On the motivations and expectations we bring to practice—and what we actually find.

What's the gap between what we see and what's really there? On the Zen imperative to look beyond simple appearances.

How do we open ourselves to being inspired by our heroes without losing sight of them, and ourselves, as three-dimensional beings? 

From a one-day retreat, a talk on Dogen's Genjo Koan and the idea that there's something we're missing.

Zen upholds the "ordinary," but when we aim for that, we end up somewhere else.

We imagine that clarity feels sure, and confusion feels uncertain, but there's another clarity in not knowing. 

A reminder about interdependence and how we work so hard to convince ourselves that the things in our minds are real.

How can we respond to the things that are out of our control? What can we honestly offer?

How Buddhism can either make us complacent or clarify how and where to push for change.

Zen is not the work of awakening; it's awake work.