Episodes
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In this teisho titled "Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment," Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shasekishu Case 14, "Muddy Road." This Zen case brings us face-to-face with the challenges of releasing guilt, shame, and the stories we cling to about ourselves and others. Sensei Brunner encourages us to examine how judgments and labels often obscure the reality of the present moment, keeping us bound to suffering.
Through the lens of "Muddy Road," we learn how to soften these boundaries, letting go of rigid ideas and allowing compassion to arise naturally. This practice becomes a way of moving beyond discursive thinking, helping us to actualize our Buddha nature in our daily lives.
Key points include:
Recognizing and releasing attachment to guilt and shameEmbracing the present moment without labels or preconceptionsAllowing compassion to flow freely, unhindered by fixed judgmentsPractical guidance on embodying compassion in real-world situationsTune in to deepen your understanding of how Zen practice teaches us to "put it down" and engage with life from a place of clarity and kindness.
For those interested in joining us for live meditation and Dharma talks, visit One River Zen for more information on schedules and events.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner delivers a powerful teisho from our Zen of Recovery Retreat, examining Shōyōroku Case 16, "The Sound of the Bell and the Seven-Piece Robe." Sensei discusses how discipline and freedom come together in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of being fully present and responding to life as it unfolds—without the interference of our judgments or the habitual stories we tell ourselves.
This talk explores how labels and judgments shape our experience, often controlling us, and how letting go of these limitations can open us up to the vast possibilities of life. With anecdotes and teachings, Sensei reminds us that the practice is not about routine but about intentional presence and responding to the moment as it is, from the depth of our true nature.
Tune in to learn more about how we can live with greater clarity and embrace the simplicity of each moment as the gateway to awakening.
Join our meditation practice: Monday - Friday: 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM
Wednesday: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AMVisit One River Zen for more details and to join us in person or online.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Episodes manquant?
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In this teisho from our Zen of Recovery retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner dives into the teachings of Sansheki-shu, Case 2: "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road." The story of Zen master Gudo and a gambler in desperate need of transformation serves as the foundation for a profound exploration of awakening. Sensei emphasizes that the master we seek is already within us and that our true nature can only be revealed by letting go of the small self, with its limitations and judgments.
Through the virtues of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness, we can see clearly, move beyond our old patterns, and allow the vast and boundless self to emerge. This talk reminds us that awakening isn't just for our own peace, but it has far-reaching implications for everyone we meet and everything we touch. Each of us has the potential to bring healing to the world, but first, we must realize that it is up to us to step forward and lead the way.
Join us for this episode, where Sensei challenges us to let go of preconceived notions and walk the path of transformation. The world needs your awakened self now more than ever.
Meditation Schedule:
Monday to Friday: 6:30-7:15 AMWednesday Evening: 6:00-6:45 PMSaturday Morning: 9:00-10:00 AMAll are welcome to join us for meditation. For more details and links to the live sessions, visit One River Zen.
#Zen #DharmaTalk #Awakening #Gudo #Compassion #Recovery #Koan #Mindfulness #Buddhism #ZenRetreat #AwakenTheMaster #SanshekiShu #Meditation #12steps
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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In today’s teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner examines Shōyōroku Case 91, Nansen’s Peony, a classic koan that questions the nature of reality and our habitual tendencies to divide and categorize our experience. Through Nansen’s response to Riko Taifu’s statement about the unity of all things, Sensei illuminates how our minds draw boundaries between “real” and “unreal,” and “self” and “other,” creating a fragmented view of life.
Rather than getting caught up in the endless cycle of judgment and labeling, Sensei encourages us to let go of our grasping and dwell in the seamless reality of the present moment. When we stop splitting our awareness, we begin to see that enlightenment and delusion arise from the same root. By dropping our notions of attainment and separation, we can fully embrace our lives as they are, walking into both joy and suffering with compassion and clarity.
Key Takeaways:
The mind’s tendency to categorize is what creates the illusion of separation.True insight requires us to drop our conceptual thinking and experience life directly.Enlightenment and delusion are two sides of the same coin, rooted in the same essence.Practicing presence and compassion requires letting go of the desire to label experiences as "good" or "bad."Join Sensei Michael Brunner in this exploration of Nansen’s teaching, and discover how to walk freely in the undivided reality of your own life.
