The SFZC Audio Archive

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Showing 1922 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Beyond Duality: Entering Samadhi Serial: RB-00222 The talk centers on the concepts of consciousness, concentration, and the experiential path of Buddhism. It discusses the necessity of moving beyond conventional logic to embrace deeper meditative states, such as samadhi, which... *Evil, Concentration, Compassion, Paramitas, Love*	Richard Baker	Oct 22 1973
Boundless Bliss Through Samadhi Serial: RB-00651 Summary The talk elaborates on the path of Buddhism, highlighting the interplay between personal experience and meditation. It discusses the fifth paramita of jhana and samadhi, emphasizing the importance of love, positive... *Evil, Concentration, Samadhi, Paramitas, Love*	Richard Baker	Oct 22 1973
Embodied Breath, True Nature Serial: RB-00221 The talk emphasizes the importance of deepening one's commitment to Zen practice, particularly during a Sashin retreat. A core theme is the realization of the oneness of mind through Zazen. The discussion also addresses the... *Sixth Patriarch, Perfect Wisdom, Breath, Aspects of Practice, Patience*	Richard Baker	Oct 21 1973
Enlightenment Here and Now Serial: RB-00650 The talk addresses the concept of enlightenment in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that it is not something to be attained in the future but is realized in the present. It highlights the importance of practicing Zen with a deep... *Perfect Wisdom, Breath, Sixth Patriarch, Patience, Commitment*	Richard Baker	Oct 21 1973
Mind as Field of Wisdom Serial: RB-00220 The talk explores the Sixth Patriarch's assertion that the mind is a "field of blessedness" where wisdom naturally arises, emphasizing the importance of truly understanding and practicing this concept. The discussion transitions... *Sixth Patriarch, Abhidharma, Anger, Perfect Wisdom*	Richard Baker	Oct 20 1973
Mind's Field of Blessedness Serial: RB-00643 The discussion centers on understanding the Sixth Patriarch's statement that "your mind is a field of blessedness which does not stray and in which wisdom naturally arises." This notion is explored through the lens of recognizing... *Sixth Patriarch, Abhidharma, Anger, Perfect Wisdom, Ego*	Richard Baker	Oct 20 1973
Awakening Through Zazen Practice Serial: RB-00219 The talk explores the realm in which Zen Buddhists live, emphasizing the persistent yet minor role of personal identity in causing suffering. Zazen practice, which comprises the paramitas, aims to transcend the notion of self and... *Perfect Wisdom, Sixth Patriarch, Paramitas, Daily Life, Letting Go*	Richard Baker	Oct 16 1973
Zen Paths of Impermanence Serial: RB-00217 The talk dissects the nature of knowledge and practice, emphasizing Zen Buddhism's approach to the impermanence of things. The notion of giving as the first paramita is explored deeply, evaluating what it means to possess and... *Mindfulness, Building, Patience, Vow*	Richard Baker	Oct 11 1973
Navigating Naturalness in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00216 The talk discusses the challenge of finding reliable guidelines for actions, focusing on concepts of naturalness and appropriateness. The discussion probes whether actions are inherently natural and whether preferences guide... *Letting Go, Samadhi, Sesshin, resistance*	Richard Baker	Oct 01 1973
Urban Mindfulness Mountain Wisdom Serial: RB-00151 The talk explores the distinction between metropolitan Buddhism and mountain Buddhism, highlighting how the geographical and societal settings impact practice and teaching methods. Key concepts include practicing selflessness,... *Patience, Practice Period, Anger, Equanimity, Separation*	Richard Baker	Sep 28 1973
Absorbing Spirits in Society Serial: RB-00215 The talk on September 28, 1973, Serial No. 00215, explores the six paramitas, emphasizing their role as shock absorbers that adapt Buddhism to different societal contexts while maintaining the spirit of the bodhisattva. It... *Patience, Practice Period, Paramitas, Attachment*	Richard Baker	Sep 28 1973
Zen Harmony Through Patience Serial: RB-00150 This talk emphasizes the intertwining of satisfaction and resistance within Zen practice, highlighting the role of collective activities and unconscious behaviors in understanding oneself and others. The discussion draws... *Patience, Paramitas, Monastic Practice, Greed*	Richard Baker	Sep 21 1973
