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
The Taoist sage, Lieh Tzu, was once asked: Why do you value emptiness? Jun 12, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how existence is reported to us as separate objects. But there is a unity to life that runs through everything—called the Tao. The Taoist sage, Lieh Tzu, was on…
By the merit of a single sitting, they destroy innumerable sins. (Hakuin) Jun 5, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of a teacher’s interaction with his student, Hakuin, who became the founder of Rinzai. From Hakuin’s “Song Of Meditation” we hear: “All beings are from…
There are plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen master sitting still? Mind vs action. May 29, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: What are you searching for? Do you know it is your ego that is doing the searching? You see plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen ma…
The tale of the thief who robs Shichiri Kojun who was busy reciting sutras. Don’t fight the darkness—light a candle. May 22, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses judging others, the interdependence of the universe. Indra’s net — the mirror mind, and how every one of us reflects everything else. How we shouldn't fight th…
Human beings are stuck in an in-between state—not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. May 15, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that we are in an in-between state. We’re not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. We are objectively self-conscious—conscious of things out there, a…
When we meditate and watch our breath, we are playing an iron flute with no holes. Apr 24, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of Kakua, the first Japanese man to study Zen in China. After returning to Japan the emperor asked him what he learned. He took out a flute, played a s…
Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth? Apr 10, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the monk who asks Fuketsu “Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth?” His answer: "I always remember springtime in southern China. Th…
Being truly alive should be an adventure into the unknown. Apr 3, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, describes how humankind repeats the same old pattern. We do not want our dream disturbed.We live in the known, afraid of the unknown. Being truly alive should be an adve…
We identify with everything but ourselves. Possessions, emotions, thoughts. But not our true selves. What is true silence? Mar 12, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of the student who visits a teacher, whose only answer to his questions is to sweep fallen leaves. Also, how we identify with everything but ourselves.…
Chuang Tzu and appreciating the useless in the world. Mar 6, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how existence renders actual . Non-existence renders useful. It is not the walls, but the seemingly non-actual space within the house, that renders it useful. C…
The intellect cannot penetrate consciousness. When you drop thoughts, consciousness is present. When you drop the pseudo self, the True Self is present. July 12, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when we are born we emerge from a mysterious life source, and when we die we return to that source. And now, in mediation, we have the opportunity to know …
What is the meaning of movement and rest, in Zen and Christian practice? Dec 13, 1981
Zen Roshi (and ordained Christian minister), Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the Christian notion of sin. In Aramaic sin means to miss, and does not have guilt or shame associated with it like we do. St…
As you breathe into the tanden (Hara), your focus deepens and mysteries will reveal themselves. You don’t have to solve them—they reveal themselves to you. Apr 14, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee discusses oneness and self-restraint. Eventually there is serenity and a child-like innocence. And the innocent Self sees everything… and the whole world is divine. Breat…
Are you free or is your conditioning controlling you? Dig into yourself and ask “Who am I?” Jun 21, 1981
What is happiness? The tale of the farmer who demanded from God to have control of the weather, and God said yes. Challenges in life are how you learn. Finding your true self takes work. Are you fre…
We are divided between our senses and our thinking, our body and soul, matter and consciousness. Jun 14, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses finding ways to integrate ourselves. Strengthening the tanden (Hara). How to work on the division between our senses and our thinking. Body and soul. Matter an…
Zen practice is not an intellectual endeavor. The tale of the blind man and the lantern. Feb 17, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the meaning of knowledge and ignorance in Buddhism and the Bible. The Tree Of Knowledge and the Tree Of Life. Zen practice is not an intellectual endeavor. The …
When you look in the mirror, do you see you? When you are silent, it speaks. Your absence is its presence. Feb 10, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses Chinese Master Yoka Daishi. We were all born with our true religion. It is essential in us. Not some borrowed doctrine. It’s not something outside which you …
Understanding Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching and the Middle Way. Non-action, yet nothing remains undone. Sep 22, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching. Also, the tale of the master swordsman, the rat and the palace cat. If you look for an enemy, you will find one. If I give a gift and i…
Do not sit in meditation waiting for enlightenment. Direct your attention to the mind. And, what is faith? Mar 2, 1986
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the beginning stanzas of the Diamond Sutra. What to do with our thoughts? Where is the mind? What is faith? Is there a wisdom that is the ground of mind? Where…
Exploring the meaning of the Dhammapada. Listening to teachings as if you are an empty tape recorder. Sep 4, 1983
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, on listening to teachings as if you are an empty tape recorder—not judging, evaluating, or comparing. The Dhammapada, or stepping into the dharma. Also, our world is re…