-
The “paradox” of self, other, and Interpenetration
ByUmi Dan Rotnem*transcript produced by AI Welcome, everybody, and thank you for practicing today. I’m excited to start exploring this new open door zen sutra book with you as we kind of figure out our way of moving through the ritual service. And now we’re here for Dharma discussion. I think, Cass, you said you had something…
-
Volition and Non-Self
ByUmi Dan RotnemA cutting exploration of not-self, volition, and compassion. Liberation is lived integrity, not found in the palliative consolation of “being.”
-
Equanimity, Boundaries, Precepts, Self
ByUmi Dan RotnemExploring how equanimity can blur boundaries, how precepts guide action, and how Buddhism reframes “Self” beyond Atman into dynamic suchness.
-
Intimacy, Practice, and the Many Faces of Awakening
ByUmi Dan RotnemAn open forum exploring practice vs. meditation, intimacy with life, and the spectrum of awakening, with lived examples from music, parenting, and the subtle art of appropriateness.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX verses part 2
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis session follows the final verses of Chapter 2.IX, with sustained attention to Yogācāra’s account of karmic appearance and the structure of mind-only experience. The painter and ocean metaphors are unpacked to show how perception arises from perfumed seeds and mistaken construction. A discussion of Bodhidharma’s Two Entrances is used to clarify how early Zen aligned with the Laṅkāvatāra—not philosophically, but functionally—through direct realization of mind. “Suchness” is handled without reification, and teachings are presented as conditional rather than final. The session closes without synthesis, keeping attention on how language, perception, and practice co-arise.
-
Lankavatara 2.IX:Verses part 1
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this talk, we explore the Lankāvatāra’s vision of karma and perception as wave-like processes, uncovering how consciousness, grasping, and memory generate karmic entanglement—and how release becomes possible through non-possession.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX:9-10
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis session continues to explore and rebut the illusion that meditative states are liberation. We walk through the 10 Bodhisattva stages, show how realization matures, and offers a living method for transforming insight into awakening.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX:5-8
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis session dives deep into the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra’s deconstruction of perception, exploring how karmic tendencies shape consciousness through perfumed appearances (nimitta). We unpack the illusion of cessation, the wave mechanics of ālaya-vijñāna, and the recursive logic of self-projected realms. A dense but embodied discussion on how liberation arises not from silence, but from non-grasping.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX:3-4
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis talk explores how perception arises from four conditions, including storehouse perfuming and the desire for multiplicity. We examine how beginningless patterns shape our view, how purification is about appropriateness, and how liberation involves skillful participation in the being–becoming flow. Framed through Yogācāra insight, we close with a reminder: the playground includes even the hardest moments.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX:1-2
ByUmi Dan RotnemWe unpack the opening paragraphs of Laṅkā 2.9 on mind-only and storehouse consciousness, guiding deep Dharma combat on emptiness, perfuming, and the limits of concept. Includes a clarifying review of the eight consciousnesses.
-
Lankavatara 2:IX:1
ByUmi Dan RotnemCitta, manas, vijnana and the Five Dharmas
-
What We’re Really Doing Here: Practice, Perception, and the Path Beyond Therapy
ByUmi Dan RotnemUmi opens Laṅkā 2.9, clarifies wangxiang, and outlines ODZ’s depth-degree-breadth model. Discussion spans therapy vs. training, chasing peak states, and jhāna as method over hope.
-
Lankavatara 2:VII:13-17
ByUmi Dan RotnemLiberation isn’t a meditative state—it’s an irreversible shift in how we see. Insight reshapes the field by learning how to tend our karma, the garden of our mind, in real time.
-
Lankavatara 2:VII:11-12
ByUmi Dan RotnemFrom non-possession to as-illusion samādhi, we walk the Laṅkā’s razor edge—seeing through projection without escaping karma. Realization isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of responsible function.
-
Lankavatara 2:VII:1-10
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis talk explores wàngxiǎng—the delusive projections that fabricate subject and object—and how their collapse reveals the state of non-possession. We examine why speech becomes just speech, and views just views, when perception is no longer mistaken for reality.
-
Lankavatara Foundations (1)
ByUmi Dan RotnemA discussion on essential positions and framing in the Lankavatara scheme. Mind-only non-duality, perfuming, seeds, liberation and more.
-
Lankavatara 2:VI (part 2)
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis session tracks Lankavatāra 2.VI through the seven aspects of self-nature, linking them to meditative thresholds—from mind and wisdom to the Tathāgata’s world. We explore cessation, karmic projection, and how insight reconstructs perception.
-
Lankavatara 2:V & 2:VI:1-2
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this session we unpack the seven natures of self-nature and the seven aspects of ultimate principle. This session emphasizes fusing classical Yogācāra insight into meditative training—having a direct experience that reveals how selfing arises, how realization descends, and how non-duality is lived, not conceptualized.
