Presented by the Mountain Rain Zen Community based in Vancouver, BC. Featuring talks by our guiding teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton, and other guest speakers. To learn more about our community, explore our extensive teaching archive, and offer your support, visit http://mountainrainzen.org.
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Mountain Rain Zen Community Podcasts
On a rocky outcropping off the northeastern coast of England, the monastery of Lindisfarne once stood as an outpost of religious, philosophic, and intellectual study against the “dark” times of early medieval Europe. Inspired by the foresight and dogged determination of these medieval monks, William Irwin Thompson founded the Lindisfarne Association in 1972 to gather together bold scientists, scholars, artists, and contemplatives to realize a new planetary culture in the face of the politica ...
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Shinmon Michael Newton offers the first dharma talk from Rohatsu at Brew Creek. “When we can be totally honest with what is happening right now, then we can completely see it. Buddhas come whole.” _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find…
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Foundational Women - Practice Period Week Nine - Wednesday
38:47
38:47
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Both Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton share stories about, and teachings from, the women ancestors of Mountain Rain Zen. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our …
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Inner Practices for Living with Illness - Practice Period Week Eight - Sunday
28:41
28:41
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28:41
Zenshin Florence Caplow offers a dharma talk on the dance between chronic illness and Buddhist practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate…
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Skillful Means - Practice Period Week Seven - Sunday
32:47
32:47
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Shuso Myosen River Shannon asks: what is it to believe in karma or not? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A full archive of recorded teac…
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The Dharma of Chores - Practice Period Week Seven - Wednesday
27:36
27:36
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Shinmon Michael Newton offers insight into the calm readiness of cleaning and of being present to doing exactly what we are doing. What does it mean to do something with total concentration? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value…
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Earth Womb - Practice Period Week Six - Sunday
40:41
40:41
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Dharma talk by Myoshin Kate McCandless on Jizo Bodhisattva, protector of women, children and travellers. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate…
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Zazen is Embodied Curiosity - Practice Period Week Six - Wednesday
29:02
29:02
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Shuso Myosen River suggests that using zazen to avoid our bodies or demons is kind-of funny because it’s like hiding from the monster in our closet by going in with it. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, p…
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Hail to the Never-Despising Bodhisattva - Practice Period Week Five - Sunday
37:33
37:33
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Shinmon Michael Newton offers a talk on Dogen and Keizan, and on their support for women disciples. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A f…
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For the Hungry Ghosts - Practice Period Week Five - Wednesday
22:55
22:55
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22:55
Talk by Myoshin Kate McCandless on Yurei and Hannya: Japanese women ghosts and demons. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A full archive o…
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The Use and Power of the Erotic - Practice Period Week Four - Sunday
33:53
33:53
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Shuso Myosen River asks: as followers of 'The Way', are we supposed to transcend desire? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A full archive…
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The Dharma Gate of Grief - Practice Period Week Four - Wednesday
28:44
28:44
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Myoshin Kate McCandless examines how different women have coped with intense grief, and how buddhist perspectives and practices have supported their process. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consi…
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Enlightened Women - Practice Period Week Three - Sunday
41:32
41:32
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41:32
Shinmon Michael Newton takes a backstep into the context of India at the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, and surfaces through the story of bhikkhuni Bhadda Kapilani, foremost in recollecting past lives. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you fin…
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When the Buddha was Wrong - Practice Period Week Three - Wednesday
33:19
33:19
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Myosen River Shannon asks: When people we love and trust harm us, how can we hold that contradiction in our bodies and transform what is possible in our relationships and communities? The Buddha was imperfect - does this understanding makes it easier to confront the paradoxes in our own lives? _______________________________________________________…
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Who was the Buddha's Mother? - Practice Period Week Two - Sunday
30:01
30:01
