The SFZC Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

The End of the World

Serial: SF-09584 8/13/2008, Lou Hartman dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the relationship between physical health and mental clarity, while also reflecting on the broader themes of impermanence and collective consciousness. The speaker reflects on personal experiences and insights,...
Time, Buddha, Practice
Aug 13 2008
City Center

Serenity, Courage, Wisdom

Serial: SF-09562 8/9/2008, Laura Burges dharma talk at City Center. This talk discusses the importance of overcoming fear and addiction through the teachings of Zen Buddhism and the 12-step recovery program. It uses the African folktale "The Monster Who Grows Small" to illustrate how facing fears...
Suffering, Practice, Time
Aug 09 2008
City Center

Practice Affects the Entire Earth

Serial: SF-09651 8/3/2008, Christina Lehnherr dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk at Green Gulch Farm focuses on perseverance, interconnectedness, and appreciation within the context of Zen philosophy. Emphasis is placed on the importance of not giving up despite external and internal obstacles and...
Practice, Time, Name
Aug 03 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Free in the Fire

Serial: SF-09612 8/2/2008, Teah Strozer dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the theme of fire, both metaphorically and literally, as it relates to Zen practice and life. A story about monks encountering a fire being illustrates the necessity of engaging with natural cycles and life’s...
Time, Practice, Delusion
Aug 02 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 14 of 14

Serial: SF-09715 O7/31/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk explores the dynamics of life through the lens of Zen practice, emphasizing the nature of equanimity and how it manifests during significant moments such as the last day of Sesshin. The speaker delves into concepts like...
Equanimity, Practice, Passions
Jul 31 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 13 of 14

Serial: SF-09712 O7/30/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk discusses the intricate balance needed to cultivate tranquility and awareness through mindfulness practices. It explores supportive conditions for the factors of awakening, specifically tranquility, and the relationship...
Oneness, Posture, Breath
Jul 30 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 12 of 14

Serial: SF-09705 O7/29/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk explores the dynamic interplay between form and emptiness in Zen practice during the third day of a five-day seshin, emphasizing the movement beyond the self and the deepening of engagement with experiences. It discusses...
Time, Practice, Offering
Jul 29 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 11 of 14

Serial: SF-09707 O7/28/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk discusses the interplay between energy and mindfulness in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of conscious, non-mechanical engagement with one's environment and relationships. Through this engagement, practitioners...
Practice, Breath, Work
Jul 28 2008
City Center

Precepts, Awakening, Kindness

Serial: SF-09592 7/27/2008, Seido Lee deBarros dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the significance of the Buddhist precepts in Zen practice, emphasizing their central role in ceremonies like Jukai and daily life reflections. The discussion includes the three refuges: Buddha, Dharma, and...
Buddha, Precepts, Practice
Jul 27 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 10 of 14

Serial: SF-09716 O7/27/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. This talk delves into the concept of "being lost" as an essential aspect of Zen practice, encouraging a state of non-attachment and openness to the present moment. The discussion includes references to mindfulness practices such...
Buddha, Mindfulness, Time
Jul 27 2008
City Center

Why Zen?

Serial: SF-09623 7/26/2008, Shokan Jordan Thorn dharma talk at City Center. The talk, delivered at the San Francisco Zen Center, explores the fundamental question of "Why Zen?" and the value of Zen practice in understanding how to live a meaningful and mindful life. The discussion uses classical Zen...
Practice, Time, Effort
Jul 26 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 9 of 14

Serial: SF-09709 O7/25/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk explores the nature of awakening and Buddha within Zen practice, emphasizing the dual methods of linear inquiry through texts like the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra and non-linear poetic responses in traditional Zen. The...
Buddha, Time, Practice
Jul 25 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 8 of 14

Serial: SF-09704 O7/24/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. This talk explores the nuanced practice of mindfulness within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the skill of recognizing both the presence and absence of thought and attachment. The discussion delves into how perceptions are formed and...
Practice, Time, Attachment
Jul 24 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 7 of 14

Serial: SF-09708 O7/23/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk focuses on Zen practice and the application of mindfulness, particularly the cultivation of the fourth foundation of mindfulness, referred to as "mindfulness of mind" or "mindfulness of Dharma." This involves examining...
Practice, Time, Mindfulness
Jul 23 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 6 of 14

