Part Three: “The Hut of Stillness and Not-Knowing” Note: There was an audio issue with the recording, to see a transcript, visit here- https://oneriverzen.org/blog/talk-three-the-song-of-the-grass-roof-hermitage-the-hut-of-stillness-and-not-knowing In the third talk of the Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage series, Sensei Michael Brunner turns to the quiet center of Sekitō Kisen’s poem — the stillness that follows realization. Having built the hut and opened it to the vast world, the hermit now takes his seat within it. What was once a small shelter becomes the whole of existence. From here, Sekitō speaks of stability, simplicity, and the deep rest that comes when striving falls away. Through lines such as “Firmly based on steadiness, it can’t be surpassed” and “Just sitting with head covered, all things are at rest,” Sensei explores the return to ordinariness after awakening — sweeping the floor, patching the roof, and meeting each moment without resistance. This is the life of the mountain monk who “doesn’t understand at all,” the humility of not-knowing that reveals true intimacy with the Way. In this episode: – Steadiness and the fertile ground of compassion – The shining window beneath the green pines – Not-knowing (fushiryo) as intimacy, not ignorance – Freedom beyond striving or escape – Host and guest as symbols of unity Recorded live during sesshin at One River Zen, this talk embodies the heart of Zen practice: a life so simple that the world itself can dwell within it — and a mind so still that nothing is left outside the hut. 🪷 Learn more: https://oneriverzen.org #Zen #DharmaTalk #SekitoKisen #SongOfTheGrassRoofHermitage #MichaelBrunner #OneRiverZen #SotoZen #Zazen #AwakeningStreams #Stillness #Embodiment #Sesshin #GrassRoofHut #NotKnowing #Fushiryo #Dogen #Awakening