A Year of Zen
By Bonnie Myotai Treace
A Year of ZenOct 01, 2020
The Unknowable
The True Person
Die While You Live: Freedom from Self and Utter Responsibility
Fear in Practice
Cool Loneliness: Alone at the Bottom of Too Many Stairs
Rustling Leaves
Epitaph for Today: Say a Word of Zen
A Little Knife: The Evening Gatha in Autumn
People Will Talk
Vast Ocean and Crashing Waves
The Bear in Your Kitchen: Practicing the Unexpected
Calm The Crying Child
A quick Saturday writing prompt, where we’re asked to remember how to cheer up a child, or anyone... including ourselves.
Stop the Fighting: An Intimate Zen Koan
In episode 34 Bonnie Myotai introduces an old Zen koan that we face again and again in our lives. How do we realize that we are not apart from others? How do we “stop the fight” taking place “over there”?
Nothing But Change: Being at Home in Impermanence
Chomei's Tears: Masked and Bare
In Episode 32 of A Year of Zen, Bonnie Myotai reflects on the Zen hermit Kamo No Chomei's poem about autumn, tears, bareness, the limits of words. The wearing of masks, the challenges of compassion, and a writing prompt.
Letting Go of Our Old Nonsense
Episode 31 outlines how to work with the new book “A Year of Zen”...and create a sacred, solid year of practice. Bonnie Myotai reflects on when rules, methods, prompts are helpful, and when it’s time to let them go.
Equinox: Tilting the Heart
Bonnie Myotai offers a reflection on the autumn equinox, and the 6 principles of "Higen" (generosity, moral reflection, perseverance, diligence, meditation, wisdom), and gives writing /contemplation prompt on perseverance.
Fading Smoke: Honor, Love, and Grief
Staying True to One Another: Kyosei’s Raindrops
Green Zen
Episode 27, September 16, has us exploring “shinrin yoku” or forest bathing, appreciating green life, especially as climate catastrophes increase. Kilmer’s poem “Trees” and a writing/contemplation.
Let’s Get Physical: Being a Body that Awakens
Stopping Time
Gassho: Two Being Realized as One
Meeting Eyes: Tenderness in Practice
Circle Back
In Episode 22, Bonnie Myotai summons her mom, and the spiritual practice of a cup of tea. (And also says it is Friday, when alas, it is Tuesday...!)
Your Real Work
What to Say When: Right Speech
Autumn: Writing with Spent Leaves
What You Notice
Complete Enjoyment: A Zen Writing Practice
Solitude: Seeing the Wholeness
Finding Our Belonging
Emotions and Karma: Making a Big Space
Being Perfect: Student Mind
In Episode 13 of A Year of Zen, Bonnie Myotai asks that we consider our experiences of being a student, whether of Zen or any other thing, and if we've ever felt "lesser than" because a teacher sets themself up as "greater than."
The Ship is Going Down: Now It’s Up to You
Attention to Sky not Weather
Not Being Special: Finding Your Frog
The Worm of Happiness is Here
Summer Dewdrops: Waking Up
Letting Go of Pain
Threshold: Freshness of Mind
Bonnie Myotai reflects on a powerful poem by Pablo Neruda. How can we shift from seeing only the crises into recognizing we are at a threshold of possibility?