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Fall Sesshin 2021: The Stone Drenched With Rain – Your Own Awakening

Whatever conditions you find yourself in are your own awakening appearing, not something you need to “get over.” This is the key: We can let experience soak us without knowing what will come of it. As recorded Saturday evening, October 23, 2021, at Fall Sesshin.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Recipes for Happiness – Santoka’s Life

Tess recounts the twists and turns of the life of Taneda Santoka—a perpetually drenched, wandering poet-priest touched deeply by life and the kindness of others. Every breadcrumb in life, every thread is important in the weave. For Santoka to be Santoka, who he actually was was enough. This was the Way, his Way. Dharma talk as recorded Saturday morning on October 23, 2021, at Fall Sesshin.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Freely I Watch the Tracks of the Flying Birds

As recorded on October 22, at PZI Fall Sesshin 2021. Bird tracks and a crane story from long ago in China. Four vows are sung and played by Amaryllis Fletcher & Jordan McConnell. Allison Atwill gives a closing poem.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Not Knowing & the Mysterious, Ungraspable World

What is the world? Just this! Eduardo Fuentes talks about the beautiful, mysterious lives we lead, and how “don’t-know mind” is hidden inside and underneath names and symbols. As recorded at Fall Sesshin, Friday, October 22, 2021.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Mysterious Tasks & Impossible Problems – The Stone

John Tarrant gives an evening dharma talk on the incalculable value of descent and return. We take up the task set by the ancestors: that’s what we came here for. As recorded in Fall Sesshin, October 21, 2021.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Dreams of the Ancestors with Jon Joseph

Jon Joseph gives the morning dharma talk about his dreams of the ancestors. A relationship continues beyond death. How is this so? It does not need to be explained, it only asks to be lived. As recorded in Fall Sesshin on Thursday morning, October 21, 2021.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Koan Practice or Not? & Going Beyond Form

David Weinstein gives a morning dharma talk on being captured by the mystery and the koan, “Things are not as they appear, nor are they otherwise,” and on the metamorphosis of Monarchs on his windowsill. Constant change and the constancy of who you are do not contradict each other. As recorded Wednesday, October 20, 2021, in Fall Sesshin.

Dharma Theme – Metamorphosis: Collected Audio from Fall Sesshin 2021

Here is a curation of our Fall Sesshin dharma talks on a single page, for easy finding and listening. A sesshin is always more than the sum of its parts or its recorded talks. There are morning rituals, greetings, incense passed magically through the screen, the changing light, rich silences, moments of humor, tech gremlins, tears, synchronicities, dogs barking, dreams, and awakenings that we share. It is the timeless play of the universe, with each other. As recorded in the PZI Digital Temple, October 19-24, 2021.

Fall Sesshin 2021: Ikkyu’s Well & The Miscellaneous Koans

John Tarrant talks about Ikkyu’s “no shadow or form” in his evening dharma talk in Day 2 of Fall Sesshin. Amanda Boughton sings the 4 Boundless vows. As recorded Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

Ceremonies: Dedication: For the End of Sesshin (Arizona)

Dedication for the End of Sesshin (Arizona) Cantor: (chanted or sung, palms together) Friends, the world […]

Ceremonies: Dedication for the End of Sesshin

Dedication for the End of Sesshin Cantor: (chanted or sung, palms together)   Friends, the world […]

Dharma Theme: Summer Sesshin 2021 in the Palace at the Blue Cliff

Here is a curation of sesshin dharma talks on a single page, for easy finding and listening. A sesshin is always more than the sum of its parts or its recorded talks. There are morning rituals, greetings, incense passed magically through the screen, the changing light, rich silences, moments of humor, tech gremlins, tears, synchronicities, dogs barking, dreams, and awakenings that we share. It is the timeless play of the universe, with each other. As recorded in the PZI Digital Temple, June 22-27, 2021.

Opening Eve of Summer Sesshin

John Tarrant and Tess Beasley welcome everyone to Summer Sesshin. Participants add their voices, forming the vessel of sesshin. Music from Jordan McConnell, Cantor Amaryllis Fletcher, and closing words from Jon Joseph.

End of Sesshin Dedication

PZI Sesshin Dedication, generally read (or sung) at the end of sesshin to send participants on their way, in joy.

Refuge Ceremony in Winter Sesshin

Evening refuge ceremony with PZI Teachers, in Winter Sesshin. As recorded January 20, 2018.

Spring Sesshin: The Interwoven Journey of Sesshin and Life

Tess Beasley invites our voices into the room, acknowledging the interwoven yet not-interwoven vessel of sesshin. We are each a unique presence, yet it is when personal identity and ambition recede that feeling and empathy emerge. PZI Digital Temple. As recorded April 11, 2021.

Spring Sesshin: Whatever Appears Is Part of Your Awakening

Allison Atwill talks about the experience of direct encounter in the Peach Blossom koan. Even when I am Mara, it is the treasure that is just for me. PZI Digital Temple. As recorded April 10, 2021.

Spring Sesshin: Peach Blossoms & a Russian Boy

Jon Joseph Roshi gives a dharma talk in Spring Sesshin. PZI Digital Temple. As recorded April 10, 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Peach Blossoms & The Journey Is It!

Spring Sesshin 2021: The Lostness & Wandering on the Pilgrim’s Path

PZI’s Jesse Cardin, Director of It’s Alive Zen in San Antonio, Texas, reminds us that lostness is part of peach blossoms, and explores how that might appear on the second day of a retreat—or whenever. As recorded April 9, 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Four Boundless Vows with Jordan McConnell

Jordan McConnell sings and plays the Four Boundless Vows with Amaryllis Fletcher on bells and violin. As recorded April 7, 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Evening Words with David Weinstein

David Weinstein, Director of PZI’s Oakland Zen, delivers the evening words during Spring Sesshin. As recorded April 7, 2021. 5 minutes.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Evening Words with Tess Beasley

Tess Beasley sends sesshin participants off to dream on April 8, 2021. As recorded x minutes.

Spring Sesshin: Morning Dharma Talk with John Tarrant

John Tarrant’s morning dharma talk on meditation practice and what it is to be in retreat. As recorded April 8, 2021.

Dharma Theme: Spring Sesshin 2021 – After the Dark and the Cold, Come the Blossoms

Curated links to Dharma talks, guided meditations, music, art, closing words, and more from Spring Sesshin 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Music for Meditation

Michael Wilding enhances the opening meditation for Spring Sesshin with his innovative original composition for flute.

Guided Koan Meditation: Peach Blossoms at Spring Sesshin

A guided koan meditation with John Tarrant to begin the Spring Sesshin. Koan: Peach Blossoms. 7 minutes as recorded April 7, 2021.

Spring Sesshin: A Donkey Sees a Well, Well Sees Donkey

John Tarrant’s first evening talk during Spring Sesshin. Does the well also see the donkey? As recorded April 8, 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Welcome & Talk with Michelle Riddle

Michelle Riddle welcomes all Spring Sesshin participants and gives a dharma talk. See summary. As recorded April 7, 2021.

Spring Sesshin 2021: Opening Talk

John Tarrant’s opening dharma talk for Spring Sesshin 2021. As recorded April 7, 2021.