The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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Showing 3307 talks

Title	Speaker	Date
Defining Identity Through Zen Practice Serial: RB-00057 The talk explores the significance of language, self-definition, and practice in the context of Zen philosophy. It examines how individuals perceive their experiences and identities through societal and personal definitions, and... *Practice, Ceremony, Time*	Richard Baker	Jul 14 1977
Zen in Everyday Tensions Serial: RB-00056 The talk explores the evolving approach to Zen practice and emphasizes the necessity of readiness in practitioners. It delves into the tension between ordinary life and Zen practice, challenging the perception of Zen as... *Practice, Time, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Jul 13 1977
Zen Improvisation: Bridging Cultures Mindfully Serial: RB-00055 The talk examines the intersection of Eastern and Western cultural expressions within Buddhism, emphasizing adaptability in practice. It highlights the contributions of figures like Suzuki Roshi and explores the idea of... *Practice, Buddhism, Time*	Richard Baker	Jul 12 1977
Discovering Buddhism Within Yourself Serial: RB-00054 The talk focuses on the exploration of where and how to study Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of personal experience and presence in practice. It challenges traditional and historical notions about Buddhism and stresses that... *Buddhism, Japan, Study*	Richard Baker	Jul 11 1977
Voices of Things Uninterpreted Serial: RB-00188 The talk on July 10th, 1977, primarily explores the nature of Sashin practice in the city and its unique auditory experiences. The discussion elaborates on the concept of hearing the 'voices' of things without interpretation,... *Time, Name, Consciousness*	Richard Baker	Jul 10 1977
Furthering Zen Through Daily Mindfulness Serial: RB-00053 The talk centers on the concept of "further" as a state of mind in Zen practice, emphasizing alertness, pivotal thought, and mind of initiation. It discusses how daily challenges and responsibilities contribute to this state and... *Practice, Time, Effort*	Richard Baker	Jul 10 1977
Building Ethical Community Economies Serial: RB-00068 The talk focuses on the interplay between economic decisions, community dynamics, and spiritual practice within a communal store. It begins with pricing strategies and their impacts on different demographic groups and transitions... *Community, Time, Work*	Richard Baker	Jul 1977
Mindful Living Through Right Livelihood Serial: RB-00067 The talk explores the concept of "Right Livelihood" within the framework of Buddhism, focusing on personal responsibility and the Eightfold Path. The speaker discusses how living an ethically responsible life requires personal,... *Buddhism, Work, Time*	Richard Baker	Jul 1977
Zen's Dual Nature of Community Serial: RB-00052 The talk delves into the intertwining of Zen community (Sangha) dynamics, societal roles, and individual responsibilities, emphasizing the dual nature of limitation and reproduction within a community. There is a detailed... *Sangha, Community, Practice*	Richard Baker	Apr 12 1977
Everyday Mindfulness: The Profound Ordinary Serial: RB-00063 This talk discusses the Zen concept of "everyday mindedness," emphasizing its paradoxical nature of being both ordinary and profound. It links Buddhist teachings on right livelihood with everyday actions, advocating a path free... *Time, Intention, Consciousness*	Richard Baker	Dec 20 1976
Building Community Through Buddhist Values Serial: RB-00042 The talk explores the essential principles for sustaining a community, drawing from 15 years of experiences and observations. The focus is on the roles of commitment, repetition, and internal policies that prioritize the... *Community, Time, Work*	Richard Baker	Nov 05 1976
Awakening Through Self-Reliant Practice Serial: RB-00187 The talk emphasizes the fundamental Zen principle that individual salvation and freedom are personal responsibilities, achievable without reliance on external deities or figures. It outlines that Zen practice involves self-... *Practice, Buddhism, Karma*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1976