Serial: SF-09703 O7/22/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk examines the foundations of mindfulness, emphasizing psychic awareness and its application in daily life. It highlights themes from Buddhist teachings, such as the four foundations of mindfulness, focusing on recognizing...
Suffering, Buddha, Consciousness
Jul 22 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 5 of 14

Serial: SF-09714 O7/21/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk revolves around the idea of "entering the Buddha way" through examining the interplay of subjective experience and Buddhist practice. Focus is placed on how moments in life, whether pleasant or unpleasant, can be engaged...
Practice, Time, Suffering
Jul 21 2008
City Center

Suffering

Serial: SF-09580 7/20/2008, Darlene Cohen dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk focuses on the Buddhist approach to suffering, emphasizing personal responsibility and non-preference. It critiques the belief that virtuous behaviors confer immunity from suffering, explores how the Abhidharma...
Suffering, Practice, Pain
Jul 20 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Receiving Precepts

Serial: SF-09629 7/19/2008, Eijun Linda Cutts dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk focuses on the Bodhisattva precepts and their relevance to personal practice, using the "Genjo Koan" by Dogen Zenji as a central text to explore concepts of intimate practice and returning to one's current reality to...
Precepts, Practice, Buddha
Jul 19 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Buddha's Response to the Human Condition

Serial: SF-09634 7/19/2008, Shosan Victoria Austin dharma talk at City Center. The talk addresses the Buddha's response to human suffering, highlighting the inevitability of conditions such as sickness, old age, and death as inherent sources of suffering. It emphasizes the Buddha's realization that...
Suffering, Buddha, Time
Jul 19 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 4 of 14

Serial: SF-09710 O7/18/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk examines the dynamic interaction between self and other, emphasizing the importance of fully engaging with each moment to offer a path to liberation. It highlights the practice of Zen as a continuous inquiry into the...
Practice, Buddha, Vow
Jul 18 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 3 of 14

Serial: SF-09713 O7/17/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk explores the practice of "sati" and emphasizes the unwinding and insight aspects of Zen practice, focusing on the deconstruction of self and the realization of non-self. The discourse contrasts the concepts of absolute...
Practice, Buddhism, Work
Jul 17 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 2 of 14

Serial: SF-09711 O7/16/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. The talk focuses on the evolution of perception and self-conviction in Zen practice, highlighting the Buddhist concepts of "Nama Rupa" as the formation of ideas from raw experience, and the five skandhas contributing to...
Practice, Hate, Love
Jul 16 2008
City Center

Entering the Buddha Way - Class 1 of 14

Serial: SF-09706 O7/15/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller, class at City Center. These recordings are from a three-week study intensive offered in 2008 by then-abbot Paul Haller. These talks provide an excellent introduction to basic Buddhism and Zen. This talk delves into the process of experiential learning in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with experiences to foster realization. Key themes include the alignment of body, breath, and mind, the...
Suffering, Practice, Pain
Jul 15 2008
City Center

Relying on Something Great

Serial: SF-09643 7/13/2008, Edward Espe Brown dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the concept of "great space" in Zen practice, emphasizing an awareness of the present moment, which transcends form and color and connects all beings in a shared spiritual experience. Drawing on teachings from...
Tassajara, Suzuki Roshi, Time
Jul 13 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Embracing Fire: Lessons in Interdependence

Serial: SF-09582 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2008-07-12 The talk presents themes of control and interdependence through the metaphor of a fire at Casa Haro, exploring how human plans and preparations meet uncontrollable natural forces. It emphasizes embracing the unpredictability of...
Practice, Time, Discrimination
Jul 12 2008
City Center

Sailing Home

Serial: SF-09655 7/6/2008, Zoketsu Norman Fischer dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the parallel between Zen philosophy and "The Odyssey," suggesting that both depict a spiritual journey centered on returning home. The speaker discusses how the spiritual path is universal and deeply ingrained...
Time, Meditation, Breath
Jul 06 2008
Green Gulch Farm

The Inner Fire and the Outer Fire

Serial: SF-09645 7/5/2008, Michael Wenger dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the metaphor of fire from the Lotus Sutra to explore themes of distraction, awareness, and interdependence. It highlights the distinction between internal and external fires and suggests that confronting these...
Time, Dharma Transmission, Tassajara
Jul 05 2008
City Center

Buddhism and Prayer?

