancestors, ancient and current, inspires us and points out the Way. They have offered us many methods to clear...

Light and Darkness

Discerning light in the dark and dark in the light. This is the season where we can especially appreciate this way of living beyond opposites of light and dark, good and bad. We might think of them as an either/or proposition, but when we are free to the true balance...