🌞 What Lies Beyond Knowing? 🌱 This morning, we had the joy of exploring how our obsession with “knowing” often limits our ability to experience life directly. From Wittgenstein’s insight that “the limits of my language mean the limits of my world” to Jōshū’s sharp reminder to “throw it away,” the talk dives into the heart of Zen practice: letting go of concepts and opening fully to this moment. Featuring reflections from Sensei Michael’s own journey, a classic Zen koan, and even a nod to Tom Petty, this talk invites you to step beyond the walls of the discursive mind and discover the vibrant life waiting on the other side. 💡 What’s the weight you’re carrying? Can you put it down, even for a moment? 🎥 Listen here and join the conversation: https://oneriverzen.org/daily-zen Let’s walk this path together. 🙏

Eihei Dōgen, the founder of the Sōtō School—the proud tradition to which this practice center belongs—once said not to neglect the “horse work” to do the “donkey work.” In other words, don’t neglect the work of the Dharma—the work of bearing witness to suffering wherever it’s found, walking into it, and transforming it with our compassionate action. The horse work is the work of becoming actualized by the circumstances of our lives, of being the medicine required to ameliorate suffering. Don’t neglect that work for the “donkey work,” which is the work of training: sitting zazen, trudging across the country to meet with a teacher for dokusan, and having our karmic momentum challenged and broken. Yet, what Dōgen likely never imagined when reflecting on this dichotomy is the possibility that someone might choose to do neither. Imagine someone who simply stands still, allowing indecision to cripple them and take over. In that place, there is only delusion. And if we think that by standing still, indecision will somehow lose its grip, we fall into delusion within delusion. The one thing we cannot do in this practice is to stand still. We must ride. Whether you ride the donkey or the horse, do it. This is the only way we can honor the life we have before us, embracing it with gratitude and intention, and fully committing ourselves to the path we walk. So, whether it’s the horse or the donkey you choose to ride today, make a decision and ride. Standing still is not an option. This isn’t a dress rehearsal, folks. Your lives will not wait. So let’s ensure we’re making a decision—today—and saddle up! #ZenPractice #EiheiDogen #SotoZen #DharmaWork #MindfulLiving #Zazen #SpiritualJourney #GratitudeAndIntention #LifePath #ZenWisdom #MeditationMatters #EmbraceTheMoment #SpiritualGrowth #DharmaTalk #OneRiverZen #SaddleUp

💍✨ A Celebration of Love and Commitment ✨💍 One River Zen is overjoyed to celebrate the marriage of our founders, Sensei Michael Brunner and Hoshi Vanessa Roddam! This union is a testament to the love and shared vision that has shaped our Zen community into the flourishing space it is today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sangha member Mayor Robb Hasty for graciously officiating their stateside ceremony, marking this beautiful chapter with his kindness and presence. In a gesture of extraordinary generosity, an anonymous donor made it possible for Michael and Vanessa to exchange their vows in the City of Love, Paris. Surrounded by the timeless beauty of that city, they reaffirmed their commitment to one another and to the practice of living deeply and authentically. Please join us in wishing them a lifetime of joy, compassion, and continued inspiration as they lead our Sangha with open hearts and boundless dedication. 🌿 “Let the seeds of love and practice grow together, nourishing all beings.” 🌿 #OneRiverZen #ZenLove #Gratitude #sanghafamilychristmas #sotozen #senseimichaelbrunner

It’s Rohatsu, Rise & Shine! On this day, we honor the Buddha’s awakening under the Bodhi tree. Rohatsu calls us to rise and shine—not just with the morning sun, but with the light of wisdom within. Let’s sit, reflect, and embody the deep stillness that leads to clarity and compassion. Whether you’re sitting for a few minutes or diving into a full day of meditation, remember: awakening is already here. 🌿 Happy Rohatsu from One River Zen! 🌿 Tags: #Rohatsu #BuddhaAwakening #ZenLife #OneRiverZen #ZenMeditation #BeTheLight #WisdomInPractice #ZenCommunity #zenlife #sotozen #MindfulnessMatters #BodhiTree

Magical morning getting ready to sit Zazen. Come start your journey soon! #oneriverzen #zenretreat #sotozen #pickusottawail #zenlife #meditation