Serial: SF-09653 7/2/2008, Zenkei Blanche Hartman dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the spiritual practice of chanting for wellbeing and protection, particularly in response to the ongoing fire threat to Tassajara. Through this practice, there is an invocation of Avalokiteshvara, representing...
Tassajara, Practice, Zazen
Jul 02 2008
City Center

Love and Commitment

Serial: SF-09663 6/29/2008, Shosan Victoria Austin dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk focuses on the interconnectedness of all beings and explores the Buddhist teachings regarding unity and diversity, using this framework to discuss societal issues such as love and commitment in the context of LGBTQ...
Time, Commitment, Name
Jun 29 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Difference: Suffering and Liberation

Serial: SF-09607 6/28/2008, Kosho McCall dharma talk at City Center. The talk examines the concepts of unity and diversity within Zen philosophy, emphasizing the significance of realizing the interconnectedness of all things. The speaker reflects on Zen teachings and anecdotes to underscore the...
Buddha, Love, Time
Jun 28 2008
City Center

The Five Fears

Serial: SF-09588 6/25/2008, Lou Hartman dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores personal reflections on life's purpose and Buddhist practice, specifically discussing the concept of "Buddhist fears" and how various life experiences contributed to personal apprehensions, which later...
Time, Practice, Buddha
Jun 25 2008
City Center

Genjo Koan

Serial: SF-09601 6/22/2008, Eijun Linda Cutts dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk centers on Dogen Zenji's "Genjo Koan," considered a vital component of his teachings. The discussion delves into the essence of Genjo Koan, exploring themes of universality and individuality, appearance and essence,...
Buddha, Koan, Time
Jun 22 2008
Green Gulch Farm

The Business Beneath the Robe

Serial: SF-09573 6/21/2008, Meiya Wender dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the themes of life, death, and intimacy within Zen practice, particularly through the lens of a case from the Denko Roku, which emphasizes realizing intimacy through devotion and practice. The discussion...
Suffering, Intimacy, Buddha
Jun 21 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Prajna Paramita and Impermanence

Serial: SF-09664 6/21/2008, Shokan Jordan Thorn dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the Buddhist concept of impermanence, particularly emphasizing the sixth paramita, Prajnaparamita, or the perfection of wisdom. The discussion progresses through various teachings and symbolic representations...
Wisdom, Tozan, Suzuki Roshi
Jun 21 2008
City Center

Prajna Paramita - The Wisdom that Goes Beyond

Serial: SF-09683 6/13/2008, Zenkei Blanche Hartman dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the theme of "beginner's mind," emphasizing the open, curious approach necessary for the practice of the six paramitas, or transcendental perfections, of a bodhisattva, which include generosity, discipline,...
Wisdom, Suffering, Emptiness
Jun 13 2008
City Center

The Perfection of Zazen -- Dhyana Paramita

Serial: SF-09577 6/11/2008, Shokan Jordan Thorn dharma talk at City Center. The talk discusses the practice of meditation, known as Zazen, as a crucial aspect of the Bodhisattva path and the realization of the Bodhisattva vow. There is an emphasis on communal practice, simple and continuous Zazen...
Practice, Zazen, Meditation
Jun 11 2008
City Center

Everyday Mind

Serial: SF-09570 6/8/2008, Marc Lesser dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk reflects on the Zen koan "Everyday Mind is the Way," expanding on its meaning by using the story of the Zen master Nanchuan's dialogue as a metaphor to explore openness and present awareness beyond intellectual...
Practice, Zazen, Love
Jun 08 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Virya: The Energy of Practice

Serial: SF-09685 6/7/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller dharma talk at City Center. The talk centers on exploring the concept of "energy" or "virya" in Zen Buddhism, as outlined in Buddhist teachings, emphasizing its appearance in the six paramitas and six faculties. The discussion highlights the nature of...
Time, Practice, Zazen
Jun 07 2008
City Center

