Greater Boston Zen Center Podcast

Zen Stories and Koans

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:59:32 +0000

GBZC member Julie Nelson (sensei) speaks about Zen stories and koans, both classical and contemporary.

The History of Zen

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 23:40:00 +0000

GBZC member James Lopata (Masters of Theological Studies) speaks about the history of Zen.

(Short) Clear Anger

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:27:25 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about bringing all off ourselves to our practice, even our anger. (June 9, 2023)

(Short) The True Person of No Rank

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:17:26 +0000

Julie Nelson comments on a case from the Book of Equanimity. (May 26, 2023)

(Short) Distraction

Sun, 28 May 2023 23:47:21 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about why we get distracted from doing things that are important to us. (May 19, 2023)

(Short) Grumpy

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:39:23 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about what our Zen practice can say about a grumpy mood. (May 10, 2023)

Dogen's Feminist Views

Mon, 08 May 2023 00:24:15 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about Raihai Tokuzui, written in the medieval times by the founder of Soto Zen. (May 7, 2023)

(Short) Time

Sat, 06 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson reflects on the difference between using time and being time. (May 5, 2023)

(Short) Bypassing Through Oneness

Mon, 01 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson talks about the danger of holding to a romantic ideal of merger, whether in regard to a life partner or a spiritual teacher. (April 28, 2023)

The Empty Teacup

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:17:00 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the story of Nanin pouring tea, at the April GBZC sesshin. (April 21, 2023) (No discussion)

(Short) No Complaints

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:15:00 +0000

Julie Nelson discusses whether it is possible to be grateful in any circumstances, in a way that is not just spiritual bypassing. (April 14, 2023)

(Discussion) What is our Practice?

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 16:07:05 +0000

Rebecca Moonspike leads a discussion about what things help us be present, and what things that feel like interruptions are actually our practice. (April 15, 2023)

(Short) Our Gold

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 14:09:17 +0000

Julie Nelson talks about not using our practice to hide our "gold," our beauty and uniqueness. (April 6, 2023)

(Short) Anger

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson talks about not using our practice to try to bypass our anger. (March 31, 2023)

Bearing Witness Is Not Fleeing

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:15:44 +0000

Susan Myoyu Andersen of the Great Plains Zen Center gives a guest talk at GBZC. (April 1, 2023)

A Woman Comes Out of Samadhi

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:14:49 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about bliss states, why we need to come out of them, and why perfect wisdom can't do the job. (March 28, 2023)

(Short) Trauma and Grief

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 21:52:54 +0000

Julie Nelson talks about not using our practice to try to bypass our trauma and grief. (March 24, 2023)

(Short) Fear and Failure

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:44:00 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about becoming intimate with our failures. (March 17, 2023)

(Short) A Fresh Perspective

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 18:35:42 +0000

This is a short talk (with no discussion) in which Julie Nelson comments on how traveling in Alaska woke her up to things taken for granted.(March 8, 2023)

A Fresh Perspective

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 21:19:54 +0000

Julie Nelson comments on how traveling in Alaska woke her up to things taken for granted. (February 28, 2023)

(Discussion) What Inspires Your Practice?

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:41:40 +0000

Karen McCormack leads a discussion of the question "What inspires your practice?" (with an introduction to this format by Jill Gaulding). (February 18, 2023)

The Five Skandas

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:58:09 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the five skandhas: form, sensation, perception, mental reaction, and consiousness. (February 4, 2023)

(Short) Engaged Effort

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 21:13:07 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the Virya Paramita. The quotes are from Diane Rizzetto's book Deep Hope. (February 3, 2023)

(Short) Love the Questions

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:50:41 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about practicing with a heavy heart and with worry. The quote is from the work of Rainer Maria Rilke. (January 27, 2023)

(Short) Skandas

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 20:06:08 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks briefly about the five skandas (or aggregates) in Buddhist psychology. (January 20, 2023)

(Short) Where is Our Practice?

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 18:58:20 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the story of "Chiyono's No Water, No Moon." (January 13, 2023)

(Short) "Are You Afraid of this Happiness?"