For more teachings and to join us in meditation, visit One River Zen online or stop by for our scheduled sits.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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In this teisho, Sensei Michael Brunner draws on Case 22 from the Mumonkan, Kashyapa’s Knock Down the Flagpole, to explore the nature of awakening and the importance of letting go of our deeply held expectations and self-concepts. Through the dialogue between Ananda and Mahakashyapa, we’re invited to reflect on what it means to release the notion of who we think we are, to drop our ego, and to meet life as it truly is.
Sensei shares the deeper meaning behind Mahakashyapa’s instruction to “knock down the flagpole,” explaining that enlightenment isn't something to be achieved or worn like a garment—it’s about stepping into the gap between knowing and unknowing, and allowing ourselves to be fully present, free from the narratives we cling to.
Join Sensei as he reflects on the challenges of facing the unknown, the beauty of practicing from a place of curiosity and openness, and how we can bring the lessons of sesshin into our daily lives.
Key points:
The story of Ananda, Mahakashyapa, and the Buddha’s robeThe gap between call and response as pure awarenessLetting go of ego and fixed ideas to truly live in the present momentUnderstanding positive samadhi and the practice of showing up for lifeKnocking down our internal flagpoles to embrace the reality of our existenceLearn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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"Wandering in the Mountains: Living Fully with Positive Samadhi"
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the kōan from the Hekiganroku (Blue Cliff Record), Case 36: Chōsha Wandering in the Mountains. Through this powerful teaching, Sensei explains the difference between positive samadhi—the experience of fully living in the present—and absolute samadhi, which signifies the dissolution of the self in death.
Sensei discusses how Zen practice is about embracing life as it unfolds, without getting caught up in expectations or intellectual judgments. He encourages us to stop living in the storylines we’ve created and to show up for the present moment, using the energy and compassion available to us right now.
Key Topics Covered:
The distinction between positive and absolute samadhiChōsha's journey in the mountains: how to live without attachment to outcomeThe fleeting nature of life and the importance of engaging fully in each momentThe significance of the scroll in the zendo: “The autumn leaves dance on the wind”Zen practice as a way to confront suffering with compassion, in both life and deathQuotes from the Episode:
"If you're going to practice, you have to practice now. The autumn wind is blowing, friends. Don’t squander your life.""Positive samadhi is engaging with life, while absolute samadhi is the end of life as we know it. We must live fully before that final moment."Listen to this episode for:
Insights on how to integrate Zen practice into everyday lifeReflections on the kōan and how it applies to your personal journeyEncouragement to let go of self-judgment and embrace positive samadhiConnect with One River Zen:
Join us for live meditation: Monday-Friday 6:30-7:15 AM, Wednesday 6:00-6:45 PM, and Saturday 9:00-10:00 AM CSTVisit our website for more teachings and events: OneRiverZen.orgFollow us on social media for updates and daily reflections!Hashtags:
#ZenPractice #PositiveSamadhi #Hekiganroku #Chosha #ZenMeditation #SotoZen #BuddhistWisdom #OneRiverZen #Mindfulness #PresentMomentLearn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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"Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion"
In today’s episode, Sensei Michael Brunner offers a powerful teisho based on Shoyoroku Case 14, "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea." Through this ancient Zen encounter, Sensei explores the core teaching of letting go of our habitual stories, judgments, and expectations to embrace the clarity of the present moment.
Key insights include:
The practice of bearing witness to our lives without the filters of the small selfThe dynamic exchange between teacher and student as a mirror for wisdomHow compassion naturally arises from emptiness and present-moment awarenessPractical reflections on how we can drop preconceived notions in our daily lives and respond to suffering with compassionThis episode encourages listeners to let go of their clinging to stories and to embody compassion in the simplicity of each moment. Whether you're new to Zen practice or have years of experience, this talk will offer fresh perspectives on living with greater awareness.
