In this Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Genzan brings his whole self to a mesmerizing and deeply heartfelt exploration of the Dharma. Reflecting on the nature of winter, Genzan invites us to ponder questions we rarely ask, encouraging a fresh perspective on the season’s quiet beauty and challenges. Drawing on the rich symbolism of winter in Zen…

This is a continuation of the final session of the Awakened Action series, where … the faculty share their final thoughts on the themes explored throughout the program. They discuss the importance of using intergenerational connections, civil disobedience, and environmental activism in creating a just and compassionate society, emphasizing how thes…

In the final session of the Awakened Action series, the faculty share their final thoughts on the themes explored throughout the program. They discuss the importance of using intergenerational connections, civil disobedience, and environmental activism in creating a just and compassionate society, emphasizing how these actions shape a collective fu…

In Part 7 of the Awakened Action series, Christiana Figueres opens with a poignant reflection on the world her grandchild is entering. Grappling with this question, she recalls the teaching of “grandmother’s heart”—a heart rooted in deep compassion and equanimity, balanced in the face of both joy and suffering. The conversation continues with Roshi…

In Part 6 of the Awakened Action series, Rebecca Solnit reflects on her experiences with trees, the role of joy in activism, and the complexity of human nature. She highlights the importance of balancing struggle with the pursuit of beauty, joy, and abundance, as well as the importance of preserving natural wonders for future generations. Rebecca s…

In Part 5 of the Awakened Action series, Terry Williams recounts the deeply personal and transformative stories of navigating family tensions, cultural expectations, and environmental crises. Through reflections on conversations with her father about vulnerability and the line between public and private truths, Terry explores the challenges of grie…

In Part 4 of the Awakened Action Series, Rebecca Solnit continues the theme of the importance of storytelling. Rebecca discusses the role stories have in shaping our perceptions and actions, with a particular emphasis on challenging limiting narratives and promoting stories of bravery, kindness, and trust. This session also touches on the concept o…

In Part 3 of the Awakened Action series, Roshi Joan Halifax and Terry Williams bring their depth and sincerity to bear. They explore the profound interconnection between social and environmental responsibility, contemplative practice, and storytelling. Weaving together historical, legendary, and archetypal perspectives on the Buddha’s life, this se…

In Part 2 of the Awakened Action series, faculty members Roshi Joan, Valerie Brown, Rebecca Solnit, and Terry Williams explore the power of embracing interdependence, hope, and agency in uncertain times. They critique consumer culture’s focus on individual comfort and ease, advocating for a deeper, more connected sense of self grounded in meaning, …

In Part 1 of the Awakened Action series, Roshi Joan Halifax expresses heartfelt gratitude for the Upaya community—residents, staff, teachers, and participants, both onsite and online—who have come together to cultivate a space for connection, learning, and shared practice. She introduces this unique opportunity to ground ourselves amid the profound…

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk and prequel to the upcoming Awakened Action program at Upaya, Dr. Wendy Lau offers a heartfelt reflection on the intertwined relationship between practice and […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Peacemaker John Lederach offers a realistic and hopeful reflection on the 2024 US Presidential Election. He discusses America’s uncertainty and divisions, and how to move forward with curiosity, dignity, courage, […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Sensei Noah Kodo Roen discusses the rich meaning and history of the Gate of Sweet Nectar liturgy, and its importance to the White Plum Lineage of which Upaya is a […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax emphasizes the importance of courage, community, and compassionate engagement in turbulent times, encouraging people to transform fear into an ally and pursue joy […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session of Gathering Dharma, Roshi Joan Halifax begins with a heartfelt reflection on the moral call to engage with the suffering of the world. She emphasizes the connection between Buddhist […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

On the sixth and final day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin, Kathie, and Kozan reflect on the essence of Zen practice following six intense days of […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

On the fifth day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Kozan uses the striking scarlet runner bean hidden in its pod as a metaphor for the profound practice of sesshin. He emphasizes […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

On the fourth day of this Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Monshin delves into the phrases “Thusness” or “Suchness” as a path to direct experience. She illuminates the interplay between […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Fall Practice Period sesshin day 2 talk, Sensei Shinzan delves into the poem The Jewel Mirror Samadhi, focusing on key lines that highlight how clarity and awakening are […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

