Sōzan Shows Heidegger the Way
The clinging to roles, identities, and external validation acts as a barrier to authentic self-understanding. Heidegger called for Kehre, a radical turning. It requires confronting the truth of impermanence—what he called “being-towards-death.
The one-eyed dragon Isan spoke of isn’t mythical. It’s the clarity that arises when we stop seeing with the two eyes of duality—self and other, right and wrong. These two eyes bind us to judgment and striving. The one eye is the eye of wisdom, the eye that sees beyond. It’s the eye through which the universe looks back at you.
Seeing Through the Veil of Self-Deception
We possess an uncanny ability to hold two beliefs that don’t—can’t—reside together. Not only do we house them in separate corners of our minds, but we also deliberately keep their contradiction hidden, even from ourselves. Philosophers like Sartre called this phenomenon Bad Faith, describing it as a way of denying the truths of our own existence. But even that term falls short. Self-deception isn’t merely misplaced faith; it’s a deluded faith, fragmented by contradiction and incapable of seeing the whole.
Expanding Awareness, Discovering Self
As you expand your awareness, you’ll discover that there is no “outside” or “other.” The pull of the small self will fade, and you’ll realize that nothing lies beyond you—you are the whole, the boundless essence of life itself.
A Feather on the Wind
When we move through life so quickly, fixated on a distant goal, we interact with so little of what’s around us. We miss the richness of our lives, rushing past moments that could touch us deeply, if only we allowed them to. Instead of hardening ourselves and plummeting through life like a stone, what if we practiced living like a feather?
Obedience to Reality – A Path to True Freedom
What does it mean to truly let go of ego and align with reality? Through a simple encounter with a proud Nichiren priest, Bankei reveals how clinging to judgments and expectations limits our freedom.
This teaching invites us to step beyond resistance and pride, to embrace the flow of life as it is, and to discover the boundless essence of our true nature. Freedom, as Sensei Michael reminds us, isn’t found in control—it’s found in letting go.
The Addiction to Self
In this talk, Sensei Michael explores how clinging to the small self—its judgments, labels, and stories—keeps us trapped in cycles of attachment and delusion. Drawing from Dōgen's teaching, “To study the self is to forget the self,” this reflection offers a path to clarity and freedom.
Living with Intention: A Path Beyond Goals
Take a moment to consider how we approach projects. We say, “I’m starting this project,” and, “At some point, I’ll finish it.” These statements operate within a framework built around goals — a beginning, an end, and the satisfaction of completion. But in this way, we are never truly here. Goals lock us into a future-oriented mindset.
Stopping to See
In this Early Morning Light talk, Sensei Michael reflects on a childhood road trip that took an unexpected turn when a traffic jam brought strangers together in an extraordinary moment of connection.
Designing the Perfect Meditation Space
One River Zen’s founders Michael Brunner and Vanessa Roddam are featured in a recent article by Apartment Guide on creating the perfect meditation space in your home. Read the full article and all the tips from many experts in the field here.
The Hero’s Wisdom & The Child’s Heart
"Have the courageous attitude of a hero with the loving heart of a child." Soyen Shaku’s timeless teaching invites us to step beyond fear and embrace life with boldness and compassion. Let go of your stories, trust in the moment, and discover the wisdom within.