Zen Patience in Collective Practice Serial: RB-00214 The talk discusses the interrelation of individual practice and communal life in Zen monastic settings, emphasizing self-awareness through interactions with others and conscious conduct. The six paramitas (giving, conduct,... *Patience, Paramitas, Monastic Practice, Greed, Practice Period*	Richard Baker	Sep 21 1973
Samadhi in Everyday Conduct Serial: RB-00145 The talk explores the integration of conduct and samadhi in practical life. It emphasizes that maintaining peace within activities, understanding and fulfilling precepts, and practicing the six paramitas are essential in Mahayana... *Samadhi, Big Mind, Religion, Precepts, Compassion*	Richard Baker	Sep 07 1973
Pathways Beyond Invention and Suffering Serial: RB-00144 The talk examines the fundamental Buddhist principle of the Four Noble Truths, focusing on the concept of suffering, its causes, and the path to liberation through Buddhist practice. It explores the philosophical tension between... *Intuition, Lotus Sutra, Freedom, Big Mind, Anger*	Richard Baker	Sep 01 1973
Zen Engagement: Balancing Acceptance and Action Serial: RB-00143 The talk investigates the tension between the Zen precept of accepting things as they are and the desire to actively help others, inspired by a personal dialogue with Suzuki Roshi and the poetry of Lew Welch. Through reflections... *Big Mind, Religion, Love, Bowing*	Richard Baker	Aug 27 1973
Living Zen: Presence Beyond Ritual Serial: RB-00141 The discussion centers on the nature of Zen practice, emphasizing the integration of practice into daily life beyond mere adherence to ritual or form. It explores themes such as detachment, presence, and non-habituation,... *Buddha Nature, Greed, Love, Daily Life, Hindrances*	Richard Baker	Aug 16 1973
Flowing in the Zen Way Serial: RB-00140 The talk delves into the concept of ascension within Zen practice, emphasizing that all actions and experiences should flow naturally from the mind without discrimination or attachment, paralleling how sutras are recited. The... *Bowing, Chanting, Discrimination, Bell, Big Mind*	Richard Baker	Aug 10 1973
Living Buddha Mind in Action Serial: RB-00139 The talk emphasizes the direct practice and experience of mind itself as the core of Zen practice, pushing beyond the dualities of good and bad through presence and identification with one's activity. It explores the states of... *Samadhi, Vow, Lineage, Bell, Bowing*	Richard Baker	Aug 09 1973
Awakening Joy Through Selflessness Serial: RB-00138 The talk explores the core Buddhist principle of selflessness and compassion for all beings, emphasizing the practical transformation of conflicting emotions into states of joy through dedicated practice. It discusses the... *Samadhi, Daily Life, Priest, Imperturbability, Posture*	Richard Baker	Aug 08 1973
Zazen Connections: Thriving in Spirit Serial: RB-00137 This talk elaborates on the significance of spiritual friends in Zen practice and the interconnection of physical and mental presence, centering one's energies through Zazen. It emphasizes the stages of having spiritual friends... *Anger, Emotions, Compassion, Instruction, Bodhisattva Vow*	Richard Baker	Aug 07 1973
Transcending Perception in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00136 The talk explores the concept of perception and its importance in Zen practice, drawing analogies between seeing and crossing a bridge to illustrate the difference between aspirational views and actual experience. The discussion... *Pain, Sangha, Posture, Concentration, Buddha Nature*	Richard Baker	Aug 04 1973
Zen Community: Pathway to Awakening Serial: RB-00135 The talk delves into the essence of Sangha as one of Buddhism's Three Treasures and examines how individuals within a Sangha embody and express Buddhism through their collective practice. It discusses foundational Zen teachings,... *Sangha, Hate, Commitment, Culture, realization*	Richard Baker	Jul 26 1973
Beyond Belief: Unveiling Hidden Truths Serial: SF-00124 Differences between exoteric and esoteric religious traditions. The talk explores the distinctions between exoteric and esoteric religious traditions, focusing on various modes of understanding God, the nature of religious knowledge, and the roles of faith and personal discernment. Exoteric... *Religion, Evil, Suzuki Roshi, Subject-and-Object, Intuition, Nirvana, Separation, Liberation,...*	Huston Smith	Jul 18 1973 1
Pathways to Spiritual Enlightenment Serial: SF-00125 The third great religious awakening in America. This talk explores the dynamics between esoteric and exoteric approaches in religious and philosophical traditions, particularly focusing on how these concepts relate to American religious awakenings. The discussion highlights... *Emptiness, Religion, Manjushri, Interview, Conversation, Karma*	Huston Smith	Jul 18 1973 2