On this first full day of the Fall Practice Period sesshin, Sensei Kathie introduces the teaching of The Jewel Mirror Samadhi and shares stories about Zen Master Dongshan, the co-founder of the Caodong School of […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Sensei Kathie Fischer discusses the Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness, emphasizing the importance of stillness and presence in Zen practice. She explores how complications and difficulties in practice are “auspicious” […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Zazenkai day Dharma talk during the Fall Practice Period, Sensei Kozan introduces us to the teachings of the sixth Chinese ancestor, Hui-neng. He focuses on Hui-neng’s written work, the Platform Sutra, […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session of the Fall Practice Period, Senseis Monshin, Kozan, and Shinzan introduce key teachers, teachings, and historical context which impacted the era of Zen this practice period focuses on. Each of the Five […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This Fall Practice Period Zazenkai talk by Sensei Shinzan addresses a core koan of our practice: how to directly engage with something that seems unattainable. Shinzan brings a subtle joy to this talk, pointing […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this opening session of the Fall Practice Period the guiding teachers, Senseis Shinzan, Monshin and Kozan set the tone for the coming weeks of communal practice. Shinzan speaks to the ubiquity of ‘Zen’ products and […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Fall Practice Period and Wednesday night Dharma talk, Senseis Monshin and Shinzan share stories of ancient masters. Shinzan reflects on a fundamental question we must grapple with, why do we sit at all, what are […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Fall Practice Period Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Monshin discusses women ancestors of the Golden Age of Zen. “Women were practicing zen from the beginning, how is it they did not become […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Senseis Kozan and Monshin introduce 2024 Upaya’s Fall Practice Period exploring the golden age of Zen during the Tang Dynasty, focusing on its cultural influences and historical challenges. They bring […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Natalie Goldberg introduces an extraordinary Wednesday night Dharma talk, in which human rights activist Aviv Tatarsky calls in from Jerusalem to offer his candid view into the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Aviv […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session of Gathering Dharma Roshi Joan Halifax points unwaveringly to the heart of our deeply held questions and commitments, asking, “What is it to connect… to foster community, […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk and the first talk in the Fall Chaplaincy Sesshin, we are gracefully reminded by Sensei Monshin of the roots and foundation of practice. Monshin […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Sensei Kozan discusses the practice and realization of “suchness” in Zen Buddhism. He explores Dogen’s essay of the same name, and relates the practice of suchness to our work for […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This “way-seeking mind” Dharma talk given by Tony Back, MD precedes the upcoming G.R.A.C.E. weekend program. Through the context of his work as a medical professional Tony shares his journey […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This episode is a continuation of the 8/25/24 morning session of Love and Death program where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan guide participants to notice what attracts them and repels them in a series of photos of dying persons. Frank sobers and grounds participants before […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Renowned peace activist Father John Dear speaks passionately on the actively nonviolent life and introduces his new book “The Gospel of Peace.” He insists with Martin Luther King: it is […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 afternoon session of Love and Death where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 morning session of Love and Death where … Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session of Love and Death, Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly and skilfully through a journey from her past, a journey […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Roshi Joan and Frank Ostaseski offer their warm welcome in this first session of Love & Death: Opening the Great Gifts. Roshi Joan reflects on the impacts of the pandemic, not only on medicine […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Gathering Dharma 2024 program session, Sensei Kathie Fischer discusses the stories and awakenings of women ancestors. In the midst of these poems of awakening Kathie picks on an important interpretation of meditation […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

UPDATE 4:32PM MDT: As of this UPDATE, this audio is corrected. Please download it AGAIN IF you had done so PRIOR to today (8/30/24) @3:05PM MDT. Again, please accept our […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this Wednesday night public Dharma talk Cynthia Jurs breathes life into our commitment to caring for the Earth. Cynthia shares her touching story of being called into a practice […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Sensei Kozan uses the koan Baizhang’s Fox to explore cause and effect. Without an understanding of cause and effect it is impossible to maintain a clear view of what aspects of […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

This is the closing session of this program stewarded by Roshi Joan Halifax with comments from program participants. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

In this session Roshi Norman Fischer brings the conversation to the acute point of what we lose when reading material in the non-native language of the text. He highlights the double edge […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Roshi Joan and the faculty open this session with warm reflections and stories of friendship and gratitude. Sensei Kathie Fischer takes over the session and brings in the topic of trust, sincere trust. […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot

Sensei Genzan flashes to us in this brief fifty minute session his deep knowledge and love for Dogen. He opens by offering practical study advice which he implements in his own […]Oleh Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot