Appamada

Yunyan was sweeping the ground. Daowu said, “Too busy.” Yunyan replied, “You should know there is one who is not busy.” Daowu answered, “If so, then there is a second moon.” Yunyan lifted what he was holding and asked, “Which moon is this?”

2026-07-06 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Joel shares reflections on Pema Chodran’s book “How We Live is How We Die” and Tibetan Buddhists’ work to live life to prepare for the transition from life to death. Joel also reads from Stephen Levine’s book “A Year to Live.” We hear a reading from the chapter titled “Fear of Fear." Joel leads us in Levine’s “soft belly meditation.”

2026-06-30 I Inquiry I No bridge needed? I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-06-29 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

What might it look like to live a life energized by something other than preference? Recently, while getting feedback on a decision the teachers were considering, Nate was challenged by a council member to consider if a life outside of preference is even possible. Nate thinks it is, though it’s not easy to come by. In this talk, we explore possibilities together. The text of the Hsin Hsin Ming can...

SFZC Great robe of liberation Field far beyond form and emptiness Wearing the Tathagata’s teaching Saving all beings Upaya Vast is the robe of liberation, A formless field of benefaction. I wear the Tathagata’s teachings, To awaken countless beings. Appamada (Ordinary Mind) Vast is the robe of liberation A formless field of benefaction Wearing the universal teaching I realize the one true nature T...

2026-06-22 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Kim gives a dharma talk on "Coleus in the Garden" and other koans.

Most of us have a favorite way of getting stuck. A particular dance we do — the old pattern in new clothes, the familiar mistake in a new context, the same persistent bad habit, again. Today, we look at stuckness not as a problem to be solved but as something we might actually need. The Buddha had something to say about this, as did Suzuki Roshi. And you’ll get to find out which kind of horse you...

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-16 I Inquiry I Great Determination? I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-06-15 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-08 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-09 I Inquiry I Plight thee my troth I Flint Sparks by Appamada

For the last two Sundays, we investigated the ditches of comfort and striving. This week, we turn to what’s between them, what some describe as effortless effort. Joko Beck describes this as pure activity: Pure activity is very rare. There's nearly always a shadow, a film over it. We may not be aware of that; we may just be aware of some tension. There's no tension in pure activity, beyond the phy...

2026-06-01 Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

2026-06-02 I Inquiry I Wandering and Wondering I Josh Gifford by Appamada

Last week we sat with the cost of comfort. Today, we turn to comfort's restless cousin: striving. Most of us have a complicated relationship with achievement — driven by it, exhausted by it, quietly convinced that enough effort will finally get us somewhere. Dogen had thoughts. He opens the fascicle Bendowa with a puzzle: "This Dharma is abundantly present in each human being, but if we do not pra...

2026-05-26 I Inquiry I If you examine myriad things I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-25 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

How comfortable have you gotten? Is the room the perfect temperature? Does Alexa/Siri/Gemini answer all of your questions instantly? Is that difficult conversation still scheduled for someday later? Dogen’s teacher, Tendō Nyojō, carried his cushion in his sleeve. He sat until he ached. At sixty-five he still didn't claim to understand zazen, yet still hadn't missed a day in decades. Nate offers a...

2026-05-19 I Inquiry I A Blessing - A Birthday I Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-05-18 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Program Welcome Incense Offering & Three Bows Heart Sutra Head Student Reads the Case Head Student Raises the Staff Head Student Statement Questions for the Head Student Head Student Comment Final Statement Head Student Returns the Staff Congratulatory Statements Dedication of Merit Bodhisattva vows Three Bows Exit Procession Appamada Senior Teachers Nathan Smalley, Flint Sparks and Peg Syverson E...