Michael discusses taking refuge in sangha, from the standpoint of Buddhist training for being with not only the sangha and the world, but clues to our own mystery of suffering. How good is our hearing for those with whom we do not agree? How do we cultivate being present with people whom we find oppressive or askew with our views, especially if we are trying to find our voice?
Taking Refuge
Michael talks about the Triple Treasure and taking refuge in Soto Zen Buddhism.
Zen and Politics
What is the intersection of Zen and Politics? What principles in Zen practice are most pertinent to engaging/not engaging/digesting the political discourses of our times?
Work Practice
We have so many different types of work and yet, they are all governed by the same Zen principles: what does this moment ask for? What is my body sensation and mental formation around what is happening? How can I appropriately show up for "production" when Zen is about the "path" not necessarily the end result?
Difficult Conversations
Michael McCord: Do Zen monks have difficult conversations that they wrestle with whether to have or not? What space does difficulty with others play in the Buddhist path? Tonight we will explore the subject of difficult conversations, and when it may or may not be best to engage. And if so, what we do before, during and after - so that we and others may suffer a little less and set tomorrow up for a bit more thriving.
Being Human in the Age of A.I.
Michael McCord: what does Zen elucidate about who we are if there is "no self"? A machine is looked at as a soulless collection of fallible parts that are subject to decay and failure. How is this different from the Zen concept of the self, an unfixed ever changing collection of matter with no permanent properties that eventually falls apart? And why does it matter?
Compassion and Empathy
Michael McCord: Compassion and Empathy, the difference between these two (compassion involves empathy but also brings in the element of action/no action as a decision) and how do concepts like “tough love” fit into and or work with these fundamental elements of practice? As a cornerstone of Buddhist practice (compassion cultivation) how do we set good/healthy boundaries while not veering into ruinous empathy or cold hearted disassociation from another’s struggle?
Joy
Michael McCord: in a world with so much suffering, how can a person (should a person?) be joyful? Is this not taking the cares of the world seriously? And in the face of so many existential threats (pandemics, climate change, political polarization, wars, etc.) - what is the appropriate way to live a life that is responsible, connected and thriving?
We'll unpack this from the context of Zen Buddhist principles. Since Buddhism has at its core the concept of "liberation", one shouldn't have to wait until some distant time in the future to exhale and set down the baggage of the world, and find ways to live into mini-liberations all along the way.
Celebrating Our History
Michael McCord discusses “things that are broken” and celebrating the way we are.
Focus and Distraction
Michael McCord: Is it "OK" to use Zen to get from A to B as a transactional practice or should a person only practice Zen and see what the fruits of this are? In other words: can Zen be my workout tool for focus?
Anger and strong emotions: are they in conflict with Zen principles?
Michael McCord: In this week's session I plan to unpack the various ways strong emotions - particularly ones that are often thought of as 'negative' - play in our lives from the perspective of Zen and its principles for living.
How Easy Should This Life Be?
Michael McCord: If a person follows a spiritual path, should they expect things to get easier each year? Should I have any expectations at all? If life doesn't get that much easier, why follow a spiritual path?
We'll explore this in relation to the modern work life, home life and personal goal setting.
Most folks identify with the thought: "life doesn't come with a manual on how to make this all work, when will I figure out how to live?"
I Vow to Refrain from Intoxicants
Michael McCord: This Buddhist precept can lead to infinite discussion on what we get intoxicated by (substances, behaviors, etc) and can be easy to misunderstand as a black and white list of do's and don'ts. In this talk and discussion, we'll explore the nuances of practicing with this precept in the modern world and what it means to be intoxicated, what the impacts can be and what are some solutions found in the Buddhist practice to keep from getting ensnared by things that might overwhelm us.
Zen Ritual
Michael McCord: How the practices of the Zen temple support and address the needs of everyday life.
Rumination
Michael McCord: Do you have thoughts that plague you? Do you get emotionally sidetracked by situations in the past or the future that seem to give you no peace?
Tonight, we will explore the principal causes of these disturbing thoughts and body sensations and how the context of Zen practice addresses these directly. We'll look at practical steps as well as an overall context of how to hold our bother, where to put our mind, and what acceptance has to do with this.
Mindfulness: Is this the same as Zen?
Michael McCord: We’ll contrast the pop culture phenomenon of mindfulness with the tradition of Zen.
The Shadow Side
Michael McCord: What is our relationship with the scary, ugly, mean, petty, undeveloped, seemingly unworthy parts or ourselves? And what about these parts of others?
Living with One Shoulder Bare
Michael McCord: We'll explore the ritual garment practice of Buddhist monks who draped cloth such that one shoulder was bare with their daily garments, symbolizing they always had at least one arm ready to help others. How can we live this way in the modern world when "our" stuff seems to be overwhelming as it is - and what ways may this help us as well?