A Year of Zen

The Unknowable

A practice for the days when we are drenched, (perhaps drowning!) in the unknowable. Bonnie Myotai reflects on the heartbreak of recognizing many around us have given the

The True Person

A Halloween episode...with Mater Rinzai!

Die While You Live: Freedom from Self and Utter Responsibility

What is it to let the ego’s predominance recede, and practice a life in which “all is good”? With a nod to 16th C Zen master Shido Munan, we explore the humility and bala

Fear in Practice

Bonnie Myotai offers a reflection on fear, the absolute self, and facing the lions around us. Reading from Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman, teaching from Daido Roshi, and

Cool Loneliness: Alone at the Bottom of Too Many Stairs

October 24th’s episode considers loneliness and spiritual practice. A bit of teaching from Pema Chodron, a memory of a hard night in NYC, and a writing/contemplation exer

Rustling Leaves

The evening rooster calls out as Bonnie Myotai gives an autumn writing/contemplation prompt.

Epitaph for Today: Say a Word of Zen

Bonnie Myotai takes us back to the cemetery to write our epitaph, and explore what message our life may leave .

A Little Knife: The Evening Gatha in Autumn

Bonnie Myotai invites a contemplation of the “drying, wrinkling, falling” autumn of our lives. She remembers the first night she heard the Evening Gatha, and Maezumi Rosh

People Will Talk

In Episode 38 Bonnie Myotai offers a reflection on how the shift happens from always looking to be loved to looking for how we can be loving. A bit of Jimmy Ruffin’s “Wha

Vast Ocean and Crashing Waves

Episode 37 finds us contemplating both ocean and waves, absolute and relative. Bonnie Myotai offers a poem of Thich Nhat Hanh’s and a writing prompt.

The Bear in Your Kitchen: Practicing the Unexpected

In Episode 36, Bonnie Myotai asks that we consider how we practice when something unexpected, perhaps frightening, suddenly shows up.

Calm The Crying Child

A quick Saturday writing prompt, where we’re asked to remember how to cheer up a child, or anyone... including ourselves.

Stop the Fighting: An Intimate Zen Koan

In episode 34 Bonnie Myotai introduces an old Zen koan that we face again and again in our lives. How do we realize that we are not apart from others? How do we “stop the

Nothing But Change: Being at Home in Impermanence

Zen teaches that understanding impermanence is the deepest work. In today’s episode, join Bonnie Myotai for a reflection, a little e.e. cummings, and an autumn writing an

Chomei's Tears: Masked and Bare

In Episode 32 of A Year of Zen, Bonnie Myotai reflects on the Zen hermit Kamo No Chomei's poem about autumn, tears, bareness, the limits of words. The wearing of masks, t

Letting Go of Our Old Nonsense

Episode 31 outlines how to work with the new book “A Year of Zen”...and create a sacred, solid year of practice. Bonnie Myotai reflects on when rules, methods, prompts ar

Equinox: Tilting the Heart

Bonnie Myotai offers a reflection on the autumn equinox, and the 6 principles of "Higen" (generosity, moral reflection, perseverance, diligence, meditation, wisdom), and

Fading Smoke: Honor, Love, and Grief

In Episode 29, Bonnie Myotai remembers Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and the importance of giving ourselves time to grieve.

Staying True to One Another: Kyosei’s Raindrops

Bonnie Myotai asks that we explore the ways we distance ourselves from what is real, and how to show up for one another. A zen koan called “The Voice of the Raindrops,” a

Green Zen

Episode 27, September 16,  has us exploring “shinrin yoku” or forest bathing, appreciating green life, especially as climate catastrophes increase. Kilmer’s poem “Trees”