The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-08311 06/09/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Jiryu reflects on the practice of shikantaza, just sitting, as a Way that is fundamentally different than technique-based meditation. The talk discusses the essence of Zen practice, focusing on the alignment with one’s present experience rather than adherence to specific techniques or methods. Highlighting the comparison with Chan Buddhism, it delves into the...

Serial: SF-09759 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-06-09 The talk centers on exploring the dynamic interplay between "big mind" and "small mind," and the concept of "knowing and not knowing" as framed in Suzuki Roshi's teachings, particularly examining the metaphor of "sound and...

Serial: SF-08263 06/05/2024, Kim Kōgen Dai-Hō Hart, event at City Center. In the event, Mitsue discussed her artistic and photographic process, as well as her experience of quiet sitting in preparation for taking photographs. Kay then discussed... The talk focuses on the dual aspects of non-dual reality, discussing how Zen meditation fosters freedom by liberating practitioners from habitual perceptions and conditioning. It emphasizes the Buddhist teachings of the two...

Serial: SF-08692 Talk by Tenzen David Zimmerman At Haight St Art Center Programs at City Center on 2024-06-01 This talk explores the practice of Zazen in the context of Soto Zen, emphasizing the need for establishing a place of practice within oneself regardless of physical location. It highlights the significance of Keizan Jokin's...

Serial: SF-08370 05/29/2024, Kazuaki Tanahashi, Mitsue Nagase, dharma talk at City Center.In this discussion, held in the conference center at Beginner's Mind Temple, Mitsue Nagase and Kaz Tanahashi discuss their new book “Gardens of... The talk explores Zen aesthetics through photography and personal experiences with Zen gardens, emphasizing qualities such as intimacy and mindfulness cultivated via extended time spent observing the environment. It transitions...

Serial: SF-08399 Talk by Sonja Gardenswartz at Green Gulch Farm on 2024-05-26 The talk centers on the theme of transition and the journey of spiritual practice, drawing on Zen teachings and stories to emphasize patience and presence in the moment. Reflecting on personal experiences and Zen koans, the...

Serial: SF-09815 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-05-26 The talk centers on the practice of "right effort" as articulated by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, highlighting its role within the Noble Eightfold Path and emphasizing attention to fine detail in Zen practice. It challenges...

Serial: SF-08678 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 The talk explores the concept of trusting the process of practice and the spontaneous emergence of awareness, using examples from experiences in Ireland and Slovenia. It emphasizes the importance of embracing both moments of...

Serial: SF-08666 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 The talk centers on the guided meditation practice and the "seven factors of awakening," as articulated by Shakyamuni Buddha. Emphasizing the foundation of Zen practice, the discourse explores the facets of sensory awareness,...

Serial: SF-09507 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-05-19 The talk focuses on a discourse by Suzuki Roshi titled "Zen and Excitement," which argues that Zen practice is not about seeking excitement but is about deeply engaging with the mundane routines of life. The speaker explores how...

Serial: SF-08432 05/18/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Kokyo celebrates the spirit of nonsectarianism within Buddha-Dharma, and explores the similarities and differences between Zen... This talk explores the interplay between Zen and Vajrayana Buddhism, emphasizing how various traditions of Buddhadharma like Zen, Theravada, and Vajrayana contribute to contemporary practice in America. It narrates a personal...

Serial: SF-08373 05/15/2024, Dan Gudgel, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Dōshin Dan Gudgel investigates how using the word and idea of ‘enemy’ affects our every day experience. Dan examines our national... The main thesis of the talk is the exploration of the concept of "enemies" and the assertion that we have no true enemies, challenging listeners to reconsider the implications of labeling others as enemies. The speaker analyses...

Serial: SF-08352 05/12/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. "This talk was presented by Thiemo on Mothers Day at the end of an introductory Sesshin (meditation retreat) at Green Dragon Temple. The Investigation of - “the true... The talk at Green Gulch Farm delves into Zen practices and teachings, emphasizing the exploration of the true nature, or "true dragon," through forms and ceremonies within Zen practice. The speaker draws parallels between the...

Serial: SF-09728 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-05-12 The talk reflects on the themes of Zen practice, emphasizing the cultivation of mindfulness through simple, repetitive, and seemingly mundane actions, illustrated through the koan "Count the Stars" from John Tarrant’s book Bring...

Serial: SF-08507 Talk by Gengyoko Tim Wicks Audio Only at City Center on 2024-05-11 The talk titled "The Stranger in the Mirror" discusses the concepts of reincarnation, rebirth, and the interconnectedness of all phenomena within Buddhist philosophy, contrasting the idea of a permanent soul with that of karmic...

Serial: SF-08684 Talk by Gengyoko Tim Wicks Full Edited Audio Only at City Center on 2024-05-11 The talk explores the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation within Buddhist philosophy, contrasting them with more traditional views and highlighting their impact on understanding karmic continuity. It delves into how personal...

Serial: SF-08368 05/08/2024, Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Eli Brown-Stevenson describes how to find practical application of Buddhist teachings by bringing inquiry and curiosity... The talk focuses on the practice of Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the role of expectations and their impact on personal growth and suffering. It explores how practitioners can integrate teachings like impermanence, non-attachment,...

Serial: SF-08253 05/05/2024, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Offering a talk on the day of a funeral service for Caroline Meister, Jiryu observes that in the subtle, tender mind that is truly open and present in not-... The talk primarily explores the Zen practice of living fully in the present moment, emphasizing the tender and subtle mind as a means to experience wholeness beyond dualistic distinctions like life and death. It highlights the...

Serial: SF-08392 05/04/2024, Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman explores the meaning of refuge and the experience of doing so through teacher, teaching and... The talk explores the concept of taking refuge in the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It emphasizes the importance of community and personal mentors in spiritual practice, highlighting teachings from...

Serial: SF-08670 Talk by Panel Community Village Meditation Group at City Center on 2024-05-01 This talk addresses the dynamics between the San Francisco Zen Center and the Community Village group, focusing on fostering community connections, especially among younger practitioners. The discussion highlights the...

Serial: SF-09515 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-04-28 The talk discusses the transformative power of Zen practice and its teachings on mindfulness, sincerity, and gratitude. It focuses on the koan "The Old Woman Steals Zhao Zhou's Bamboo Shoots" from "The Hidden Lamp," exploring...

Serial: SF-08266 04/27/2024, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Kyoshin Wendy Lewis discusses the Zen text "Harmony of Difference and Equality". Written in the 8th century in China, the... The talk focuses on the Chinese Zen poem "Sandokai," attributed to Sekito Kisen, exploring its themes of the interplay between relative and absolute realities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of rituals and chanting...

Serial: SF-08271 04/21/2024, Wendy Johnson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Wendy Johnson. This 2024 Earth Day Dharma Talk was offered on the 30th anniversary of the Green Gulch Farm Apprenticeship... The talk emphasizes the profound connection between Zen practice, ecological awareness, and the symbolic and practical significance of trees in cultural and spiritual contexts. It explores historical and contemporary practices of...

Serial: SF-09773 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-04-21 The central theme of this talk is the exploration of the Zen concept of "Nothing Special," as articulated by Shunryu Suzuki in "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." Discussing the egalitarian nature of realizing one's Buddha nature, the...