Podcast Episodes

The story of the centipede, convinced by a fox to start thinking. Sep 16, 1984

Season 2 Episode 84

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, interprets passages of Chuang Tzu, the great Taoist master.

The greatest man is nobody. The man of Tao does not cultivate his manner. Nor does he try not to.

Our mind move…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Don’t run to—and don’t run away. Aug 7, 1988

Season 2 Episode 83

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how nature wants balance. If conditions swing one way, they eventually swing the other way.

Human nature is the same. If you strive in one direction about someth…

Published on 5 months ago

“In what state of mind should I seek Truth?” Doko asks. Sep 9, 1984

Season 2 Episode 82

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how when you first meditate, thoughts of your day may fill your mind. But eventually, you will experience a silence.

God isn’t going to talk to you in words. He …

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

Without a word, without a thought, who are you? Aug 19, 1984

Season 2 Episode 81

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, tells the story of when Master Hyakujo offered a test to his monks. The winner will be the abbot of the new monastery. He sets out a water jug and says, “Without using i…

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

Words can’t teach how to practice. Like swimming, we must do it. Jul 22, 1984

Season 2 Episode 80

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses how words can’t teach how to practice or how to wake up. Just like the wheelwright can’t teach how to make a wheel. Too much force and it weakens. Too little a…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Lola recounts the surprising tale of the Sufi mystic who is captured and taken to the slave market by his captors. July 15, 1984

Season 2 Episode 79

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how if we are ruled from without, we are slaves. If we are ruled from within, we are still enslaved.

Short review of recent sesshin.

Lola shares the amusing tale …

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

The Paramitas - 1. Giving 2. Observing precepts 3. Patience 4. Diligence 5. Meditation. 6. Wisdom.  July 8, 1984

Season 2 Episode 78

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, suggests you look at your life as a story. Is there anything you would change? Though this life is not perfect, you’re probably reasonably comfortable living on this sho…

Published on 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Pranyaparamita, or “the perfection of transcendental wisdom.” July 1, 1984

Season 2 Episode 77

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the possible meanings of several Buddhist and Christian concepts:

• Pranyaparamita, or “the perfection of transcendental wisdom.”

• Sunyata, or the emptiness that…

Published on 6 months, 4 weeks ago

The similarities between Hassidic Judaism and Buddhism. May 19, 1985

Season 2 Episode 76

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the similarities between Hasidic Judaism and Buddhism.

Many religions are more emotional. Zen practitioners are often intellectual. The similarities between Has…

Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Make the smallest distinction and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. May 12, 1985

Season 2 Episode 75

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the notion of preferences. As the Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen put it: when love and hate are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the …

Published on 8 months ago