Dharmatalk: The Silent Way

08/17/21 • 41 min

“… Sitting is the vehicle for discovering innate “awakened-ness.” ...”

sitting awakened-ness shukman

Description: Case 1 of the Book of Equanimity offers a beautiful example of how an awakened person might expound the dharma from the Zen perspective. We cannot hope to understand it through verbal teachings, rational guidelines or instructions. It has to come through experience, and can be demonstrated in even the most simple, mundane action. The lecture is followed by questions from sangha members about awakening through sitting practice.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, about our Upcoming Events:

Four-Day Virtual Retreats in September & October Weekend Retreat

We will hold a four day virtual retreat in September and in October. The exact dates will be confirmed soon and registration will then open. Dates will be published in an upcoming newsletter and on the website.

Post & Featured Image (edited): Meditation by yanc, purchased from depositphotos, for use only on our website/social channels (this image is not permitted to be shared separately from this post).

“… Sitting is the vehicle for discovering innate “awakened-ness.” ...”

sitting awakened-ness shukman

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, about our Upcoming Events:

Four-Day Virtual Retreats in September & October Weekend Retreat

We will hold a four day virtual retreat in September and in October. The exact dates will be confirmed soon and registration will then open. Dates will be published in an upcoming newsletter and on the website.

Post & Featured Image (edited): Meditation by yanc, purchased from depositphotos, for use only on our website/social channels (this image is not permitted to be shared separately from this post).

Previous Episode

Dharmatalk: Being Open to Help – Q&A

“… Practice wears thin the veil between non-awakened and awakened experience ...”

veil shukman

Description: The questions raised after this Sunday sitting and lecture touch upon kensho, or Zen awakening, and what might be the causes and conditions for it. A practitioner asks about how the true self and the no-self are reconciled in Zen. The session closes with a look at what wisdom and love, both of which may result from kensho, may show us about our original nature.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Event:

August 14-15 Original Love Weekend Retreat

This virtual weekend with Henry Shukman will bring together the zones of mindfulness, support and meditative absorption into a comprehensive approach to healing and awakening. We will also begin to explore the fourth “zone” of practice – awakening.

Post & Featured Image (edited): Light abstract background with airy mesh fabric by Muskoviya, purchased from depositphotos, for use only on our website/social channels (this image is not permitted to be shared separately from this post).

Next Episode

Dharmatalk: Deepening of the dharma – Meditation, Talk, and Q&A

“… subjectivity of deeper states of meditation …”

meditation shukman

“… What is the price of rice?’ Why is that the totality of the human experience of awakening?” ...”

Description: Following a guided meditation, a discussion of one of the Vedic Upanishads points out how the old Zen masters, whose terse teachings come down to us through the koans, expressed profound truths by referring to very mundane things. Questions from sangha members then pertain to the subjectivity of deeper states of meditation and how one might conceptualize emptiness prior to having an awakening.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, about our Upcoming Events:

Multi-Day Virtual Retreats in September & October Weekend Retreat

We will hold a multi day virtual retreat in September and in October. The exact dates will be confirmed soon and registration will then open. Dates will be published in an upcoming newsletter and on the website.

Post & Featured Image (edited): Beautiful woman sitting on the lake at sunset by Tuchong-Microstock1, purchased from depositphotos, for use only on our website/social channels (this image is not permitted to be shared separately from this post).