Zen Koans For Everyday Clarity: Teachings To Calm The Mind - by Jason Buonomo

COURSE

Zen Koans For Everyday Clarity: Teachings To Calm The Mind

With Jason Buonomo

In this short course, you’ll explore five classic Zen koans—simple yet profound teachings that open the mind and quiet the heart. Each lesson is just three to five minutes long, offering a brief story, gentle reflection, and a practical way to bring awareness into your daily life. You’ll learn how to pause between thoughts, find peace in ordinary moments, and let go of the need for answers. Grounded in mindfulness and supported by soothing original music, these five sessions will help you return to clarity and calm, one breath at a time.


Meet your Teacher

Jason Buonomo is a veteran and certified mindfulness and meditation teacher who blends traditional Eastern teachings with modern approaches to mental clarity and calm. After more than two decades of military service, he founded Quiet Summit Mindfulness to help others manage stress and cultivate peace through simple, accessible practices. His work combines contemplative teachings, original ambient music, and grounded mindfulness to make ancient wisdom feel approachable in everyday life.

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5 Days

1.9k students

4.9 stars

4 min / day

Anxiety

English


Lesson 1

The Sound Of One Hand Clapping

This lesson explores the classic Zen koan, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” — an invitation to move beyond logical thought and rest in direct experience. Through simple reflection and mindful listening, you’ll learn to quiet the mind, release the need for answers, and touch the spacious awareness that exists beneath all thinking.

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Lesson 2

The Tenzo And The Radish

This lesson explores how mindfulness lives within ordinary tasks. Through the story of a Zen cook and his simple act of preparing food, you’ll discover how presence transforms even the smallest moments into sacred practice. It’s a reminder that peace isn’t found in what we do, but in how we do it.

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Lesson 3

If You Meet The Buddha On The Road

In this lesson, we explore one of Zen’s most famous and misunderstood teachings: “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” It’s a call to release perfectionism, rigid beliefs, and the endless search for something outside yourself. Freedom begins when you let go of the image of how things should be, and begin to meet life as it truly is.

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Lesson 4

The Cypress Tree In The Courtyard

This koan reminds us that enlightenment isn’t hidden or far away — it’s right here, in the ordinary beauty of the present moment. By pausing and truly seeing what’s in front of you, even a tree becomes a teacher. This lesson helps you reconnect with simplicity and rediscover stillness in daily life.

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Lesson 5

The Empty Cup

In our final lesson, you’ll hear the classic story of the overflowing tea cup — a gentle reminder to let go of what you think you know. By emptying the mind, you make space for new insight and calm awareness. This simple act of releasing brings clarity, creativity, and ease to your day.

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4.9 (371)

Recent Reviews

Dianna

May 16, 2026

Eloquent and a gentle introduction to meaningful mindfulness

K

May 14, 2026

Reminds me to keep it simple 🙏

Leslie

May 12, 2026

Love this! Good teachings for every day.

Karey

May 11, 2026

This is full of gentle reminders to soften and open awareness. I love the Zen stories. Thank you.😊

Jackie

May 11, 2026

This was great!

Melissa

May 7, 2026

Very useful frameworks!

Lori

May 4, 2026

I enjoyed listening to the Zen Koans and am grateful for these lessons of Japanese Philosophies. They make so much sense and are so calming to the mind and nervous system. I will return to them and your course often! Thank you Jason! 😊

Jane

April 28, 2026

Thank you for sharing these Zen koans. I’m wishing you an empty cup, too. ☮️🙏

Nancy

April 26, 2026

❤️❤️❤️🙏

Karen

April 18, 2026

Please edit the choices sections they are very repetitive

Frank

April 18, 2026

I loved this course - what appears as seemingly simplistic , reveals much the depth and peace - but also includes the power to move forward and do.

Kate

April 17, 2026

🙏❤️🕊️

Helen

April 15, 2026

Simplicity

Ann

April 11, 2026

Such beauty and simplicity. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and it’s messages have already impacted the way I see things. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this wonderful course.

Szonja

April 9, 2026

It is a beautiful, clear course. 🙏

Melanie

April 8, 2026

I loved those little teachings first thing in the morning while sitting and drinking my coffee. Could listen to this for many more days. Thank you so very much for sharing this with the community 🙏

Sybil

April 7, 2026

I enjoyed listening to this. I’m going to listen again.🙏

Nicole

April 1, 2026

Simple and profound

Linda

March 28, 2026

I found this course and the use of koans a powerful way to access deeper meaning. Jason has a calm voice and a simple way of conveying the clear zen message.

Coral

March 28, 2026

So simple yet so profound. Thank you 🙏

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