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:09:00 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about taking the phrase "Are you afraid of this happiness?" as a koan through the day. (January 6, 2023)

Rohatsu Without a Hero

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 17:19:52 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about how framing the Buddha's Enlightenment as a story of a "hero going forth" hides other elements. (December 16, 2020; Rohatsu Sesshin; Dharma Discussion not recorded.)

(Short) The Story of Rohatsu

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson talks about how our affection for certain kinds of stories may distort our understanding of the Buddha's (and our own) enlightenment. (December 9, 2022)

(Short) Walking Freely in the Universe

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson reflects on Wumen's verse about "walking freely in the universe." (December 2, 2022)

(Short) Do We Need a "Great Hero"?

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson reads and comments on the story "Ziyong's Earth," from The Hidden Lamp. (November 25, 2022)

(Short) Daoism and Zen

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:06:46 +0000

Julie Nelson reads two passsages from the Tao Te Ching. (November 25, 2022)

Some Fruits of our Practice

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:42:56 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about some the fruits of our practice. The text (abridged) is from Richard Rohr's book The Naked Now. (November 8, 2022)

(Short) Which Came First...?

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 12:27:27 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk based on Robert Sharf's essay, "The Looping Structure of Buddhist Thought." (November 5, 2022)

Dedications

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about dedications of merit. (October 29, 2022)

(Short) Equanimity

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 12:43:08 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about being able to ride out our upswings and downswings. (October 28, 2022)

Kinhin

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 19:38:32 +0000

James Peregrino speaks about the history and practice of kinhin, or walking meditation. (October 25, 2022)

Home

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about our true home. (October 22, 2022)

Imagination, Interdependence, and Liberation

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Ben Connelly of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center gives a guest talk at the Greater Boston Zen Center. His topic is practicing Yogacara Buddhism with Vasubandhu's Three Natures. (October 18, 2022)

What is Transmitted?

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the question of what is transmitted in Zen teaching transmission. (October 15, 2022)

(Short) A Blossom and a Lantern

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:48:36 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, sharing poems about really seeing just one particular thing. (October 14, 2022)

(Short) More of a Home

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 19:57:07 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, reflecting on the third Pure Precept. (September 30, 2022)

Saving All Beings

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:33:41 +0000

Julie Nelson gives a talk, looking into the question "What does it mean to 'save all beings' when life includes suffering, and then you die?" (September 27, 2022)

Ikkyu and Jesus

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 14:39:19 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about Ikkyu, Jesus, and Bodhisattvas. (September 24, 2022)

(Short) The Joyful (Heart-)Mind

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 12:19:00 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, speaking about the fundamental joy that is at the heart of zazen. (September 23, 2022)

(Short) Listening

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:07:33 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, speaking about listening, which will be a theme in the A Thousand Hands book study group. (September 16, 2022)

The Goodnight Moon Sutra

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:10:30 +0000

Jill Gaulding speaks about Zen and morality, and the viewpoint of a child. (September 13, 2022)

Zendo Forms

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 16:30:00 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about our zendo forms (our rituals concerning how we walk, sit, chant, etc.), why we do them, and why we also investigate them. (A demo that may be hard to follow on audio begins at 17:30. Lively discussion resumes at 36:30). (September 10, 2022)

(Short) Bowing

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:19:53 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, speaking about bowing (especially at zoom sits). August 26, 2022

Bodhidharma

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 18:36:18 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about Bodhidharma (the first ancestor of Zen in China) and his teachings. (August 20, 2022)

(Short) Not Forward, Back, or Here

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 20:36:15 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, referring to Wumen's warnings. (August 12, 2022)

How Do I Take Responsibility for My Life?

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:00:03 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks on the topic of spiritual authority. (August 9, 2022). (This talk was also given at the at the GBZC Summer 2022 sesshin.)