Living Zen: Embrace the Now Serial: RB-00134 The talk discusses the fundamental Zen practice of embracing the present moment and the importance of integrating all aspects of life into one's practice. It emphasizes the notion of not getting caught up with past experiences or... *Right Effort, Chanting, Mindfulness, Karma, Anger*	Richard Baker	Jul 07 1973
Zen in the Urban Jungle Serial: RB-00133 This talk addresses the practice of Zen in the context of city life and delves into the intricacies of Siddhi practice. Key discussions focus on the differences between merit and karma, the concept of ultimate reality, and the... *Separation, Practice Period, Breath, training*	Richard Baker	Jun 13 1973
Transcending Perception Through Meditation Serial: RB-00132 The central thesis of the talk examines the limitations of preconceived ideas about the world and the necessity of transcending them through meditation practice, situating one's experience within a broader understanding of... *Big Mind, Hindrances, Pain, heart, Rinzai*	Richard Baker	Jun 12 1973
Beyond Form and Emptiness Serial: RB-00131 The talk emphasizes the importance of returning to one's own experience in practicing Buddhism, shedding light on how subjective and objective perceptions can be misleading. It delves into the concepts of form and emptiness,... *Karma, Mindfulness, Heart Sutra*	Richard Baker	Jun 10 1973
Cultivating Depth Through Zazen Serial: RB-00130 The main thesis centers on understanding "big mind" or "essence of mind" through the practice of zazen and sasheen, illustrating the elusive nature of Dharmakaya and the necessity for practical, disciplined practice to cultivate... *Big Mind, Dharmakaya, Religion, Sambhogakaya, Mindfulness*	Richard Baker	Jun 09 1973
Intimate Enlightenment in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00127 The talk explores the concept of "intimate enlightenment" in Zen practice, drawing from Dogen's teachings. It highlights that enlightenment is inherently intimate and that this intimacy is essential in understanding and... *Samsara, Anger, Buddha Nature, Intimacy, Suffering*	Richard Baker	May 20 1973
Intimate Enlightenment: Beyond Illusion Serial: RB-00149 The talk discusses the concept of "intimate enlightenment" as described by Dogen Zenji, emphasizing the idea that enlightenment is inherently accessible and intimate, but is obscured by our desires, aversions, and delusions. The... *Samsara, Anger, Buddha Nature, Intimacy, Big Mind*	Richard Baker	May 20 1973
Deep Engagement in Saturday Lectures Serial: RB-00126 The talk addresses how to deliver effective Saturday lectures focused on deep, meaningful engagement rather than introductory or superficial information. The speaker emphasizes the importance of intimate knowledge of oneself and... *Anger, Delusion, Practice Period, Freedom, Greed*	Richard Baker	May 19 1973
Urban Zen: Intimacy Amid Chaos Serial: RB-00148 The central theme of the talk focuses on the difficulty of delivering meaningful lectures on Buddhism in a city setting where intimate connections and understanding among participants are limited. The discussion weaves through... *Anger, Delusion, Practice Period, Freedom, Greed*	Richard Baker	May 19 1973
Nurturing Zen's True Practice Serial: RB-00125 The talk delves into developing a genuine "feeling for practice" in Zen, which transcends mere experiential learning or initial insights. It emphasizes that such a feeling evolves slowly through ongoing practice and tradition, as... *Obstacles, Mindfulness, Letting Go, Greed, Delusion*	Richard Baker	May 13 1973
Effortless Engagement with Reality Serial: RB-00147 The primary focus of the talk is on developing a genuine feeling for Zen practice, emphasizing that this feeling evolves gradually and cannot be solely based on insights or experiences. The discussion goes into the nature of... *Obstacles, Letting Go, Greed, Delusion, Discrimination*	Richard Baker	May 13 1973
Mindfulness in Every Moment Serial: RB-00124 The talk centers on the theme of practice within the Zen community and the integration of mindfulness in daily life. It addresses misconceptions about Zen practice, emphasizing that taking refuge in the sangha doesn't require a... *Mindfulness, Big Mind, Practice Period, Sangha, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	May 12 1973
