In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores a timeless Zen teaching from Sanshekishu, Case 4: "Obedience." Through the story of Master Bankei and a proud Nichiren priest, we delve into the nature of ego, resistance, and the profound freedom that comes from letting go. What does it mean to truly align with reality? How can we step beyond the constraints of pride and expectations to embrace the flow of life as it is? Sensei shares practical insights on noticing resistance in our daily...

In this episode of Awakening Streams, we explore how missteps, mistakes, and perceived failures are not obstacles but integral parts of the path. Drawing on Zen teachings and real-life examples, Sensei Michael reflects on the importance of embracing our imperfections with clarity and compassion. By shifting our perspective, we can see that each misstep holds the potential for growth and transformation, helping us connect more deeply with our true nature. Whether it's a stumble in practice or...

In this episode, "Put It Down: Embracing Compassion Beyond Judgment," we delve into the teachings of Shasekishu Case 14, "Muddy Road." This classic Zen story reveals how clinging to guilt, shame, or rigid ideas of right and wrong can keep us entangled in suffering. Sensei Michael Brunner guides us through the lesson of letting go of labels and judgments, allowing compassion to arise naturally from a place of non-attachment. Through this teisho, we’re encouraged to engage with life fully,...

In this episode, recorded during our Zen of Recovery Retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 16, "The Sound of the Bell and the Seven-Piece Robe." Sensei delves into how discipline and freedom intertwine in Zen practice, showing how our actions, when free of judgments and labels, become gateways to awakening. Through a story of two monks and their masters’ miracles, the talk illustrates the power of simplicity in daily life. Join us as we explore how responding to the moment...

In this powerful teisho delivered during a "Zen of Recovery" retreat, Sensei Michael (Abbot of oneriverzen.org) explores the deep potential we each have to awaken the master within. Drawing on the story of Zen master Gudo and a gambler’s transformative journey from the Sansheki-shu, Case 2, "Finding a Diamond on a Muddy Road," Sensei emphasizes the importance of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness as key virtues on the path to awakening. He challenges us to move beyond the small self,...

In this episode, Sensei Michael explores Shōyōroku Case 91, Nansen’s Peony, delving into the nature of reality, perception, and the illusion of separation. Through the lens of Zen teachings, Sensei discusses how our minds create boundaries by categorizing, labeling, and splitting life into “real” and “unreal,” “right” and “wrong.” Sensei illustrates how this constant fragmentation keeps us from fully experiencing our lives and blinds us to the intrinsic unity of all things. By letting go of...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on Case 22 from the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), Kashyapa’s Knock Down the Flagpole. Through the story of Ananda and Mahakashyapa, Sensei explores the essence of awakening and the importance of letting go of our fixed ideas and expectations. Enlightenment isn’t a ceremonial vestment we wear, but an ongoing practice of stepping into the unknown, releasing our attachment to who we think we are, and fully embracing the present moment. As the...

In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores the wisdom of Hekiganroku, Case 36: Chōsha Wandering in the Mountains. Through this kōan, Sensei dives into the importance of living fully in the present moment, without attachment to expectations or fixed ideas. He draws a distinction between positive samadhi—the act of engaging with life as it arises—and absolute samadhi, which refers to the dissolution of the self in death. Using stories from Zen tradition and reflections on everyday life,...

"Embracing the Present: Letting Go of Stories and Finding Compassion" In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the power of present-moment awareness and the practice of dropping our stories and judgments. Drawing from Shoyoroku Case 14, "Attendant Kaku Serves Tea," Sensei explores the profound wisdom that emerges when we release preconceived ideas and open ourselves to the emptiness of each moment. This emptiness, far from being a void, is the fertile ground...

In this episode, recorded during the closing of a September 2024 sesshin at One River Zen, Sensei Michael reflects on the bittersweet nature of ending deep practice. While sesshin may come to a close, the insights gained remain available—it's just a matter of shifting our gaze. Sensei explores Shōyōroku Case 32, "Kyōzan’s State of Mind," as a guide for stepping beyond the seductive stories we create about ourselves. He emphasizes Kyōzan's instruction to observe directly, without clinging to...

Sensei Michael gives a case on case fifty-nine of the Book of Equanimity: Seirin's Deadly Snake. In it, he speaks of the importance of surrender on the spiritual path - a way of being beyond knowing that causes us to be actualized by our lived experience.

Sensei Michael discusses letting go of practice as a means to an end as a way of opening to our True Nature and appreciating our lives directly.

Sensei Michael discusses the nineteenth case of The Gateless Gate: Ordinary Mind is the Way. He stresses the importance of not looking at a spiritual path as something extra - instead finding it in every moment of our lived experience.

Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Discusses case number ninety-one from the Shaseki-shu - "The Taste of Banzo's Sword." Sensei teaches that when we devote ourselves fully to being open, we find the unexpected always bringing us joy and richness.

Sensei Michael speaks with his students during sesshin about how our expectations get in the way of opening to what is right in front of us. Case six of the Shoyoroku, Baso's White and Black is discussed.

Sensei Michael gives a Dharma Talk about letting go of our judgements about self and others as a prerequisite to awakening. Case six of the Record of Stone and Sand is discussed: No Loving-kindness

Sensei Michael gives a Dharma Talk about cutting through the rough turbulence of the mind to find our True Self in this very moment. Case eighty of the Blue Cliff Record is discussed: Joshu's Newborn Baby

Sensei Michael discusses our inalienable intimacy with our lived experience through case fifty-seven of the Blue Cliff Record: "Joshu's Nondiscrimination."

Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Discusses case number thirty-seven from the Shaseki-shu - "Publishing the Sutras." Sensei teaches on the importance of living your life true to your intentions rather than some distant or lofty goals.

Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner speaks during the 2023 Ango Sesshin to his students about case twenty-nine of the Gateless Gate: "Not the Wind, Not the Flag". The case inspires us to look beyond our ideas of how things are or should be and truly appreciate all that is present right here and now.

Sensei Michael speaks to students during day two of the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin about Blue Cliff Record case forty-three: "No Cold or Heat". The importance of moving beyond our judgements and preferences and truly opening to our lived experience is discussed in this case of the Hekiganroku.

Sensei Michael speaks during the 2023 Rohatsu Sesshin on case 31 of the Gateless Gate, Joshu Sees Through an Old Woman. Ultimately, we need to see past all of our ideas, judgements, and labels to really open to and appreciate our lives.

Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about Case #38 in the Mumonkan, or Gateless Gate: The Buffalo Passes Through a Window.

Sensei Michael Brunner engages in a discussion with his formal students during the 2023 Ango Practice Period about living life beyond regret. He draws inspiration from the insights of Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who intimately cared for individuals in the final 12 weeks of their lives. Ware compiled the top five regrets expressed by the dying. Sensei skillfully juxtaposes these regrets with Buddhism's Five Great Fears, illuminating a path towards a life that matters, emphasizing the...