Theology of Buddhist Chaplaincy

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 11:29:13 +0000

Jill Gaulding speaks about how her Zen practice is reflected in her chaplaincy work. (July 23, 2022)

(Short) Nothing Holy

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 12:54:26 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about where radiance appears in our daily lives. (July 15, 2022)

Cultivated or Wild? (Redux)

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 14:02:17 +0000

Following the lively discussion on Saturday July 8 (see previous podcast) Julie Nelson gives a modified talk regarding the cultivated or deliberate side of our practice, the wild or liberating side, and the dangers that arise when either side is neglected. Dharma Discussion begins at 22:00. (July 12, 2022)

Cultivated or Wild?

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:47:12 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the cultivated or deliberate side of our practice, the wild or liberating side and the dangers that arise when either side is neglected. This talk was given on a Saturday, and Dharma Discussion begins at 18:00. (July 8, 2022)

(Short) Caring for Each Other

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:48:17 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, addressing how we care for each other in the sangha. The book mentioned is A Thousand Hands edited by N.J. Michon and D. C. Fisher. (July 8, 2022)

(Short) Love and Justice

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 22:08:24 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, discussing how we can hold people accountable in a compassionate way. (July 6, 2022)

(Short) Great Determination

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:16:32 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about how great determination is an essential part of waking up to our heart of compassion. (June 29, 2022)

(Short) Make Practice Your Whole Life

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:57:59 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about how being fully present to what we're already doing in our daily lives is fundamental to living a life of compassion. (June 22, 2022)

(Short) Mudita

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 00:42:37 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about the cultivation of mudita, sympathetic joy. (June 17, 2022)

(Short) Longing

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:18:39 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, speaking about how our longing leads us to our true selves and the source of compassion. (June 15, 2022)

(Short) Make Offerings to Demons

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 23:54:42 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about how rather than fighting our demons, offering them acceptance and love can diminish their power over us. (June 8, 2022)

(Short) Grief, Anger, and Fear

Fri, 27 May 2022 12:04:10 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk during the week of the Uvalde, TX school shooting. (May 26, 2022)

(Short) See Difficulties as Buddha

Thu, 26 May 2022 22:44:21 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, reflecting on how we can hold confusion and difficulty in vast Awareness. (May 25, 2022)

Self-Compassion

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:23:34 +0000

Fran Ludwig speaks about how, by more fully meeting our own pain and suffering, we can bring more genuine compassion to the pain and suffering of others. (May 21, 2022)

Nothing but Lies and Falsehoods

Mon, 23 May 2022 05:25:50 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about the Zen Precept of not speaking falsely. (May 18, 2022)

(Short) Cultivating Gratitude

Wed, 18 May 2022 17:02:31 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about how cultivating gratitude is part of cultivating compassion. (May 16, 2022)

Three Poisons, Three Strengths

Sun, 15 May 2022 13:29:41 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about how identifying our own tendencies in regard to the Three Poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance), and treating them tenderly, can unlock our strengths. (May 14, 2022)

Affirming Faith in Mind II

Sun, 08 May 2022 16:50:06 +0000

Jeff Seul continues speaking about Sengcan's "Affirming Faith in Mind." (May 7, 2022)

(Short) Turning Toward the Hard Stuff

Thu, 05 May 2022 13:51:30 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk addressing how turning toward the difficulty in our life can open us to a life of compassion. (May 2, 2022)

Affirming Faith in Mind

Tue, 03 May 2022 15:56:36 +0000

Jeff Seul speaks about Sengcan's "Affirming Faith in Mind" (on p. 28 of the GBZC Sutra Book, 2019 Edition). (April 30, 2022)

(Short) Tonglen

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:53:10 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about the practice of "tonglen," which receives pain and suffering and transforms it into healing and compassion. (April 25, 2022)

(Short) Three Types of Zen

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 19:22:31 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk, reflecting on Koun Yamada's "3 Types of Zen." (April 21, 2022)

(Short) Transforming Suffering

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 18:46:30 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, about how our bodies can transform pain and suffering into love and compassion. (April 18, 2022)

