🔔 OverviewIn this Dharma talk, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner takes us deep into the Platform Sūtra and the legendary verse contest between Jinshū and Daikan Enō. Through vivid storytelling and lived insight, Sensei explores how the desire to “polish the mirror” of the self can subtly undermine our realization of Buddha Nature.The talk is both grounded and profound, moving from a humorous account of a temple bat rescue to the core question that still echoes through Zen halls today:“Where did you get this dust?”🧘 Key ThemesThe story of Daikan Enō and the Sixth Ancestor transmissionJinshū’s verse and the trap of self-perfectionWhy true Zen practice dissolves form, hierarchy, and ambitionThe nature of awakening as already completePractice as everyday life: pounding rice, catching bats, being present📿 Practice With UsJoin our meditation community:🕣 Monday–Friday at 6:30 AM CT🌙 Wednesday Evening at 6:00 PM CT🌅 Saturday Morning at 9:00 AM CT💻 https://oneriverzen.orgEveryone is welcome—no experience needed.🙏 Support the TeachingsIf you find these talks meaningful, consider sharing with a friend or leaving a review to help others discover One River Zen.🔗 Stay Connected🌐 Website: https://oneriverzen.org📷 Instagram: @oneriverzen
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Let the Dust Settle | Shōyōroku Case 33
In this episode of Awakening Streams, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner reflects on the often unnoticed energy behind our words and the subtle traps we fall into when speaking from pride, performance, or certainty. Through the lens of Case 33 from the Book of Serenity, we’re invited to confront the question:What happens when the desire to be seen replaces the desire to connect?Sanshō comes to Seppō with the declaration that he has passed through all the nets—the traps of Dharma, koans, concepts. But Seppō replies, “I’ll wait until you get out of the net, then I’ll tell you.”What follows is not a philosophical debate, but a complete refusal to participate in spiritual theatrics. Seppō doesn’t reward the display. He doesn’t try to win. He just returns to what’s real: the responsibilities and humility of the present moment.Main Themes🪶 The Dust of WordsWe often speak not to connect, but to perform, to be right, or to relieve internal pressure. But unless someone truly wants to hear—and unless we genuinely want to communicate—our words are just dust, stirring up confusion.🎭 The Trap of PerformanceSanshō isn’t asking a real question—he’s performing realization. “What will you feed a golden carp like me?” Seppō sees this and refuses to feed the ego, even a “spiritual” one. Realization that demands applause is still caught.🪓 The Compassionate CutSeppō’s response—“For this old monk, affairs do multiply”—isn’t a dodge. It’s a clear sword stroke that ends the game. He refuses to escalate, refuses to shame. He just stays rooted in his responsibility. That’s letting the dust settle.🌊 What Is the Net?Even when we think we’ve broken through—gotten free—the hook might still be in our mouth. The net we must slip is the one made of pride, identity, and the need to be affirmed.🙏 Real Practice Begins Without ApplauseWhen there’s nothing left to prove, no recognition coming, and no place to rest—can you still practice? That’s the entry point into real awakening.Key Quotes from the Talk“When there’s already heat and tension and pride that’s been bruised, trying to communicate from a platform of spiritual certainty is worse than useless.”“You think you're free? You’re tangled up in yourself. I’m not going to feed this.”“Seppō doesn’t reward the performance. He just keeps to the real: ‘I have things to do.’”“There’s no food for the ego in true realization.”“If there’s no safe place to rest, no recognition coming—can you still practice?”Practice ReflectionThis week, reflect on these questions:When you speak, are you trying to connect—or to be right?Where do you still crave recognition for your insight or experience?Can you let the dust settle—internally and relationally—before speaking or acting?Sit with this kōan. Watch your words. Notice the net.ResourcesThe Book of Serenity (Shōyōroku), Case 33 – Sanshō’s Golden CarpOne River Zen – www.oneriverzen.orgLearn more about retreats, classes, and our upcoming Ango practice period.Connect with Us🧘♂️ Subscribe for weekly Dharma talks and Zen teachings.🌐 Website: www.oneriverzen.org📸 Instagram: @oneriverzen📍 Visit us in Ottawa, IL – or join us online.
