Nothing to Attain – a talk by Madelon Bolling
Case 19, The Gateless Barrier Zhaozhou asked Nanquan, “What is the Dao?” Nanquan said, “Ordinary mind is the Dao.” Zhaozhou asked, “Should I direct myself toward it or not?” Nanquan said, “If you try to direct yourself you turn against it.” Zhaozhou asked, “How can I know the Dao if I do not direct myself?” Nanquan said, “The Dao is not subject to knowing or not knowing. Knowing is delusion; not knowing is blankness. When you really reach the Dao beyond doubt, it is as vast and boundless as space. How could affirmation and negation persist?” At these words, Zhaozhou suddenly awoke. The...
Read MoreZenkai (June 13, 2021) with Lee Shields
TTS will hold the June 13, 2021 Zenkai remotely (by Zoom). If you are able, please join all or part of this opportunity for intensive practice with others. 8:15 Samu – cleaning your space or home 8:45 Gathering on Zoom 8:55 Be seated 9:00 (5 Remembrances), Zazen, Kinhin 10:10 (Dai-O Kokushi) Dharma talk (Shiku Seigan Mon)* 10: 45 Zazen, Kinhin (11:15 Interviews available) 12:00 (audio and video on) Break to get food 12:10 Opening meal gatha, video off, lunch 12:30 Video on, closing meal gatha, informal discussion 12:50 Clean up, break 1:10 Be seated...
Read MoreZenkai By Zoom: Three-Day Zen Retreat with Jack Duffy (July 9-11, 2021)
We will have an intensive retreat with Jack, Madelon, and Lee July 9-11. The detailed schedule is below. Here is an overall summary of the 3 days: SUMMARY SCHEDULE Friday: 6:30pm-9:00pm Saturday and Sunday: 8:15am-12:30pm, lunch, 2:30-5:00pm The intensive weekend Zoom retreat will begin Friday at 6:30 PM with gathering for a short introduction to the form with Zoom, and zazen at 7:00 PM. The full schedule is included at the bottom of this page. A Zoom link will be sent the week of the retreat to all who register. If you don’t receive a link you can also email:: There is no better time for...
Read MoreZenkai (August 8, 2021) with Madelon Bolling
TTS will hold the August 8, 2021 Zenkai remotely (by Zoom). If you are able, please join all or part of this opportunity for intensive practice with others. 8:15 Samu – cleaning your space or home 8:45 Gathering on Zoom 8:55 Be seated 9:00 (5 Remembrances), Zazen, Kinhin 10:10 (Dai-O Kokushi) Dharma talk (Shiku Seigan Mon)* 10: 45 Zazen, Kinhin (11:15 Interviews available) 12:00 (audio and video on) Break to get food 12:10 Opening meal gatha, video off, lunch 12:30 Video on, closing meal gatha, informal discussion 12:50 Clean up, break 1:10 Be seated...
Read MoreTung-shan’s Crossed Swords – a talk by Leland Shields, March 7, 2021
Within Tung-shan’s Five Ranks is this verse titled, “Proceeding Within Phenomena”: Like two crossed swords, neither permitting retreat;dexterously wielded, like the lotus in the midst of fire -a natural imperative to assail heaven itself. Robert Aitken, The Morning Star, p. 139. Tung-shan Liang-chieh (also translated as Dongshan Liangjie) was a Tang dynasty teacher recognized as the founder of the Ts’ao-tung, Soto, line of Zen. He left us two series of 5 verses each. The first set of verses expresses modes of the fundamental world we share. Robert Aitken translated the title of this first...
Read MoreZen Practice-at-home intensive with Jack Duffy (April 10-17, 2021)
Registration is now available for the Zen Practice-at-home intensive with Jack Duffy. Register Schedule for 7-Day Practice @ Home Intensive with Jack Duffy April 10-17, 2021 Saturday, April 10: 6:45pm gather on Zoom 7:00 cautions and zoom ground rules, check-in 7:30 zazen 9:00 end of formal practice for the day Sunday-Friday: 6:30-8:15am optional zazen 8:15am samu 8:45 gather on Zoom 8:55 be seated (audio, video off) 9:00 Dai’o...
Read More