The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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Showing 542 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Zen and the Shifting Mind Serial: RB-00018 The talk explores deep Zen concepts, focusing on the famous koan of the buffalo and transitioning states of mind. Using anecdotes about a taxi driver and a grocer to illustrate human interactions and transitional challenges, the... *Greed, Hate, Delusion, Money, Letting Go*	Richard Baker	Nov 08 1975
Crafting Consciousness Through Vows Serial: RB-00017 The talk primarily focuses on the importance of recognizing and not sacrificing one's state of mind, treating it as a craft and integral part of one's practice. It contrasts Western and Eastern attitudes towards skill and... *Vow, Composure, Concentration, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Nov 02 1975
Zen State of Artful Vows Serial: RB-00338 The talk focuses on the concepts of state of mind, consciousness, and vow in Zen practice, contrasting Western and Eastern perceptions of art and craft. Emphasis is placed on recognizing one’s state of mind as a tool rather than... *Vow, Composure, Concentration, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Nov 02 1975
October 31st, 1975, Serial No. 00336 Serial: RB-00336 The thesis of this talk is about embracing a state of "not knowing" to foster playfulness and experimentation in one's spiritual practice, particularly within Zen Buddhism, juxtaposed with the rigid belief that often... *Vow, Composure, Faith, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Oct 31 1975
October 31st, 1975, Serial No. 00566 Serial: RB-00566 The central thesis of the talk is the exploration of not knowing and its relationship to Zen practice, highlighting the value of playfulness and experimentation over rigid control. It contrasts philosophical and religious... *Vow, Composure, Faith, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Oct 31 1975
Embracing Life's Intrinsic Contradictions Serial: RB-00334 The talk primarily addresses the concepts of contradictions in life, the power of intention and vow, and the practice of Zazen as processes of unwinding and uncovering innate knowledge. The speaker emphasizes the importance of... *Vow, Intention, Love, Don't Know Mind, Greed*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1975
Embracing Contradictions Through Vows Serial: RB-00565 The talk discusses the significance of embracing life’s contradictions and the transformative power of vows in Zen practice. Emphasizing the importance of intention or vow in grounding one’s practice, the discussion elaborates on... *Vow, Intention, Love, Greed, Sixth Patriarch*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1975
Interconnected Living Beyond Individualism Serial: RB-00564 The talk discusses the dangers and societal impacts of individualism, commercialization, and misplaced faith in science and technology, drawing parallels between biological and social structures. It emphasizes the need to... *Vow, Lineage, Peace, Delusion, heart*	Richard Baker	Oct 29 1975
October 28th, 1975, Serial No. 00016 Serial: RB-00016 The talk delves into the nature of Zen practice, emphasizing personal effort and internal state over external rituals and teachings. It explores how practitioners can understand their interconnectedness with all beings, the... *Tozan, Chanting, Obstacles, Gratitude, Avalokiteshvara*	Richard Baker	Oct 28 1975
Beyond Clinging to Concepts Serial: RB-00563 The talk delves into the existential relationship between practitioners and the teachings of Buddhas and Patriarchs. It emphasizes that individual effort overrides external aids like lectures and zendos, with enlightenment... *Tozan, Chanting, Obstacles, Gratitude, Avalokiteshvara*	Richard Baker	Oct 28 1975
October 27th, 1975, Serial No. 00015 Serial: RB-00015 The talk explores the concept of limitations in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing how Zen teachings challenge and transcend intellectual understanding. A famous koan about a buffalo passing through a window serves as a... *Composure, Concentration, Passions, Compassion, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Oct 27 1975
October 27th, 1975, Serial No. 00562 Serial: RB-00562 The talk centers on limitations and the paradoxes in understanding Zen practice, particularly in how intelligence and wealth can hinder spiritual insight. The discussion includes various Zen stories and koans, emphasizing the... *Composure, Concentration, Passions, Compassion, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Oct 27 1975