Self-Reliance Through Zen Practice Serial: RB-00041 The central thesis of the talk is the emphasis on self-reliance in Zen practice, asserting that one must work out their own salvation without relying on external entities or people. The discussion explores the interconnectedness... *Practice, Buddhism, Karma*	Richard Baker	Oct 30 1976
Constructed Reality Unveiled Through Zen Serial: RB-00040 The discussion focuses on understanding reality through various levels of truth and exploring the idea that everything is a constructed reality. The talk addresses Zen teachings on perception, meditation practice, and how... *Time, Practice, Buddha*	Richard Baker	Aug 15 1976
Zen's Constructed Reality Unveiled Serial: RB-00186 The talk addresses the conceptual framework of Zen practice focusing on understanding reality. It begins with the exploration of four levels of truth: recognizing a stick as a stick, then as not a stick, acting with the... *Time, Practice, Buddha*	Richard Baker	Aug 15 1976
Beyond Binary Zen Enlightenment Serial: RB-00185 The talk on August 14th, 1976, explores the practice of Zen through the lens of constructed realities, emphasizing the importance of non-binary thinking in achieving enlightenment. It argues that both intellectual study and... *Study, Practice, Time*	Richard Baker	Aug 14 1976
Navigating Boundaries in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00039 The main thesis of the talk revolves around the concept of "constructed reality" within Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of understanding and navigating the balance between withholding and granting actions. The discussion... *Study, Practice, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Aug 14 1976
Perceiving Reality Through Samadhi Serial: RB-00184 The talk explores the Zen practice of questioning reality and emphasizes the importance of perceiving and receiving correctly in the state of samadhi. Using a story involving Dogo Enchi and Yuan, it discusses how existential... *Practice, Time, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	Jun 20 1976
Zen Reality: Unseen Depths Serial: RB-00038 The talk explores the key Zen Buddhist practice of questioning one's reality without adding unnecessary elements to it, using the story of Chinese Zen masters Dogo Enchi and Chien Yuan to illustrate this principle. The narrative... *Practice, Time, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	Jun 20 1976
Zen: Beyond Inside and Outside Serial: RB-00037 This talk delves into the concept of "inside" in Zen practice, contrasting it with the "outside" and exploring the intricate duality of these expressions. Through the lens of stories and koans, particularly from Joshu and the... *Joshu, Practice, Breath*	Richard Baker	Jun 19 1976
Zen Wisdom: Seeing and Knowing Serial: RB-00183 The main focus of the talk is exploring the concept of wisdom and its implications within the framework of Zen practice. The speaker delves into the etymology and broad interpretations of wisdom, describing it as both a form of... *Wisdom, Pain, Practice*	Richard Baker	Jun 18 1976
Wisdom's Vision in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00036 The talk delves into the concepts of wisdom and capacity, emphasizing the intricacies and contradictions inherent in Zen practice. The discussion explores how wisdom relates to vision and responsibility, implying that wisdom... *Wisdom, Pain, Practice*	Richard Baker	Jun 18 1976
Chanting, Freedom, and Continuous Effort Serial: RB-00026 The talk begins with a discussion about the Nichiren Soka Gakkai chanting practice, initiated by Herbie Hancock, and references the Lotus Sutra. This transitions into reflections on the nature of chanting in Buddhist practice,... *Effort, Practice, Joshu*	Richard Baker	Jun 17 1976
Direct Practice: Zens Simple Essence Serial: RB-00181 The lecture on June 17th, 1976, addresses the integration of chanting and zazen practice, highlighting the challenges and benefits of each. The discussion includes reflections on the complexity of the Lotus Sutra and various Zen... *Practice, Effort, Joshu*	Richard Baker	Jun 17 1976
Zen Journeys Exhaled Mindfulness Serial: RB-00180 The talk focuses on change and differences in Zen practice, particularly through the concepts of leaking and accumulating (non-leaking activity) and refers to meritorious activity. The discussion emphasizes exhalation meditation... *Karma, Work, Time*	Richard Baker	Jun 16 1976
