Zen Stories 2: Calm The Mind Through Tales Of Enlightenment - by Charles Freligh, PhD

COURSE

Zen Stories 2: Calm The Mind Through Tales Of Enlightenment

With Charles Freligh, PhD

In this second collection of Zen stories, I share with you a few of my own experiences from time spent at Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, a Rinzai Zen monastery located high up in the Catskill Mountains. We will explore the connection between the mundane and the profound, the art of speaking from the present moment, the use of daily tasks as opportunities for awakening, and more. These stories are intended to give you the feeling of peace. This is not something to be thought about, but to be felt directly.

AwakeningClarityPresenceContemporarybuddhismSpiritualityZenkoanSpiritualCreativityperformanceGroundedhappyParentspiritualitySelfobservation

Meet your Teacher

Charles Freligh, PhD
Northfield, MN 55057, USA

Charles has a PhD in clinical psychology and years of experience leading retreats, meeting with individual clients, teaching at universities, and training at a Zen monastery. His work is based rooted in the healing impact of genuine presence.

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5 Days

265 students

4.9 stars

4 min / day

Awakening

English

Lesson 1

A Sacred Question

At a Zen monastery, seemingly ordinary questions are actually deeply profound. In this session, I recall being asked the question, "Where do you come from?" On the surface, it seems mundane. Below the surface, where does it lead you?

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Lesson 2

The Clarity Of Your Mind

Once at the monastery, the roshi addressed the group and said, "Everything you do is the outer proof of the inner clarity of your mind." The clarity of your mind is on display, whether you know it or not. So what state of mind are your actions displaying?

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Lesson 3

Speak From Silence

At the monastery, days are typically filled with silence and very little speech (other than chanting and work assignments). But sometimes, at the end of the day, there are opportunities for discussion. What would you say after a day full of silence?

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Lesson 4

The Great Way Is Not Complicated

One evening, at the end of a full day of silence, a resident leaned over to me and whispered something profound. It was a reference to a text written by Seung Sahn on The Great Way of Buddhism. I'm not sure exactly why she said it, and maybe there is no reason, but I've never forgotten her words.

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Lesson 5

Zen Birds

In this final session, I share a story of my own awakening in which my resistance was broken open by the sound of birds from outside the zendo. Something special happened in the recording of this video. I'm curious to know if you noticed.

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Ask your teacher

This course includes 16 community questions and 16 audio replies from Charles Freligh, PhD. The community classroom and teacher audio replies are only available via the app.

16

4.9 (57)

Recent Reviews

Talli

September 1, 2026

One of my favorite zen offerings!

BeeJay

August 20, 2026

Always thoughtful. I enjoy your sessions very much. Always genuine.

Lisa

August 20, 2026

Thank you! My husband and I did this together.

Lauren

August 17, 2026

Wonderful series. Love being on the water with you. ❤️

Julia

August 14, 2026

Repeat. Again & again. Deep bow of gratitude 🙏🏼

Suzie

August 13, 2026

I love Charles, and the mindful way that he contributes his meditation offerings. Thank you!

Claudia

August 11, 2026

The ring resonated through my being.

Tonya

August 11, 2026

Big thoughts delivered with an efficiency of words. I love being left with a perspective to ponder and meditate with on my own without an over stated dialogue. I’ve already started pausing before speaking, to determine if what I have to say will improve the silence. Thank you for sharing in such a gentle and thoughtful way.

Hannah

August 10, 2026

Just in time for the DBZ Zen Retreat! Loved this.

Beth

August 8, 2026

As always: thank you.

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