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A body from which another body is born - what a marvel! Myoshin Kate McCandless shares teachings about Buddha’s mother Maya and her younger sister Prajāpatī (Buddha’s step-mother) as well as Yaśodharā, Buddha's wife and mother of his son. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations…
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Bringing Zen Home - Practice Period Week Two - Wednesday
26:14
26:14
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Shinmon focuses on home altars as a part of embodied practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A full archive of recorded teachings goi…
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Shinmon Michael Newton parses apart the title for this year’s practice period In this Lifetime, In this Body: Cultivating Embodied Wisdom and Compassion with our Women Ancestors, and asks himself how he understands his malenesss as it shapes and colours his practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made…
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In part of her role as shuso, Myosen River gives a Way-Seeking Mind Talk. “Emptiness is not erasure, it’s a promise and a warning.” _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless introduces the Practice Period theme and describes how the lens will be turned onto what it is for us to live and awaken in the fullness of our embodied life in these difficult times on earth. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide co…
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By Mountain Rain Zen Community
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By Mountain Rain Zen Community
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Way Seeking Mind Talk - Unmon Jacob Butula
39:39
39:39
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A first koan: how does one get in "the zone" and then stay in "the zone"? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/donate. A full archive of recorded te…
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Daikan offers insight into the suffering and instability we create for ourselves. In what way is the position of Tenzo (head cook) a metaphor for the settled life that is grounded in zazen? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value …
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Shinmon Michael Newton suggests retreats (such as the day-long zazenkai hosted at Bright Stream Temple) are an opportunity to sit with others, to notice our busy minds, and to work on letting thoughts go. Returning to innocent mind, the question is asked: "What is this life?" _____________________________________________________________ These talks…
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Continuing the dharma seminar on Uchiyama’s commentary on Dogen’s Instructions to the Cook Shinmon Michael Newton asks: as this is the only life you get, how do you look deeply to know who you are? “In attachement blossoms fall, in aversion weeds spread” -Dogen _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possi…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless offers reflections on the moon, bodhisattva precepts, and failure. How would it be to commit to these precepts in daily life, particularly when we are faced with so many choices? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If yo…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless continues the exploration of Uchiyama’s commentary on Dogen’s Instructions To the Cook, delving in to Chapter 10 making life calculations and Chapter 11 working with clear vision. “All comparing-mind is vanity and self clinging.” _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible than…
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Shinmon Michael Newton reminds us that we cannot take for granted the work our ancestors have done, and that each of us can labour for the good of all beings. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please cons…
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Nin-en Susan Elbe reads correspondence between herself, Uchiyama Roshi, and Dogen Zenji as part of the dharma seminar on Instructions to the Cook. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider support…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless takes us along her and Shinmon Michael Newton’s recent camping trip - a time for letting go into moment by moment experience…to include, notice, and release. How can we be with nature in order to summon the life force and renewal we need to live bravely in these perilous times? _______________________________________________…
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Myosen River Shannon continues the Dharma seminar on Uchiyama Roshi's commentary on Dogen's Instructions to the Cook, offering insights into Great Mind and Parental Mind. What would it be like to fully the taste the experiences of each day? What kind of medicine bowl can be made with what’s available? _______________________________________________…
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Lay Entrusted Dharma Teacher and Palliative Care Physician Joko Claire Talbot asks: in our distressing moments, before our limbic system kicks in to full gear, can we practice generosity towards ourselves, crossing over to the shore of peace and understanding? “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” (Leo Buscaglia)…
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Jikai Vicki Turay gives a talk on chapters 3 and 4 of Uchiyama Roshi's commentary on Dogen's Instructions to the Cook. Cooking is not a distraction from the more serious pursuit of meditation but rather an entry way to a deeper understanding of how our minds are intimately connected to all phenomena and to one’s buddha nature. _____________________…
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Listening to the Wild - Speaking as a Tree
28:31
28:31
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Jikai Vicki Turay shares reflections on the recent MRZC Summer sesshin and Dogen’s Mountains and Waters sutra. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.org/…
