The Zen of Everything

Episode 70: Technology

March 18th, 2022  |  25 mins 32 secs

We use technology frequently, but we need to handle it wisely and respect it, with balance and moderation, and, occasionally, honor it.

Episode 69: Love

March 4th, 2022  |  23 mins 39 secs

Zen doesn't often talk about love: romantic love, love for family, love for country, or just a simple love of tea.

Episode 68: Dissent

February 18th, 2022  |  24 mins 15 secs

We don't always have to agree with everyone. Sometimes we have to dissent.

Episode 67: Good for Nothing

February 4th, 2022  |  24 mins 5 secs

Zazen is good for nothing, according to Kodo Sawaki. If so, then why do we sit? Also, ice cream sundaes and Möbius strips.

Episode 66: Dropping

January 21st, 2022  |  23 mins 47 secs

A key phrase of Dogen's teaching is "dropping body and mind," a description of his enlightenment. Jundo and Kirk discuss what this means, and how you can drop body and mind when sitting zazen.

Episode 65: New

January 7th, 2022  |  24 mins 19 secs

It's a new year, and everything is always new, except when it's not. "The past is today that was yesterday. And the future is yesterday that will be tomorrow."

Episode 64: I'm Dreaming of a Zen Christmas (Rebroadcast)

December 24th, 2021  |  30 mins 9 secs

Our 2019 Christmas episode was so good, and we realized that we would never be able to record a better Christmas episode, so we decided to rebroadcast it this year. Jundo and Kirk discuss how Christmas and Zen can find common ground, and discuss their favorite Zen Christmas carols.

Episode 63: Choices

December 10th, 2021  |  28 mins 12 secs

How do we choose among the many things available to us? There are too many breakfast cereals; do we really need them all? Which coffee or tea do you choose? And what about big choices? Should we stay or should we go?

Episode 62: Buddhisms

November 26th, 2021  |  26 mins 1 sec

Jundo and Kirk talk about the various flavors of Buddhism. They are not all the same, and we discuss the differences between the various schools that have changed over the centuries.

Episode 61: Tradition

November 12th, 2021  |  26 mins 36 secs

Jundo and Kirk discuss tradition in zen. What are those funny sticks that the zen masters have, and what are they used for?

Episode 60: Animals

October 29th, 2021  |  29 mins 30 secs

Jundo and Kirk examine whether Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals deserves a critical reappraisal. And they talk about animals, sentience, and eating meat (or not).

Episode 59: Goldilocks is the Buddha

October 15th, 2021  |  27 mins 34 secs

Jundo and Kirk discuss how moderation is enlightenment, and how Goldilocks is the Buddha. Sort of.

Episode 58: In the Moment

September 30th, 2021  |  26 mins 54 secs

Jundo and Kirk discuss living in the moment, and how, at times, you can be too much in the moment.

Episode 57: Mistakes

September 3rd, 2021  |  28 mins 5 secs

Jundo and Kirk discuss mistakes, and end up making a podcast episode full of mistakes.

Episode 56: What is Zen?

August 20th, 2021  |  27 mins 22 secs

How had Jundo and Kirk never addressed this, the most basic of questions? And it's not a trick question.

"Once you are on the cushion, it is Buddha's butt on the cushion."

Episode 55: Hermits

August 6th, 2021  |  28 mins 48 secs

Jundo and Kirk talk about zen hermits, and life in a small zen temple.