Crooked River Zen Dharma Talks

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Zen & Buddhist teachings explained in regular talks shared at Crooked River Zen Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Crooked River meets Thurs evenings at 7pm & Sat mornings at 9:30am @1813 Wilton Rd. - Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Talks primarily given by CRZC guiding teacher Dean Williams. CRZC is based in the Soto Zen tradition. For more info see our website.   

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    8/22/26- "Humility"

    Sensei Dean Williams dharma talk on humility in Buddhism. Dean describes "humility" as an appropriate term to characterize the wisdom teaching of the emptiness of all things, and is an essential aspect of seeing one's true nature. Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/22/26.

  2. 2d ago

    8/20/26- "Understanding Emptiness" (Heart Sutra)

    Sensei Dean Williams dharma talk on the core concept of Emptiness in Buddhism. Bowing in Buddhism is Emptiness bowing to Emptiness. Emptiness does not mean that nothing is real but rather it means that nothing possesses a substantial, independent existence. Everything exists because of its interconnectedness and interdependence with all other beings. This continues the exploration of the central Zen text of the Heart Sutra. The source text the group is working with is Shohaku Okumura's Living by Vow Chapter 6 in the section "Emptiness in Theory" & "Emptiness in Practice". Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/20/26. The Section of the Heart Sutra: O, Shariputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness; they do not appear nor disappear, are not tainted nor pure, do not increase nor decrease.

  3. 4d ago

    8/13/26- "The Two Truths- Relative & Absolute" (Heart Sutra "Form is Emptiness")

    Sensei Dean Williams dharma talk on reconciling the Two Truths in Buddhism - the Relative & the Absolute. Dean explains that form represents the conventional realm, while emptiness represents the absolute. These two realms are interdependent and inseparable; you cannot have one without the other. This continues the exploration of the central Zen text of the Heart Sutra. The source text the group is working with is Shohaku Okumura's Living by Vow Chapter 6 in the section "Emptiness in Theory". Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/13/26. The Section of the Heart Sutra: O, Shariputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness; they do not appear nor disappear, are not tainted nor pure, do not increase nor decrease.

  4. 4d ago

    8/8/26- "Open Q&A" (Mu, Metaphors, Letting Go etc.)

    Sensei Dean Williams hosts the regular Open Q&A for the group. Sangha members raised questions for Dean on the idea taking the boat to the other shore; the mechanics of letting go; prajna paramita (wisdom); the koan Mu; and more. Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/8/26.

  5. 4d ago

    8/1/26- "Solitude & Meditation" (Way of the Bodhisattva Chap 8)

    Sangha member John Williams shares a talk on Chapter 8 of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, focusing primarily on the juxtaposition of solitude and meditation, vs having community and relationships.

  6. 4d ago

    8/6/25- "Emptiness of All Things" (Heart Sutra)

    Sensei Dean Williams dharma talk on the Emptiness of All Things continues the exploration of the central Zen text of the Heart Sutra. The source text the group is working with is Shohaku Okumura's Living by Vow Chapter 6 in the section "Both Sides". Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/6/26. The Section of the Heart Sutra: Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, When practicing deeply prajña paramita, Perceived that all five skandhas are empty and was saved from all suffering & distress.

  7. Aug 20

    8/15/26 - "Mu" Koan (Case 1 of Gateless Barrier)

    Sensei Dean Williams dharma talk on the "Mu" (neither yes or no) Koan - Case 1 in the Gateless Barrier koan collection. Shared at the Crooked River Zen regular sitting in Cleveland, Ohio on 8/15/26. The Koan: A monk asked Joshu, “Does a dog have the Buddha nature?” Joshu said, “Mu.” In the 18th century, Hakuin established Mu as one of the introductory Zen koans. Mu is the first of 49 koans in the Gateless Gate or Gateless Barrier (Mumankan), which was compiled by Muman. Muman himself spent six years working on Mu to achieve his awakening.

  • 7 Episodes

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Zen & Buddhist teachings explained in regular talks shared at Crooked River Zen Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Crooked River meets Thurs evenings at 7pm & Sat mornings at 9:30am @1813 Wilton Rd. - Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Talks primarily given by CRZC guiding teacher Dean Williams. CRZC is based in the Soto Zen tradition. For more info see our website.   

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  • Creator
    CrookedRiverZen
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
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