The Point of Zazen as found in "Beyond Thinking" on Dogen by Kazuaki Tananhashi. This evening we explore Dogen without Norman's assistance.

The Point of Zazen as found in "Beyond Thinking - A Guide to Zen Meditation" by Kazuaki Tananhashi on Zen Master Dogen

Second talk on The Point of Zazen as well as a talk on The King of Samadhis as found in "Beyond Thinking - A Guide to Zen Meditation" by Kazuaki Tananhashi on Zen Master Dogen

Norman gives a guided mediation on "The Point Within" to the Makor Or Passover Intensive.

Norman gives a talk on The Raw Spot.

Zoketsu asks, "What does it mean to be a person?" He also discusses the Kayagatasati Sutta, the discourse that describes the meditation practice involving contemplation on the body.

Jeff Bickner gives his dharma talk on The Teachings of Kobun Chino on the anniversary of his passing. Kobun Chino was one of Jeff's teachers some years back.

Norman gives the 4th to the Makor Or High Holidays Intensive on "The Teshuvah of Forgiveness"

Norman speaks to Makor Or on "The Teshuvah of Words".

Chris Fortin speaks on "What is Zen? to the Montara Mountain Zendo group.

Most people come to Zen practice not quite knowing what to expect. Popular images of tough Zen masters, rigorous retreats, and hardwon enlightenment experiences may obscure the fact that, when you come down to it, Zen is as much about relationship and interaction as anything else.

Aren’t words and concepts the antithesis of enlightenment? In an essay published in the March 2007 issue of Shambhala Sun, Norman wonders why he is compelled to write, and concludes that all language is a form of prayer.

Chris Fortin leads the seminar in the fifth talk of a series on Women in Buddhism 2009 based on two texts: Grace Shireson's "Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters" and Susan Murcott's "The First Buddhist Women: Translation and Commentary on the Therigatha". Chris also speaks on Dogen's writings regarding women teachers from Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma Book 28 "Getting the Marrow by Doing Obeisance" (Raihai Tokuzui). http://hcbss.stanford.edu/research/projects/sztp/translations/shobogenzo/translations/raihai_tokuzui/rhtz.translation.html Unfortunately Chris' mike dislodged 40 minutes into the talk and the remainder half hour is a low volume.

Sixth and final in a series on Women in Buddhism 2009 based on two texts: Grace Shireson's "Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters" and Susan Murcott's "The First Buddhist Women: Translation and Commentary on the Therigatha".

Zoketsu lectures on Daniel Goleman's Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. - Proceedings of a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Western philosophers and scientists. He examines the usual dichotomy of emotions v. intellect. Description of scientific studies of a Tibetan monk in a deep meditative state.

Zoketsu lectures on Daniel Goleman's Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. - Proceedings of a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Western philosophers and scientists. Discussion of the transcendent vs. immanent self. A discussion of emotions and conditioning, and an examination of three methods of working with negative emotions.

Zoketsu lectures on Daniel Goleman's Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. - Proceedings of a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Western philosophers and scientists. The Buddhist path is the training and cultivation of the mind, which includes working with both emotion and thinking. So it is not a matter of using ethics and will to overcome and tame emotion, but rather using mindfulness of our mental states, that include both emotion and thought, to create a transformation of the emotions that arise

Zoketsu lectures on Daniel Goleman's Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. - Proceedings of a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Western philosophers and scientists. Discussion of the spirit of working with and studying our emotional life. Rather than taking it as a given, it is something with which we are actively engaged. Description of the brahnmaviharas: loving kindness, equanimity, compassion, and sympathetic joy

Stephen Batchelor's edition of "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" was the main text for Norman's ten talks on Shantideva. See Study Guide: Compassion.

Taking Our Places: the Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up, is a book about spiritual practice as a journey toward true human maturity based on mentoring work Norman did with a group of four boys on the cusp of adulthood. Taking Our Places discusses the practices and the values that can deepen our lives as we grow. It includes chapters on meditation, listening, suffering, and ethical conduct.

This classic first collection of Suzuki Roshi's lectures, published in the 1970's, is a wonderful introduction to Zen teachings, from basic posture in meditation to emptiness and enlightenment.

This is the second collection of Suzuki Roshi's lectures, and a companion volume to "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." Suzuki talks about Zen in everyday language, with clarity and insight.

Robert Aiken Roshi's clear, insightful discussion of the complexities of Zen ethics, as they relate to personal and social action.

Another recommended version of the Shantideva text.

Another recommended Shantideva text, by the Dalai Lama and the Padmakara Translation Group

"'Being Upright'...takes us beyond the conventional interpretation of ethical precepts to the ultimate meaning that informs them."

Suzuki Roshi talks about this important Soto Zen text whose theme is the interpenetration of oneness and diversity, a cornerstone of Suzuki Roshi’s understanding.