Breath as a Gateway to Merit Serial: RB-00025 The talk explores the concept of accumulation versus leaking within Zen practice, focusing on the subtle differences in experiencing one's breath and the notion of merit. Emphasis is placed on following the exhale to enhance... *Karma, Work, Time*	Richard Baker	Jun 15 1976
Zen's Path to True Honesty Serial: RB-00024 The talk emphasizes the expectation and delivery of Buddhism in Zen practice, highlighting the necessity to bring profound inquiries into one's spiritual journey. It explores the concept of "flesh and fantasy,"... *Practice, Buddhism, Samadhi*	Richard Baker	Jun 15 1976
Zen Patience and Genuine Practice Serial: RB-00179 This talk emphasizes the importance of expectation and patience in Zen practice, focusing on the concept of integrating 'flesh and fantasy' through Buddhist teachings. It discusses the challenges of confronting the... *Buddhism, Practice, Delusion*	Richard Baker	Jun 15 1976
Transcending Limits Through Zen Practice Serial: RB-00647 The talk centers on the distinction between Buddhism and other religions, emphasizing Buddhism’s focus on human experience and logical limits, versus the divine revelations characteristic of other faiths. It highlights Zen... *Buddhism, Zazen, Religion*	Richard Baker	Jun 13 1976
Finding Truth Within Zen Practice Serial: RB-00023 This talk delves into the practice of sesshin and the essence of Zen practice, focusing on the realization that truth is not external but inherent. The discourse emphasizes the importance of objectless concentration in zazen (... *Concentration, Practice, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Jun 12 1976
Zen and the Art of Non-Choosing Serial: RB-00194 The talk examines the Zen teaching "The ultimate path has no difficulty, only avoid picking and choosing," attributed to Third Patriarch Sengcan and expounded by Joshu. Emphasis is placed on how this principle relates to non-... *Practice, Intention, Consciousness*	Richard Baker	Apr 18 1976
The Ultimate Path of No Choice Serial: RB-00029 The talk explores the concept outlined in the saying, "The ultimate path has no difficulty, only avoid picking and choosing," emphasizing the philosophical and practical implications in Zen practice. Several stories involving... *Practice, Consciousness, Intention*	Richard Baker	Apr 18 1976
Innate Enlightenment Interconnected Histories Serial: RB-00028 The main thesis revolves around the interconnectedness of all beings and histories within the practice of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the innate Buddha nature inherent in every individual. It discusses the concept of... *Buddha, Practice, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1976
Embracing Your Inner Buddha Nature Serial: RB-00193 This talk discusses the Zen philosophy's core teaching that all individuals inherently possess Buddha nature, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and cultivating this intrinsic potential. Using the analogy of road... *Buddha, Buddhism, Intention*	Richard Baker	Apr 07 1976
Transforming Suffering Through Zen Practice Serial: RB-00191 This talk delves into the Eightfold Path, emphasizing right views, thoughts, speech, intention, concentration, mindfulness, conduct, action, and livelihood. The discussion interprets suffering not as something to be eradicated... *Suffering, Suzuki Roshi, Practice*	Richard Baker	Apr 06 1976
Mindful Precision in Zen Practice Serial: RB-00032 The talk delves into the Eightfold Path, particularly focusing on the nuances of "Right View," "Right Conduct," and "Right Livelihood." It is emphasized that suffering should not be seen merely as something to eliminate but as an... *Suffering, Practice, Suzuki Roshi*	Richard Baker	Apr 06 1976
Live With Right Intention Serial: RB-00197 This talk discusses the practice of taking personal responsibility and the futility of relying on external systems, highlighting the principles of Right Livelihood and the importance of intention in Buddhism. It underscores that... *Concentration, Intention, Consciousness*	Richard Baker	Apr 05 1976
Questioning the Path to Enlightenment Serial: RB-00196 This talk explores the relationship between questioning and enlightenment within Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of persistent inquiry rooted in faith. It critiques the conventional understanding of Dharma and self,... *Practice, Zazen, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Apr 04 1976