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Dai- Flo Rublee offers the first talk in a new Dharma seminar on Uchiyama Roshi's commentary on Dogen's Instructions to the Cook. What are the activities of true adults in the world today? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value i…
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Myosen River Shannon suggests that the possibilities of gender embodiment and existence are infinite. Healing and awakening are mutually enriching experiences, not separate. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachin…
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Practice of the Wild (M&W 2025 sesshin day 6)
34:36
34:36
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In the final talk of the sesshin, Shinmon Michael Newton explores the notion of the unknown in the wild and along the path of practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our wor…
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Practice of the Wild (M&W 2025 sesshin day 5)
38:52
38:52
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38:52
Drawing on the essay “Survival and Sacrament” by Gary Snyder, Myoshin Kate McCandless reflects on how our lives are intertwined with all other beings. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider sup…
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Practice of the Wild (M&W 2025 sesshin day 4)
43:59
43:59
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43:59
Shinmon Michael Newton draws on Gary Snyder’s essay “Good, Wild, Sacred” to consider the notion of the wild both within us and around us. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our w…
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Practice of the Wild (M&W 2025 sesshin day 3)
42:35
42:35
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42:35
Myoshin Kate McCandless explores living and practicing in place through Gary Snyder’s essay “The Place, the Region, and the Commons.” _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work …
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In this talk, Shinmon Michael Newton discusses Gary Snyder’s essay “Blue Mountains Constantly Walking” and explores how the idea of the mountain can be expressed in our practice. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these te…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless introduces the theme of this years MRZC Mountains and Waters sesshin - The Practice of the Wild. Through the writing of Gary Snyder, the talk explores our practice in relation to nature, wilderness and the wild. Note: we apologize for the audio issues in the first few minutes of the talk _____________________________________…
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Dialogues in a Dream - To Be in the Garden
22:30
22:30
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Myoshin Kate McCandless gives the last talk in the dharma seminar on Musō Soseki’s writing. “I am seeking nothing special. Even for my guests I have nothing to offer except these white stones and this clear spring water.” _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwi…
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Shinmon Michael Newton offers an exploration of Fusatsu (the full moon ceremony) - when sangha members have the opportunity to refresh and renew their relationship to the 16 boddhisatva precepts. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find …
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Dialogues in a Dream - What is Your Relationship to the World?
31:30
31:30
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“Through desire we invite birth, through aversion we receive death.” Shinmon Michael Newton continues the Wednesday evening seminar on Muso Soseki’s Dialogues in a Dream. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings,…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless offers teachings and perspectives on the dharma and babies, in advance of a welcoming ceremony for baby Callum. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our wor…
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Dialogues in a Dream - To Read or Not to Read
27:17
27:17
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“Knowing is arrogance, not knowing is stupidity.” For the third talk in our dharma seminar on Musō Soseki's writing, Myoshin Kate McCandless asks: What is your relationship to reading Zen texts and commentaries? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide communi…
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Shinmon Michael Newton delves into Muso Soseki’s teachings on demons. How do we understand and address inner challenges? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainra…
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Dialogues in a Dream - What is Compassion?
27:53
27:53
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Shinmon Michael Newton offers an exploration of Muso Soseki’s thoughts on compassion. Is it sentimental? Is it dharma based? Is it universal or is it dualistic? _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please co…
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Myoshin Kate McCandless examines that most frustrating, troublesome, and beautiful of human faculties: language. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these teachings, please consider supporting our work at mountainrainzen.or…
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Dialogues in a Dream - What Would You Ask a Time-travelling Zen Master?
33:08
33:08
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Mysohin Kate McCandless introduces Zen master Musō Soseki and “Dialogues in a Dream" - a collection of ninety-three dialogues between the master and the shogun Ashikaga Tadayoshi. _____________________________________________________________ These talks are made possible thanks to donations from our worldwide community. If you find value in these t…
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