Celebrating Rohatsu (Bodhi Day): Honoring the Buddha's Enlightenment
Each year on December 8th, Buddhists around the world celebrate Rohatsu, or Bodhi Day, commemorating the enlightenment of The Buddha.
top of page
Search
jillkyojifreeman
Nov 234 min read
Navigating Disappointment: A Zen Teacher's Perspective on Moving Forward After the Election
he recent election has left many of us feeling overwhelmed. Whatever you're feeling is valid. Now is the time to lean into your practice.
Rev. Kyoji
Sep 116 min read
How To Get Unstuck: Working With Our Habitual Tendencies
Habitual tendencies are behaviors that are deeply ingrained in the mind and can be triggered by external situations or happen on their own.
Rev. Kyoji
May 143 min read
Practicing With The Four Immeasurables: Love, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity
The Four Immeasurables offer practices for cultivating compassion and wisdom in our lives.
Rev. Kyoji
Apr 54 min read
Finding Peace in Turmoil: Practicing Zen In Difficult Times
what happens when we are faced with difficult or triggered emotions that seem overwhelming? How can we find peace during the turmoil of dif
Shinjin
Mar 194 min read
Right Concentration: The Stillness Within the Storm
The Noble Eightfold Path is a simplification of the Buddha’s teachings. We can remember these through the acronym VISA LEM C. Thich Nhat...
Rev. Kyoji
Mar 181 min read
Rising Lotus Sangha Celebrates Higan-e 2024
Higan (彼岸, meaning "distant shore") is a Japanese Buddhist holiday exclusively celebrated for seven days; three days before and three...
Rev. Kyoji
Mar 173 min read
Entering the Digital Zendo: A Guide to Online Meditation Etiquette
In this post, online meditation group best practices will be outlined to help ensure a meaningful experience for all participants.
Shinjin
Mar 104 min read
Right Mindfulness: Savoring the Intimacy of the Present Moment
The Noble Eightfold Path is a simplification of the Buddha’s teachings. We can remember these through the acronym VISA LEM C. Unfolding:...
Rev. Kyoji
Feb 295 min read
Great Teacher Sundari Nanda
Picture generated with AI by Ishy Comar When Sundari Nanda was born to King Suddodhana and Mahapajapati, there must have been...
Rev. Kyoji
Feb 243 min read
What Is Zen Meditation: Zazen, Shikantaza, and Mindfulness
Zen meditation, often referred to as Zazen, is a practice deeply rooted in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist traditions. Within Zen, there...
Shinjin
Feb 205 min read
Right Effort: Cultivating Skillful Compassionate Ease
The Noble Eightfold Path guides us to live a life that leads to awakening and frees us from the dis-ease (suffering) we often feel. We...
Rev. Kyoji
Feb 175 min read
Life on The Path: Living With Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness or condition can be an incredibly challenging journey, marked by pain, uncertainty, and disruption to...
Shinjin
Feb 135 min read
Right Livelihood: Sustaining Compassionate Callings
“We are the custodians of the earth. Let’s take care of it like our own child.”- unknown The Noble Eightfold Path guides us to live a...
Rev. Kyoji
Feb 25 min read
How To Start a Mindful Tea Ritual
Picture of a blue and white plaid tablecloth spread on the ground with blue teaware and flowers Our lives are so fast-paced and busy that...
Shinjin
Jan 316 min read
Great Teacher Ekyū -ni : first Japanese woman to receive full Sōtō transmission.
It is hard to track down any known facts about this woman before she came to serve under Master Keizan. What I can trace comes from...
Rev. Kyoji
Jan 264 min read
Riding The Dragon: The Gifts Of Zazen
2024 - The Year Of The Wood Dragon Up until now, dragons haven’t come into my purview. I wasn’t interested in mythology or stories about...
Shinjin
Jan 234 min read
Right Action: Dancing with Ethical Harmony
Fourth blog on the Eightfold Noble Path. This blog is on Right Action.
Rev. Kyoji
Jan 197 min read
Zen And The Power of Forgiveness
“Forgive and forget.” “You need to forgive and move on.” “Stop holding a grudge! Forgive them..” How many times have you been given...
Shinjin
Jan 164 min read
Right Speech: The Art of Verbal Alchemy
Having looked at Right View and Right Intention of the Noble Eightfold Path, the V and I of V.I.S.A L.E.M. C, we come to Right Speech....
bottom of page