Gail Sher Dharma Talks

Gail Sher • Dharma Talks

Zen Mind

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

A weekly series of ten talks on the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

First Talk: Beginner’s Mind

In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.

Date/Time: September 13, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

NOTE: The opening 60 seconds of this video is in Zoom Gallery View. The rest of the video is full screen.

Second Talk: Right Effort: The Four Kinds of Horses

If you have some experience of how the weeds in your mind change into mental nourishment, your practice will make remarkable progress. And you will feel the progress.

Date/Time: September 20, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

Third Talk: There is No Need to Have a Deep Understanding of Zen

To have some deep feeling about Buddhism is not the point; we just do what we should do, like eating supper and going to bed. This is Buddhism.

Date/Time: September 27, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

Fourth Talk: We Just Sit. It is like Something Happening in the Great Sky

If you continue this simple practice every day, you will obtain some wonderful power. Before you attain it, it is something wonderful, but after you attain it, it is nothing special.

Date/Time: October 4, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

Fifth Talk: Taking Refuge

I take refuge in me being me. That is my indestructible virtue which never is lost except by me forgetting it or not facing up to it.

Date/Time: October 11, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

Sixth Talk: Giving

To give is nonattachment, that is, just not to attach to anything is to give.

Date/Time: October 18, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

seventh Talk: Constancy is the Way We Cultivate Our Spirit

Whether you have difficulties in your practice or not, as long as you continue it, you have pure practice in its true sense. Even when you are not aware of it, you have it.

Date/Time: October 25, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Duration: 60 minutes

Eighth Talk: To Remain as Quiet as Your Original Nature

Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this life.

Date/Time: November 1, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Duration: 60 minutes

Ninth Talk: Until You Say “Yes” You Cannot Practice Zen

If your effort in practice does not have the right orientation it will not work at all. Not only will it not work, but it may spoil your pure nature . . . your mind will be filled with rubbish.

Date/Time: November 8, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Duration: 60 minutes

Tenth Talk: Zen Mind

Big mind is something to express, not something to figure out. Big mind is something you have, not something to seek for.

Date/Time: November 15, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Duration: 60 minutes