Mountain Rain Zen Dharma Podcast
by Mountain Rain Zen Community
Presented by the Mountain Rain Zen Community based in Vancouver, BC. Featuring talks by our guiding teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton, and other guest speakers. To learn more about our community, explore our extensive teaching archive, and offer your support, visit http://mountainrainzen.org.
Episodes
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Practice Period - How do we stop the wars?
Myoshin Kate McCandless explores the mind of emnity and what might lie beneath. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work…
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Practice Period - Existential Uncertainty
Shinmon Michael Newton asks: When did a sense of wonder first stir in you? What kinds of questions do you have on the back-burner of your mind? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find...
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Practice Period - Vimalakirti’s Silence
Shinmon Michael Newton suggests that an unanswered question is alive with everything, active and illuminated as thunder. Not knowing is the wisdom of not forcing reality into an answer. In our world flooded by digital noise, in what way is silence still a disruptive revolutionary power?...
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Practice Period - Feeding the Hungry Ghosts
Myoshin Kate McCandless explores the wheel of karma and our human concern about the suffering of those who have died. How are they and what are the karmic consequences of their choices in life? At this time of year, how do communities enact care for those no longer with us? Can you notice when a...
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Practice Period - Knowing Right from Wrong
Unmon Jacob offers the second talk in his capacity as shuso. He asks: can we dynamically work between knowing and not knowing in order to support our ethics? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide…
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Practice Period - Baizhang and the Fox
Myoshin Kate McCandless discusses Zen's ambivalence towards the wild fox. "Do not ignore cause and effect". _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please...
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Practice Period - Stability and Knowledge
Shinmon Michael Newton suggests that unknowing or not knowing have always been part of the human condition. Practicing with "I don't know" can strengthen attention, deepen humility and cultivate compassion. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made…
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Practice Period Opening Weekend: How Do We Know What We Know?
Anchoring in the Koans of Knowing and Not Knowing, Myoshin Kate McCandless asks that we open to curiosity and not cling to our fixed views of each other. All we know is always partial, subject to change, and provisional. _____________________________________________________________ These talks…
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Practice Period Opening Weekend: Shuso's Way-Seeking Mind Talk
Unmon Jacob Butula, shuso for the Practice Period, offers a Way-Seeking Mind Talk - a traditional talk in Zen Buddhism where a practitioner reflects on their personal life story and the causes and conditions that brought them to Zen practice. “We don’t know what we don’t know. It is important to...
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Practice Period Opening Weekend: Koans of Knowing and Not Knowing
Shinmon Michael Newton introduces the theme for Practice Period: Koans of Knowing and Not Knowing - Practicing with Uncertainty. Even though we often act as though the ground beneath us is firm, we all live with the uncertainty of what the future holds. Each person is encouraged to take...
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A Day of Thanks
With awareness of interdependence, a grateful heart grows. Shinmon Michael Newton asks: What is gratitude? How often does it arise in your life? In what way does our zazen practice strengthen our integrity? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made…
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Nothing to Attain - Compassionately Studying Karmic Consciousness
Continuing the seminar on Reb Anderson’s book Zen Stories of Faith and Understanding Kyoko Angela wonders: “How would you respond if someone asked what your Buddha nature is?" _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our...
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Bodhisattvas Without Borders
Myoshin Kate McCandless reflects on how we all carry within us the principles of generosity, kind speech, beneficial action and solidarity. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find…
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The Dharma of Truth and Reconciliation
Kyoko Angela offers readings from indigenous voices, in the context of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find…
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Nothing to Attain - Realizing the Stage of Person
Matthew Ramsay offers the fourth talk in our seminar on Reb Anderson's book. He asks: when have you been engaged in a simple everyday activity but sensed or perceived a depth of importance? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to...
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Nothing to Attain: Unfolding the Gift of the Robe
Toshin Patrick continues the Seminar on Stories of Faith and Understanding by Tenshin Reb Anderson. He asks: what brings you back to your cushion? What is unfolding in your life right now and is calling for your attention? _____________________________________________________________ These talks...
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Joy is Not Somewhere Else
Shinmon Michael Newton offers a dharma talk on the quality of joy rooted in awareness. Can we practice with joy until it becomes as natural as drinking water when thirsty? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our...
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Nothing to Attain - The Path of Buddha
Myosen River continues our Wednesday Seminar on Reb Anderson’s book with an exploration of Chapter 2. She asks: has there been a time when your confusion has brought more awareness of your intimacy with all beings? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made...
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The Great Matter of Life and Death
Myoshin Kate McCandless asks: when we are faced with the loss of someone we love, how can we maintain a sense of connection, without grasping or pushing away? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide...
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Nothing to Attain: The Stage of Faith
Shiryū Moe picks up the Wednesday Evening Seminar on Tenshin Reb Anderson with an exploration of faith, asking: "what happens when our practice blooms?" _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If...
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Getting Everything Right
For Labour Day, Myoshin Kate McCandless offers reflections on play. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at...
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Nothing to Attain: The Parable of the Destitute Child
Myoshin Kate McCandless introduces the new Wednesday Evening Dharma Seminar, which will spring from the book Nothing to Attain : Zen Stories of Faith and Understanding by Tenshin Reb Anderson. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to...
