PZI Teacher Archives

Ancestors

Video November 2, 2022

Ancestral Stories: Old Wrongs Can Disappear

John Tarrant

After a relative dies, the ancestral wrongs and difficulty can disappear as we change towards a more expansive view. Dreams tell us not to ignore the great forces of life, even in our turbulent times. Our koan school relates to the shadowy dark materials—including instead of excluding, without being taken over by them. October 30, 2022

6' 27"
Video November 1, 2022

Ancestral Stories: How the Ancestors Show Up

John Tarrant

We can accumulate things in life that become symbolic after we die. The real inheritance is in our hands and hearts, and is reliable no matter what the surface relationship may have been. When we are challenged, the ancestors show up. Meeting the Lord of Death is one of those challenges, and is part of meeting life. Excerpt from the Ancestral Stories Retreat on October 30, 2022.

5' 36"
Video November 1, 2022

Ancestral Stories: Opening to the Treasures of the Unconscious

John Tarrant

Ancient and indigenous cultures have different models for healing and dreaming, with different points of view often galactic or mythic. Including and opening to vastness when facing any problem allows for a wider range of solutions, and access to the hidden treasures that we have no idea are there for us. Excerpt from the Ancestral Stories Retreat on October 30, 2022.

9' 41"
Video November 1, 2022

Ancestral Stories: Are These Leaves Falling or Are They My Father’s Hands?

John Tarrant

John Tarrant reads his new autumn poem about meeting the vastness of autumn, and meeting his father, the Lord of Death. From the Ancestral Stories Retreat on October 30, 2022. 3 minutes.

2' 35"
Video November 1, 2022

Ancestral Stories: Our Ancestors Are Within Us

Tess Beasley

What is my piece in this patchwork inheritance? We are complicated—we don’t always know what qualities and histories inhabit us. We come into these lineages in mystery…maybe the lineages find us. Our koan lineage is one of moments of awakening, passed down. Excerpt from Ancestral Stories Retreat on October 30, 2022. 19 minutes.

19' 8"
Video October 31, 2022

Ancestral Stories: The Taste of Old Wrongs Can Disappear

John Tarrant

After people die, our point of view about them can shift—it often becomes more vast. Problems with those who’ve gone before can dissolve. In our PZI School, this is why the shadowy dark material is important: when included, it helps it to dissipate so the taste of old wrongs can actually disappear. Excerpted from Ancestral Stories Retreat on October 30, 2022. 7 minutes.

6' 27"
Audio June 17, 2022

Magical Meetings

John Tarrant

John Tarrant on a meeting past midnight, with an old familiar face you may or may not recognize right off. When there is no moon and you can’t find your way in the usual way, you are bound to have some unusual encounters. Stories, readings, comments, and music for meditation from Michael Wilding and Jordan McConnell. Complete Sunday Session audio. Recorded June 12, 2022.

70' 34"
Audio January 21, 2021

Sesshin Closing Ceremony: Dedication & Thanks to Ancestors with Richie Domingue

Richie Domingue

PZI Sesshin Dedication and thanks to our Ancestors. Music written & performed by Richie Domingue.

3' 24"
Audio November 11, 2020

On the Banks of the Ghost River – The Ballad of Tam Lin, Part 1

John Tarrant, Tess Beasley

PZI Zen Online 1-Day Retreat: On the Banks of the Ghost River. Morning session with John Tarrant Roshi & Tess Beasley Sensei. John Reads the Ballad of Tam Lin in which a brave girl helps her lover, caught in the Faery Queens’s caterhaugh (boggy fen), transform. Dharma talk and comments from participants. Complete session. As recorded Oct 31 2020.

104' 6"
Video February 3, 2020

Ancestors and Fires

John Tarrant

John’s monthly talk at SRCZC, November 2019. The time of year for ghosts, memories.

47' 10"
Video January 11, 2020

Leaning Into the Ancestors

John Tarrant

John’s SRCZC talk on impermanence and rawness of feeling after the great fires in CA and Queensland. He reflects on the importance of internalizing the teachings and the nourishment of our ancestors within us- outside of our normal paths. Teachings after the great Engakuji fire in Chan koan history. The practice of talking to the ancestors – human or otherwise a source of great knowledge.

47' 10"