253 – Practice is How You Live Each and Every Moment – Part 1
The formal aspects of Buddhist practice – the things you can look at and identify as “Buddhist practice” – are very important. These include meditation, Dharma study, and time with Sangha. However, unless you’re a monk in a really strict monastery, over 90% of your time is spent outside of formal practice. It’s important to remember that practice each and every moment – how we choose to live our life, just as it is – is the most important thing.
252 – Reflexiones sobre “Bussho: La naturaleza Búdica” de Dogen Parte 2: Existencia Total
Category: Textos Budistas, Enseñanzas Zen ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 252 En mi segundo episodio, que reflexiona sobre “Bussho” o “La Naturaleza Búdica” de Dogen,...
252 – Reflections on Dogen’s “Bussho, The Buddha-Nature” Part 2: Total Existence
In my second episode reflecting on Dogen’s “Bussho,” or “The Buddha-Nature,” I discuss how Buddha-Nature is a teaching about our existential koan as human beings. I also talk about how Dogen says we have already got Buddha-Nature, and then explore more fully his teaching about “Total Existence.”
251 – Reflexiones sobre “Bussho: La naturaleza Búdica” de Dogen Parte 1: Existencia Total
Category: Textos Budistas, Enseñanzas Zen ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 251 En su ensayo “Bussho” o “La Naturaleza de Buda”, Dogen explora y expande una enseñanza...
251 – Reflections on Dogen’s “Bussho, The Buddha-Nature” Part 1: Being
In his essay “Bussho,” or “The Buddha-Nature,” Dogen explores and expands a classic Mahayana Buddhist teaching. I reflect on a few central concepts from the first paragraph.
250 – En Zazen Dejamos de Imponernos al Mundo y, En Cambio, lo Encontramos
Category: Meditación ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 250 En zazen dejamos de imponernos al mundo ya sea mediante nuestro pensamiento habitual o mediante cualquier esfuerzo por controlar o juzgar...
250 – In Zazen We Stop Imposing Ourselves on the World and Meet It Instead
In zazen we stop imposing ourselves on the world either through our habitual thinking or through any effort to control or judge our meditative experience. Only then can we meet the world us it is unfolding around, within, and through us – but this meeting requires energy and participation. This episode addresses the two essential aspects of zazen practice: What we are not doing, and what we are doing. Both are equally important and both are easily misunderstood.
249 – ¿Son Relevantes Para los Jefes de Familia las Enseñanzas del Buda Sobre la Renuncia? – Parte 2
Category: Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 249 En esta segunda mitad de una discusión de dos episodios, reviso brevemente las limitaciones de los placeres sensuales o...
249 – Are the Buddha’s Teachings on Renunciation Relevant for Householders? – Part 2
In this second half of a two-episode discussion, I briefly review the limitations of sensual or worldly pleasures. Then I explore how engagement with the world, contrary to simply being a compromise, can be its own path of practice. Finally, I talk about how the Buddha’s teachings on renunciation are not only relevant but deeply meaningful and useful for householders.
248 – ¿Son Relevantes Para los Jefes de Familia las Enseñanzas del Buda Sobre la Renuncia? – Parte 1
Category: Enseñanzas Budistas ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 248 El Buda fue bastante claro. Si querías experimentar la liberación completa, la mejor práctica era la...
248 – Are the Buddha’s Teachings on Renunciation Relevant for Householders? – Part 1
The Buddha was pretty clear. If you wanted to experience complete liberation, it was best to leave all worldly things behind: Family, sex, alcohol, fancy food, music, entertainment, frivolity, etc. Why did the Buddha recommend this? Why do fully ordained Buddhist monks and nuns still live this way? Are the Buddha’s teachings on renunciation relevant for householders?
247 – Desafíos de la Sangha: Cómo y Por Qué Abrirse al Tesoro de la Sangha – Parte 3
Category: Práctica Budista ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 247 En la Parte 3 de mi discusión sobre “Desafíos de la Sangha”, termino mi lista de razones por las que puedes...
247 – Sangha Challenges: How and Why to Open Up to the Treasure of Sangha – Part 3
In Part 3 of my “Sangha Challenges” discussion, I finish my list of reasons you may resist joining a Buddhist community or find it challenging to maintain your relationship with one over time. I present each challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Two Episodes Recommended by Listeners
This is my third and final post during my 2023 sabbatical month. I’ll be back soon with a full episode, but in the meantime I wanted to share two past episodes with you that multiple listeners have said were important to them.
Recommended Episodes on Zazen
Your chosen form of meditation may be what I call “Directed Effort” meditation, or “Letting Go” meditation (I discuss Directed Effort versus letting go in Episodes 83 and 84: Two Paths to Meditative Concentration: Directed Effort Versus Letting Go – Part 1 and Part 2). In either case, you may find some useful tips in Episodes 184 and 185: 14 Ways to Enliven Your Zazen. When my zazen gets dull, lazy, restless, or distracted, these are the ways I try to engage my meditation more wholeheartedly.
Announcement and Recommended Episode on Mindfulness
I take a sabbatical from my Zen teaching one month a year, and this year it’s in August. In this announcement I explain (and thank you for your patience), and recommend a past episode to listen to (published six years ago!).
246 – Desafíos de la Sangha: Cómo y por qué abrirse al tesoro de la Sangha – Parte 2
Category: Práctica Budista ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 246 En la Parte 2 de mi discusión sobre los “Desafíos de la sangha”, hablo sobre varias razones por las que puede...
246 – Sangha Challenges: How and Why to Open Up to the Treasure of Sangha – Part 2
In Part 2 of my “Sangha Challenges” discussion, I talk about various reasons you may resist joining a Buddhist community or find it challenging to maintain your relationship with one over time. I present each challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning. I will finish up my list of challenges in the next episode, Part 3.
245 – Desafíos de la Sangha: Cómo y por qué abrirse al tesoro de la Sangha – Parte 1
Category: Práctica Budista ~ Translator: Claudio Sabogal Click here for audio + English version of Episode 245 ¿Deberías unirte a una Sangha? La Sangha, o comunidad, es uno de los “Tres tesoros” del Budismo, pero ¿es...
Spanish Translations