Zen Living Beyond The Zendo Serial: RB-00146 The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of the Sangha and mindfulness practice in Zen Buddhism. The speaker explains that taking refuge in the Sangha does not equate to holding a position within a Zen... *Mindfulness, Big Mind, Practice Period, Sangha, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	May 12 1973
Mastering Mind for Zen Enlightenment Serial: RB-00123 The talk revolves around understanding and practicing Zen Buddhism by emphasizing the importance of observing and controlling the mind to achieve enlightenment. The focus is on the teachings of the sixth patriarch, the practice... *Suffering, Pain, Delusion, Samadhi, Sixth Patriarch*	Richard Baker	May 06 1973
Surrender to the Present Buddha Serial: RB-00122 The talk primarily explores the concept of contentment and the Buddhist path to enlightenment, emphasizing that understanding one's own nature is key to perceiving the true nature of the universe, a concept referred to as the "... *Faith, Mindfulness, Right Speech, Practice Period, Intuition*	Richard Baker	May 05 1973
Mindfulness and the Sufficient Present Serial: RB-00326 The lecture emphasizes the principles of Buddhist practice, with a focus on mindfulness and the Eightfold Path. Key themes include the rejection of strategic thinking in favor of appreciating the present moment and accepting the... *Faith, Mindfulness, Right Speech, Practice Period, Intuition*	Richard Baker	May 05 1973
Unlocking Enlightenment Through Inner Clarity Serial: RB-00121 The talk emphasizes the necessity of developing the "eye of wisdom" or "eye of enlightenment" to practice Buddhism effectively. The journey towards enlightenment involves understanding and accepting one's weaknesses, enduring... *Right Speech, Right Effort, Concentration, Community, War*	Richard Baker	Apr 22 1973
Path to Wisdom and Clarity Serial: RB-00325 The talk emphasizes achieving the "eye of wisdom" or enlightenment through Buddhist practice. It explores the limitations of merely correcting one's weak points and highlights the importance of enduring criticism and transcending... *Right Speech, Right Effort, Concentration, Community, War*	Richard Baker	Apr 22 1973
Buddhism: Engaging Life's Incompleteness Serial: RB-00120 The talk centers on the purpose and practice of Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of self-observation without relying on external explanations like God or psychedelics. It highlights Buddhism's unique stance on exploring the... *Truth, Beginners, Observe, Balance, Nirvana*	Richard Baker	Apr 21 1973
Buddhist Practice: Seeking Beyond Answers Serial: RB-00294 The talk explores the motivations behind Buddhist practice, emphasizing that such practice arises from a fundamental desire for it and the recognition of incomplete explanations of life provided by conventional societal,... *Truth, Observe, Balance, Nirvana, Religion*	Richard Baker	Apr 21 1973
Zen Awareness Beyond Ego Serial: RB-00119 The talk discusses the significance of awareness in Zen practice and the importance of separating subject and object in one's perception. Explains that true Zen practice involves transcending ego through Zazen to reach a state of... *Tozan, Emotions, Non-thinking*	Richard Baker	Apr 15 1973
Mindfulness Through Zen Stillness Serial: RB-00295 The talk primarily explores the relationship between Zen practice and awareness, emphasizing the significance of achieving a thoughtless state through Zazen. It stresses that Zen differs from other religions in that each... *Tozan, Yaoshan, Emotions, Non-thinking*	Richard Baker	Apr 15 1973
Zen Practice Across Environments Serial: RB-00118 The talk centers on the distinctions between different practice environments, specifically contrasting urban practice at Green Gulch and Tassajara against the more isolated practice at Pasahara. Themes include the essence of Zen... *Practice Period, Sekito Kisen, Don't Know Mind, Sixth Patriarch, Samadhi*...	Richard Baker	Apr 14 1973
Unity in Diverse Zen Practices Serial: RB-00293 The talk addresses the differences in practice between Tassajara, Green Gulch, and urban settings, and emphasizes the underlying unity of these practices despite their varied outward forms. It explores the challenges and benefits... *Practice Period, Sekito Kisen, Samadhi, Sixth Patriarch, Observe*	Richard Baker	Apr 14 1973
Zen: The Eternal Shared Gift Serial: RB-00108 The thesis of the talk revolves around the nature of Zen practice as a communal and continuous gift that transcends personal possession, emphasizing interconnectedness and the practice of even-mindedness. Key discussions include... *Practice Period, Letting Go, Samadhi, Concentration, Balance*	Richard Baker	Apr 10 1973

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