2011

John Tarrant presents a dharma talk at summer sesshin on the inherent nature of the heart. June 22, 2011.

John Tarrant speaks about what happens after an enlightenment experience, big or small, using the Roadrunner and Coyote parable. April 23, 2011.

John Tarrant gives a dharma talk Thursday night of the 2011 spring sesshin. The universe is here for each one of us. Underlying the troubles and pain of the world there is always a presence, a brightness, which is us and we are it. April 21, 2011.

John Tarrant opens Autumn sesshin with the zen koan “Be the Host.” Inviting the listener to take the position of the host, inviting all guests into the home body. Welcome them all, whether an emotional storm of sadness, joy, grief, happiness, despair or laughter. Host this! October 10, 2011.

David Weinstein presents at the Great Winter Bare Bones Sesshin 2011 on “Thus I have heard,” and other Zen wisdom. January, 2011.

A slide show of Allison Atwill giving a talk at PZI’s Bare Bones Winter sesshin, 2011. This slide show was created by Roger Jordan.

John Tarrant presents a dharma talk at the Winter 2011 Bare Bones Sesshin on the experimental nature of PZI koan practice, and being “alive.” January, 2011.

John Tarrant continues his teaching on Dongshan’s great koan, “Only for Your Benefit, Honored One.” April 18, 2011.

Art Sensei Allison Atwill presents on the creation of her painting “Baizhang’s Fox”. This is an ancient koan which asks the listener, “Does an enlightened person fall under the law of cause and effect?” Allison describes how a koan chooses her and appears in her dreams and waking life. Each aspect of the koan comes to life on the canvas. June 22, 2011.

The Zen Koan for summer sesshin was “Who Is Hearing?” The talk by John Tarrant and ensuing conversation regards the nature of the mind, and aspects of practice. June 22, 2011.

John Tarrant presents a dharma talk about taking refuge in the Pacific Zen Institute tradition as an initiatory process.

John Tarrant Roshi presents on the opening night of the 2011 Bare Bones Winter Sesshin with the koan, Little Jade: “A woman calls to her servant, ‘Little Jade!’ not because she wants something, but just so her lover can hear her voice.”

John Tarrant presents on the concept of suddenness — when we enter it, difficulty starts to unpack. January 17, 2011.

John Tarrant Roshi presenting at the Winter Bare Bones Sesshin 2011 on “The Great Way,” and other interesting bits on transformation of consciousness.

Art Sensei Allison Atwill presents on the koan “Ch’ien is separated from her soul” at the Winter 2011 Bare Bones Sesshin. Allison describes her creative process and how the koan becomes a work of art. January 19, 2011.

On the final evening of Winter Bare Bones Sesshin, John Tarrant begins with a story of the Buddha as a child under the rose apple tree. January 21, 2011.

John Tarrant continues his teaching on Dongshan’s great koan, “Only for Your Benefit, Honored One.” April 19, 2011.

David Weinstein gives a dharma talk at the 2011 spring sesshin, on “Ordinary Mind” as path of awakening.

John Tarrant presents a dharma talk about mind “goblins” during summer sesshin. June 23, 2011.

John Tarrant speaks on undoing, unfinding, and unknowing as pathways to awakening, and exploring the mind’s often dubious reasons for the way things are.