Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast

In this episode, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner explores Mumonkan Case 31, where a monk asks an old woman for directions to Mount Tai. She tells him, “Go straight on.” But as he walks away, she remarks, “This good honest priest goes off that way too.” When Jōshū investigates, he simply says, “I’ve seen through the old woman for you.” What did the monk miss? What was the old woman revealing? And why d...

We spend so much of our lives searching for meaning—trying to fit our struggles into a grand narrative, hoping for an explanation that will make sense of it all. But what if the search itself is what keeps us trapped? In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Hekiganroku Case 20: Ryūge Asks Suibi and Rinzai , where a monk asks the age-old question, "What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s co...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 38 , where Rinzai challenges us to see the true person of no rank —the one who moves freely, unbound by illusion. We spend our lives constructing a self, reinforcing it with experiences, roles, and beliefs. But what happens when that self collapses? What remains when there’s nothing left to defend? 🔹 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo , a ten-phrase sutra dedicated to Kanzeon (Avalokiteśvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion . 🔹 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The power of chanting beyond intellectual understanding How Kanzeon embodies both deep listening and action The role of rhythm, breath, and resonance in dissolving the small self Why compassion i...

In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner examines the Three Pure Precepts as a practice of seeing beyond the limitations of self and other . Rather than moral commandments, these precepts serve as a dynamic way of engaging with the world , allowing us to break free from conditioned narratives and step into direct experience. The talk explores how our judgments shape perception , how the gap between se...

In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner explores the nature of true compassion through the lens of Shōyōroku Case 54. Ungan asks Dōgo about the function of Avalokiteśvara’s thousand hands and eyes, and Dōgo responds with a powerful image: “It’s like a man reaching for his pillow in the dark.” No hesitation. No calculation. Just movement. But what does this mean for our daily lives? How do we move bey...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner of One River Zen takes us into the heart of Zen practice with the first case of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate), Joshu’s “Mu.” This foundational koan isn’t just a barrier to be overcome—it’s an invitation to go beyond concepts, labels, and fears to discover the boundless clarity and freedom that lies at the core of our lives. Sensei Michael shares how we fence...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner of One River Zen explores Case 68 from the Shōyōroku (Book of Equanimity), “Kasan’s Slashing Sword.” Through the contrasting teachings of Kasan and Sekisō, this teisho examines key Zen concepts such as: The interplay between practice and realization The dynamic balance of relative and absolute truths Moving beyond dualistic thinking to embody the Dharma The...

In this episode of Awakening Streams , Sensei Michael Brunner explores the profound intersection of Zen wisdom and Western philosophy, focusing on the teachings of Zen master Joshu and philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Drawing from Joshu’s koan in the Shoyoroku (Case 57), “Genyo’s One Thing,” and Wittgenstein’s insights in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations , Sensei...

In this episode of Awakening Streams , we dive into Mumonkan Case 10: Seizei the Poor , a profound koan that challenges our narratives of scarcity and reveals the abundance already present in our lives. Seizei’s plea to Master Sōzan, "I am solitary and poor. Help me become prosperous," opens a powerful teaching on the nature of time, the stories we tell ourselves, and how stepping beyond dualistic...

In this heartfelt episode, Sensei Michael Brunner delivers a teisho exploring the transformative power of Zen practice in the face of personal challenges. Sensei illustrates how mistakes are not deviations from the path but integral to it. Guided by Roshi Diane Martin, supported by Hoshi Vanessa, and embraced by the Sangha, this journey through suffering became a profound opportunity for growth an...

In this episode, Sensei Michael takes us on a journey into Mumonkan Case 12: Zuigan Calls Himself Master, weaving the timeless wisdom of Zen with the psychological insights of Carl Jung. Through Zuigan’s unusual practice of calling out to himself and Jung’s exploration of the shadow and individuation, we uncover the deeper truth of our fragmented selves and the path to integration. With the holida...

