Welcome, Zen rebels.
I say that a little bit tongue in cheek — but only a little bit. Because in the world we're living in right now, coming to sit, putting down the devices, and actually allowing yourself to be fully present in your body — this is a somewhat rebellious act. We are surrounded by an endless stream of interesting factoids, short videos, little dopamine hits, all day long. So to just come, take up a stable posture, breathe into your belly, and actually be here — that's not nothing.
This talk is about what happens when you do.
First, the body settles. And then, once the body settles, what was already there starts to come to the surface — the thoughts, and underneath the thoughts, the feelings. The grief you didn't have time to feel. The fear you filed away for later and then never went back to. The anger that's just been waiting.
Our practice in all of this is simply to allow it. To root down into the seat and let it come — not to act it out, not to flee from it, but to let the waves move through. I talk honestly about how terrifying this can be, and why it matters that you're not doing it alone.
There's also a practical point here about inside versus outside practice — when to face the wall, when to go sit by a tree — and what all of it is pointing toward: not an escape from your life, but a way back into it.
The magician distracts you with one hand. The practice is learning to watch the other one.
The Living Zen Podcast arises from my teaching work with Zenwest Buddhist Society, a Zen practice community on Vancouver Island.
These talks are free, and they'll stay that way. Keeping them coming takes recording gear, hosting and time. If they're part of your practice and you'd like to help, come join us on Red Mountain Way on Patreon, where members hear each talk first and get additional teachings and reflections. I'd love to have you there.
Another meaningful way to support is simply sharing — passing an episode to someone who needs it.
For those seeking one-to-one Zen support, information about my Zen Mentorship work is available through Monarch Trancework.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for practicing.