Resources:
Explore Shoyoroku Case 14: "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea"More talks and resources from One River Zen: oneriverzen.orgLearn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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In this episode, Sensei Michael shares reflections from the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen. As the retreat draws to a close, he explores the powerful insights that arise when we step out of the stories we've created about ourselves and engage with the present moment. Drawing from Shōyōroku Case 32, "Kyōzan’s State of Mind," Sensei Michael invites us to observe our thoughts and experience life directly, without being swept away by mental constructs.
The episode also weaves in the teachings of Carl Jung from his Red Book, emphasizing the importance of letting go of fixed ideas and embracing the natural growth of our true selves. Just as Jung encourages growth without knowing the law of it, Sensei Michael reminds us that our practice is about meeting life as it is—not as we think it should be.
Join us as we explore how to shift beyond intellectual understanding and step into the boundless nature of being. Remember, once you’ve seen your true nature, you can’t unsee it—but continued practice is essential, as the weeds of delusion can quickly grow back.
Key Points:
The seductive power of personal stories and how to step beyond themReflections on Shōyōroku Case 32 and Kyōzan's guidance on observing thoughtInsights from Carl Jung’s Red Book on natural growth and letting go of the small selfThe importance of continued practice to prevent delusions from creeping back inTakeaway: Let go of who you think you should be, and find your life where it is, right here and now. But don’t stop practicing—true insight requires ongoing effort.
Tune in and reflect with us at oneriverzen.org!
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Case #59 of the Shoyoroku – Seirin’s Deadly Snake:
Attention! A monk asked Master Seirin, “How about when a student proceeds on the trail?” Seirin replied, “The dead snake hits the great road. I advise you not to bump into it.” The monk said, “When it’s bumped into, then what?” Seirin answered, “You lose your life!” The monk continued, “When it’s not bumped into, then what?” And Seirin said, “There’s no place to dodge to.” The monk said, “At that very moment, then what?” Seirin replied, “It has been lost.” The monk then said, “I wonder where it’s gone.” And Seirin responded, “The grass is so deep there’s no place to seek.” The monk replied, “Shield yourself, Osho! Then you’ll be all right!” Finally Seirin clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Your poison is equal to mine!”
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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CASE 46: Stepping Forward From the Top of a Pole
Case:
Master Sekiso said, “How will you step forward from the top of a hundred-foot pole?”
Another eminent master of old said, “Even though one who is sitting on the top of a
hundred-foot pole has entered realization, it is not yet real. He must step forward from the
top of the pole and manifest his whole body throughout the world in ten directions.”
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Sensei Michael discusses the nineteenth case of The Gateless Gate: Ordinary Mind is the Way. He stresses the importance of not looking at a spiritual path as something extra - instead finding it in every moment of our lived experience.
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Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Discusses case number ninety-one from the Shaseki-shu - "The Taste of Banzo's Sword." Sensei teaches that when we devote ourselves fully to being open, we find the unexpected always bringing us joy and richness.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org. -
Attention! A monk once asked Baso, “Your reverence, abandoning the four propositions and wiping out the hundred negations, please point out to me directly the meaning of Bodhidharma’s coming from the West.” Baso said, “I don’t feel like explaining to you today. Go ask Chizo.” The monk then went to ask Chizo, and Chizo said, “Why don’t you ask the master?” The monk said, “The master told me to ask you.” Rubbing his head with his hand, Chizo said, “I’ve got a headache today. Go and ask Brother Kai.” The monk asked Kai, and Kai said, “Ever since I have been here, I don’t know.” The monk returned and told Baso what had happened, and Baso said, “Chizo’s head is white, Kai’s head is black.”
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner speaks during the 2023 Ango Sesshin to his students about case twenty-nine of the Gateless Gate: "Not the Wind, Not the Flag". The case inspires us to look beyond our ideas of how things are or should be and truly appreciate all that is present right here and now.
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Sensei Michael speaks to students during day two of the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin about Blue Cliff Record case forty-three: "No Cold or Heat". The importance of moving beyond our judgements and preferences and truly opening to our lived experience is discussed in this case of the Hekiganroku.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org. -
Sensei Michael speaks during the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin on case 31 of the Gateless Gate, Joshu Sees Through an Old Woman. Ultimately, we need to see past all of our ideas, judgements, and labels to really open to and appreciate our lives.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org. - Montre plus
