Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot
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Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

The Upaya Dharma Podcast features Wednesday evening Dharma Talks and recordings from Upaya's diverse array of programs. Our podcasts exemplify Upaya’s focus on socially engaged Buddhism, including prison work, end-of-life care, serving the homeless, training in socially engaged practices, peace & nonviolence, compassionate care training, and delivering healthcare in the Himalayas.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    A Call to Hearten: Let Tender Tenacity Walk with Fierce Patience

    Peacemaker John Lederach offers a realistic and hopeful reflection on the 2024 US Presidential Election. He discusses America’s uncertainty and divisions, and how to move forward with curiosity, dignity, courage, and love. As always, he emphasizes the vital importance of community connections in these turbulent times.

    26 min

  2. 4 NOV

    Dancing with the Unseen World

    Sensei Noah Kodo Roen discusses the rich meaning and history of the Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, and its importance to the White Plum Lineage of which Upaya is a part. He explores the origins of Halloween and the Day of the Dead, emphasizing ancestor remembrance and its central place in Zen practice.

    42 min

  3. 3 NOV

    Gathering Dharma with Joan Halifax, Konda Mason & Matthew Kozan Palevsky: Why Voting Matters?

    In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax emphasizes the importance of courage, community, and compassionate engagement in turbulent times, encouraging people to transform fear into an ally and pursue joy and justice. She shares the story of Ahu Darya, an Iranian student who defied hijab policies, illustrating authentic engagement with the world. Sensei Matthew Kozan Palevsky leads a meditation on rootedness and compassion, while Konda Mason highlights voting as a civic duty, especially for marginalized groups, informed by her Buddhist practice. The event underscores the power of personal actions to promote justice and compassion in society. Konda Mason and Matthew Kozan Palevsky lead a discussion emphasizing compassion, resilience, and civic engagement in challenging times. Konda shares insights on embracing desires and letting go, encouraging participants to relax physical tension and connect with intentions, such as kindness. She urges voting as a duty, embodying collective love for the world. Kozan highlights the long-term nature of social justice, referencing Konda’s work supporting Black farmers and the decades-long efforts to restore salmon in Northern California. Together, they emphasize showing up wholeheartedly, even without attachment to outcomes, and inspire collective action rooted in compassion and community. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    1h 33m

  4. 3 NOV

    Gathering Dharma with Joan Halifax & Matthew Kozan Palevsky: Where Practice and Politics Meet

    In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax begins with a heartfelt reflection on the moral call to engage with the suffering of the world. She emphasizes the connection between Buddhist practice and global social-political issues, focusing on themes of mindfulness, compassion, and responsibility. Roshi stresses the importance of not turning away from pressing global challenges like war, injustice, and suffering, and invites us to reflect on our personal hopes and fears in relation to politics and the broader world. Sensei Kozan describes the Bodhisattva’s vow to fully understand and embrace suffering, rather than seeking to end it, as a sacred approach to life. This mindset, especially during the chaos of election season, helps us navigate the flood of political stories and external pressures. Kozan emphasizes the importance of recognizing the election process as a powerful collective ritual, one that transcends mere voting and represents the nation’s moral imagination. The session concludes with comments, questions, and stories from participants. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    1h 33m

  5. 3 NOV

    Re-Entering the World With Continuous Practice FPP2024 Sesshin Day 6

    On the sixth and final day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin, Kathie, and Kozan reflect on the essence of Zen practice following six intense days of sitting together. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and the nature of existence, exploring what it means to reach true self understanding. They also highlight the value of companionship in practice and the significance of being present in daily activities. In their closing remarks, they stress the importance of continuous practice, encouraging everyone to approach their journey with compassion and awareness, both during the sesshin and in their lives beyond. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    45 min

  6. 3 NOV

    Walking the Circle of Practice With Compassion and Presence FPP2024 Sesshin Day 5

    On the fifth day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Kozan uses the striking scarlet runner bean hidden in its pod as a metaphor for the profound practice of sesshin. He emphasizes the importance of shedding layers of protection to be fully present, urging us to appreciate moments of simplicity and mindful awareness. Quoting a line from The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, he reflects on the idea that “not obeying is not filial, and failure to serve is of no help.” Kozan reminds us of our duty to engage with our society, community, and relationships through acts of service. Recognizing the complexities of our responsibilities, he encourages us to confront these challenges and honor our vows to untangle the various aspects of our lives. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    45 min

  7. 3 NOV

    Embracing Suchness: The Path of Stillness and Interconnection FPP2024 Sesshin Day 4

    On the fourth day of this Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Monshin delves into the phrases “Thusness” or “Suchness” as a path to direct experience. She illuminates the interplay between suchness and the relative and absolute, encouraging us to discover this essence in all things. Drawing on the insights of Dongshan, Suzuki Roshi, and Dogen, Sensei Monshin guides us in the practice of recognizing “delusions as delusions” and embracing the transformative stillness of the present moment. Through this journey, these teachings inspire us to embody an awakened mind—one that is fully present, open-hearted, and interconnected with all that is. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    40 min

  8. 3 NOV

    Song of The Jewel Mirror: Hiding in the Clear Dawn FPP2024 Sesshin Day 2

    In this Fall Practice Period sesshin day 2 talk, Sensei Shinzan delves into the poem The Jewel Mirror Samadhi, focusing on key lines that highlight how clarity and awakening are often concealed within the fabric of our everyday lives—especially in times of confusion and suffering. Rather than seeing practice as the creation of something new, Shinzan emphasizes that it is about peeling away delusions to reveal our true nature. He reminds us that enlightenment is not a final achievement, but an ongoing process of embracing the fullness of our being in each moment, while gradually letting go of attachments as we walk the path. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

    44 min
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About

The Upaya Dharma Podcast features Wednesday evening Dharma Talks and recordings from Upaya's diverse array of programs. Our podcasts exemplify Upaya’s focus on socially engaged Buddhism, including prison work, end-of-life care, serving the homeless, training in socially engaged practices, peace & nonviolence, compassionate care training, and delivering healthcare in the Himalayas.

Information

  • Creator
    Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2024
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2006-2018, Upaya Zen Center. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

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