Zen and Ecodharma Talks by Kritee Kanko

What is the relationship between the big “eternal” spiritual mind and our small lonely or calculative mind? How to live our daily lives in these times of polycrisis and systemic oppression?

This talk …

How is an enlightened compassion the essence of our “impossible" suffering?

In this profound talk, Dr. Kritee explores case 21 of the Mumonkan, where a student asks Zen Master Yunmen "What is the esse…

How do we cultivate deeper trust in life when everything seems to be falling apart? What does it mean to "proceed on from the top of a hundred-foot pole" - to let go just when we think we've learned …

Using the example of the Babemba tribe’s harm resolution ceremony, Sensei Kritee explores “What if a wise response to our current times is to expand our vision and perception beyond the limits of a s…

How can we make wholesome decisions in the face of impossible dilemmas that life throws at us? How do we face impossible choices when hanging between life and death?

In this talk, Dr. Kritee Kanko ref…

How can we cultivate fearlessness in these turbulent times? Can developing our ability to grieve, trust, and surrender help us access our inner vastness and fearlessness? Is our practice supporting c…

How can we respond with loving clarity and topple brothers like Trump or Musk who are stuck in toxic patterns of power and control?

In this profound Dharma talk, Sensei Kritee Kanko explores a koan ab…

How can a soiled toilet paper which you have used to wipe your ass be Buddha? How can the things we “hate” about life be “sacred”? How can the worst kinds of physical and emotional pain experienced d…

What is the mental state from which we can take action during these times of uncertainty, fear and grief? How can we access such a “prized” mental state?

In this talk Sensei Kritee Kanko (Ph.D.) shar…

What is inner spiritual liberation? What happens when outer social-political liberation is not possible in these times of polycrisis?

In this talk, Dr. Kritee explores the path of inner liberation in…

Can the deepest personal, societal and ecological challenges we face lead our way to the "great bliss"?  If the most vulnerable species and innocent children are being killed every hour, is it okay f…

Is a widespread climate chaos or collapse inevitable? Can we face this impending chaos through the frameworks promoted by late stage capitalism: the ones driven by quarterly or annual financial retur…

Can there be grievous suffering even in the midst of an expansive, vast and clear “blue sky” mind?

In Buddhism, the practice of meditation helps us access what some teachers call “the blue sky mind”,…

Is Mu enough?

In this talk, Sensei Kanko dives into some details of the Rinzai Zen path, discussing the all-encompassing nature of the Mu Koan and its relationship to breathing from the hara (lower b…

Kisagotami's Mustard Seed - Hidden Lamp 49 Will Western Buddhism lead us to selfish acts and an egoistic pursuit of enlightenment if we do not reintroduce the original communal aspects of Buddhism a…

How to access your spiritual power amidst overwhelming grief and shame?

How can a sword made of paper help you when you are being attacked? How can we fight oppression when we feel powerless? How can…

How can we bridge the gap between serene meditation experiences and our world’s ongoing climate and social crisis?

In this thought-provoking talk given on the last day of a Zen retreat, Sensei Kank…

How is giving birth or merging with a lover a Buddhist act?

Familiar encounters in novel ways. In this radical talk, Sensei Kanko explores the contours of a Zen life and experience in a warm and nove…

Can we find the most important teaching in Zen (Mu) in indigenous cultures?

In this talk, Sensei Kanko talks about the most important Koan: Joshu's Mu, and discusses how it is related to wisdom and …