Living Zen is a project of Tenryu Jokai Blackwell offering regular dharma talks via podcast, writings and news of upcoming events.
Dharma Talk Podcasts
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A Thousand Buddhas Don’t Know
From the October 2022 Long Beach Meditation “Mountain Refuge Retreat”
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Awareness is the Root Experience of All
The Blue Cliff Record, Case 40, from Insight Community of the Desert’s Tuesday Meditation As Refuge class.
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As You Are. Here. Now.
Case 1 of the Gateless Gate: “Ordinary Mind is the Way” from Insight Community of the Desert’s Tuesday Meditation As Refuge class.
Upcoming Events
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An Evening of Zen
Join us for an evening of Zen meditation. We will alternate periods of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation). Jokai Roshi will offer an opportunity for one-on-one private interview, followed by a dharma talk. Our meeting will be conducted in essential silence with guidance offered at the beginning.
A one-on-one interview is a private meeting with a teacher to discuss your meditation practice and ask any questions you might have. Interviews are optional for newcomers and encouraged for regular practitioners.
This meeting is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators. Attendance is particularly encouraged for those wishing to deepen their realization of Zen. This evening retreat is offered quarterly.
Schedule
6:00PM – Welcome and Introductions
6:05PM – Zazen, Seated Meditation
6:35PM – Walking Meditation
6:40PM – Zazen, Seated Meditation
7:10PM – Walking Meditation
PLEASE NOTE: One-on-one interviews take place in a private break-out room during the sitting and walking meditation. Interviews are optional.
7:15PM – Dharma Talk with questions and comments
8:00PM – ClosingRegistration and Payment
The class is being offered for $30. For LBM Sustaining Members, we are offering the course at a discounted rate of $20.
Please see Long Beach Meditation’s event page to register.
Additional 2026 Dates
September 22nd
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ICD Tuesday Night – Meditation as Refuge
Meditation as Refuge extends a weekly invitation to everyone who would like to explore meditation as a support for their spiritual development. The intention is to focus on realizing our innate capacity for care, compassion and mutual respect. This event welcomes everyone, beginning meditators and experienced practitioners alike.
Cost: Donation basis, there is no charge to participate. ICD center and teachers are supported by your generosity. Please give from your ability and heart.
To join via Zoom click here.
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A Way of Living: A Day with the Zen Precepts
“Self-nature is inconceivably wondrous” – Zen Founder Bodhidharma
The precepts are a description of how an awakened life actually moves in the world. What can at first appear as prohibitions subtly transform into their positive counterparts. In this daylong we will focus on the backbone of the enlightened way, the Ten Bodhisattva Precepts. The day concludes with a Jukai ceremony (receiving the precepts), in which LBM member Patrick Murphy will formalize his commitment to upholding and practicing the Dharma. Everyone is warmly invited to spend the day in practice and to witness and support each other in the study and embodiment of the awakened way. Newcomers and longtime practitioners are equally welcome.
The Ten Grave Precepts and their Positive Counterparts
- Refrain from killing – Nurture and protect life.
- Refrain from stealing – Take only what is freely given.
- Refrain from engaging in sexual misconduct – Meet intimacy with respect.
- Refrain from telling a lie – Speak the truth.
- Refrain from being ignorant or intoxicated – Foster a mind that is clear and awake.
- Refrain from talking about others’ errors and faults – Acknowledge your own faults; speak well of others.
- Refrain from elevating yourself and putting down others – Honor others as yourself, see the truth of non-separation.
- Refrain from being stingy – Give freely, according to the need.
- Refrain from being angry – Meet difficulty with patience.
- Refrain from speaking ill of the Three Treasures – Honor and uphold the Three Treasures.
Schedule
9:00am – Welcome and Introductions
9:20am – Meditation
9:50am – Walking Meditation
9:55am – Meditation
10:25am – Dharma talk: the precepts as the Bodhisattva’s life
11:00am – Tea Break
11:15am – Meditation
11:30am – Exploring the precepts together, first half (group dialogue)
12:15pm – Lunch
1:00pm – Meditation
1:25pm – Exploring the precepts together, second half
2:05pm – Pause; prepare the room for ceremony
2:15pm – Jukai ceremony for Patrick Murphy
2:55pm – Metta Chant
3:00pm – EndCost
The retreat is being offered for $55. For LBM Sustaining Members, we are offering the retreat at a discounted rate of $45. Scholarships are available. Volunteers at events are always appreciated.
How to Join the Retreat
Please see Long Beach Meditation’s event page to register.