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In Service To All
Shinmon Michael Newton explores how we can orient to loving-kindness or metta. “If only I were a candle in the dark.” (Mahmoud Darwish) _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value…
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Who I Am Right Now
Toshin Patrick Griffin knows that our objects and things can both nurture and distract us - yet we simply have only this step, this breath, this bow... _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If...
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Lessons From the Han
Jikai Vicki suggests the call to meditation and awakening begins with the crack of a wooden board being struck by a heavy mallet. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in…
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Awakened Care as Self Care - A Bodhisattva Vow
Kyōkō Chie Angela suggests that when there is more fluidity there is more potential for care. "There is no liberation without profound awakened care" (Lama Rod Owens) _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide...
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Bodhicitta - Where Suffering, Longing, and Love Meet
Shinmon Michael Newton suggests that when our longing for connection and wisdom matures into universal care, then we can vow to keep opening our heart for the whole net of life. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from…
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What is There to Hold on to?
Myosen River explores the wisdom of taking-up and letting-go at same time. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at...
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Sewing Buddha’s Robe
Nin-En Susan Elbe explores robes and rakusu as a symbol of authentic transmission between teacher and student. The robe itself is the dharma, it is a teaching, it is truth. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our...
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Grief and Refuge
Loss is unavoidable in our lives. Shinmon Michael Newton asks: How do we stay with the pain of loss? How can we allow the present moment to simply be? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If…
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Rest Relaxation and Zen
Myoshin Kate McCandless, reflects on how making space for restoration and recuperation can be the antidote for a dull or agitated mind, thus leading to open awareness. “Rest so that you can give full expression to your life.” _____________________________________________________________ These…
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Taking Refuge on the Full Moon
Myoshin Kate McCandless offers guidance for understanding the bodhisattva vows in a deeply personal way, helping us to live a dynamic everyday life. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you...
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I Am Because We Are
Kyōkō Chie Angela Kayira shares writing from Zenju Earthlyn Manuel (ordained Zen priest), that explore the connection between shamanism and Buddhist practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide...
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Addiction
Joko Claire Talbot asks: when are you most aware of craving in your life? What practices do you find helpful when that happens? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these...
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Influencing and Being Influenced
Mysohin Kate McCandless reflects on sesshin by weaving the writing of Dogen, Susan Murphy, and Peter Godfrey-Smith. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings,...
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Consciousness
Offering the last talk of sesshin, Mysohin Kate McCandless invites wonder and awe towards the mystery of consciousness. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these…
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Space/Time
When thoughts and feelings are less crowded, there can be relief and a sense of safety. However, Shinmon Michael Newton asks: how do we avoid the subtle and dangerous trap of identifying with or clinging to spaciousness?? _____________________________________________________________ These talks…
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Air
Myoshin Kate McCandless explores how the emptiness of sky is filled with the energy of air. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider…
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Fire
The senses and our experiences are aflame. Shinmon Michael Newton asks that we pay attention to the small changes in temperature felt both inside and outside of our bodies. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our...
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Water
Our inter-being with water is intricate and variable. Myoshin Kate McCandless invites us into the expanded enchantment of our water bodies. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find…
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Mountains and Waters - The Elements - Earth
It is not possible to do the job perfectly, so is it possible to let the job do you? Shinmon Michael Newton offers an exploration of the earth element - where in your body do you feel solidity, and where is there something else? _____________________________________________________________ These...
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Wildfire Dharma
Liz Toohey-Wiese shares insight into how it’s possible that the medicine and the sickness mutually heal. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please...
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Become What You Are
Myosen River asks: What does it mean to be a grownup? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at...
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Ordinary Wonder
Dai-i Flo Rublee explores the writing of Charlotte Joko Beck and asks: what were you expected to be when you were growing up? What do you require of yourself as an adult? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our...
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To Be Free and Fearless
Myoshin Kate McCandless offers a talk on the Buddha as wounded healer. How might we be with an unexpected visitor? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings,...
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Here I Become Earth
Telling the story of a very old ginko tree and an old couple, Mysohin Kate McCandless wonders in what ways we bond with place. Can we adopt an expansive view of what it means to belong to the one Earth we all depend upon? _____________________________________________________________ These talks…
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Time in the Garden
Shinmon Michael Newton suggests Summer’s growth is a good time for connecting to the heart of trees, and to know the dharma of plants. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in...
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A Field Guide to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas 11/11
Offering the last talk in the series, Myoshin Kate McCandless explores the significance of Jizo the bodhisattva of great vow. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these...
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A Field Guide to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas 10/11
If Maitreya Buddha is the buddha of the future, Shinmon Michael Newton suggests we may all be that. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider...
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A Field Guide to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas 9/11
On the Pilgrims’ Path we might meet the Medicine Buddha. Myoshin Kate McCandless explores ways in which healing occurs. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these…
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About this show
Presented by the Mountain Rain Zen Community based in Vancouver, BC. Featuring talks by our guiding teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton, and other guest speakers.
To learn more about our community, explore our extensive teaching archive, and offer your support, visit http://mountainrainzen.org.
Hosted by
Mountain Rain Zen Community
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