When the cold strips away our judgments, what remains is our true nature—compassionate, resilient, and ready to shine. Discover how embracing the essence of each moment transforms not just ourselves, but the world around us.

Zen practice isn’t a shield to protect us from life’s challenges—it’s an invitation to meet them fully. In this talk, we explore the timeless question, “Why am I here?” through the lens of Joshu’s koan, “The oak tree in the garden.”

Discover how letting go of the “why” and immersing yourself in what’s right in front of you can transform life’s struggles into nourishment—not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.

What do a Zen master and a philosopher of language have in common? Joshu’s razor-sharp koans and Wittgenstein’s probing questions both point us beyond the limits of knowing. In this post, explore how their insights invite us to step out of conceptual thinking and into the boundless freedom of direct experience. Can we throw away our need to know and truly join the dance of life?

Discover the magic wand you already possess—the power of awareness. Learn how to transform suffering, bring comfort, and manifest wisdom in this inspiring reflection on mindful living!

Discover how examining the stories we retreat into can transform our practice into a seamless harmony of realization and everyday life. Explore the path to balance, courage, and equanimity in this inspiring reflection.

Sensei Michael Brunner reminds us that life demands action—whether it’s the work of bearing witness or the discipline of training. Standing still is not an option. Dive into this Early Morning Light reflection and discover the call to saddle up and ride!

When we’re stuck in a mindset of scarcity, life moves too fast. There’s never enough time, and we feel like we’re drowning in the current. But when we step into the gap, time transforms. It slows down, opens up, and reveals its true nature. Suddenly, we have all the time we need—not to accomplish everything on some endless list, but to be fully present with what’s here.

Our mistakes are not deviations from the path; they are the path. In reflecting on his own misstep—an affair that caused immense pain—Sensei Michael shares how the process of facing it openly, guided by deep practice and the support of his teacher Roshi Diane Martin, brought profound transformation. Mistakes, when worked with instead of avoided, become Dharma gates, leading to growth and awakening.

To live this way, we have to do something that might seem counterintuitive: walk toward the things that challenge us. Look for those moments when you want to recoil, to retreat and regather your forces. Instead of retreating, step forward. Meet the challenge. Absorb it. Let it teach you. When you stop seeing it as outside, you’ll realize that you have all the resources of the vast universe at your disposal to transform that challenge into wisdom.