Mountain Rain Zen Dharma Podcast

“Knowing is arrogance, not knowing is stupidity.”

For the third talk in our dharma seminar on Musō Soseki's writing, Myoshin Kate McCandless  asks: What is your relationship to reading Zen texts and c…

Shinmon Michael Newton delves into Muso Soseki’s teachings on demons. How do we understand and address inner challenges? 

_____________________________________________________________

These talks are …

Shinmon Michael Newton offers an exploration of Muso Soseki’s thoughts on compassion. Is it sentimental? Is it dharma based? Is it universal or is it dualistic?  

____________________________________…

Myoshin Kate McCandless examines that most frustrating, troublesome, and beautiful of human faculties: language.

_____________________________________________________________

These talks are made poss…

Mysohin Kate McCandless introduces Zen master Musō Soseki and “Dialogues in a Dream" - a collection of ninety-three dialogues between the master and the shogun Ashikaga Tadayoshi.

___________________…

Anusha Enryu Fernando, a dharma holder with Zen Community of Oregon, offers reflections on ancestors. 

_____________________________________________________________

These talks are made possible thank…

Daikan picks up the exploration of Norman Fischer’s book Training in Compassion. He notes that over time, we might notice that meditating changes our sense of life and that we may be developing gentl…

Shinmon Michael Newton talks about resiliency and Zen practice, offering this koan from the Book of Serenity:  do people these days need enlightenment or not?

________________________________________…

Kakuko Kaye Simard discusses the intersection of Zen practice and artistic expression. What does it mean to be creative? How do we cultivate the willingness, patience, and trust to complete a relatio…

If we already have Buddha nature why do we have to practice? Myoshin Kate McCandless asks what do you see when you look in the mirror? 

_____________________________________________________________

Th…

Shinmon Michael Newton brings the Wednesday evening Dharma seminar on Norman Fischer's Training in Compassion to a close.  

_____________________________________________________________

These talks ar…

Jikai Vicki Turay explores the origins of life from both a scientific and a dharmic perspective.

_____________________________________________________________

These talks are made possible thanks to d…

Hotei Denis asks: given state of world and the seriousness of the human condition, how do we deepen our practice?  When the only point is the point, how do we walk the walk?

_________________________…

Ninen Susan Elbe offers an exploration of koans and how they help us grapple with the mysteries of birth and death.

_____________________________________________________________

These talks are made p…

Jikai Vicki Turay continues our Dharma seminar asking: what strengths do you have when it comes to making practice your whole life? What challenges? How consciously and caringly can you breathe?

____…

Shinmon Michael Newton offers stories celebrating the strong influence of mothers within the Buddhist tradition. How do you cultivate a mothering spirit?

_____________________________________________…

Joko Claire Talbot continues the Wednesday evening Dharma seminar on Norman Fischer's Training in Compassion. 

In what ways do you appreciate your lunacy and pray for help?

___________________________…

Zoketsu Norman Fischer 's second dharma talk from the MRZC weekend retreat is again full of wonderful teachings and stories from Dongshan. What is this life now,  beyond theologies and categories? [w…

Rich with stories and teachings from Dongshan's life, Zoketsu Norman Fischer gives the first of two talks at the annual MRZC weekend retreat. [with apologies for rough audio]

________________________…

Our dharma seminar on Zoketsu Norman Fischer’s Training in Compassion continues. Dai-i Flo Rublee offers that relative compassion helps ground the broad view of life’s empty nature in heart-connectio…