Me Elliott speaks: An exploration of our personal stories regarding work, the intentions behind them, and the moment-to-moment practice of liberation through our livelihood. We'll also investigate the tension between seeking our true vocation, and finding the possibility of awakening in any work, no matter how mundane.
Anger and Lovingkindness
Siobham Cassidy talks about how Anger has a surprising purpose and can be used as a guide to point to needs that are not being met. Through this lens we can connect more deeply with ourselves, leading to self-understanding and self-compassion. Lovingkindness is the pathway that will be used during YUZ to help cultivate understanding of this powerful human energy.
Realizing Impermanence
It was through a deep realization of impermanence that Zen Master Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen in Japan, decisively committed to practicing the Way. Here, Kodo Conlin discusses the practice of the perception of impermanence, locating it within our lives today in San Francisco, within our seated meditation practice, and within the body-&-mind of each of us.
Orienting to the Path of Practice
In our style of Zen, first, we meditate. "If you want to attain suchness, you should practice suchness without delay." And yet, what is the broader landscape of practice? Is there a wider context in which our meditation is held?
In this talk, Kodo Conlin explores the question of how we can orient ourselves, continually, on the path of practice.
Keeping Things Simple: Finding Freedom with the Sallattha Sutta
Mei Elliott hosts a Community Night on the Sallatha Sutta, also known as The Arrow.
The Power of Forgiveness
Siobhan Cassidy speaks on the power of forgiveness. She explores how both non-violent communication and the Dharma support an understanding of forgiveness.
What Matters Most
Mei Elliott discusses what matters most. Knowing that many of us can easily get consumed by the minutiae of daily life, how do we connect to what really matters? How can meditation practice support us in finding and living with a larger vision?
No Attainment, No Goal
If Zen embraces "No Attainment", how will I ever solve my problems? How will I get anywhere?
Michael McCord explores how goal setting, accomplishment and self-improvement line up with a Zen approach to life.
Michael McCord recently served as shuso (head monk) at City Center, is a Zen priest, and works as the SFZC Program Director. To learn more about Michael, you can view his bio here.
Living with Loss
Mei Elliott speaks about loss. From lost house keys to lost loves, losing is an innate part of being human. How can we learn to live, lose, and grieve wisely?
Difficult Habits
Mei Elliott discusses how Buddhist teachings can help us skillfully recognize and engage with unwholesome habits. This material will also be tied to teachings on karma.
Woman Ancestors
Siobhan Cassidy leads on the topic of the women ancestors. Zen practice has a strong focus on lineage and the importance of warm hand to warm hand transmission.
Practical Karma
Here, Kodo Conlin approaches the teachings on karma, not as complicated abstractions, but as simple pointings, revealing a process that is clearly visible in our direct experience. How can we discern this process? And, how can it inform our Dharma practice, on and off the cushion?
Authenticity and Right Speech
Mei Elliott speaks on the topic of skillful communication and right speech grounded in the Buddhist teachings of not-self. How can we cultivate freedom in our relationships with others through honest and authentic dialogue? We investigate how zazen practice supports us in speaking with authenticity and ease, as well as different tools for knowing when and what to express.
Intimacy with Intimacy: Exploring Love, Relationships and Attraction
Mei Elliott explores intimacy with intimacy. How can we be free in the midst of love, romance, dating, commitment, and attraction? What is the relationship between practice and sexuality? American culture has a notable dearth of education on what authentic and awake relationship and sexuality can look like. With Valentine's Day rapidly encroaching, we'll have a chance to explore the way self-study, this process of becoming intimate with ourselves, provides a gateway to liberated love.
Intimacy #2: Cultivating intimacy
Simon continues the exploration of intimacy, and particularly how to cultivate intimacy with everything. What are the tools and practices to become intimate with our life?
Intimacy #1
Simon discusses the topic of Intimacy as a description of awakening, and what sets the ground of it to be realized.
Boundaries #2
Eli Brown-Stevenson investigates boundaries through the process of saying "yes" and saying "no."
Perceptions and Fixed Views #2
Mei Elliott continues the theme that we picked up last week, perception and mental formations. This week we will investigate the relationship between perception, not-knowing, and freedom from fixed-views. At the heart of this topic is the question how do we learn to love our life?
Perceptions and Fixed Views #1
Mei Elliott talks about how a deep understanding of perception and conceptualization can teach us to truly love our life. This conversation will weave in teachings on the five aggregates, as well as impermanence and emptiness.
Death and the New Year
Simon Moyes shares some of his experiences of the last 2 months and explores the immediacy of life to mark NYD:
As many of you know my father has been declining for a couple of years, and about 7 weeks ago I got a call saying that he was entering a new stage of departure. I flew to England and spent a couple of weeks with him before he passed. It was a remarkable time in so many ways, and also of course at times intense. There are many facets to how his passing is informing me, and one of them is the vibrancy of being alive. I look forward to exploring it with you on New Years Day.