Cosmopolitan Zen

Three Refuges - Nanda Nina Lynch - Dharma Reflection - June 14th, 2025 Nanda gives a Dharma Reflection and brief meditation on the Three Refuges. In Buddhism, the three refuges, also known as the Three Jewels or Triple Gem, are the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). They represent the foundational elements of Buddhist faith and practice, guiding practitioners towards enlig...

Fall Practice Period 2025 Daiden Dan Pecaut’s talk centers on awakening as the process of seeing through the ego and returning to embodied wholeness. He describes the ego not as a fixed entity but as a shifting collection of stories, memories, and defenses. Zen, he says, doesn’t destroy this process but places it in proper perspective, allowing the deeper self — Buddha-nature — to lead. Daiden str...

Ekai gives a talk about the Origins of Our Practice at Gently Sitting Like a Stone 2025.   Ekai Roshi Joel Kreisberg discusses the origins of our lineage and practice. Bridging ancient teachings with 21st-century understanding, translating traditional koans like “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” into accessible insight questions such as “Can you listen without an opinion?” Ekai explains ho...

Fall Practice Period 2025 Shunya Lynn Hyer shares teachings inspired by Junpo Roshi, exploring the transformative nature of emotions, especially anger and fear, as gateways to awareness rather than reactions to avoid. She explains that beneath anger lies deep caring, and when met with mindfulness, anger becomes a compass pointing toward unmet needs and truths. Using tools like an “emotions wheel,”...

Brahmavihara: Cultivating Virtue Through The Four Immeasurables - Upekkha - April 6, 2025 Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the fourth of the Brahmaviharas, Upekkha also known as Equanimity. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionat...

Fall Practice Period 2025   Kogen Keith Martin-Smith is the author of several books devoted to the life and dharma teaching of Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi. Kogen was ordained by Jun Po Roshi in 2012.  He continues to teach and to write. He offers an innovative podcast at  The Integral Edge.  Roshi Ekai Joel Kreisberg caught up with Kogen recently in anticipation of his joining the  Fall Practice Peri...

Ming Po gives a Dharma talk on Ethical Living and Spiritual Practice. The talk explores how the Three Pure Precepts—refraining from harm, doing good, and living for the benefit of all—interweave with the Zen Peacemaker Tenets of not knowing, bearing witness, and taking loving action. Ming Po emphasizes that these are not rigid rules but living vows inviting openness, compassion, and mindful respon...

Ekai gives a Dharma talk on the 7th precept, Celebrate Others - I vow to refrain from praising self at the expense of others. I rejoice in the good fortune of others. I do not, through my thoughts, words or actions, separate myself from others through coveting, envy or jealousy.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting p...

Fall Practice Period 2025 In “The Way Out Is Through” Jozen Jonathon Fielder defines consciousness as the ever-changing lens shaped by upbringing, biology, culture and ego—those personas and hot buttons we wear—then distinguishes that from awareness: the unchanging, ever-present ground that simply knows. He emphasizes that consciousness is always in relationship (to memories, God, others, desires)...

How does Zen understand meditation?  In what ways is Rinzai practice different from Soto practice?  How do we understand Zazen versus meditation?  In this introductory talk,  Roshi Ekai Joel Kreisberg traces the history of Zen Buddhism and how it evolves into the modern day practice of Zen in 21st Century America.  This dharma talk introduces the Five Gates approach of Cosmopolitan Zen.  It was of...

WSP25 - Embody Compassion - Nanda Nina Lynch - September 6th, 2025 Nanda gives a Dharma Reflection on the precept, Embody Compassion - I vow to refrain from ill will. Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Brahmavihara: Cultivating Virtue Through The Four Immeasurables - Mudita - April 6, 2025 Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the third of the Brahmaviharas, Mudita also known as Sympathetic Joy. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassion...

Brahmavihara: Cultivating Virtue Through The Four Immeasurables - Karuna - April 6, 2025 Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the second of the Brahmaviharas, Karuna also known as Compassion. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate...

