Young Urban Zen SF

Rev. Shosan Victor Austin, a senior priest at City Center, speaks about how the somatics of meditation practice can help us in our stressful busy lives.  the somatics of meditation practice can help us in our stressful busy lives Young Urban Zen

On an anniversary of when he first came to practice, Eli Brown-Stevenson shares some of the choices he made—and a few things he wishes he had paid closer attention to—in a reflection for his younger self and, maybe, for anyone else finding their way into practice too. Note to Self Young Urban Zen

Michael McCord discusses the intersection of leadership and Zen principles. Whether you have a formal leadership role at home (parent), school (resident assistant; teachers assistant) or work (managing, mentoring), we all impact each other and also take on many undefined roles where others look to us directly or indirectly.  What we find in looking at this is that relationships are the c...

Kōgetsu Mok talks about the koan of our lives as we meet impossible situations, difficult conversations, the mountains of uncertainty, and challenging times.  How can Zen practice help train us to meet these moments with better self-awareness, skillful action, grace, and integrity?  Can we be kind to ourselves in the process, forgive the mistakes of others and ourselves, and se...

Michael McCord references a quote by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami: Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. This is very much in alignment with the basic noble truths of Zen and yet can be so elusive in the moments we inhabit. How do we live into a future where we hold the discomforts, annoyances, turmoil and pain of our existence in altogether different way?  What can I do today or tomo...

Tim Wicks, the City Center Head of Practice, gives a brief way seeking mind talk telling the story of how he came to practice Zen. He also speaks about three basic tenets of Buddhism and how they are practiced in community. Way Seeking Mind Young Urban Zen

Kōgetsu Mok discusses Suzuki Roshi's "Not Always So"—Be Kind with Yourself. Our practice has an emphasis on warm heart and warm zazen. This kind of practice shows us how to take care of ourselves, our lives and others. When we're kind with our breathing, true practice can emerge as we learn to manage our impulses and busy lives. Kindness Young Urban Zen

Hiro Ikushima speaks on the theme of pausing. In a world that moves swiftly and often without mercy, the simple act of pausing can feel revolutionary. A single breath, a quiet moment of stopping, can open a doorway back to our own hearts. We explore how pausing allows us to meet life with greater tenderness, clarity, and courage — how it invites us to respond rather than react and move through the...

Zachary Smith addresses Earth Day in the form of Case 5 of the Blue Cliff Record, in which Xuěfēng seems to be claiming that the Great Earth is no bigger than a millet seed. Case 5 of the Blue Cliff Record Young Urban Zen

Eli Brown-Stevenson offers a talk titled The Art of Just This.  Inspired by art and this quote from Suzuki Roshi, Eli talks about the importance of being with the process and not just focused on outcomes and results.  “A wonderful painting is the result of the feeling in your fingers. If you have the feeling of the thickness of the ink in your in your brush, the painting is already there...

Michael McCord discusses how one might stop the momentum of burn out. The Buddha lived a life of extreme luxury and then dove head-long into asceticism for many years, only to come to the realization that a balanced life was where harmony could be found. His story is a road map for modern life full of pursuit, accomplishment and acquisition.  Even when a person buys-in to the concep...

Kōgetsu Mok talks about the 5 Remembrances, a very powerful Buddhist teaching on impermanence and on owning our karma and actions. Five Remembrances Young Urban Zen

Resentment often lingers quietly, heavy, unspoken, and rooted in pain. But it can be your teacher, showing you where you are still holding on. In this talk, Hiro Ikushima explores how Zen practice invites us to meet resentment with tenderness and curiosity. By turning toward it, we may uncover the hurt beneath and open the way to healing, compassion, and freedom. Even our hardest emotions can beco...

As children, many of us were raised by parents who told us to “be patient—and yet, few of us learned exactly what patience is or how to cultivate it. Mei Elliott explores what patience looks like, and how we can manifest it in our life and practice. If we're experiencing any form of suffering—large or small—patience can provide a doorway to freedom amidst difficulty. 2025 03 18 Mei Patience Young...

Eli Brown-Stevenson talks about the transformative power of ‘affinity’—that natural resonance of being seen and welcomed—and how zazen practice can help us meet ourselves and others with openness, trust, and compassion. Affinity Young Urban Zen

Zachary Smith reflects on a talk given by Zentatsu Richard Baker, SFZC’s second Abbot, in 2012 about the idea of “mental posture”. Zach discusses how this idea can help us both with sitting and with bringing practice to our daily activity outside the Zendo. Mental Posture Young Urban Zen

Kōgetsu Mok talks about how our Zen practice can help us better approach love and intimacy. How can the Bodhisattva Precepts, Eightfold Path, and other tools help us be upright with our relationships to others and ourselves? Love and Dating (continued) Young Urban Zen

Michael McCord discusses taking refuge in sangha, from the standpoint of Buddhist training for being with not only the sangha and the world, but clues to our own mystery of suffering. How good is our hearing for those with whom we do not agree?  How do we cultivate being present with people whom we find oppressive or askew with our views, especially if we are trying to find our voice? &n...

Zachary Smith unpacks the English word “Love”—perhaps the most overloaded word in the language—and talks about its experiential footprint in practice, as well as how practice can foster love in our everyday relationships. Valentines Dharma: Love and Zen Young Urban Zen

Kōgetsu Mok talks about how our Zen practice can help us better approach love and intimacy. How can zazen and our practice of the Bodhisattva Precepts help us be upright with our relationships to others and ourselves?  Applying Zen Precepts to Relationships Young Urban Zen

Michael McCord talks about the Triple Treasure and taking refuge in Soto Zen Buddhism. Taking Refuge Young Urban Zen

Zachary Smith shares two koans from the Blue Cliff Record. Two Koans from the Blue Cliff Record Young Urban Zen

Kodo Conlin says farewell and talks about practice and leadership transition at YUZ. Leadership Transition Young Urban Zen

Kōgetsu shares thoughts and reflections on a poem, The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, and how understanding the nature of duality can alleviate suffering. The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi Kogetsu Jenny Mok

The topic is (yet another) Zen story, suitable for the late season and the promise of a New Year, that brings up the question of what actually happens when the world ends. For those who have a copy of the Blue Cliff Record lying around, the case number is 29. Blue Cliff Record Case 29 Zachary Smith