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

For many religions and cultures, forgiveness is “the right thing to do.” But outside of moral judgements, why forgive? Frank Ostaseski, approaching forgiveness as a possibility, not an ethical imperative, speaks of forgiveness as “a practice of fierce self-compassion”. When we practice forgiveness, we touch deeply into our wounds of separation with mercy and love and this allows our past to dissolve. For Frank, “love is the lubricant that allows us to let go.” Freed from our past, our judgements, our recriminations, we meet the reality of our lives and bear gifts for the world – we become wounded healers. We are able to meet ourselves and others in our vulnerability. Forgiveness humanizes. Frank cautions us, however, that forgiveness doesn’t always give us what we want. Forgiveness does not mean reconciliation. In fact, genuine forgiveness is free from desired outcome or hoping to change another. Instead, it is a path for our own liberation. So Frank asks us, “What gets in the way of forgiving?”

In this closing talk for the Spring practice period sesshin, the teachers reflect on the essence of continuous practice beyond the confines of the retreat environment, emphasizing the importance of integrating the teachings and experiences from sesshin into everyday life. Drawing from personal experiences and the rich traditions of Zen Buddhism, the talk encourages practitioners to bring the sacredness and mindfulness cultivated during Sesshin into their daily activities, such as eating, working, and interacting with others, treating every moment as an opportunity for practice. Themes from the practice period are returned to like “storehouse consciousness”, the transformative potential of being mindful of karmic seeds, and other teachings of Vasubandhu. Listeners are reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the impact of one’s practice on the entire world, encouraging practitioners to lead by example and embody the virtues of contentment, compassion, and wisdom in their interactions and relationships.

In this intimate and reflective Dharma talk, Sensei Alcio emphasizes the joyful and pure essence of Zen practice, countering any misconceptions that Zen involves a somber or stern attitude. Alcio continues with a critique of the Western psychological model’s focus on the individual self and its emotions, advocating for a broader, community-oriented perspective in psychology and Zen practice. The Abhidharma teachings are introduced as tools for understanding the illusory nature of the self, encouraging practitioners to witness and let go of afflictions until they are exhausted, while also planting good seeds through practices like Mudita (empathic joy).

In this Dharma talk, Sensei Monshin reflects on the second day of a Spring Practice Period Sesshin, acknowledging the variety of experiences participants might have, from elation to frustration. Monshin advises attendees to let teachings land as they will, emphasizing the value of studying our delusions to understand the nature of our minds. She draws from the Vimalakirti Sutra and other texts to discuss the nature of phenomena and the three natures or characters of phenomena as outlined in Buddhist teachings: the imaginary character, the other-dependent character, and the thoroughly established nature. Monshin explains these concepts using metaphors, including a clear crystal reflecting colors based on what is adjacent to it and DH Lawrence’s metaphor of the conscious self as a clearing in a dark forest. Monshin discusses her personal journey of grappling with her perceptions and feelings toward her father, illustrating how fixed views can limit our experience of the full spectrum of life.

Roshi Norman reminds us the method prescribed for touching peace is Zazen. He emphasizes resting deeply to let the true essence emerge naturally without force. Norman speaks to the power of vow, and suggests making an informal vow to focus on breath and posture can foster not only personal benefit but betterment for others as well. Roshi Norman also touches upon the concept of recovering innocence, describing it as a return to a childlike state of wonder and openness, before life’s difficulties instill suspicion and protectiveness. The talk points out that the practice is about overcoming these protective stances to rediscover a sincere, innocent heart and let go of self-deception.

In this talk Sensei Alcio Braz draws from Vasubandu’s teachings, exploring the notion that recognizing and acknowledging the non-self aspects of our experiences—such as sensations, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness—can lead to a deepening of practice. Alcio touches on the socio-political context of Vasubandu’s time, noting the divisions within Buddhism and the emergence of Mahayana’s inclusive approach to enlightenment. This historical perspective highlights the evolution of Buddhist practice and the continuity of debate over sudden versus gradual enlightenment. The talk also emphasizes the significance of community and collective karma, suggesting that individual practice impacts the broader community and vice versa.