Peach Blossoms (MK37) (EV8)

Even a delicious rest must end. The Dao suffers no plans but its own, and our bodhisattva path requires that we bring it back into the world. In Zen, the path goes on and on—we find more ways to grow the ways we love our lives. We are not trying to reach a place of endless tranquillity.

A quest, a treasure hunt, through cities overtaken by sands and ghosts and overwhelmed by the sea. We search for hidden teachings in scrolls, clay tablets, or dreams. Being lost is primary. In the koan lands we side with being lost when we turn toward uncertainty and wait, and whether we can bear it or not, a path opens. There is no end to this opening. 

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.

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. As recorded in sesshin on April 10, 2021.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peach blossoms can turn up anywhere, and the Valley Spirit appears. Depending on what is larger than us—even the reaching for it has it! PZI Digital Temple. Audio as recorded April 21, 2021.

The Lilies of New Life: It is spring and John reads poetry of the season. Original music performed by Jordan McConnell, as recorded Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. PZI Zen Online.

Audio: PZI Zen online Allison sits with Awakening. What is it? Awakening experience is outside of our control or will. It comes in a from a direction we don’t know about – a direction we have darkened. The sufficiency of the moment. Hakuin Ikkaku as a teacher and seeing into your essential nature. As recorded May 5, 2020.

PZI Zen Online Audio: Seeing the crimson peach blossoms across a canyon, after seeking for 30 years, a teacher is enlightened. John Tarrant’s Meditation & Dharma Talk, plus comments from participants. As recorded April 19, 2020.