Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom.
In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 15 minutes
- Episodes
- 49
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Sozan Shows Heidegger the Way
In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shoyoroku Case 87, "Sozan's With or Without," through the lens of Zen and Martin Heidegger’s existential philosophy. Sensei explo…
Obedience to Reality: Letting Go of Ego and Resistance
In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on Case 4 of the Sanshekishu, "Obedience," featuring the timeless teachings of Master Bankei. This case tells the story of a prou…
Embracing Every (Mis)step
In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael explores the transformative power of missteps on the spiritual path. Far from being obstacles, our mistakes are opportunities to deepen our practi…
Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment
In this teisho titled "Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment," Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shasekishu Case 14, "Muddy Road." This Zen case brings us face-to-face with the challenges o…
Responding to the Call: Finding Freedom in Discipline
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner delivers a powerful teisho from our Zen of Recovery Retreat, examining Shōyōroku Case 16, "The Sound of the Bell and the Seven-Piece Robe." Sensei discusses ho…
Awakening the Master Within: Breaking Free and Leading the Way
In this teisho from our Zen of Recovery retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner dives into the teachings of Sansheki-shu, Case 2: "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road." The story of Zen master Gudo and a gambl…
Seeing Beyond Concepts: Embracing Life’s Boundless Mystery
In today’s teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shōyōroku Case 91, Nansen’s Peony, a classic koan that questions the nature of reality and our habitual tendencies to divide and categorize our expe…
Knock Down the Flagpole: Letting Go of Expectations and Awakening to Life
In this teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner draws on Case 22 from the Mumonkan, Kashyapa’s Knock Down the Flagpole, to explore the nature of awakening and the importance of letting go of our deeply held e…
Wandering in the Mountains: Living Fully
"Wandering in the Mountains: Living Fully with Positive Samadhi"
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the kōan from the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record), Case 36: Chōsha Wandering in the…
Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion
"Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion"
In today’s episode, Sensei Michael Brunner offers a powerful teisho based on Shoyoroku Case 14, "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea." Throu…
Practice as if Your Life Depends on It | Shōyorōku Case 32 | Kyōzan's State of Mind
In this episode, Sensei Michael shares reflections from the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen. As the retreat draws to a close, he explores the powerful insights that arise when we…
Surrender | Shōyorōku Case #59 | Seirin’s Deadly Snake
Case #59 of the Shoyoroku – Seirin’s Deadly Snake:
Attention! A monk asked Master Seirin, “How about when a student proceeds on the trail?” Seirin replied, “The dead snake hits the great road. I advis…
Daring Greatly | Mumonkan Case #46 | Stepping from the Top of a Pole
CASE 46: Stepping Forward From the Top of a Pole
Case:
Master Sekiso said, “How will you step forward from the top of a hundred-foot pole?”
Another eminent master of old said, “Even though one who is si…
Finding the Way | Mumonkan Case #19 | Ordinary Mind is the Way
Banzo's Sword | Shaseki-shu Case #91 | The Taste of Banzo's Sword
In Living Color | Shoyoroku Case #6 | Baso's White and Black
Attention! A monk once asked Baso, “Your reverence, abandoning the four propositions and wiping out the hundred negations, please point out to me directly the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from the…
What Loving-kindness? | Shasekishū Case #6 | No Loving-kindness
Working With the Flow | Hekiganroku Case #80 | Joshu's Newborn Baby
Freedom from Other | Hekiganroku Case #57 | Joshu's Nondiscrimination
