- Are the Six Senses True Reality, Or Not?
Mindfulness reduces worry, but we can go deeper than that. Buddha said we can see through our greedy delusions and know the truth of our lives.
- Meaningless Striving
Each new year, Americans resolve to work harder and be more austere, for no reason. Let's stop torturing ourselves.
- The Day That Yunmen Broke His Foot
The old stories all have the same punchline: the monk was suddenly enlightened. What really happens when we have an experience of insight?
- Rules for Hyenas
If we treat the Zen precepts as a set of rules to obey, that's just conformity. Let's use them instead as a tool for busting the hierarchy!
- The Meteor
What if you knew you had 30 minutes to live? Would you want to be awakened?
- Why did Master Rinzai slap Jo?
A monk asked Master Rinzai about the essence of Buddhism, and Rinzai slapped him. Why?
- The Real Shit Stick
Unmon said that Buddha is a dry shit stick. Why? Where is Buddha in this regular, shitty, unsatisfactory experience?
- Running in Circles
Running a long race, serving a prison term, practicing Zen: I'm trying to learn how people appreciate each moment in an eon.
- Why Generosity Turns To Rage, And What To Do About It
If someone needs more effort than I expected, or if there's no payoff, I can lose my temper. How can I have a Beginner's Mind about generosity?
- Living While Dying Is Tasty
My mother plans to die at 85. What will that final year be like?