Zen in Everyday Moments Serial: RB-00014 The talk on October 26, 1975, focuses on the application of Zen practice in ordinary life outside monastic settings. Emphasizing the necessity of concentration and morality, it explores how lay practitioners can integrate Zen... *Intention, Concentration, Vow, Oneness, Greed*	Richard Baker	Oct 26 1975
October 26th, 1975, Serial No. 00561 Serial: RB-00561 The talk explores the practical challenges and deeper principles of Zen practice for individuals immersed in ordinary life, particularly those not living in a monastic setting. The discussion emphasizes the importance of... *Intention, Concentration, Vow, Oneness, Greed*	Richard Baker	Oct 26 1975
Invisible Interconnectedness: Beyond Modern Illusions Serial: RB-00335 The talk argues that modern life, symbolized by the difficulties and dangers inherent in various societal agreements, contrasts sharply with historical periods where enlightenment was more common and less commodified. The... *Vow, Lineage, Delusion, heart, Building*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Creating Your Mindful Path Serial: RB-00560 The talk primarily focuses on the significance of the participant's state of mind during Sashin practice. It emphasizes that participants should actively create their experiences rather than passively follow schedules or external... *Greed, Delusion, Passions, Hate, Don't Know Mind*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Mindful Sesshin: Create Your Insight Serial: RB-00568 The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding and actively engaging with one's own mind during the sesshin practice. The central thesis revolves around not depending solely on the external structures of sesshin but creating... *Greed, Delusion, Passions, Hate, confusion*	Richard Baker	Oct 25 1975
Intrinsic Actions in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00558 The talk elaborates on the Zen principle that emphasizes spontaneous, intrinsic actions and reactions, using the example of "Why, when the bell rings, do you put on your robe?" It discusses the importance of dealing with... *Bell, Faith, Attachment, Aspects of Practice, Freedom*	Richard Baker	Oct 08 1975
Zen Mastery in Everyday Details Serial: RB-00557 The talk emphasizes the significance of attention to details in Zen practice and warns against being misled by the superficial aspects of Buddhist practices. It explains that true understanding and mastery of Zen come not through... *Greed, Hate, Delusion, Bell, Offering*	Richard Baker	Oct 06 1975
Zen Posture and Inner Peace Serial: RB-00311 Summary: The talk emphasizes the importance of combining physical posture and relaxation in Zen practice, particularly through Zazen meditation. The discussion highlights the necessity of understanding oneself through suffering... *Posture, Concentration, Faith, Chanting, Breath*	Richard Baker	Sep 30 1975
Living Zazen Every Moment Serial: RB-00333 The talk emphasizes the principles of Shikantaza practice, focusing on the complete involvement in everyday activities as a form of Zazen. It describes the dual aspects of practice: perfecting oneself for enlightenment ("way... *Shikantaza, Lineage, Zendo, Way-Seeking Mind, resistance*	Richard Baker	Sep 05 1975
Living Zen Through Shikantaza Serial: RB-00556 The main thesis of the talk emphasizes the practice of Shikantaza as both an experiential and experimental approach to Zen, focusing on the lineage and teachings passed down through generations. The discussion highlights the... *Shikantaza, Zendo, Lineage, Way-Seeking Mind, resistance*	Richard Baker	Sep 05 1975
Experiencing Zen Beyond Thought Serial: RB-00332 The talk centers on the concept of emptiness in Zen Buddhism, specifically its elusiveness and its relationship to direct experience beyond intellectual understanding. The narrative highlights the story from Blue Cliff Records... *Rinzai, Shikantaza, Posture, Don't Know Mind, Baso*	Richard Baker	Sep 04 1975
Embodied Emptiness in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00555 The talk focuses on the concept of emptiness in Zen Buddhism, contrasting it with the tendencies to control or seek the mysterious. Emptiness is approached as an experiential reality, beyond rational comprehension. Key teachings... *Rinzai, Shikantaza, Posture, Don't Know Mind, Baso*	Richard Baker	Sep 04 1975
Echoes of Stillness in Zen Serial: RB-00347 The talk explores the challenges and strategies of chanting in a Zen context, emphasizing the difficulties posed by the acoustics of a specific zendo compared to others like those at Tassajara or the Buddha Hall. It also delves... *Chanting, Breath, Continuous Practice, Thoroughness, Bowing*	Richard Baker	Sep 03 1975
