Appamada

2026-05-11 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Reflection question: How have you been shaped or formed by your primary or first relationships?

2026-05-05 I Inquiry I A hidden ally I Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-04 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is the engine of missing out. The reaching is the leaving. Building on the intensive teachings of Peg, Joel, and Flint, Nate offers a dharma talk on encounter — what it is, why we keep missing it, and what the craving mind is actually building while it's busy looking elsewhere. There is a poem by Mary Oliver (below). There is a koan or two. There is a story about a youth soccer game that went poorly for a vocal subset of parents, the dharma teacher in attendance, and every available adult on the sideline— though notably not for the seven-year-olds. Except from Mary Oliver's poem, "At the River Clarion": 1. I don’t know who God is exactly. But I’ll tell you this. I was sitting in the river named Clarion, on a water splashed stone and all afternoon I listened to the voices of the river talking. Whenever the water struck a stone it had something to say, and the water itself, and even the mosses trailing under the water. And slowly, very slowly, it became clear to me what they were saying. Said the river I am part of holiness. And I too, said the stone. And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water. I’d been to the river before, a few times. Don’t blame the river that nothing happened quickly. You don’t hear such voices in an hour or a day. You don’t hear them at all if selfhood has stuffed your ears. And it’s difficult to hear anything anyway, through all the traffic, the ambition.

2026-04-28 | 2026 Intensive | Day 3 | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-02 | 2026 Intensive | Day 7 | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-05-01 | 2026 Intensive | Day 6 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-28 I Inquiry I Merciful Messengers I Suzanne Kilkus by Appamada

2026-04-30 | 2026 Intensive | Day 5 | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-04-29 | 2026 Intensive | Day 4 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-27 | 2026 Intensive | Day 2 | Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-04-26 | 2026 Intensive | Day 1 | Peg Syverson by Appamada

2026-04-26 | Dharma Talk | No Gaining Mind | Ellen Hippard by Appamada

2026-04-21 I Inquiry I Into the mouth of the Demon I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-04-20 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

Instructions for small group activity: Divide into groups of 3. Groups of 2 are ok. Take 2 minutes for each role. Each person will have an opportunity to share, be heard, and bear witness. Person 1 will share what they like in what they see/hear/experience about Person 2. Person 3 will listen, hold the space, and notice. They will then share their observations with person 1 & 2. Person 2 can reflect about what they have heard and what it means to them to be noticed in that way, Then change roles and repeat. Additional discussion question: what would you need to change to bring out the qualities in yourself that you see in others?

2026-04-14 I Inquiry I Leaving So Much Unborn I Flint Sparks by Appamada

2026-04-13 | Depth In Practice | The Sutra of Hui-neng Grand Master of Zen by Appamada

References: "Nothing Holy About It," by Tim Burkett Hsin Hsin Ming, Appamada chant book (https://appamada.org/s/Appamada-Chant-Book.pdf) "The Wakeful Body," Willa Baker

2026-04-07 I Inquiry I The Smallest Thing I Josh Gifford by Appamada

2026-03-23 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

This Dharma Talk is experiential, with the Sangha addressing and sharing from the prompts of the previous Dharma Talk on "Cooking & the Sangha". There is a brief summary talk given and then we delve more deeply into the topic with discussion prompts. Prior attendance at the first Dharma Talk is NOT a requirement.

Begin Flint's talk at 11 minutes in for reference to Inquiry https://youtu.be/X3m2oM_C9bQ?si=Q-4yae5iykfSjStI

2026-03-30 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

Discussion prompts: 1. What concerns me about the world today? 2. What am I doing to care for this life? Quote from Joanna Macy's book, "Coming Back to Life." Poem by Li Po, "At Chin Ling": Tucked into the earth, Chin-Ling City the river curving past, flowing away: there were once a million homes here, and crimson towers along narrow lanes. A vanished country all spring grasses, the palace buried in ancient hills, this moon remains, facing timeless islands across Thereafter Lake waters, empty.

2026-03-28 | Introduction to Zen | Class 1 by Appamada

2026-03-24 I Inquiry I It matters to Other I Suzanne Kilkus by Appamada

This Sunday's Dharma Talk is by Head Student C. Seren8y, in which they discuss "Cooking and the Sangha," drawing from the writings of Dogen, Kosho Uchiyama and Bernie Glassman. References: Glassman, Bernie and Fields, Rick, "Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life that Matters" Dogen, Eihei and Uchiyama, Kosho Roshi, "How to Cook Your Life: From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment"

2026-03-17 I Inquiry I Feel the anguish and act from Love I Trudy by Appamada

2026-03-16 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

Today's readings are from the Platform Sutra, by Huineng, including "The Gatha of Truth and Falsehood and Movement and Stillness": Nothing that exists is true don’t think what you see is true if you think you see the true what you see is surely false if you want to find the true the mind free of the false is true unless your mind forsakes the false nothing is true where true can’t be. Living things know how to move lifeless things stay still those who practice staying still resemble motionless lifeless things to see what truly doesn’t move in movement find what doesn’t move what doesn’t move is what doesn’t move lifeless things have no buddha seeds. If you can perceive its attributes the ultimate truth doesn’t move if you can realize this you will see how reality worksall you students of the Way be relentless and concentrate don’t stand at the entrance of the Mahayana clinging to views about birth and death. If those before you are ready tell them the Buddha’s teaching and if they aren’t truly ready bow and tell them to be good there’s nothing to argue about in this teaching those who argue lose sight of the Way clinging to blindness arguing about teachings they lead their nature into birth and death.

