Podcast Episodes

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 1 year, 2 months 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 1 year, 2 months 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 1 year, 3 months ago

A monk asked his teacher, "I am pecking from inside the shell. I beg you, Master, please peck from outside." May 5, 1985

Season 2 Episode 74

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when most of us listen to a teacher talk, what we hear is determined by our conditioning. When one talks to God in his thoughts, he is not talking to God. …

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

First is learning, called hearing. Then approaching. Then transcending. Lola Apr 14, 1985

Season 2 Episode 73

During this talk, Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, has a bad cough, which she lightheartedly uses in her discussion about how to hear and how to listen. To listen like a tape recorder, without thinking.…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

As illusions drop, as attitudes drop, how relaxing it is to be at ease with yourself. Mar 31, 1985

Season 2 Episode 72

You are born into pleasure and pain, and eventually emotions develop. Then centuries of conditioning. From your parents, from your culture. How many personalities and faces do you have? All creating …

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

The depth in saying “I don’t know.” Mystica Theologica. Lola Jul 22, 1985

Season 2 Episode 71

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses Mystica Theologica by St Dionysias. He said religious experience can’t be described. Like music: as much as you might name notes, no description is adequate to…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

Zen masters never tell the truth. July 15, 1985

Season 2 Episode 70

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of Zen Master Hogen who studied with Keishin Zenji. Once Keishin Zenji asked him, 'Joza, where do you go?' “Hogen answered, 'I am making pilgrimage aim…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

"The mind dwells in the cave of the heart. He who conquers it frees himself from slavery." May 26, 1985

Season 2 Episode 69

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how you can ask questions about the meaning of life all day long. But who is the questioner? Usually we take the wrong approach to these questions. The question…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

The mightiest fighting rooster does not crow about his might. Jun 24, 1984

Season 2 Episode 68

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, shares the teachings of Lao Tzu. He was not a brave man. Or a coward. Courage does not play a role in the sage. The mightiest fighting rooster does not crow about his mi…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago