Infinite Smile

So how do we support an intimacy with the Infinite when we face a continual crash of the real world? In tonight’s talk, Michael offers us a brief description of the Buddhist version of what puts us i…

What happens when we have an experience of Awakening? In tonight’s talk, Michael offers us a description of those things that veil us from these events. He also points out how the process of opening …

In tonight’s talk, Michael deals with the Buddhist teachings of No Self and Near Enemies. When we see that our work towards that which is beyond a contracted sense of self, is exactly what pushes us …

In tonight’s talk, Michael suggests that living in the world from an undivided spaciousness is the only way to manifest peace. This extends to any particular way we might engage as activists in the w…

In tonight’s talk, Michael points out that there are no guarantees. From here we can begin to surrender consciously to all that is presented to us. Questions and comments deal with becoming obsessive…

In tonight’s talk, Michael suggests that teaching is often about relentlessly pointing toward the source of our sense of “I” and “me”. While this may sound weird and be very uncomfortable to the ego,…

In tonight’s talk, Michael points out how Spirit shows up on the path to Awakening. First, we uncover the essence of the self. Second, there is an uncovering of the essence of other. And third, the e…

In tonight’s talk, Michael discusses how our practice can be light, medium or deep. Deep practice takes us to the ragged edge of our personal limitations and in the process show us the view of the Im…

Can we really count on anything? Anything at all? In tonight’s talk, Michael discusses how Nietszche’s suggestion that “change is the only constant” holds true for all things. Questions and comments …

How is it that we can have experiences of Grace and Awakening but then fall back into the places of contraction? In tonight’s talk, Michael suggests that grace and ease in life only arise when there …

How is it that we can have experiences of Grace and Awakening but then fall back into the places of contraction? In tonight’s talk, Michael points out Dogen Zenji’s “3 Leaks” as a way for us not to d…

What happens when attachments are subtle? In tonight’s talk, Michael suggests that giving our full attention to our preferences allows us to walk along what Nagarjuna called the Middle Way. Questions…

How can we ever become truly intimate with our emotional and physical pain? Or, in Buddhist terms, how can we welcome Mara? . In tonight’s talk Michael suggests that our pain is often a better guide …

How can we open our hearts and minds as wide as the night sky? How can we practice being unafraid of not knowing? . In tonight’s talk Michael suggests that we meet all positive and negative experienc…

So how do we become intimate with our moment to moment experience? How can we slow down? As a college student, Michael found that the film Koyaanisqatsi suggested that a way towards balance must be f…

Would Christ and Buddha have agreed that surrendering to the uncertainty of circumstantial living helps us walk with enlightened feet? In this short talk Michael suggests that the 23rd Psalm points t…

How is it that almost everything we do is in the service of feeling greater connectivity? In this talk Michael uses quotes by Plotinus and Suzuki Roshi in order to point us toward that in us which is…

How can we ever conceive the Truth if it’s totally beyond conception? In this talk Michael offers a personal account of his teacher using the koan “Shaoushan’s Three Phrases” in order to help him go …

Is there a way to simplify any of this? What do the basics look like? In this talk Michael breaks these timeless teachings down into some simple themes, beginning with Yasutani Roshi’s explanation of…

What about love? In this talk Michael suggests that Big Love has nothing to do with our understanding and craving of the rush that small love brings. In fact, he uses the words of Rumi to point out h…