WSP - Respect Clarity - Nanda Nina Lynch - August 9th, 2025   Nanda gives a Dharma Reflection on the fifth precept, Respect Clarity - I vow to refrain from intoxicants. I act at all times with mindfulness and clarity. I do not abuse my body or cloud my mind with the misuse of intoxicants.   Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings p...

Emyo leads us on a guided meditation of the first of the Brahmaviharas, Metta also known as Loving Kindness. https://www.onewisdom.ca/ Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Weekend Sangha Practice - Between Love and Lust - Ming Po Larry Matthews - July 26th, 2025   Ming Po gives a Dharma Reflection on the 3rd precept, Be Loving – I vow to refrain from misusing sexuality.  I am conscious and loving in all of my relationships. In sexuality, I discern the difference between love and lust and do not take advantage of other human beings. I transform the arising of lust in...

Seven Bodhisattva Archetypes - Samantabadhra - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - April 21st, 2025 - SPP25 Faces of Compassion - Week 3 - Our next exploration is of Samantabadhra as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Samantabhadra is a prominent Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, often associated with wisdom, compassion, and practice. He is also known as "Universal Worthy" or "All Good". Samantabhadra is frequently depi...

Weekend Sangha Practice - Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 31st, 2025 The phrase "Small Mind, Big Mind, One Mind" is a concept often explored in Zen Buddhism and mindfulness practices. It refers to different perspectives or modes of awareness within the mind and how they relate to each other. Ming Po reflects on this concept, gives personal examples, and a brief practi...

 "It's like opening up the shell, peering out the shell, and then casting off the shell and allowing a new outer appearance."  Heisoku Maik Bain is preparing for his ordination as a Dragon Heart Dharma priest. He continues to offer Mondo Zen Facilitation actively and participates in several sanghas including One Wisdom Zen, Dragon Heart Dharma, Hollow Bones Zen and Shining Bright Lotus Meditation...

SPP25 - Seven Bodhisattva - Avalokiteshvara - Nanda Nina Lynch - April 26th, 2025 Faces of Compassion - Week 4 - Our next exploration is of Avalokiteshvara as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Avalokiteshvara is a revered Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. They are also known by various names in different cultures, such as Guanyin in China. Avalokiteshvara's primary...

Our current Shuso, Daijo Scott Duffer offers a Dharma Reflection entitled Daishizen and Stewarding the Earth. This teaching was given at the Shuso Ceremony June 28th, 2025 Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action. https://www.shiningbrightlotus.org/

Seven Bodhisattvas - Ksitigarbha - Kenshin Cian Whalley - May 3rd, 2025 - SPP25 Faces of Compassion - Week 5 - Our next exploration is of Ksitigarbha as a Bodhisattva archetype.  Ksitigarbha, also known as Jizō in Japanese and Dizang in Chinese, is a prominent figure in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in East Asia. He is revered as a rescuer of beings in hell and a guardian of souls, especially fo...

Seven Bodhisattvas - Maitreya - Ming Po Larry Matthews - May 10th, 2025 - SPP25 Faces of Compassion - Week 6 - Our next exploration is of Maitreya as a Bodhisattva archetype. Maitreya is a revered figure in Buddhism, specifically a bodhisattva, which means he is a being on the path to enlightenment. He is believed to be the future Buddha of the current world, the one who will emerge to teach the D...

Daijo Scott Duffer is full on in training with Shining Bright Lotus Meditation Society. He serves as our Shuso - head student. He will be ordained as a priest with Dragon Heart Dharma. He’s working through Mondo Zen Facilitation. He serves as a guide in the Condor Clan, leading Condor Vision Quests and he has been a long time member of the Man Kind Project. Ekai Joel Kreisberg caught up with Daijo...

Seven Bodhisattvas - Vimalakirti - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - May 17th, 2025 - SPP25 Faces of Compassion - Week 7 - Our next exploration is of Vimalakirti as a Bodhisattva archetype. Vimalakirti is a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly known for his central role in the Vimalakirti Sutra. He represents the ideal lay practitioner, demonstrating wisdom, skill in liberative techniques, a...