Talks by Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee
This is a series of newly digitized talks by spiritual teacher, Lola McDowell Lee, spanning two decades—from the early Seventies through the Nineties.
Lola was a Zen Roshi whose Rinzai lineage included Doctor Henry Platov and renowned Zen master, Shigetsu Sasaki. Lola was a religious scholar as well as an ordained Christian minister.
While the talks are focused mainly on Zen and Buddhism, Lola drew on many spiritual traditions—including those of Jesus, Plato, Lao-Tzu, the Hindu Vedas, Meister Eckhart and Gurdjieff.
If you find Lola’s talks valuable, more will be posted in days to come. RSSVERIFY
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 53 minutes
- Episodes
- 115
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Lao Tzu on two fundamental types of meditation. May 1, 1988
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, gives a detailed explanation of Lao Tzu’s notion that there are two basic types of meditation one should practice. One of emptiness only, and one of concentration.
- Sittin…
More Bible parables that can help you practice Zen. Dec 12, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, who is also an ordained Christian minister, continues her exploration of Christian parables and how they might apply for Zen practitioners.
Jesus spoke, in the book of Lu…
Bible parables that can help you practice Zen. Dec 9, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, who is also an ordained Christian minister, discusses parables from the Bible and how they can help Zen practitioners.
Understanding Jesus’ parables is like puzzling with…
Zen is not a belief system. Zen disturbs the dreaming mind. Nov 12, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that enlightenment is not a goal. “A goal is like the horizon. You can never reach it.”
The immediate is the ultimate. You have to be aware and wake up to this m…
When you learn to accept that you are alone, truly alone, it builds a great strength. Nov 5 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when you sit properly in meditation, your world is gone. You are alone. Absolutely alone. And when you learn to accept this alone, it builds a great streng…
Who are you really? Your name is not you. Your photo is not you. Who are you? Oct 28, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks how someone like Hitler could come to power. He was loud, and brash, and gave a secure feeling of strength to those who were insecure.
Lola recounts the tale of the …
We are looking for nothing. Which doesn’t give you much to look for, does it? Oct 21, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, reads from renowned Zen teacher, Ikkyu: “If it rain, let it rain; If it rain not, let it not rain; But even should it not rain, You must travel with wet sleeves.”
What is…
Lao Tzu: Existence renders actual. Non-existence renders useful. Oct 7, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, relates the tale of the monk who questions Chuang Tzu. He begins:
Monk: "Much of what you talk about is that which is not of use to us."
Chuang-Tzu: "Most of the earth is …
How can Truth be expressed without speaking—and without being silent? Sep 30, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, tells of the puzzled monk who visits Master Fuketsu. He asks, "How can Truth be expressed without speaking—and without being silent?"
Lao Tzu said, he who speaks does not…
Is Zen difficult? Also, an in-depth examination of the Mu koan. Sep 23, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of the family where every member was enlightened. A visitor asked the father, “Is Zen difficult?” The father answered, “Yes, very.” The visitor then a…
The story of the centipede, convinced by a fox to start thinking. Sep 16, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, interprets passages of Chuang Tzu, the great Taoist master.
The greatest man is nobody. The man of Tao does not cultivate his manner. Nor does he try not to.
Our mind move…
Don’t run to—and don’t run away. Aug 7, 1988
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how nature wants balance. If conditions swing one way, they eventually swing the other way.
Human nature is the same. If you strive in one direction about someth…
“In what state of mind should I seek Truth?” Doko asks. Sep 9, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how when you first meditate, thoughts of your day may fill your mind. But eventually, you will experience a silence.
God isn’t going to talk to you in words. He …
Without a word, without a thought, who are you? Aug 19, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, tells the story of when Master Hyakujo offered a test to his monks. The winner will be the abbot of the new monastery. He sets out a water jug and says, “Without using i…
Words can’t teach how to practice. Like swimming, we must do it. Jul 22, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses how words can’t teach how to practice or how to wake up. Just like the wheelwright can’t teach how to make a wheel. Too much force and it weakens. Too little a…
Lola recounts the surprising tale of the Sufi mystic who is captured and taken to the slave market by his captors. July 15, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how if we are ruled from without, we are slaves. If we are ruled from within, we are still enslaved.
Short review of recent sesshin.
Lola shares the amusing tale …
The Paramitas - 1. Giving 2. Observing precepts 3. Patience 4. Diligence 5. Meditation. 6. Wisdom. July 8, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, suggests you look at your life as a story. Is there anything you would change? Though this life is not perfect, you’re probably reasonably comfortable living on this sho…
Pranyaparamita, or “the perfection of transcendental wisdom.” July 1, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the possible meanings of several Buddhist and Christian concepts:
• Pranyaparamita, or “the perfection of transcendental wisdom.”
• Sunyata, or the emptiness that…
The similarities between Hassidic Judaism and Buddhism. May 19, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the similarities between Hasidic Judaism and Buddhism.
Many religions are more emotional. Zen practitioners are often intellectual. The similarities between Has…
Make the smallest distinction and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. May 12, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the notion of preferences. As the Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen put it: when love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the …