Author Archives: EmptyCloudWestZen

[AUDIO AND TEXT] [This is the second of two sequential talks. The first talk is “Mind”. ] In an earlier talk, we considered “mind” as experienced by the Chan (Zen) master Linji (Rinzai). He said: Followers of the Way, mind is without form and pervades the ten directions [i.e., it’s everywhere]. In the eye itContinue reading “our life force”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] These days, it might seem as though there isn’t much light in the culture and civilization of the world. And that’s as true of this country as it is anywhere else, especially on this January 6 anniversary. Let’s consider Case 86 from the Blue Cliff Record, the Hekiganroku. This koan, “Unmon’s BrightContinue reading “bright light”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] This is a reflection on some experiences or some events that have been happening with me. We are conditioned by or conditioned within our habits of mind. The way that we encounter our reality, the way that we encounter it, and the way that we interpret it depends largely on how weContinue reading “habits of mind”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] I would like to read from the flyleaf of the book A Taste Of Water, by Father Thomas Hand, and Chwen Jiuan A. Lee. This book was published back in 1990. The subtitle of the book is Christianity Through Buddhist Eyes. This is the authors’ rendering of a story from the Bible,Continue reading “a taste of water”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] We have a danger before us – in this practice – in that, despite what the Heart Sutra and other teachings tell us, we think there is something to be gained from this practice. We think, as Greg mentioned to me once, there’s a carrot out in front of us, and we’reContinue reading ““stopping” words”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] “Teach your experience.” That’s what my teacher, Fr. Greg Mayers Roshi, has always told us. So that’s the genesis of this offering. Right now, my experience has me at the point of “just the fact, just this.” I was struck recently by a paragraph in Albert Low’s book, What More Do YouContinue reading “liberating joy”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Many of you have encountered what contemplative literature generally calls “the still, small voice” – that sound within that guides and warns and encourages us all in our quest to live full lives. Well, here is a fun koan scenario that may represent that still, small voice in the language of ourContinue reading “the still, small voice”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] The late leader of the Montreal Zen Center, Albert Low (who, by the way, declined to use the honorific “Roshi”), published a book in 2013 titled, What More Do You Want? Zen Questions, Zen Answers. This book is quite a rich read; in it, the author accepts questions from his students andContinue reading “practicing through the dryness”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Earlier this week, I read a newspaper account of a George Floyd death-anniversary commemoration. The article said the Minnesota governor “issued a proclamation for a moment of silence lasting nine minutes and 29 seconds, the amount of time a white officer’s knee remained on Mr. Floyd’s neck…” A “moment” he said shouldContinue reading “who minds the flow of life?”

[AUDIO AND TEXT] Often, Zen teachers tell students to avoid setting goals and expectations for their Zen practice – not to expect any results. “Zen is not a self-improvement program,” they say. “You’re already enlightened and awake,” they say. And then they turn right around and list various qualities that students can cultivate through practice:Continue reading “why do zazen?”