In this episode of Awakening Streams , Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shoyoroku Case 87, "Sozan's With or Without," through the lens of Zen and Martin Heidegger’s existential philosophy. Sensei explores how both traditions challenge our reliance on conceptual clinging and habitual ways of knowing, urging us to step into a direct and authentic encounter with reality. Key Points Discussed: The Grav...

In this episode of Awakening Streams , Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on Case 4 of the Sanshekishu , "Obedience," featuring the timeless teachings of Master Bankei. This case tells the story of a proud Nichiren priest who challenges Bankei, only to have his resistance gently unraveled through simple instructions. Sensei dives deep into the heart of this story, exploring: The nature of ego and how...

In this episode of Awakening Streams , Sensei Michael explores the transformative power of missteps on the spiritual path. Far from being obstacles, our mistakes are opportunities to deepen our practice, embrace humility, and awaken to the present moment. Sensei shares insights from Zen teachings, including Dōgen's concept of uji (being-time), reminding us that every moment—including those we migh...

In this teisho titled "Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment," Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shasekishu Case 14, "Muddy Road." This Zen case brings us face-to-face with the challenges of releasing guilt, shame, and the stories we cling to about ourselves and others. Sensei Brunner encourages us to examine how judgments and labels often obscure the reality of the present moment, keepi...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner delivers a powerful teisho from our Zen of Recovery Retreat, examining Shōyōroku Case 16, "The Sound of the Bell and the Seven-Piece Robe." Sensei discusses how discipline and freedom come together in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of being fully present and responding to life as it unfolds—without the interference of our judgments or the habitual...

In this teisho from our Zen of Recovery retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner dives into the teachings of Sansheki-shu , Case 2: "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road." The story of Zen master Gudo and a gambler in desperate need of transformation serves as the foundation for a profound exploration of awakening. Sensei emphasizes that the master we seek is already within us and that our true nature can onl...

In today’s teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shōyōroku Case 91, Nansen’s Peony, a classic koan that questions the nature of reality and our habitual tendencies to divide and categorize our experience. Through Nansen’s response to Riko Taifu’s statement about the unity of all things, Sensei illuminates how our minds draw boundaries between “real” and “unreal,” and “self” and “other,” creating...

In this teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner draws on Case 22 from the Mumonkan , Kashyapa’s Knock Down the Flagpole , to explore the nature of awakening and the importance of letting go of our deeply held expectations and self-concepts. Through the dialogue between Ananda and Mahakashyapa, we’re invited to reflect on what it means to release the notion of who we think we are, to drop our ego, and to me...

"Wandering in the Mountains: Living Fully with Positive Samadhi" In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the kōan from the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record), Case 36: Chōsha Wandering in the Mountains . Through this powerful teaching, Sensei explains the difference between positive samadhi —the experience of fully living in the present—and absolute samadhi , which signifies the dissoluti...

"Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion" In today’s episode, Sensei Michael Brunner offers a powerful teisho based on Shoyoroku Case 14 , "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea." Through this ancient Zen encounter, Sensei explores the core teaching of letting go of our habitual stories, judgments, and expectations to embrace the clarity of the present moment. Key insights include:...

In this episode, Sensei Michael shares reflections from the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen. As the retreat draws to a close, he explores the powerful insights that arise when we step out of the stories we've created about ourselves and engage with the present moment. Drawing from Shōyōroku Case 32, "Kyōzan’s State of Mind," Sensei Michael invites us to observe our thoughts an...

Case #59 of the Shoyoroku – Seirin’s Deadly Snake: Attention! A monk asked Master Seirin, “How about when a student proceeds on the trail?” Seirin replied, “The dead snake hits the great road. I advise you not to bump into it.” The monk said, “When it’s bumped into, then what?” Seirin answered, “You lose your life!” The monk continued, “When it’s not bumped into, then what?” And Seirin said, “Ther...

CASE 46: Stepping Forward From the Top of a Pole Case: Master Sekiso said, “How will you step forward from the top of a hundred-foot pole?” Another eminent master of old said, “Even though one who is sitting on the top of a hundred-foot pole has entered realization, it is not yet real. He must step forward from the top of the pole and manifest his whole body throughout the world in ten directions....