In this talk we take up a poem by Jane Hirshfield called “Ripeness” and ask how ripeness, ease, harvest and the clean knife might relate to one another. Are these different things or not, and how might they open the way for each other? We look

Buddha World, Demon World

28 days ago 28m 46s

Throughout this year we have been exploring the koan, “Without leaving the Buddha World, Walk in the Demon world.” But how do we do this? And where is the line between these worlds? We explore all this with the help of some pesky Japanese demon

Our Open Response

28 days ago 44m 37s

In Torei Zenji’s Bodhisattva Vow he calls for an “open response” to challenging situations. What is an open response? And how might it help us to navigate the challenges of our time with something like equanimity and skilfulness? Let’s fall dow

Love, and be Silent

Mar 17th, 2024 35m 43s

We live n a torn and divided world, so it is impossible not to ask, “What should a Zen student do?” In Shakespeare’s King Lear Cordelia asks herself a similar question in the face of a great crisis: “What should Cordelia do?” Her answer comes a

Practicing in the Forest

Feb 18th, 2024 21m 54s

In this talk, offered at the conclusion of an extensive summer period of online practice, we explore the (possibly apocryphal) origin story of the metta sutta (The Buddha’s Words of Loving Kindness) and examine what it’s like to take up the koa

We Save Each Other

Feb 18th, 2024 34m 4s

In this talk, we take up the koan “Xitang’s More” from the Record of Empty Hall. When the old teacher Xitang asks, “Strive, but for what?” we are invited to consider just why and how we practice in a fractured world. In response to Xitang’s que

Sangha Transmission - Me and You

Nov 26th, 2023 41m 11s

On the occasion of our Castlemaine Zen Sangha Transmission Ceremony for Kynan Sutherland, Susan Murphy Roshi gave this Teisho on zazen, practice and the importance of sangha in our troubled world.

Chaotically Adrift And Drowning

Oct 15th, 2023 41m 12s

In the immediate aftermath of the referendum on the Voice to Parliament we reflect on what it’s like to be adrift and drowning in a troubled world. This talk was given at the Castlemaine Zazenkai (15/10/23).

What Is Your Family Custom?

Sep 25th, 2023 33m

Zen is reticent to name what cannot be named. This is our family custom. So in the lead up to Kynan Sutherland’s Transmission Ceremony, we pause to reflect on the nature of Zen and what it seeks to promote and protect (25/9/23)

Upside Down Country #2 - Golden Wind

Jul 23rd, 2023 42m 45s

In this talk we explore deep listening with the help of Kuanyin, Doug Ralph and the great koan from Yunmen, “Golden Wind is manifesting herself.” This talk was given on the first day of the Castlemaine Zen Non-Residential Weekend Retreat (23/7/

Upside Down Country #1 - True Gold

Jul 22nd, 2023 39m 37s

In this talk we venture into the heart of the goldfields, which the Dja Dja Wurrung call Upside Down Country, in search of true gold. This talk was given on the first day of the Castlemaine Zen Non-Residential Weekend Retreat (22/7/23).

Shake The Tree

Apr 24th, 2023 33m 52s

In the lead up to Kirk Fisher’s Transmission Ceremony Kynan Sutherland offered this talk on Zhaozhou’s elusive koan, “Shake the Tree and the birds take to the air, startle the fish and the water becomes muddy.” In it we explore the nature of tr

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