In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner works with Case 41 from the Blue Cliff Record, where Joshu asks: “When one who has experienced the great death comes back to life, then what?” The reply—“It is not permitted to go at night”—opens the gate to a teaching on vulnerability, presence, and the courage to meet life without pretense.This episode explores:The “great death” as the dropping away of the constructed selfWhy patching the old narrative keeps us boundDōgen’s teaching: “When you encounter hardships, think of them as the body of the Buddha”The silence that follows suffering—not as absence, but as vast, integrated presenceThe difference between surviving and being rebornThrough koan, story, and lived truth, this talk invites us to reenter the world not edited, not hidden—but awake and unafraid in the daylight.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
--------
13:38
Right Here. Now What? | Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner | Hekigan-roku – Case 23
🧘 Episode Notes – Right Here. Now What?Sensei Sōen Michael BrunnerHekigan-roku – Case 23: Hofuku’s Summit of Mystic PeakIn this talk, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner guides us into the subtle terrain of Blue Cliff Record Case 23, where a seemingly simple exchange—“Right here is the summit of Mystic Peak” / “What a pity”—opens the entire question of realization, intention, and embodiment.Drawing from the rich imagery of Hofuku, Chōkei, and Setchō’s commentary, this episode explores:How conceptualizing awakening turns it into “smelly saltwater”The essential role of great intention in true Zen practiceWhy form doesn’t erase individuality—it reveals itWhat it means to walk the path in your actual life, not in some idealized versionSensei’s reflections connect the ancient case to daily practice, from Zoom calls to food pantries, from bowing in the zendo to ending an argument with your partner.“You don’t need to act out the koan—you need to show up for your life.”🔖 Mentioned in this episode:Hekigan-roku (Blue Cliff Record), Case 23Chōkei and Isan ReiyūSuzuki Roshi on the power of formThe saltwater-in-a-jar metaphorAnuttara-samyak-sambodhi and the true peak of practice💬 Quotes to Take With You:“The form takes care of the self-conscious mind. Then walking is just walking.”“Cherish your time. Cherish what is rising.”“Instead of bowing—we’re the ones who are bowed.”🌐 Stay Connected:One River Zen: https://www.oneriverzen.orgUpcoming Retreats & Events: https://www.oneriverzen.org/retreatsSupport the Center: https://www.oneriverzen.org/donate
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
--------
15:13
Taming the Monkey Mind: Shōyōroku Case 72 – Chuyu’s Monkey
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 72 – Chuyu’s Monkey, a Zen kōan that reveals how our grasping mind—like a restless monkey—constantly reacts, interprets, and shapes our experience. But what happens when the monkey is asleep? Who are we beyond the endless mental commentary?Through humor, direct insight, and Zen practice, we examine:The six windows and the monkey—what they represent in Yogācāra thoughtHow the mind constructs narratives and why we get caught in themWhat happens when we step beyond concepts into direct experienceHow Zen practice helps us meet life fully, without waiting for "perfect" conditionsKey Takeaways✔ The mind’s chatter isn’t reality—it’s just the monkey making meaning✔ True practice isn’t about escaping life but meeting it fully✔ Direct experience is beyond analysis—drop the stories and be present✔ The monkey loves puzzles, but awakening isn’t something to solveQuotes from the Episode🌀 "If you ask the monkey who you are, it’ll dress you up and stand you in front of a mirror."🌀 "Zen isn’t about finding the right answer—it’s about stepping beyond the need for one."
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
--------
19:54
Go Straight On: Seeing Through Illusion | Mumonkan Case 31
In this episode, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner explores Mumonkan Case 31, where a monk asks an old woman for directions to Mount Tai. She tells him, “Go straight on.” But as he walks away, she remarks, “This good honest priest goes off that way too.” When Jōshū investigates, he simply says, “I’ve seen through the old woman for you.”What did the monk miss? What was the old woman revealing? And why does seeking so often blind us to what’s already here?This teisho dives into how our grasping for certainty obscures direct experience. When we let go of expectations and stop searching for confirmation, what remains?Topics Covered in This Episode:✅ The nature of seeking and how it blinds us✅ How labels and assumptions obscure direct perception✅ The role of upekkhā (equanimity) in seeing clearly✅ Why Jōshū doesn’t explain—he simply sees through✅ How to approach Zen practice without clinging to "knowing"🔔 Subscribe for more Dharma talks and Zen insights.🌿 Follow for more teachings on practice, perception, and awakening.🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform and share with others on the path.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
--------
15:56
Seeking Meaning and the Empty Search | Blue Cliff Record Case 20
We spend so much of our lives searching for meaning—trying to fit our struggles into a grand narrative, hoping for an explanation that will make sense of it all. But what if the search itself is what keeps us trapped?In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Hekiganroku Case 20: Ryūge Asks Suibi and Rinzai, where a monk asks the age-old question, "What is the meaning of the Patriarch’s coming from the West?" Instead of receiving an answer, he is struck. Why? Because Zen does not deal in intellectual understanding—it points directly to what is.We chase meaning, we grasp for certainty, we wrap our suffering in stories. But when we stop clinging, when we drop the second arrow of suffering, we discover something beyond all explanations—the immediacy of life itself.In this episode, we explore:How the search for meaning can become another form of attachmentWhy we cling to spiritual concepts, even in ZenWhat Suibi and Rinzai’s blows reveal about the trap of intellectual graspingHow the two arrows teaching shows us the way out of sufferingWhy true freedom is found not in explanations, but in direct experienceWe do not practice Zen to uncover meaning—we practice to let go of the need for meaning altogether. The Dharma is not something to hold onto. It is not a theory. It is alive, immediate, and always present.🌀 Let go of the search, and the path will rise to meet you.🔔 Subscribe for more Dharma talks & Zen teachings!📖 Join our upcoming classes & retreats: oneriverzen.org💬 What resonated with you most? Share your reflections in the comments!#Zen #DharmaTalk #Buddhism #KoanStudy #Rinzai #Shoyoroku #Hekiganroku #ZenPractice #Meditation #Mindfulness #LettingGo #SpiritualFreedom
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
About Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom.
In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.
Ireland