293 – Q&A: Veganism, Letting Thoughts Go, and Motivation for Action
In this episode I extemporaneously answer questions listeners have submitted by email, including: Why aren't Buddhist vegan if the first moral precept is "do not kill?" What does it really mean to "le...
7 Feb 202526min
292 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field 9 – Bodhisattva Activity: Enacting Vows to Benefit All Beings
Bodhisattva Activity is enacting vows to free all beings as well as yourself. This is an acknowledgment that you are interdependent with all beings and things, and such an aspiration can give a sense ...
1 Feb 202535min
291 - Keizan's Denkoroku Lead Chapter: Shakyamuni's "I and All Beings"
In Episode 272, I discussed the third chapter of Zen Master Keizan's book The Denkoroku, or the Record of the Transmission of Illumination. In the interest of thoroughness, I figured I'd start back at...
17 Jan 202543min
290 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field 7 – Realization: Direct Experience of Reality-with-a-Capital-R
The eighth Field of Zen Practice is Realization, gaining a direct, personal experience of the truth. Realization helps you respond appropriately, allowing you to live by choice instead of by karma. Ev...
29 Des 202438min
289 - Ten Fields of Zen, Field 6 – Opening Your Heart: Self-Acceptance and Non-Separation (2 of 2)
This episode is the second half of the seventh chapter of my book-in-progress, The Ten Fields of Zen: A Primer for Practitioners. Listen to/read the previous episode (288) first, where I talk about th...
19 Des 202431min
288 - 10 Fields of Zen, Field 7 – Opening Your Heart: Self-Acceptance and Non-Separation (1 of 2)
The seventh Field of Zen Practice is Opening Your Heart. Working explicitly to open your heart not only benefits other living beings, it puts you in accord with the Dharma and supports all other aspec...
29 Nov 202436min
287 - A Few Useful Teachings for Tumultuous Times
In a time of political divisiveness, many of us look to the three treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha for solace, strength, and guidance. I offer a few Dharma teachings I have found useful for pra...
25 Nov 202411min
286 – Ending Dukkha: Taking Care of this Precious Life (2 of 2)
In the last episode, I offered seven points about the role of Dukkha in our life and practice and discussed the first five points. In this episode I'll finish the discussion with point #6: Buddhism of...
16 Nov 202427min
