Zen Talks from Windhorse Zen Community

In Spite of Everything, It's Spring Again!

In this teisho from a few weeks ago, Sunya-roshi talks about how in a world of war and vast suffering, flowers still miraculously leap out of the ground, new blossoms bur

Facing Your Lion: A Story from Persia and Reflections on Courage

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede tells a story of prince from Persia who must rouse his courage and face a terrifying lion to become king. In much the same way, we muster our courage

On Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Skillful Means

In this final teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Sunya-roshi talks about Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of compassion in action or skillful means. To donate or le

Nothing Holy

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede talks about Bodhidharma meeting Emperor Wu of Liang (Hekiganroku #1) and how nothing is holy or se

Teisho from the Halfway Point of the June 2025 7-Day Sesshin

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 sesshin, Sunya-roshi gives advice on sesshin guidelines and the importance of recommitting oneself to practice. She also talks more ab

Kanzeon!

In this teisho from the Summer 2025 7-Day Sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede talks about Kannon (Guanyin/Avalokitasvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. To donate or learn mor

Visions of Childhood: Recalling Early Experiences of Wonder and Questioning

This is a kind of third part to Sunya-roshi's "55 Years of Practice" series. She looks at the importance of experiences in childhood that lead to Zen practice—not only he

Fifty-Five Years of Practice: Delusions & Discoveries Along the Way (Part II)

2025 marked the fifty-fifth anniversary of when Sunya-roshi first met Roshi Philip Kapleau (then Sensei) and moved from Michigan to the Rochester Zen Center to practice.

Fifty-Five Years of Practice: Delusions & Discoveries Along the Way (Part One)

2025 marked the fifty-fifth anniversary of when Sunya-roshi first met Roshi Philip Kapleau (then Sensei) and moved from Michigan to the Rochester Zen Center to practice.

Affirming Faith in Mind (IV)

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede concludes her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan,

Affirming Faith in Mind (III)

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan,

Affirming Faith in Mind (II)

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede continues her series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan,

Affirming Faith In Mind (I)

In this teisho from the March 2025 sesshin, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede begins a series on Affirming Faith in Mind (Xinxin Ming). This long chant is attributed to Sengcan, the t

The Heart Sutra After The Hurricane

September 27, 2025 marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene ripping up the coast and decimating of Asheville and Western North Carolina. Windhrose was in the fi

2024 Rohatsu (IV): How Do You Step From The Top of a 100' Pole?

This teisho is from the seventh day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin offered by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede. In it, she begins by discussing Case #46 of the Mumonkan, "How do

2024 Rohatsu (III): A Huge Foolish Project

This teisho is from the fifth day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin offered by Roshi Sunya Kjolhede. To donate or learn more about Sunya-roshi and Windhorse's Dharma wo

2024 Rohatsu (II): Preaching Facing Oneness

Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses Case #14 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku) on the third day of Windhorse's 2024 Rohatsu Sesshin. To donate or learn more about Sunya-r

2024 Rohatsu Sesshin (I)

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede reflects on the spiritual, cultural, and historical context of the Buddha's awakening, emphasizing its relevance to our present-day c

To Cherish All Life

In this teisho, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the importance of the animal kingdom, one of the six realms of existence in the Buddhist Wheel of Life. To donate or learn

Death Practice: On Suzuki Shōsan

In this teisho from November 2024, Roshi Sunya Kjolhede discusses the life and teachings of Suzuki Shōsan (1579-1655). Originally a samurai warrior, Shōsan studied Zen an