PZI Teacher Archives

Times of Great Difficulty

KOAN:

Someone asked, “When times of great difficulty visit us, how should we meet them?”
The teacher said, “Welcome.”

—Zhaozhou

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Article April 28, 2021

It Would Be a Pity to Waste a Good Crisis

John Tarrant

It’s important not to discount the idea that in a crisis, you might be having the time of your life. Article by John Tarrant, published in Lion’s Roar magazine on March 23, 2018.

2823 Words
Audio November 29, 2020

The Journey Into Awakening: Kindnesses in Your Wild Temple

John Tarrant

People go to wild places to find their true nature. The wild is here, right now, in your own wild temple. Anything can happen in the wildness of now. Small kindnesses open into the silence. The universe is so rich in destinations and you are already in one! The beauty of gathering for meditation in difficult times. Music from Jordan McConnell, Amaryllis Fletcher. PZI Zen Online. Complete session as recorded Nov. 29, 2020. 60 minutes.

65' 3"
Audio September 16, 2020

Hanging Lanterns: In Times of Great Change, What Is Your Light?

John Tarrant

Hanging Lanterns at the Gate of the Autumn Temple: Orange skies, unhealthy air; apocalypse week in CA and the West. The old agreements are fragile, climate change a long gathering storm, fire a consequence. Having a practice—the simplest thing—a conversation with the vastness. Being lost is an opportunity as old attitudes fall away. Don’t take yourself too seriously! “Each step along the way is of equal substance,” says Hirada. Musicians: Amaryllis Fletcher, Cantor & Jordan McConnell, guitar. PZI Zen Online, as recorded September 13, 2020.

93' 27"
Text August 25, 2020

Hosting the Life You Have – Koans for Hard Times

John Tarrant

Rilke said, “Life is always right.” Whatever I think about that saying, this is the life I have and I can’t have another life. And really, fundamentally, I don’t want another one because this one is so rich and compelling no matter what’s going down right now.

5050 Words