Simplicity Zen Podcast

In this dharma talk by Berry Crawford we will examine these lines from the XinXin Ming: 
In oneness and equality, Confusion vanishes of itself. Stop activity and return to stillness, And that stillness will be even more active. Merely stagnating in duality, How can you recognize oneness? 
For more Zen interviews, dharma talks and online Zen training, visit: https://simplicityzen.com/ 
Gambo Kyogan Berry first started practicing Zen meditation in 1992. He lived at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and practiced as a resident there in the mid-1990s. Afterward, he practiced with Diane “Eshin” Rizzetto at the Ordinary Mind Zen School, founded by Joko Beck. Later, he became a student of John “Shoji” Sorenson, under whom he eventually received shiho (2022) and Inka Shomei (2025) in the lineage of Soto priest Soyu Matsuoka Roshi. He has also completed the Open Mind Zen koan curriculum under Russell “Kyofu Seikyo” Mitchell and was given dharma transmission in that lineage in 2025. Berry is a member of the “Doan-ryo” at the Valley Streams Zen Sangha and of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Dharma Center.

Tess Beasley is a Zen koan teacher and dharma heir of John Tarrant Roshi and serves as President for the Board of Directors for the Pacific Zen Institute. She holds a PhD in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology and is particularly interested in the ways Zen and depth psychology complement each other to kindle creativity and transformation. 
More on Tess and PZI: https://www.pacificzen.org/ 
Online Zen Training and Education: https://simplicityzen.com

In this dharma talk by Berry Crawford we will examine these lines from the XinXin Ming: 
The Supreme Way is not difficult 
If only you do not pick and choose. 
Neither love nor hate, 
And you will clearly understand. 
For more Zen interviews, dharma talks and online Zen training, visit: https://simplicityzen.com/

A way seeking mind talk is when a Zen student shares how they became interested and involved in Zen practice. 
For Zen podcasts and training: https://simplicityzen.com

Our guest in this episode is Mitra Bishop Roshi. She received a B.A. from Indiana University, raised two children, and worked in graphic, interior, and architectural design for many years. She first encountered Buddhism while living in Asia. She was ordained at the Rochester Zen Center, where she lived and practiced for many years and received dharma transmission from Kapleau Roshi. Afterwards she traveled to Sogen-ji in Japan to practice under the guidance of the Zen master, Harada Shodo Roshi. She currently lives in New Mexico, where she has founded Mountain Gate. 
For more information about Mitra Roshi and Mountain Gate: https://www.sanmonjizen.org/ 
For online Zen training and podcasts: https://simplicityzen.com/