Hardcore Zen

Why would THAT be miraculous???

Can Zen help you learn to have compassion for yourself?

A review of the new book about Tassajara Zen monastery by David Chadwick.

My first Zen teacher said you need an equal amount of faith and doubt to practice and study Zen.

Should a lay Buddhist work in an industry that sells meat?

How much zazen is "enough"?

Meditation is dangerous!!!

OK. Then what am I???

The Urban Dictionary defines Zen as being chill and laidback. I am not that! Is that a problem in practicing actual Zen?

What does Zen say about the Four Noble Truths?

I'm not sure I can answer this one. But I tried!

What should you do when you go to a Dharma Talk and they talk about something else instead?

How did it go? Here's how!

Why did Dogen tell people not to view big fish?

Well... some people know some things. But, really, nobody knows anything.

How come I can't get instant enlightenment?

Is he right???

Then how come there are so many people teaching Zen?

Dogen says, “It may be that the state in a dream and the state in waking consciousness are equally real.” Why?

Maybe it'll make you rich and famous!

What would Buddhists think if the truth about aliens were revealed?

What sort of effort is required?

Can Enlightenment experiences be ranked?

Do we do zazen in order to have a kensho or "enlightenment experience"?

If Zazen is good for nothing, why do it at all?

Is that the goal of Buddhist practice?

Some say it is, some say it isn't.

... or "Zazen is Annoying"

The Precepts say we shouldn't criticize other Buddhists. Why does Dogen do it all the time? Why do I?

...or is it different for some people?

Shohaku Okumura has an interesting explanation of Dogen's essay on pain.

Is it really...?

Dogen said that the self arrays itself and looks at itself. What does that mean?

What more can I say? A lot apparently!

A tribute to my friend and one of the great Zen writers.

Can drugs make you Enlightened?

What does that even mean??

Why am I not all excited by the latest evidence that science proves Buddhism is true?

Is playing the flute the same as doing zazen?

Buddha never met man he didn't like!

Or do you really need to?

Is Western Zen just live action role playing?

Like if you're living on a remote island or something.

So you don't become a cult leader! And other reasons...

Well... Yes and no...

Is the Apple TV series Pluribus about what an Enlightened world would look like?

Robot and AI generated Zen/Buddhism SUCKS!

Are accomplishments all they're cracked up to be?

What actually is the sound of one hand clapping?

Why don't Zen people talk more about love?

Christianity teaches forgiveness. What about Buddhism?

It's said that the secret to Buddhist practice is to avoid preferences. How do you do that?

Are dreams as real as waking reality? Dogen thought so!

What is it? How does it relate to practice? How can it be recognized? Can it be cultivated?

My unintended tribute to the late Ace Frehley of KISS.

Why do we always end up right back here?

That's what Dogen said! What does it mean?

A talk I gave in Hebden Bridge, UK last year.

Your opinions are not even your own!

How does Zen Buddhism conceive of space?

What does that mean and what does it have to do with Godzilla?

How Zen turned me from a pessimist into an optimist!

Even Ziggy?

Dogen cried! It's true! He even said so!

Nisargadatta Maharaj had some useful advice about free and pain.

You can think some problems through and get an answer. But more often thought has no solution to your problems.

Is Buddhism a religion that says you should not have kids?

Do Buddhists believe in the power of prayer?

What does "Turn the light around and shine it inward" mean?

How do you do that??

There's a bar in Tokyo run by Buddhist monks. Is that even allowed??

A talk I gave in Germany in 2024.

What is "I-less abiding," and do you need it in your practice?

Here's what my teacher said about death in Buddhism.

You can learn a lot from being totally dependent.

A talk from Bonn, Germany on Sept. 13, 2022. Buddhists use the word "ignorance" a lot. But what does "ignorance" mean in the Buddhist context?

What's the difference between you, your toilet, and the universe?

What does Godzilla have to do with Zen?

And, if so, is that a good thing?

What's the Zen way to overcome overwhelming fear?

Can you have an aim for the future and still be in the here and now?

Is cause-and-effect just a scam by Big Karma?

How do you celebrate Mother's Day when your mom is gone?

Can we use Zen practice as a self help method?

Dogen wrote three books called Shobogenzo. Here I take a look at a new edition of one of the other Shobogenzos.

How does Brad do Zen practice when he's sick?

How can work be Zen practice?

What do Buddhists, who don't believe in God (or at least not the kind of God some people believe in), put our faith in?

How do "meditator influencers" stay blissful all the time?

Is it a Buddhist teaching that we return to the Ocean of Consciousness when we die?

Is Buddhism a spiritual religion?

Is it Buddhist??