Listen Deeply, Live Authentically

Serial: SF-09687 Talk by Epp Qa on 2008-06-07 The talk centers on exploring the importance of deeply listening to oneself and others, developing personal values, and constructing a value-based mission statement as a guide for personal and spiritual development. It emphasizes...
Time, Work, Chanting
Jun 07 2008

Intention's Dance with Existence

Serial: SF-09695 Talk by Epp on 2008-06-07 This talk examines the concept of intention and its role in shaping life priorities, using an existential perspective. A writing exercise encourages participants to explore their life intentions and priorities by engaging with...
Intention, Time, Practice
Jun 07 2008

Why the Dalai Lama Matters

Serial: SF-09662 6/5/2008, Robert Thurman dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores themes of transcendence, interconnectedness, and the potential for transformation within societal structures, focusing significantly on Tibet's relations with China. The discussion revolves around how...
Time, Nirvana, Buddha
Jun 05 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Virya Paramita

Serial: SF-09600 6/4/2008, Shokan Jordan Thorn dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the fourth paramita, Virya Paramita, which emphasizes the importance of cultivating enthusiastic effort in the context of Zen practice. The discussion highlights how enthusiasm is integral to maintaining...
Practice, Zazen, Time
Jun 04 2008
City Center

Stillness and Activity

Serial: SF-09652 6/1/2008, Myogen Steve Stucky dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk focuses on the intersection of Zen philosophy and practical application, emphasizing the practice of seeing things as they are and contributing to their improvement. Drawing on Zen Master Dogen's teachings, particularly...
Time, Practice, Work
Jun 01 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Living Awake in the Midst of Impermanence -- Taking Care of Everything Near

Serial: SF-09576 5/31/2008, Kiku Christina Lehnherr dharma talk at City Center. The talk discusses the three characteristics of existence fundamental to Buddhist teachings: impermanence, suffering (unsatisfactoriness), and no-self. These are examined through personal experiences of life and death,...
Time, Impermanence, Hate
May 31 2008
City Center

Ksanti Paramita: Practice of Patience

Serial: SF-09676 5/28/2008, Shosan Victoria Austin dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the exploration of Shanti Paramita, the perfection of patience, within the context of Zen practice and its broader Buddhist interpretations. It discusses the challenges of embodying true compassion,...
Patience, Practice, Suzuki Roshi
May 28 2008
City Center

Cultivating Trust

Serial: SF-09610 5/24/2008, Ryushin Paul Haller dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of "trust" or "Shraddha" in Buddhist practice, emphasizing its role in alleviating distress through acceptance and confidence in oneself and the world. The discourse examines the intersection between...
Love, Practice, Faith
May 24 2008
City Center

Pentimento

Serial: SF-09614 5/21/2008, Michael Wenger dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of "pentimento," an art term describing visible traces of earlier paint layers, and connects it to Zen Buddhist teachings, particularly focusing on compassion and the paramitas. The discussion...
Compassion, Practice Period, Practice
May 21 2008
City Center

Yoyo Zen

Serial: SF-09631 5/18/2008, Furyu Schroeder dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk focuses on the interplay between Zen meditation practices of shamatha (tranquility) and vipassana (insight) in achieving liberation from suffering, highlighting how one's thoughts create the world. Reference is made to...
Time, Suffering, Practice
May 18 2008
Green Gulch Farm

Our Meal Chant

Serial: SF-09630 5/17/2008, Sojun Mel Weitsman dharma talk at City Center. This talk explores the complexity and depth of the Zen Center's meal chant, which serves as a reflection on Shakyamuni Buddha's life, the practice of generosity, and Buddhist metaphysical teachings such as the three bodies of...
Buddha, Practice, Sangha
May 17 2008
City Center

The 100-foot Pole

Serial: SF-09615 5/14/2008, Susan O'Connell dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of emptiness in Zen practice, focusing on the challenges and transformations of understanding this fundamental teaching. It emphasizes the importance of self-transcendence, particularly through the...
Koan, Emptiness, Practice
May 14 2008
City Center

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