🌿 Bound Together on the Path of Practice 🌿 Walking the path of practice is never a solitary journey. Today, we celebrate Myōshin’s Jukai, a beautiful commitment to the way of the Dharma, embraced with the loving support of Sangha. Together, we remind one another of the boundless compassion and wisdom that carry us forward, step by step, moment by moment. Welcome, Myōshin, to this shared journey of awakening and belonging! #Jukai #ZenPractice #Sangha #DharmaPath #AwakeningTogether #ZenLife #OneRiverZen #ZenCommunity #CommitmentToPractice #BuddhistTradition #BoundlessCompassion #MindfulLiving #ZenJourney #PathOfPractice

🌸 Welcome the Newest Bodhisattva at One River Zen! 🌸 Today, we joyfully celebrate Steven Myōshin Roderick as they take the vows of Jukai! Their Dharma name, Myōshin (妙心), means Wondrous Heart/Mind. 💖 This name reflects their bright spirit and the infinite potential of their practice to move beyond suffering and bring boundless compassion to others. Myōshin reminds us all that the heart of the Bodhisattva path lies in embracing life fully and sharing its wonder with all beings. Please join us in congratulating Myōshin on this profound step in their journey. 🙏✨ May their practice continue to inspire and uplift everyone around them! 🌟 #Jukai #ZenBuddhism #BodhisattvaPath #Myōshin #zenlife #pickusottawail #sotozen #OneRiverZen

🌟 Karuna Pantry Food Drive: Urgent Call for Freeze-Safe Foods! 🌟 As the temperatures drop, the need for food rises, and our pantry shelves are running low. We're calling on our compassionate community to help us restock essential freeze-safe foods for those in need. What we urgently need things like: 🍝 Boxed pasta, macaroni & cheese, in-a-bag meals 🍜 Ramen and other shelf-stable meal options Your support can make all the difference for a family this winter. Drop off your donations at 121 E Prospect Avenue anytime. You can place goods directly in the pantry or on the front porch. Every box, bag, or can you give helps someone facing the harsh winter with a little more warmth and nourishment. Together, let’s embody the spirit of Karuna—compassion in action. 💛 📩 Questions? Message us here or email outreach@oneriverzen.org 🙏 Thank you for your kindness! #KarunaPantry #FoodDrive #CommunitySupport #CompassionInAction #FreezeSafeFoods #GiveBack #WinterHelp #EndHunger #SpreadKindness #PickUsOttawaIL #OneRiverZen #HelpYourNeighbor #FightHunger #FoodDonation #WarmHearts

🌞 Start your weekend with mindfulness! Join us for meditation tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM at One River Zen. 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️ Whether you’re brand new to meditation or have been practicing for years, this is the perfect space to connect, breathe, and find stillness together. Beginners are especially welcome—we’ll guide you every step of the way. ☕ Come a little early to enjoy some coffee and settle in. ✨ No experience necessary, just bring yourself and an open mind. See you in the zendo! 📍 121 East Prospect Avenue, Ottawa, IL #zenlife #Meditation #ZenPractice #Mindfulness #BeginnerFriendly #OneRiverZen #pickusottawail

When I was a young Zen student, I had a habit of writing my koan on an index card and carrying it in my pocket. It wasn’t just to help me memorize the case, though that was useful. The real purpose was the physical reminder. Whenever I would sit down, stand up, or move quickly, I’d feel the index card in my pocket, and it would bring me back to the koan. It started working on me, revealing itself in the small moments of my everyday life. This morning, I invite you to try something similar. Take an index card and write a single word on it: abundance. Slip it into your pocket and carry it with you as you go about your day. Whenever you feel that card, pause for a moment and take a look around. Let it remind you of the abundance surrounding you. Notice the simple things—the beauty, the kindness, the gifts of life we often overlook. When you see abundance, a natural sense of gratitude emerges. You’ll also notice that scarcity is just a concept, a story we tell ourselves. So today, be thankful. See the abundance in your life, and let gratitude flow naturally from it! #zen #zenlife #thanksgiving #oneriverzen #pickusottawail #sotozen #gratitude