Recent Posts

Ango Opening: The Power of Vow

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...

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Koan Summer

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....

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Brahma Viharas: Equanimity

Brahma Viharas: Equanimity

Final talk on the Brahma Vihara's that include kindness, compassion and joy and equanimity. Seido talks about how the mind of equanimity, rooted in the deepest wisdom, is essential for the other three to fully function. Talk explores what is in the way of a heart-mind...

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Brahma Vihara: Appreciative Joy

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,...

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Brahma Viharas: Compassion

Brahma Viharas: Compassion

Seido talks about the centrality of compassion in Zen practice and how to generate compassion for oneself, a fundamental requirement to extending compassion to others. This is the second talk in a four part series on kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity....

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Brahma Viharas: An Introduction

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...

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Zazen Series: Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Plus One

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...

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Zazen Series: 12 Zazen Questions Answered

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

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Zazen Series: Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Plus One

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

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Zazen Series: Zazenshin

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."...

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