What Zen is, What Zen is Not

Some think that Zen is about following outdated rules, performing rituals, and repeating dead words. But Zen isn't really any of those things--it's something that anyone can practice anytime and anywhere. Zen monk Lawrence Grecco discusses what the true purpose of Zen is during a dharma talk he gave at a weekend retreat held at the Interdependence Project in New York City.

Mahayana Buddhism is greatly characterized by the bodhisattva ideal. This approach to Buddhist practice stresses the importance of not only attaining enlightenment for ourselves, but also striving to help all other beings to do the same. This dharma talk by Lawrence Grecco discusses how the bodhisattva ideal came into being, what it really means, and how it can inform our practice.

We always have an intention operating in our minds whether we're aware of it or not. Learning how to more consciously set an intention can help us control our karma rather than allowing it to control us through mental habit energy. Lawrence Grecco discusses the importance of keeping a strong intention, and how the ancient art of gatha writing can be utilized to help us do this in a very clear and simple way.

Love comes in many forms and can inspire great happiness or great heartache. Yet many of us are confused as to what love truly is since it seems to appear and disappear so unpredictably. So what is love or lovingkindness from a Buddhist perspective? Lawrence Grecco discusses the true nature of unconditional love during this introductory talk before a Kindness and Compassion Training Retreat weekend at the Interdependence Project in New York City.

Buddhism is usually considered a "Godless" religion. But what is it we are connecting with through the practice meditation and watching our minds throughout the day? Ven. Lawrence Do'an Grecco speaks on this rarely addressed topic during a dharma talk at the Interdependence Project in New York City.

Equanimity is a natural state of mind that is free from likes and dislikes. It describes a mind that doesn't get distracted by every fleeting situation or circumstances. It's perfectly normal to have desires and preferences, but when they start to rule us we can get thrown off course and end up at the mercy of external events. Ven. Lawrence Do'an Grecco talks about what the importance of maintaining an equanimous state of mind. For more information please visit www.OpenSkyZen.com

In Zen we understand that happiness cannot be acquired externally. All of us are already complete and whole, and none of us lacks anything - even though it often feels as if we do. Ven. Lawrence Do'an Grecco gives a dharma talk about the gem that is inside all of us, and shares two Zen Buddhist parables that illustrate the point that we all have everything we need - we just don't realize it yet.

An audience question and answer session with Zen Buddhist monk Ven. Lawrence Grecco on Jane Radio. Recorded August 27, 2012.

Ven. Lawrence Do'an Grecco discusses how to incorporate meditation practice into your daily life even if you have little or no spare time.

Zen Monk Lawrence Do'an Grecco discusses how what we normally view as obstacles to our spiritual lives are actually the path that can help us transform our difficulties into assets.