Zen Moments and Eternal Now Serial: RB-00554 The talk primarily explores difficulties in chanting in different zendos, elaborates on the concept of time in Zen practice, and discusses the importance of understanding and integrating this perception into one's Zazen practice... *Chanting, Breath, Continuous Practice, Thoroughness, Blue Cliff Record*	Richard Baker	Sep 03 1975
Embracing Zen Through Stories Serial: RB-00013 This talk explores a story from the "Blue Cliff Records" concerning Wong Po, emphasizing the importance of developing a feeling and understanding of Zen tales rather than overanalyzing them. It discusses common human tendencies... *Baso, Concentration, resistance, Building, Sixth Patriarch*	Richard Baker	Sep 02 1975
Intuitive Embrace of Zen Truths Serial: RB-00346 The talk examines the story of Wong Po from the Blue Cliff Records, emphasizing the importance of developing an intuitive understanding rather than analytical comprehension when studying Koans. It explores themes of inherent... *Baso, Concentration, resistance, Building, Transmission*	Richard Baker	Sep 02 1975
Embodied Zen Through Sincere Practice Serial: RB-00012 The main thesis of this talk centers on the profundity of Zen practice, specifically emphasizing the essential qualities necessary for true understanding and realization as exemplified by the Zen master Obaku (Wang Po). The talk... *Concentration, Way-Seeking Mind, Sesshin, Shikantaza, training*	Richard Baker	Sep 01 1975
Rediscovering Zen's True Essence Serial: RB-00345 The talk references the Blue Cliff Record, specifically case number 11, to illustrate the profound yet simple teachings of Obaku, also known as Huang Po. The discussion focuses on the true essence of Zen practice, emphasizing the... *Concentration, Way-Seeking Mind, Sesshin, Shikantaza, training*	Richard Baker	Sep 01 1975
August 31st, 1975, Serial No. 00011 Serial: RB-00011 - *Posture, Baso, Instruction, Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch*	Richard Baker	Aug 31 1975
Zen Practice: Relaxation Through Presence Serial: RB-00344 This talk centers on the intricacies of Zen practice, focusing on the concepts of presence, relaxation, suffering, and the essential nature of having no fixed observer. It examines how various Zen teachings and historical... *Blue Cliff Record, Posture, Baso, Instruction, Dragons*	Richard Baker	Aug 31 1975
Serenity Through Balanced Zazen Serial: RB-00010 The talk focuses on the practice of zazen, emphasizing a balance between straight posture and complete relaxation. It uses the analogy of grooming both the horse and the cart to illustrate the need for awareness and self-... *Posture, Concentration, Faith, Chanting, Breath*	Richard Baker	Aug 30 1975
Mindful Karma and Spiritual Freedom Serial: RB-00007 The talk delves into fundamental questions of Zen practice, focusing on the relationship between karma, free will, and consciousness. It explores the integration of right inquiry with zazen practice, discusses the concept of... *Fox, Perfect Wisdom, Abhidharma, Freedom, Posture*	Richard Baker	Jul 12 1975
Embodied Awakening in Collective Practice Serial: RB-00009 The talk discusses the challenges and insights gained from the experience of Sesshin (intensive meditation practice), emphasizing the importance of collective practice and the realization of one's fundamental desire through... *Ego, Letting Go, realization, Way-Seeking Mind, Observe*	Richard Baker	Jun 13 1975
Journey to Zen Mastery Serial: RB-00005 The main thesis of the talk focuses on guiding beginners through the initial stages of Zen practice, emphasizing breath counting, mind-body integration, and the progression through the four trances towards a deeper state of... *Concentration, Pain, Breath, Letting Go, Attachment*	Richard Baker	Jun 11 1975
Embodying Zen Beyond Signs Serial: RB-00004 The talk discusses the responsibilities of a Zen practitioner, emphasizing the importance of practicing Zazen and maintaining a supportive environment for fellow practitioners. It highlights the inherent signlessness of true... *Perfect Wisdom, Nirvana, Patience, Lineage, Faith*	Richard Baker	Jun 10 1975
Zen Patience Through Sitting Challenges Serial: RB-00002 The talk primarily addresses the significance of maintaining patience in Zen practice, specifically through the physical and mental challenges of sitting postures. The discussion elaborates on different sitting methods—such as... *Patience, Perfect Wisdom, Posture, heart, Obstacles*	Richard Baker	Jun 09 1975