-
Lankavatara 2:IV:10-end
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this session, we continue exploring the structure of cessation—tracking how perfuming, projections, and perception dissolve together. The focus turns to what the Lankāvatāra calls the “false thesis” shared with the heterodox: mistaking imagined realms for reality. We clarify the distinction between dharmas and conditions, not as philosophy, but as living anatomy of perception.
-
Lankavatara 2:IV:1-10
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this opening session of a rigorous, practice-rooted translation series on the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, we explore the structure of arising, abiding, and cessation in Yogācāra terms. Key teachings include the the distinction between discriminating and conceptualizing mind, the nature of ālaya-vijñāna, and the two kinds of cessation: characteristic and continuity.
-
Intro to the Lankavatara Sutra
ByUmi Dan Rotnem*transcript generated by AI Well, hi everybody. Glad to have you all here. Thanks for making it. After our last discussion, which was super fun, by the way, thank you for those of you who participated in the On Zen conversation. Robyn dropped into the Discord chat the idea of working with the Lankavatara Sutra….
-
On the Dhammapada (2:4-7) & Inner Practice
ByUmi Dan RotnemExplore mindfulness, self-awareness, and energetic cultivation through the lens of the Dhammapada. Topics include the balance of discipline and transcendence, the dynamics of ego, and the integration of intuition, resonance, and embodied wisdom in daily practice.
-
Dhammapada 2:1-3
ByUmi Dan RotnemExplore a deep Zen Dharma discussion on mindfulness, form, and liberation through the lens of the Dhammapada. Discover insights on ego, self-discipline, distraction, and the interplay between Theravāda and Mahāyāna perspectives on enlightenment and nirvana.
-
Dhammapada 1-17:18
ByUmi Dan RotnemTrue Zen practice is not in the words we recite—it is in the lives we live. This Dharma discussion explores the Dhammapada’s teachings on integrity, practice, and transformation. From the momentum of moral action to the role of emotions in shaping our reality, we delve into how real change requires not just discipline, but deep self-inquiry. Discover how letting go of ignorance, refining emotional clarity, and embracing radical responsibility lead to genuine spiritual awakening.
-
Dhammapada verses 1-10
ByUmi Dan RotnemA discussion inspired by verses 1-10 of the dhammapada.
-
Zen, Christmas, and Radical Responsibility
ByUmi Dan RotnemDiscover Zen perspectives on the meaning of Christmas, radical responsibility, and spiritual transformation. Learn how presence, connection, and self-awareness shape a mindful life.
-
Rohatsu 2024
ByUmi Dan RotnemThrough humor and sharp critique, the talk deconstructs traditional notions of the Four Noble Truths, showing how Zen flips the script, asking us not to seek answers but to embody direct experience. From navigating sensual pleasures to exploring the depths of jhanic absorption, the practice becomes not about escaping but fully embracing the moment.
-
Reality, Consciousness, and Zen Training
ByUmi Dan RotnemBy fostering insight into these mechanics of consciousness, Zen practice allows practitioners to reframe experiences, reduce suffering, and cultivate a harmonious relationship with reality.
-
Suffering, Fearlessness, and Karma
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis talk highlights the Zen path, which involves increasing one’s capacity to face discomfort and expanding one’s awareness of the suffering that exists both internally and externally. Umi discusses the two main forms of meditation: calming the mind (Samatha) and insight meditation (Vipassana), encouraging practitioners to integrate both to better understand reality and reduce suffering. We also discuss the role of intention and action in karma, using examples like interactions in nature to explore the complex relationships between our actions and their impact. The discussion concludes by reminding practitioners of the value of fearlessness and continuous self-awareness in facing life’s challenges.
-
Absolute Commitment, Radical Acceptance, Willful Surrender.
ByUmi Dan RotnemUmi emphasizes that spiritual practice is inseparable from daily life, encouraging practitioners to fully commit to aliveness, accepting both the pleasurable and painful aspects of life without resistance. Radical acceptance involves embracing all of life’s experiences, while willful surrender requires letting go of ego and rigidity. The session concludes by challenging conventional expectations of how to respond to difficulties, advocating for radical accountability while allowing for honest and sometimes intense emotional expression as part of living fully.
-
Training to Accord with Life Unfolding
ByUmi Dan RotnemThis lifestyle of continuous evolution stands in stark contrast to the static nature of holding onto decisions made years ago without questioning them. Zen’s approach to life mirrors the evolving nature of existence itself, fostering a higher quality of life by embracing change and growth.
-
Zen and the Tao: Living in Natural Alignment
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this talk, Umi uses verse 38 from weaving the way to emphasize that in Zen, real integrity comes from a deeper, continuous process of self-reflection, refinement, and growth. By recognizing and addressing the internal conflicts that arise when we suppress parts of ourselves, we can align more fully with life and the Tao. The practice of Zen ultimately helps us discover universal principles behind all actions, allowing us to embody integrity naturally and live in harmony with the unfolding of life. This process of refinement never ends, as life is an evolving experience that calls for continuous adjustments.
