Dialog As Metaphor: A Zen View

Describes how Zen koans and encounter dialogs function as metaphors for and expressions of the relation between two core Zen concepts, the relative and the absolute, also described in Zen parlance as the one and the many; Provides examples from two Zen encounter dialogs between a master and a student; discusses alternative understandings from both dualistic/ competitive and non-dualistic/collaborative understandings; Describes the use of questions to express the ineffable reality; offers implications for the Zen meditative practice of shikantaza (just sitting).

While this talk is not a guided meditation, it offers concepts that support meditation from the Soto Zen perspective.

Reviews

I have listened to this seven times. There is a lot to unpack. Thank you for the teaching. 🙏🙏

Elevating insight into student - master relationship in koans. Aha!

Thank you Seiso Sensei 🙏🏻
I will have to listen to this talk a few more times. Some koans seem to tell us they need no explanation? Or, for me, often an arresting metaphor causing some kind of pause. Beginner’s mind-boggling! 🙏🏻