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.

read more

5 Days

2.9k 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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more


4.9 (537)

Recent Reviews

Natasha

July 19, 2026

A series of simple but powerful and enlightening zen teachings. Thank you for sharing wisdom 🙏

Jeffrey

July 19, 2026

Refreshing

Connie

July 13, 2026

Thank you❤️

Taylor

July 13, 2026

Short and to the point, such beautiful food for thought, thank you.🙏

Leslie

July 13, 2026

This is great! They are short and I could listen to all at once. I prefer however to listen to one a day and reflect on it.

Bernadette

July 12, 2026

Probably the best meditation series I have done. It was the shortest strangely enough.

Joanne

July 11, 2026

Beautifully simple, yet complex. Thank you. ✌🏽🩵🫶🏽

Julie

July 7, 2026

This was great. These simple lessons soothe my overwhelmed mind. Thank you.

Elli

July 7, 2026

Thank you for this explanation of the koans. I will return to it. I feel better already!

Deenise

July 7, 2026

My only wish is that this course was longer! I like the way the facilitator gave some good for thought after the koan but did not give answers.

Oat

July 6, 2026

Entire course was approximately 45 minutes however the lesson was a lifetime of knowledge! Ohm

Debra

July 1, 2026

Really enjoyed the course. Very clear, concise and well spoken. Was insightful, the konas have come to mind during my day like little reminders to “chop radish” or “ empty the cup”. Thank you for sharing. 🙏

Patricia

July 1, 2026

Thought provoking and to the point. Simple 🙏

Catherine

June 24, 2026

Very interesting & thought provoking lessons. I really enjoyed it and am interested to learn more. Thank you!

Carl

June 22, 2026

I found this to be very helpful in realigning and controlling my active mind. I am transitioning from business owner to retirement phase. I am restructuring of my entrepreneurial mindset and it finds these very soothing and useful .

Fátima

June 22, 2026

Simple, but still very profound reflections. Thank you.

Meg

June 22, 2026

Short and sweet, insightful and helpful. Thank you!

Nane

June 21, 2026

The five visuals in this practice can easily be remembered and practiced.

Paula

June 17, 2026

Thank you for this short course that poses questions to contemplate for a lifetime.

Barbara

June 12, 2026

Loved this course. So much wisdom and peace contained in each koan. 🙏🏻☯️💚🌸

Trusted by 36 million people. It's free.

Insight Timer

Get the app