Baking Souls: Zen's Path to Wisdom Serial: RB-00282 The talk discusses the intricate relationship between questioning and faith in Zen practice, elaborating on how persistent questioning combined with faith leads to enlightenment. Key themes include the metaphor of "baking a jar"... *Perfect Wisdom, Faith, Nirvana, Passions, Pain*	Richard Baker	Jun 08 1975
June 7th, 1975, Serial No. 00281 Serial: RB-00281 The central thesis of this talk emphasizes the integration of faith and questioning as a foundational approach to attaining perfect wisdom during a Sashin (intensive meditation retreat). The discussion outlines the importance of... *Faith, Perfect Wisdom, Pain, First Principle, heart*	Richard Baker	Jun 07 1975
Zen Wisdom in Everyday Interactions Serial: RB-00279 The talk explores the intertwined concepts of prajna (wisdom) and upaya (skillful means) within the practice of Zen, emphasizing how they relate to sharing one's realization. It delves into how skillful means involves expressing... *Hyakujo, Baso, Delusion, realization, Ceremony*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1975
April 7th, 1975, Serial No. 00280 Serial: RB-00280 This talk focuses on the integration of Zen practice into daily life, emphasizing the importance of living fully in the present moment without being constrained by future aspirations or past experiences. The discussion stresses... *Buddha Nature, Delusion, Kinhin, Nirvana, Samsara*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1975
April 7th, 1975, Serial No. 00309 Serial: RB-00309 The talk explores the concept of Prajna (wisdom) and Upaya (skillful means) in Buddhist practice. It emphasizes that skillful means do not pertain to mundane tasks, but rather to sharing one's realization and suffering correctly... *Hyakujo, Baso, Delusion, realization, Intention*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1975
April 7th, 1975, Serial No. 00310 Serial: RB-00310 This talk discusses the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, emphasizing the immediacy of the present moment. It questions conventional concepts of future planning and possession, advocating for a profound commitment... *Buddha Nature, Delusion, Kinhin, Nirvana, Samsara*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1975
Zen Lessons Beyond Words Serial: RB-00277 The talk explores the concept of non-dependence on words and names in Zen, emphasizing the transmission of teachings outside of scriptures and ceremonies. It underscores the importance of direct experience and engagement with... *Vimalakirti, Compassion, Paramitas, Silence, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	Apr 06 1975
Silent Wisdom in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00308 This talk addresses the complexity of not depending on words and names in Zen practice, emphasizing deep perception of reality and the importance of transmission outside scriptures and ceremonies. It explores the concept of... *Vimalakirti, Compassion, Samadhi, Paramitas, Silence*	Richard Baker	Apr 06 1975
Intentionless Zen: Embrace the Ordinary Serial: RB-00275 The talk on April 5th, 1975, focuses on the concept of intentionless activity in Zen practice, using various parables and historical narratives to illustrate the point. The discussion includes reflections on bathing practices... *Sixth Patriarch, Bell, Doubt, Transmission, Intention*	Richard Baker	Apr 05 1975
Zen Intentionless Acceptance Unveiled Serial: RB-00312 The talk primarily explores the nature of Zen practice, emphasizing intentionless activity and non-discriminative acceptance. It incorporates several narratives to elucidate key Zen principles, referencing interactions between... *Bell, Sixth Patriarch, Transmission, Intention, Doubt*	Richard Baker	Apr 05 1975
Walking in Zen's Quiet Harmony Serial: RB-00274 The talk primarily addresses the practice of kinhin (walking meditation) and bathing routines within a Zen monastery, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity and effort in Zen practices. The discussion transitions... *Kinhin, Darkness and Light, Five Ranks, Religion, Cultivation*	Richard Baker	Apr 04 1975
Embodying Zen in Everyday Rituals Serial: RB-00306 The talk discusses the practices in Zen, particularly focusing on the posture and methods employed during walking meditation (kin-hin) and the rituals associated with bathing at monastic sesshins. It also delves into the... *Religion, Rinzai, Darkness and Light, Five Ranks, Cultivation*	Richard Baker	Apr 04 1975

The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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