Dharma Talks
Ango Opening: The Power of Vow
Seido talks about the important of giving careful consideration and voice to one's vow. Inspired by some of Chozen Bays Roshi's work on the Vow Powered Life, the talk formally launches EFZW's 100 day practice period during which written vows are wrapped around one...
Koan Summer
A series of talks exploring how the spirit of koan practice meets life freshly and points to what is most essential in any one moment. Each week, Seido gives a directive on how to take up a koan and explores some of the classical cases celebrated in the Zen tradition....
Brahma Vihara: Appreciative Joy
In this third talk of a four part series, Seido calls attention to the presence and necessity of tending simple joys in daily life and how this kindles the heart to find joy in the happiness of others. The Brahma Viharas or "Heavenly Abodes" include kindness,...
Brahma Viharas: An Introduction
Seido introduces June study of the classical teaching on how to cultivate an awakened heart called the Bhrama Viharas or Four Heavenly Abodes. These "divine dwelling places" include kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. Talk explores both the importance of...
Zazen Series: Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Plus One
Seido talks about the four foundations of mindfulness as essential preparation for the realization of shikantaza. Included are samplings of practices contemplating the body, feeling tone, mind, and dharmas. Seido adds a fifth dimension of mindfulness to help...
Zazen Series: 12 Zazen Questions Answered
Seido takes up questions posed by those who took Ango vows this spring. Questions grouped into three essential domains of zazen practice: attention, intention and inquiry. https://youtu.be/EaoRfbXX-ko
Zazen Series: Insights from Sesshin
Seido reflects about group insights from a recent Spring Sesshin, investigating the question, "What is zazen?" Talk comments on sesshin's moment of crisis, how to make a fabulous error, and discover how to ask for help. https://youtu.be/FMTDtuPxNqU
Zazen Series: Zazenshin
Seido explores Dogen Zenji's fascicle Zazenshin, sometimes translated as the acupuncture needle of zazen. In it, Dogen says, "When brightness comes, meet it with brightness. When darkness comes, meet it with darkness. Sit in the skin you were born with."...
Zazen Series: Samadhi
Seido talks about the nature of mind and samadhi (absorption, concentration) using a contemporary example of a pinball machine. The talk explores what it means to release the activity of thinking in the midst of thought as advised by Fukanzazengi - to "think...
Fully Embodied
Seido talks about the importance in Zen practice of investigating the experience of being embodied beyond our conceptual ideas of our body full of reactions and judgments. https://youtu.be/y92r9vF8HyI