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
What is this life living you? It’s the same as that which sings in the birds. Jan 8, 1984
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when you breathe, it is not you doing the breathing. As you watch this breath, in time you’ll discover something remarkable about it. To begin work toward …
A Christmas message for Zen practitioners about the birth of the light within. Dec 20, 1986
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, was also an ordained Christian minister. At the holiday she shared a message about Christ within each of us. How we live a dark, deep mystery, and within that darkness t…
To witness the apparent in the real and the real in the apparent. One mind sees both worlds. Jan 26, 1986
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that what we see with our senses—the world in which we live—is a world of effects. The causes are hidden. To witness the apparent in the real and the real in th…
We try to both change and remain the same—the hook that many are on. Jun 7, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, suggests we resist trying to recreate an earlier experience in meditation. The sword loses its edge with constant feeling. Your earliest memories at 3 or 4 or 5… that wa…
Meditation is about life and death. Nirvana is not. The thundering silence. 1990 Sesshin Friday
We are born with this body which brings with it our parents, our grandparents and other lives. Then our essence is added. Then circumstances.Then there is what we do with all this. Also, the thunderi…
Learning to differentiate what you see, what you think and what you feel. Aug 16, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: who will tell you when your mind is playing tricks on you? The importance of learning to differentiate what you see, what you think and what you feel. Also, distin…
Your ego has no power to do anything. It’s impotent. Dec 6, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: If you were absolutely alone on the planet, would you be rich or poor? Would you be beautiful or ugly? Your ego, which establishes all your opinions, isn’t even re…
Misfortune and our identity. And the tale of the farmer who asks God to let him choose the weather. Dec 03, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how many of us create an identity around our misfortune. But it is life’s challenges that helps us find our true selves. Lola recounts the story of the farmer w…
Lao Tzu uses the metaphor of a vessel to show that while existence renders it (and us) actual, it is the vessel's non-existence (or emptiness) that renders it useful. Aug 23, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains passages from Lao Tzu’s book, The Tao Te Ching. Elaborating on the metaphor of the knave of a wheel, or the emptiness of a vessel. And how their existence rende…
What is consciousness? Does a rock have consciousness? Who are we? Summer 1990 Wed Night Sesshin
One of the later talks by Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee. Mid-way through a sesshin, this talk discusses what consciousness is. And how much do we know the world around us. Summer 1990 Wed Night Sesshi…
The mind-body relationship. And breathing from the Hara. Apr 14, 1981
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the mind-body relationship. And breathing from the Hara. Apr 14, 1981
Lola shares the tale of the monk and the bottomless pitcher. And how to focus with a no-thinking mind. 1990 Summer Sesshin Monday
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, gives this talk at night during a week-long sesshin. We hear the crickets chirping and a dog barking. We can sense the atmosphere in which the sesshin takes place. Lola …
When you're fast asleep and hear a noise you wake up. What wakes up? What was awake to hear the noise? Jan 27, 1985.
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the Hindu concepts of Prakriti and Purusha. And the nature of karma. Lola also asks, When you're fast asleep, hear a noise and wake up... what wakes up? What h…
First one finds quiet, explains Lola. Then one goes further and finds silence, or Shunyata. Mar 28, 1982.
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains what is meant by Shunyata, or emptiness. First you find quiet. Then go further and find silence, or Shunyata. Mar 28, 1982.
An early talk by Lola where she explains the metaphor of a boat crossing a river to reach the other side. Apr 20, 1975.
This is an early talk by Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, where she describes an iron bar without a hole. And explains the metaphor about one’s spiritual discipline as a boat crossing a river to reach t…
We can live in the valley—but be the peak. Lola explains how to live an awakened life. Apr 4, 1982
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how, when the world seems tedious or boring—with repeating sameness—we need only remember that the flower we see today is not the same one we saw yesterday. Eac…
What is the power with which you look at yourself? Lola explores the meaning of religion and non-discrimination. Feb 2, 1985
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores how to understand the intuitive knowing with which you look into yourself. Non-discrimination and seeing through the dust on the mirror. Lessons from 8th Centur…
Lola asks: What gives the eye its sight, the ear its hearing? Mar 22, 1987
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: Where is your consciousness? Our True Self is both Being and Becoming. Like a candle flame — unmoving, yet moving. Mar 22, 1987.
Lola explains how the process of becoming awakened depends on two factors—the information you feed your mind—and your meditation. Sep 24, 1989