"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom.
In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.
All content for Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast is the property of Sensei Michael Brunner, One River Zen and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom.
In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.
Seeking Meaning and the Empty Search | Blue Cliff Record Case 20
Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
15 minutes 48 seconds
8 months ago
Seeking Meaning and the Empty Search | Blue Cliff Record Case 20
We all seek meaning. When life feels uncertain, when suffering arises, we grasp for something to explain it—to fit our struggles into a larger story, to make sense of the chaos. But Zen does not offer tidy answers. Instead, it strips away the need for meaning itself.
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Hekiganroku Case 20: Ryūge Asks Suibi and Rinzai, a koan where a monk asks about the meaning of Bodhidharma’s journey, only to be struck instead of answered. Why? Because truth is not something we find outside of ourselves—it is what remains when we stop searching.
What happens when we drop the second arrow of suffering—the stories we attach to our pain? What is left when we no longer chase explanations? This talk is an invitation to step beyond intellectual grasping and into the immediacy of life itself.
🔹 In this episode, we explore:
Why our search for meaning is just another form of attachment
How Suibi and Rinzai’s blows cut through conceptual grasping
The two arrows teaching and how it reveals the nature of suffering
Why true freedom is not found in explanations, but in direct experience
We don’t chant, sit, or practice to discover meaning—we practice to let go of the need for meaning altogether. The Dharma is not something to grasp—it is something to embody.
🔔 Subscribe for more Dharma talks & Zen teachings!
📖 Join our upcoming classes & retreats: oneriverzen.org
#Zen #DharmaTalk #Buddhism #KoanStudy #Rinzai #Shoyoroku #Hekiganroku #ZenPractice #Meditation #Mindfulness #LettingGo #SpiritualFreedom
Awakening Streams: The One River Zen Podcast
"Welcome to 'Awakening Streams,' the One River Zen Podcast, nestled in the serene beauty of Ottawa, IL, near the iconic Starved Rock State Park and just an hour's drive from Chicago. Here, we invite you to embark on a journey of mindfulness, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening.
Join us as we share insightful talks delivered at the One River Zen, where the tranquil ambiance of our region serves as the perfect backdrop for meditation, contemplation, and the exploration of timeless Zen and Dharma wisdom.
In each episode, our Guiding Teacher Sensei Michael Brunner delves into the heart of Zen philosophy, meditation, and the enduring teachings of the Dharma. We explore the art of living in the present moment, finding inner peace, and deepening our connection.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Zen, 'Awakening Streams' offers a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement. Discover the transformative power of mindfulness and learn how to cultivate a sense of stillness, clarity, and compassion in your daily life.