(Short) On Being a Fish

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:33:24 +0000

Julie Nelson reflects on Ehei Dogen's distinction between fish and birds (in Genjokoan). (April 14, 2022)

Zen and Humor

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 15:51:03 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about the commonalities between Zen practice and humor. (April 12, 2022)

(Short) The Source of Compassion

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 14:12:19 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, asking "Where do we find the source of compassion that connects us to all things?"(April 11, 2022)

Be the Refuge

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:50:22 +0000

Jill Gaulding gives a Buddha talk and Sangha talk dedicated to Aaron Lee, with special thanks to Chenxing Han, Funie Hsu, and Duncan Ryūken Williams. (April 9, 2022)

(Short) Rest in the Openness of Mind

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:43:50 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about exploring the nature of awareness. (April 4, 2022)

Growing Up

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:39:49 +0000

Fran Ludwig speaks about how "cleaning up" and "growing up" help us live our practice. (April 2, 2022)

Already Dead

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 20:33:00 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about this distinction we make between things that are alive and those that are dead. (March 16, 2022)

(Short) Cultivating Compassion

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 14:45:05 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk. How do we set an intention to live with more compassion? (March 28, 2022)

(Short) Finding Goodness

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:08:35 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about finding energy in nature. (March 21, 2022)

The Zen Peacemakers' Three Tenets

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 12:49:32 +0000

Jeff Seul speaks about the Zen Peacemakers' Three Tenets, and reflects on the war in Ukraine. (March 19, 2022)

(Short) Receiving Only Compassion

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 19:39:37 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk. We are told that Kanzeon "receives only compassion." Does this mean she blocks everything else out? (March 17, 2022)

Great Doubt

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 22:45:14 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about "Great Doubt." The texts mentioned are on pp. 18 and 57 of the GBZC Sutra Book (2019 Edition). (March 12, 2022)

(Short) Please Be Curious

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:18:49 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about the value of curiosity, and the harm that can be caused by a lack of it. (March 3, 2022)

Here Am I

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:39:52 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer gives a Dharma Talk. (February 26, 2022)

Disillusionment

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:23:26 +0000

Fran Ludwig speaks about the openings that arise with doubt, disappointment, and disillusionment. (February 19, 2022)

(Short) The Flowing Trail

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:05:05 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk, describing a personal experience of the koan "When I walk across the bridge the bridge flows." (February 14, 2022)

Let's Not Meditate

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 20:48:45 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about zazen and shikantaza (the practice of "just sitting"). The readings are from pp. 45, 67, and 73 of the GBZC Sutra Book (2019 Edition). (February 12, 2022)

(Short) Being Good-ish

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 15:33:55 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about recognizing our mistakes as opportunities for growth. (February 7, 2022)

(Short) What is Me?

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:17:22 +0000

Fran Ludwig presents, as an encouragement talk, "a thought experiment exploring who I am." (January 31, 2022)

(Short) Sweeping the Mind

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 20:51:37 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer gives an encouragement talk. (January 25, 2022)

Non-Duality: A Zen View of Relationships

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 20:24:50 +0000

Julie Nelson speaks about how distinguishing between "entity" and "process" thinking can help us understand both ancient Zen texts and current zendo relationships. (See her podcast on January 13 for a shorter version, and the "Non-Duality" blog post series on julieanelson.com for a longer discussion.) (January 11, 2021)

(Short) Zen vs. Zen-y

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 17:50:07 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about Zen practice versus "Zen-y" practice (i.e., practice driven by odd beliefs about what a Zen student should look like). (January 20, 2022)

(Short) Self-Compassion

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 13:09:19 +0000

Fran Ludwig gives an encouragement talk about how attending to our own pain allows us to attend to the pain of others. (January 17, 2022)

Mountains

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:32:55 +0000

Ed Oberholtzer speaks about walking in and with mountains. (Does not include Dharma Discussion.) (January 15, 2022)

(Short) A Zen and Yin-Yang View of Power

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:23:54 +0000

Julie Nelson gives an encouragement talk about the uses and abuses of power. (January 13, 2022)