Why love what you will lose? There is nothing else to love. “From the Japanese” by Louise Gluck

2026-03-02 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

2026-03-09 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

2026-03-07 I Erin Curtis Memorial by Appamada

What does it mean to live a “good life”? This dharma talk starts there. We'll spend some time with Hui-Neng's teaching on one practice samadhi, which, it turns out, offers a surprising and slightly subversive take on living well. Prompts for discussion: 1. What makes a good life? 2. How well are you living this good life? Nate's reading is from the Platform Sutra, by Huineng.

2026-03-03 I InquiryI Roots and Branches I Joel Barna by Appamada

This is a Dharma talk on the Ocean Mudra Samadhi (Kai-In-Zanmai) from the Shōbōgenzō, written by our Sōtō Zen ancestor, Eihei Dōgen in 1242. In this writing, Dōgen points to “attaining the way and entering realization” as nothing other than this moment, appearing through this very body. We reflect on what shifts when we move from trying to grasp the dharma with the mind and instead allow it to be lived and embodied within the mudra (shape) of Zazen. Below is an excerpt from the text: The Buddha said: Elements come together and form this body. At the time of appearing, elements appear. At the time of disappearing, elements disappear. When elements appear, I do not say “I” appear. When elements disappear, I do not say “I” disappear. Past moments and future moments do not arise in sequence. Past elements and future elements are not in alignment. This is the meaning of Ocean Mudra Samadhi. Full text available here: https://kokyohenkel.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/7/4/127410773/kaiin_zammai__tanahashi_.pdf. We make every effort to share the teachings with those who cannot attend at the scheduled time by posting recordings to both Soundcloud and YouTube. Everyone has the option to be edited out of the recording, whether audio or visual. If that is your choice, please use the “contact us” link at the bottom left of the Appamada website.

2026-02-24 I Inquiry I Attending to our actions I Suzanne Kilkus by Appamada

2026-02-23 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

2026-02-22 | Dharma Talk | Signal and Noise | Joel Barna by Appamada

2026-02-17 I Inquiry I Our dancing and songs are the Voice of the Dharma I Trudy Johnston by Appamada

2026-02-16 | Depth In Practice | Vimalakirti & the Awakened Heart by Appamada

Our practice is a relational one, which means sooner or later we’re bound to experience some friction between us. Friction is not a failure. It's an edge, an opportunity, and a Dharma gate. What do we do when someone unsettles us? How do we respond when tension lingers in the room? What do we say when something needs to be said, and we’re unsure how to say it? This Sunday we continue our exploration of living in sangha by leaning into these edges together. Discussion scenarios: Scenario 1: You are sitting in the zendo at Appamada during a well-attended Sunday service. Before kinhin, Michael,the head student, quietly leans toward Sarah and whispers, “Sit upright. You’re collapsing.” There is no physical contact, but several people near you hear it. You see Sarah stiffen. Her breathing changes. After service, she leaves quickly without lingering. Later that week, in a small group you’re part of, someone mentions she hasn’t returned. Michael says calmly, “We’re a Zen center. Posture matters. If we don’t uphold the form, what are we doing?” As he speaks, you feel something move in the room. You also notice something in yourself—agreement, discomfort, uncertainty. Scenario 2: You are on a sangha working group tasked with improving communication. You are discussing plans to update the website. Aisha again speaks first, synthesizes the discussion, and proposes next steps. The meeting is efficient. When you begin to share an idea, she reframes it into clearer language and moves the group forward. Everyone nods. Afterward, you notice a heaviness in your body. Maybe irritation. Maybe something subtler—like being unnecessary. You also know Aisha carries a great deal and seems tired. She later mentions she feels responsible for keeping things from drifting. Nothing explicit has occurred. Yet something in you is contracting. Scenario 6: In practice discussion, you share something vulnerable about doubt. The teacher responds, “That is just your ego trying to be special.” You bow and leave. On the walk home you feel both gratitude and a sharpness in your chest. Was it strong medicine, or something misaligned? A few days later, you hesitate before signing up for another meeting. Something in you feels unsettled.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize these magical flower arrangements were more than exotic flowers and divine creativity. Much more than the product of artistry, thoughtfulness, and generosity. Such a long time to understand how important, how transformative, was their presence - ushering us from our daily existence into the sublime. These arrangements, these gifts - and the intention, artistry, and commitment to create them - inspired us without spoken word or sound. I imagine these creations told us we were safe. That we were held in the safest of ways. That we were seen, that we were known, maybe - that we were loved. I look at them from time to time, and they always make me smile. For the memorable, unrepeatable experiences they represent. For the joy they created in us. For the spirit that joined us. For the outpouring of love that surrounded them.

Some people help us cultivate patience without trying. This Sunday we explore Dealing with Difficult People—a surprisingly nourishing practice, if we let it be so. Join us as we continue considering how to live in sangha.

This is the link to Stillness was a gift : https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6wyn

2026-02-02 | Depth In Practice | Not Two: The Appamada Story by Appamada

This Sunday, Nate opens our practice period theme, "Living in Sangha". In the first of a three-part series of dharma talks, we explore sangha not as comfort or belonging alone, but as the ground that reshapes how we show up in the world. Grounding in Dogen’s teachings in Tenzo Kyōkun (Instructions to the Cook), we remind ourselves how practicing fierce, attentive care together becomes both a refuge and an act of resistance.