-
Zen as a Life of Persistent Evolution
ByUmi Dan RotnemUmi presents the notion that embodying Zen means cultivating an indomitable spirit that is not driven by fleeting emotions or personal desires, but rooted in a deeper connection to life itself—referred to as “pure selfless awareness.”
-
Trusting Buddha Nature
ByUmi Dan RotnemSo these feelings, generally categorized as over-excitement and anxiety, or under-excitement and depression, are cues that we’re not trusting.
If we feel either of those things, it means that our nervous system is dealing with some level of mistrust.
We haven’t really said, you know what?
I am life itself unfolding.
-
Altar, Tantra, Victimhood, Boundaries
ByUmi Dan RotnemExplore impermanence, reclaim power from karma, and align through tantric and Mahayana practices.”
-
Radical Acceptance: Loving All Parts of Ourselves in the Journey to Liberation
ByUmi Dan RotnemThe talk you shared from September 8, 2024, delves into the concept of split personalities and disassociative phenomena within Zen practice. It encourages practitioners to embrace and integrate all aspects of themselves, even the ones that might not align with their ideal self-image. This approach highlights the importance of radical acceptance and love for all parts of oneself, facilitating the journey toward becoming a whole and skillful bodhisattva.
-
What is Buddha?
ByUmi Dan RotnemBuddha is the fundamental aliveness of the universe. To touch divinity is to touch the very quality of our creative, self-sustaining awareness of life, right?
And that’s kind of hard to understand, in the sense that there’s lots of things that we don’t like about life.
-
Sympathy? Compassion? Wisdom?
ByUmi Dan Rotnem*transcript generated by AI All right. Good morning. Good morning. Glad you were able to make it today. Yes, me too. And thank you to all of you who come pretty much all the time. It’s fun to have a solid crew to do this practice with because that really enlightens it, you know. On…
-
Force, Violence and Skillful Means?
ByUmi Dan RotnemForce vs Violence.
The ethical use of power.
Intention. -
Choosing your Crazy
ByUmi Dan RotnemThe talk emphasizes the importance of consciously choosing how to manifest one’s own insanity in a way that aligns with love, integrity, and compassion, acknowledging the inherent craziness in all of us.
-
Taking Care of Business
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this talk:
– Being with “What Is” … for real.
– What does it mean to be Buddha?
– In-depth look at the Perfections.
– The Dark Cave of Zen Disease
-
Zen & Personal Development
ByUmi Dan RotnemHow does Zen intersect with personal development? In what ways do the 5 Practice Mirrors support the process? How do Zen and therapy work together?
-
Openness and Discipline
ByUmi Dan RotnemExploring the balance between a defined practice regimen and the radical acceptance of individual spiritual journeys. We discuss how openness to various traditions can enhance understanding but stress that the core of Hollow Bones Zen training is essential for realizing its full benefits.
-
Changing Gears
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this dharma talk, we explore the intricate relationship between pure awareness, wisdom, compassion, and skillful means within Zen practice. Umi emphasizes that in every moment, practitioners simultaneously experience their normal feelings and thoughts alongside a field of pure awareness. The talk discusses the concept of choice in practice, arguing that while wisdom and compassion arise naturally from pure awareness, the application of skillful means remains a deliberate choice. Umi illustrates how karmic law influences our actions and the importance of taking responsibility for our karma. Through this lens, they address the complexities of enlightenment and awakening, proposing that enlightenment is a dynamic process akin to a dimmer switch rather than a static state. The discussion includes practical examples and reflections on personal and collective practice, ultimately encouraging practitioners to embody and spread light and compassion in their lives.
-
Acceptance and Belief Structures
ByUmi Dan RotnemEmanation and Philosophical Reorientation.
Acceptance as a Foundation for Self-Authorship.
Arbitrary nature of Preferences and Ethics.
-
Beyond Mindfulness: The Essence of Zen Practice
ByUmi Dan RotnemPurpose of Sesshin.
Distinguishing mindfulness and Zen
Importance of Dharana
Dhyana and Awakening
Zen in Daily Life -
The Fire of Zen: Polishing the Gem of Inner Peace
ByUmi Dan RotnemIntegration of Ethics and Meditation.
Role of Pain and Negative Experiences.
Radical Honesty and Self-Awareness.
-
Embracing the Divine Mother: A Journey of Spiritual Rebirth and Love
ByUmi Dan RotnemIn this talk:
– Parallel Between Maternal and Spiritual Relationships.
– Idealization and Reality of Motherhood.
– Attachment Theory.
– Surrender to the Divine Mother.
– Embracing and Manifesting Divine Love.
May 26 – Memorial Day & Life, Death, Rebirth
May 19 – The question of faith.
May 12 – Embracing the Divine Mother: A Journey of Spiritual Rebirth and Love
May 5
Apr 21
Apr 14
Apr 7
Mar 24
Mar 17
Mar 3
Feb 25
Feb 11
Jan 28
Jan 21
Jan 14
Jan 7
Dec 3
Nov 19
Nov 5