There are three primary practices in Zen training – Mindfulness of breathing, Koan practice which is working with an existential question and silent illumination practice.Silent illumination is both a practice method and realisation of mind. We need to make a distinction between silent illumination which is the direct realisation of mind and silent illumination that entails a practical practice. What
This is one of the primary Koans in Zen training used to open and awaken the mind. Zen Master Bassui, who was passionate about this koan urged his students throughout his life to take up this question. Our practice of Who’s hearing has strong resonances with the indigenous practice of Dadirri. Dadirri is a word that comes from the language of
No doubt many of you are feeling a range of emotions in the face of the long summer drought and devastating fires that have scorched and ravaged our beautiful vast and wide sunburnt home. Our house is indeed on fire, these are the biggest out of control fires any country in the world has ever known.Our large semi-arid country is
How do we meet the challenges of our times? And how does zazen change or save our world? Subhana Barzaghi, roshi explores the relationship between our inner and outer work in the world and the relationship between our mind and the environment. She draws on Case 32 from the Book of Serenity. This talk was given at Autumn sesshin 2019
Subhana Barzaghi, roshi asks a critical question for Zen practitioners, ‘What should we do in these heart-breaking times with this ecological crisis?’ How can we help our fractured and troubled world? In challenging times we are called upon to bring as much love, wisdom, courage, compassion and gratitude as we can into the world to alleviate the suffering around us.
A tribute to Peacemaker Bernie Glassman, roshi Perhaps more than ever before, we need to take wise action in our fractured world with its global problems of climate change, rise in natural disasters, refugee crisis, economic and political instability. Wise action requires both an inner and outer revolution, not just more reactivity based on the old paradigm. If we do
Now more than ever before we need a genuine greening of the mind. We are facing climate change and an environmental crisis that affects all beings. This requires an inner and outer transformation to meet the challenges of our time. In this Dharma talk Subhana Barzaghi roshi, helps us recognise that to hear the earth’s cry, is to realise there is no separation between
Subhana Barzaghi, roshi talks about silent illumination (or shikantaza) and addresses some of the misconceptions about it. She stresses that whether students are koan students or shikanataza students, our practice in Zen is the same. Subhana also sees the need for shikantaza students to engage with and to be guided in their practice by a teacher’s counsel. This Dharma
The opening paragraph in a much loved text Faith in Mind by the Third Zen Patriarch, Seng T’Sang, are very affirming and have direct implications for our practice. The Supreme Way is not difficult it simply avoids picking and choosing. When love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised, Make the smallest distinction however and heaven
Chapelle du Rosarie: Questions of Resurrection and Rebirth An essay by Subhana Barzaghi, first published in Mind Moon Circle Spring 2016 edition. – One of my primary reasons for coming to the old historic village of Vence which is located on the slopes of the Côte d’Azur France was to see and to sit in the Chapelle du Rosarie, also
