Part One: “I’ve Built a Grass Hut Where There’s Nothing of Value” In this opening talk of the Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage series, Sensei Michael Brunner introduces Sekitō Kisen — the quiet mountain monk whose verses shaped the heart of the Sōtō Zen tradition. This first line, “I’ve built a grass hut where there’s nothing of value,” invites us into a world of radical simplicity. Sekitō isn’t describing a building; he’s describing a mind — a mind that has stopped chasing permanence, possessions, and approval, and instead lives in the unguarded openness of the present moment. Through this talk, Sensei explores: – The life and era of Sekitō Kisen – The meaning of “the grass hut” as the dwelling of awareness – The paradox of value in a world built on grasping – What it means to build a life that cannot be stolen, defended, or lost – How stillness, impermanence, and freedom are realized through letting go Delivered during sesshin at One River Zen, this episode sets the foundation for the four-part series, showing that the true work of practice is not to acquire awakening, but to dwell where there’s nothing of value — and discover that everything is enough. 🪷 Learn more: https://oneriverzen.org #Zen #DharmaTalk #SekitoKisen #SongOfTheGrassRoofHermitage #MichaelBrunner #OneRiverZen #SotoZen #Zazen #AwakeningStreams #Stillness #Simplicity #Impermanence