Kōgetsu talks about how our Zen practice can help us better approach love and intimacy. How can the Bodhisattva Precepts, Eightfold Path, and other tools help us be upright with our relationships to others and ourselves?
Love and Dating (1 of 2)
Kōgetsu talks about how our Zen practice can help us better approach love and intimacy. How can zazen and our practice of the Bodhisattva Precepts help us be upright with our relationships to others and ourselves?
The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi
Kōgetsu shares thoughts and reflections on a poem, The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, and how understanding the nature of duality can alleviate suffering.
Jumping Off the Hundred Foot Pole
The topic is the koan of "Jumping Off the Hundred Foot Pole" (Case 79 Blue Cliff Record) and how we can find trust and faith in ourselves and our practice. How can we cultivate loving kindness and compassion within our zazen practice and how we spread that to the world around us?
What is it to live an awakened life?
We will discuss what it can be to be "awake" in the midst of our busy lives. Practically speaking, what is it to be "awake" in places like work and bring practice to our daily struggles? How can the practice of awakening help with the daily stresses and anxieties that arise? We'll look at embodied rituals and zazen that can help alleviate suffering and help us get through our difficulties with grace and integrity.
Studying The Self
Kogetsu Mok: we’ll dive deep on ”Studying the Self” from Dogen Zenji’s Genjo Koan.
Shikantaza and Emptiness
Kogetsu Mok: The topic will be about Shikantaza and Emptiness. What is shikantaza practice? What is "emptiness"? How can that help us in our daily lives as we navigate the difficulties that come our way?
Equanimity and The Mountains of Our Lives
Kogetsu Mok: How can we use Zen practice to navigate the persistent mountains in our lives with poise and balance?
Perfection of Patience
Kogetsu Mok: discussing the Buddhist principle of the "Perfection of Patience" and how this can help us to meet our suffering, anxieties, and difficulties. How can we examine the nature of our suffering with self-awareness and clarity? How can we cultivate patience and tolerance? How can we meet every moment of our lives with wisdom and equanimity?
Patience can help us to find inner freedom and peace which can remind us that we are all interconnected. We can learn to find agency to act skillfully and to not be controlled by habitual patterns. In this, we can begin to create better karmic conditions for ourselves and others.
Practicing with Integrity: standing on your own two feet
Kōgetsu Mok talks about "Practicing with Integrity: standing on your own two feet"