Recorded on February 21st, 2007 at Upaya Zen Center

Roshi introduces Thich Nhat Hanh’s concept of the precepts as mindfulness trainings: they are ways to practice and watch your mind, not a prescription or prohibition. A positive view of this precept is the aspect of danaparamita–or the perfection of giving. Give freely, give often, don’t hold back, and be fully satisfied with your life.

Recorded on February 14th, 2007 at Upaya Zen Center

In this moving talk, Roshi describes different aspects and manifestations of love that can happen over the course of one’s existence as a sentient being. She synthesizes the Western and Classical Greek interpretation of love with its contemporary eastern interpretation in Buddhism. She reviews erotic love, companionate love, philial love, and the limitless love of agape/metta and how they can be lit with the lens of contemplative practice.

The only way to actually live with love is to give it away.

Recorded on February 7th, 2007

Roshi opens up about her father’s final remorse over the horrors of war. John Halifax, a World War II veteran, came to the conclusion that there is no justification for the endless carnage and devastation of war.

She explains that the objectification of the divided self has a great effect on the causes and conditions that inspire war. Roshi urges us to use our voices and ability to act to help realize non-killing.