Awakening Through Faithful Questioning Serial: RB-00033 The talk discusses the relationship between questioning and enlightenment in Zen practice. It emphasizes the importance of questioning grounded in faith, explaining that questioning leads to realization, contrasting with... *Practice, Buddhism, Zazen*	Richard Baker	Apr 04 1976
Transcending Boundaries: True Meditation Unveiled Serial: RB-00031 The talk focuses on the concept of rightly transmitted dharma and true meditation, primarily through the teachings of Dogen and Rojin. It discusses the non-dualistic nature of true meditation and contrasts it with externalized... *Meditation, Practice, Chanting*	Richard Baker	Apr 03 1976
Zen Meditations and Mystical Insights Serial: RB-00195 The talk delves into the concept of "rightly transmitted dharma" as discussed by various Zen teachers. It explores the essence of true meditation through the teachings of Rojin, Hakuin Zenji, and Rinzai, emphasizing direct... *Meditation, Practice, Karma*	Richard Baker	Apr 03 1976
Embracing Non-Dual Cosmic Unity Serial: RB-00199 The talk emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality and the dangers of externalizing nature, drawing parallels between Blake's symbolism and Buddhist teachings. It connects Albion's fall in Blake's works to Buddhist concepts of... *Samadhi, Sixth Patriarch, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Apr 02 1976
Seamless Unity in Zen Meditation Serial: RB-00030 The main thesis revolves around the non-dual nature of existence and the concept of seamless samadhi as understood within Zen and referenced through works like Blake’s poetry and Dogen’s teachings. The discussion emphasizes the... *Sixth Patriarch, Samadhi, Buddhism*	Richard Baker	Apr 02 1976
Illusions of Daily Existence Serial: RB-00034 The talk delves into the exploration of identity, decision-making, and the illusion of form. It emphasizes the ephemeral nature of decisions and physical embodiment through metaphoric contemplation of getting up in the morning... *Emptiness, Zazen, Tassajara*	Richard Baker	Apr 01 1976
Ephemeral Identity in Zen Existence Serial: RB-00198 The talk explores the nature of self-identity and the interplay between the physical and ephemeral aspects of existence, particularly within the context of Zen practice. It discusses the decision-making process behind actions... *Emptiness, Zazen, Tassajara*	Richard Baker	Apr 01 1976
Living Zen in Every Moment Serial: RB-00200 The talk from February 22, 1976, centers on the concept of "everyday mind" in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing its simplicity and complexity. The discussion further explores the moral and political queries practitioners face,... *Buddhism, Time, Joshu*	Richard Baker	Feb 22 1976
Engaging Life Through Zen Mindfulness Serial: RB-00064 The talk focuses on the concept of everyday mind in Zen Buddhism and its integration into daily life. It explores the paradox of Zen practice as a form of engagement rather than escapism, emphasizing the importance of sincerity... *Buddhism, Time, Joshu*	Richard Baker	Feb 22 1976
Unveiling Zen Through Stories Serial: RB-00351 The talk centers on elucidating complex Zen concepts by discussing well-known Zen stories, emphasizing the nature of form and emptiness, everyday mindedness, and the integration of primary and secondary consciousness. Key Topics... *Consciousness, Buddhism, Emptiness*	Richard Baker	Feb 21 1976
Living on the Edge of Mindfulness Serial: RB-00204 The talk delves into the concept of "everyday mindedness," which, in Buddhist thought, resembles facing a precipitous cliff, symbolizing the challenge of grasping such a deeply ordinary yet profound state. The discussion draws on... *Time, Intention, Consciousness*	Richard Baker	Feb 20 1976
Zen in Everyday Moments Serial: RB-00062 The talk explores the Zen concept of "everyday-mindedness," emphasizing the importance of present-focused awareness. Key stories and discussions illustrate how true understanding and practice involve embracing what is directly... *Practice, Dogen, Avalokiteshvara*	Richard Baker	Feb 19 1976

The Baker Roshi Audio Archive

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