Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchWhat is the greatest miracle in the world? Oct 30, 1983
Season 2 Episode 54
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores how it is In the other that we see what we think is us. When we are alone, many of us feel in strange company. It’s possible to see what one’s life is really ab…
Published on 1 year ago
The Taoist sage, Lieh Tzu, was once asked: Why do you value emptiness? Jun 12, 1983
Season 2 Episode 55
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains how existence is reported to us as separate objects. But there is a unity to life that runs through everything—called the Tao. The Taoist sage, Lieh Tzu, was on…
Published on 1 year, 1 month ago
By the merit of a single sitting, they destroy innumerable sins. (Hakuin) Jun 5, 1983
Season 2 Episode 53
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of a teacher’s interaction with his student, Hakuin, who became the founder of Rinzai. From Hakuin’s “Song Of Meditation” we hear: “All beings are from…
Published on 1 year, 1 month ago
There are plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen master sitting still? Mind vs action. May 29, 1983
Season 2 Episode 52
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, asks: What are you searching for? Do you know it is your ego that is doing the searching? You see plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen ma…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
The tale of the thief who robs Shichiri Kojun who was busy reciting sutras. Don’t fight the darkness—light a candle. May 22, 1983
Season 2 Episode 51
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses judging others, the interdependence of the universe. Indra’s net — the mirror mind, and how every one of us reflects everything else. How we shouldn't fight th…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Human beings are stuck in an in-between state—not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. May 15, 1983
Season 1 Episode 50
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that we are in an in-between state. We’re not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. We are objectively self-conscious—conscious of things out there, a…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
When we meditate and watch our breath, we are playing an iron flute with no holes. Apr 24, 1983
Season 1 Episode 49
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of Kakua, the first Japanese man to study Zen in China. After returning to Japan the emperor asked him what he learned. He took out a flute, played a s…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth? Apr 10, 1983
Season 1 Episode 48
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the monk who asks Fuketsu “Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth?” His answer: "I always remember springtime in southern China. Th…
Published on 1 year, 2 months ago
Being truly alive should be an adventure into the unknown. Apr 3, 1983
Season 1 Episode 47
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, describes how humankind repeats the same old pattern. We do not want our dream disturbed.We live in the known, afraid of the unknown. Being truly alive should be an adve…
Published on 1 year, 3 months ago
We identify with everything but ourselves. Possessions, emotions, thoughts. But not our true selves. What is true silence? Mar 12, 1983
Season 1 Episode 46
Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the tale of the student who visits a teacher, whose only answer to his questions is to sweep fallen leaves. Also, how we identify with everything but ourselves.…
Published on 1 year, 3 months ago