Living Zen

Under the Heavens and on the Earth — April 7, 2026 — Dharma Talk

This talk was given on April 7 — the day before Hanamatsuri, the traditional celebration of the Buddha's birthday. I'd been sharing a video that week of newborn lambs a

Holding Your Seat — March 17, 2026 — Dharma Talk

There were daffodils on the altar when I gave this talk — narcissus, named after the figure who fell in love with his own reflection in the pond. It turned out to be exac

The Third Treasure — March 10, 2026 — Dharma Talk

Life keeps getting harder to afford — in time, in money, in simple presence. And yet here you are. This talk moves through the Three Treasures — Buddha, Dharma, Sangha

Nirvana — February 24, 2026

Sangemon — February 3, 2026

The Dharma Busker's Dollar — Kosen Eshu Osho

The Body is the Dharma — January 20, 2026 — Dharma Talk

In this talk, I reflect on form as a living, embodied Zen practicioner. Drawing on Rinzai Zen forms — gassho, sasshu, posture, breath, walking, and bowing — I explore h

Animacy in Zen — January 13, 2026 — Dharma Talk

Animacy in Zen   In this episode of Living Zen, I reflect on Zen form — not as something merely procedural or symbolic, but as something alive.   This talk explor

Play and the Great Matter - January 6, 2026 - Dharma Talk

This talk was recorded during our first sit of 2026 at the University of Victoria's Multifaith Centre. It's a reflection on Zen practice, play, and seriousness—and how we

"Kōzen Daitō Kokushi Yuikai" - December 2, 2025 - Dharma Talk

In this episode, I explore one of the most treasured teachings in the Rinzai Zen tradition: Kōzen Daitō Kokushi Yuikai, the "Final Instruction" of National Teacher Daitō,

Tuning Practice - November 25, 2025 - Dharma Talk

In this talk, we explore one of the Buddha's most enduring teachings — the musician Sona and the image of practice as a stringed instrument. Too tight, the strings snap.

Zen Shout — November 18, 2025 — Dharma Talk

WARNING - Sudden loud sounds in this podcast. In this episode, we explore the heart of embodied practice — how a single moment of presence can cut through all the noise

Form and Responsibility - November 4, 2025 - Dharma Talk

Decolonize the Mind - October 21, 2025 - Dharma Talk

Remember the People You Came From — July 20, 2025 — Dharma Talk

In this episode of Living Zen, Eshū reflects on two guiding phrases: the Zen teaching "To study the self is to forget the self…" and the Gàidhlig seanfhacal "Cuimhnich ai

On the De-Animation and Re-Animation of Zen — July 13, 2025

This week there's no Dharma talk from the Zendo — UVic was cleaning the carpets on Sunday, so our usual sit was cancelled. But I didn't want to leave the Sangha hungry. I

The Buddha's Buffet - July 6, 2025 — Dharma Talk

In this episode, we explore the long arc of practice — how insight and awakening might come suddenly, but true transformation takes slow, organic time. Like digestion or

Miraculous Medicine - June 29, 2025 - Dharma Talk

In this talk, I explore how practice invites us to return again and again — to breath, posture, intention — dissolving fear and self-criticism, and opening to the quiet m

The Breath of Solstice

"The Dharma is being preached in everything." This Dharma talk, offered just after summer solstice, reflects on the rhythms of breath, season, and spirit. It explores t

The Path We Walk Together

This episode is a quiet invitation to long-time listeners and new friends alike. After years of practice, storytelling, and podcasting, Eshū speaks directly to those who'