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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The Radiant Thread of Being | Shōyōroku Case 67
In this teisho from sesshin, Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner explores Case 67 of the Book of Equanimity: The Avatamsaka Sutra’s Wisdom. Shakyamuni Buddha proclaims that all sentient beings are already endowed with the Tathagata’s wisdom and virtue—but due to deluded thoughts and attachments, they fail to realize it.Topics covered in this talk include:The liberating power of wonder over mere knowingThe vision of radical interdependence found in Indra’s NetKarmic momentum and how it conditions our experienceDōgen’s teaching on traceless enlightenmentThe parable of the hidden jewel from the Lotus SutraHow even confusion, pain, and delusion can be gateways to awakeningThe importance of practice-enlightenment in everyday life“Your life, just as it is, is that jewel sewn into your robe.”Let go. Sit down. Realize what has always been yours.–––🪷 Learn more: https://oneriverzen.org🧘♀️ Join us for morning meditation: 6:30am CST M–F, online and in-person
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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The Taste of the Ordinary: Beyond Buddhas and Ancestors | Shōyōroku, Case 78
Title: The Taste of the Ordinary: Beyond Buddhas and AncestorsTeacher: Sensei Michael BrunnerKoan Source: Case 78 of the Shōyōroku (Book of Equanimity) – “Umon’s Farm Rice Cake”In this Dharma talk delivered during a Zen retreat, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the deeply ordinary yet radically transformative nature of awakening.A monk asks Master Umon, “What is the speech that transcends the Buddhas and goes beyond the ancestors?” Umon answers with stunning simplicity: “Farm rice cake.”What unfolds from that exchange is an invitation to stop chasing the extraordinary and instead awaken to the sacred already embedded in our everyday lives.Topics covered include:Why we struggle to see the value in the ordinaryThe spiritual danger of dividing life into sacred and profaneThe hidden costs of striving for “spiritual” experiencesDōgen’s teaching on painted rice cakes and realizationHow to bring the whole of your life—including your shadow—to the tableThe meaning of true inclusion and embodied awarenessYou’ll hear references to meal gathas, latrine flies, and rice cakes—all pointing back to one thing: there’s nothing outside the Dharma.🧘♀️ Join the community at: https://oneriverzen.org📩 Get weekly practice updates: [Join the Students of the Way mailing list]🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to support the spread of the Dharma.Quote from the episode:“You stop being the one who’s turning the Dharma, and you recognize the Dharma turning you.”
Learn more, study with us, and meditate online at oneriverzen.org.
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Stop Trying to Understand, and See | Shōyōroku Case 80: Ryuge Passes the Chin Rest
🎧 Ryūge Passes the Chin Rest: When Even "No Meaning" Becomes a TrapSeries: Dharma Talks from One River ZenSpeaker: Sensei Michael BrunnerKoan Source: Book of Equanimity, Case 80🪷 Episode Summary:Ryūge asks the same question twice and gets struck twice. His response? “There’s still no meaning in the Patriarch’s coming from the West.” But what if even that response is still part of the trap?In this talk, Sensei Michael explores how we turn realization into a fixed stance—how we cling to the language of awakening instead of living it. Through the lens of Case 80, we examine how subtle grasping masquerades as freedom, and how the Dharma keeps working on us, even when we think we’ve figured it out.🔍 Topics Covered:– Ryūge’s karmic repetition and the illusion of insight– How “no meaning” can become a new doctrine– The power of spontaneous action over conceptual understanding– Why real freedom leaves nothing to declare– The difference between answering and responding– What finally opens Ryūge—and what might open us📚 Key Koan:Book of Equanimity, Case 80 – “Ryūge Passes the Chin Rest”🧘 Practice Invitation:Where in your life are you still trying to “name the void”?Where have you turned insight into identity?💬 Favorite Line:“You can’t draw a picture of a strawberry and eat it.”📌 Subscribe for weekly talks and meditative teachings from One River Zen.Website: oneriverzen.orgInstagram: @oneriverzenRetreats & Offerings: Visit our site for upcoming events.
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.
New Zealand