Sara delves into the thorny weeds of spiritual crises, starting with a raw one of her own, and how to work with listening practice in zazen. What is that black tangled knot in our chests and how might we untie it? What is spiritual crisis and can we be better off for having had it? How can we trust ourselves once we’ve noticed that we can’t entirely be trusted?? Find out here!

In our ongoing series where brave sangha members tell us the story what they’re doing and why they’re here (while we just maybe learn something about those things for ourselves), LA local Cole, born just a few blocks down the road tells us a wonderfully insightful story about doing his damndest to runaway from home and faith and, luckily for us, finding himself right here but maybe in a totally new and deeper way? Do Catholics just like doing things the hard way? What does it mean to not take life seriously? Is there such a thing as a breakup rakusu?? Find out here!

What would make someone not a Buddhist?? Life is fleeting, unsatisfying, & essentially empty, and are we into, and ready to reckon with that? Or so the argument goes. Is the road to joy beyond our wildest beliefs paved with cynical expressions? Why can’t Buddhism say something nice? Is this the answer to every question anyone has about Buddhism and every issue we have in life?? Find out here!

In a starkly honest and personal talk, Gyokei reflects on renunciation and picking & choosing through his experience growing up as a rural temple kid and living as a modern professional monk among sincere Western lay practitioners. Can letting go of wants still mean getting what we need? How does renunciation work for a monk with a salary and a family to feed? What lessons about choice can sincere lay practitioners learn from their example, and which ones should they definitely not?? Find out here!

On a quest to find us the final answer to the problem of time, ethics, and being, Bryan stumbles into the far more fascinating conundrum of himself and what we’re really seeking when we try to settle our questions. What is philosophy and intellect actually good for and how can it help? What’s the difference between explaining something and anyone understanding? Can Bryan redeem the patriarchy in 40 minutes or less?? Find out here!

Sara gives us an insightful reflection on narrative and story telling, either our most powerful technology or our greatest hindrance to seeing the world honestly. Should we be trying to see through our narratives, or harness them for our benefit? What’s the difference between main character syndrome and taking responsibility for your life? Is Sara blessed with the LA parking superpowers, or is that kind of wishful thinking a magic of its own?? Find out here!!

In an encouraging pep talk for ango, Dave unveils a new translation of the bodhisattva vows and rouses us to the impossibility of fulfilling them and the impossibility of not living up them. Is devoting your life to others a recipe for getting taken advantage or the most selfish thing we could do? Is making art selfish or service? Is Taylor Swift ready to take on the dark teachings of Buddhism?? Find out here!

Sara gives us a candid Zen look at modern dating, aka an endless opportunity for working with compassion. Does seeing the best in people bring out the best in ourselves? Should we give people the benefit of the doubt, or is that just a recipe for getting let down? Is all life a performance and if so can it be an authentic honest one?? Find out here!