Young Urban Zen SF

Our topic for this talk is A True Companion: Zazen & Mortality . We will begin with embodiment and stay close to our resources as we take an honest, Dharmic look into the transformative power of this journey from here to the end of our life. A True Companion: Zazen & Mortality Kodo Conlin

The topic is focused on an old Zen story (Case 4 of the  Blue Cliff Record  for those who are familiar with the literature), which discusses the apparently paradoxical relationship between what we might call “spiritual ambition”—i.e. wishing to benefit in some way from a spiritual practice like Zen—and the way in which ambition of any sort (aka “grasping”) is a barrier to fruitful practi...

What is the intersection of Zen and Politics?  What principles in Zen practice are most pertinent to engaging/not engaging/digesting the political discourses of our times? Zen and Politics Michael McCord

When we're struggling or feeling lost, what do we have faith in? In other words, what do we believe will bring greater happiness? In this sense, we're all placing our faith in something-- whether that's the Dharma, a job promotion, romance, Netflix or cookies; we all seek happiness somewhere. Though faith isn't often associated with Buddhism, it's a fundamental part of the practice. During th...

The topic is the koan of "Jumping Off the Hundred Foot Pole" (Case 79 Blue Cliff Record)  and how we can find trust and faith in ourselves and our practice. How can we cultivate loving kindness and compassion within our zazen practice and how we spread that to the world around us? Jumping Off the Hundred Foot Pole Kogetsu Jenny Mok

Zachary Smith, inspired by a Koan—Case 30 of the Blue Cliff Record—talks about what we’re actually “supposed" to be practicing with. Case 30 of the Blue Cliff Record Zachary Smith

We have so many different types of work and yet, they are all governed by the same Zen principles:  what does this moment ask for? What is my body sensation and mental formation around what is happening?  How can I appropriately show up for "production" when Zen is about the "path" not necessarily the end result? Work Practice Michael McCord

Each moment, the mind takes on an attitude, perspective, or way of seeing. These perspectives will often color our vision such that reality is missed and we see everything through me-colored glasses. We'll talk about what Zazen has to do with taking off distorted lenses and seeing the world anew. How we relate to experience Kodo Conlin

We will discuss what it can be to be "awake" in the midst of our busy lives. Practically speaking, what is it to be "awake" in places like work and bring practice to our daily struggles? How can the practice of awakening help with the daily stresses and anxieties that arise? We'll look at embodied rituals and zazen that can help alleviate suffering and help us get through our difficultie...

In Zen, words are tools to guide us, but they are not the destination. We will discuss how words can sometimes mislead us in practice, and how we can stay grounded in the direct, lived experience of our true nature rather than getting lost in concepts. Words, Ducks, and Buddha: Don’t Get Lost in Translation! Eli Brown-Stevenson

Zachary Smith: we’ll answer the age-old and often-asked question, “Why did Bodhidharma come from the West?” Why did the Patriarch (i.e Bodhidharma) come from the West? Zachary Smith

Michael McCord: Do Zen monks have difficult conversations that they wrestle with whether to have or not? What space does difficulty with others play in the Buddhist path?  Tonight we will explore the subject of difficult conversations, and when it may or may not be best to engage.  And if so, what we do before, during and after - so that we and others may suffer a little less and se...

Eli Brown-Stevenson: We will be discussing a few flavors of fear and the role of zazen (Zen meditation) in overcoming everyday anxieties. Meeting Fear With Stillness Eli Brown-Stevenson

Michael McCord: what does Zen elucidate about who we are if there is "no self"? A machine is looked at as a soulless collection of fallible parts that are subject to decay and failure.  How is this different from the Zen concept of the self, an unfixed ever changing collection of matter with no permanent properties that eventually falls apart?   And why does it matter? Being Human In the...

Kogetsu Mok: we’ll dive deep on ”Studying the Self” from Dogen Zenji’s Genjo Koan. Studying The Self Kogetsu Mok

For our discussion, let's see if we can point to the heart of the matter regarding our practice of Zazen.  Zazen: Ready, Willing, Don't-Know Kodo Conlin

The session will be inspired by Case 74 of the Book of Serenity , commonly known as “Fayan’s ‘Substance and Name,’” which, frankly, gives the best-ever accounting of the vicissitudes of the human condition. With this gift in hand we will puzzle together over the central question of what, in Buddha’s name, we should do about  it. The Vicissitudes Zachary Smith

Mei Elliott: The theme for the evening was the Buddha's Five Daily Recollections, with an emphasis on the third reflection, which focuses on death and dying. Recollections on death are common in the Buddhist tradition and can be a powerful source of wisdom and compassion. On Death and Dying Mei Elliott

Michael McCord: Compassion and Empathy, the difference between these two (compassion involves empathy but also brings in the element of action/no action as a decision) and how do concepts like “tough love” fit into and or work with these fundamental elements of practice? As a cornerstone of Buddhist practice (compassion cultivation) how do we set good/healthy boundaries while not veering into ruin...

The topic will be about Shikantaza and Emptiness. What is shikantaza practice? What is "emptiness"? How can that help us in our daily lives as we navigate the difficulties that come our way?

Kogetsu Mok: How can we use Zen practice to navigate the persistent mountains in our lives with poise and balance? Equanimity and The Mountains of Our Lives Kogetsu Mok

Kodo Conlin: We'll look directly into some of the basics and subtleties of Zazen. The Suchness of Mind and Objects Kodo Conlin

Eli Brown-Stevenson talks about the heart/ mind that brings us to practice and guides a welcoming exercise to help inspire our zazen practice.   The Way Seeking Mind and The Welcoming Practice of Zazen Eli Brown-Stevenson

Zachary Smith: Lately I’ve been thinking about all the cases where some teacher, for some reason, has been required to boil their knowledge and experience down to a single, simple compelling expression and deliver it. The Buddhist literature is full of examples and we’ll talk, at least briefly, about some of them but I’ll also be giving it a try as well. The Messenger Zachary Smith