Seung Sahn often ends his letters in response to students, friends, and complete strangers with:

“I hope you only go straight—don’t know, [something specific to the writer], attain enlightenment, and save all beings from suffering.”

It's always the same hope—a radical faith in every human being.

Here is a short piece on case five from the Book of Serenity titled, “Qingyuan and the Price of Rice.”

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/qingyuan-a...

Enjoy.

#buddhism #dharma #zen #substack

Today, I’m sharing the Dharma talk I offered to No Barriers Zen on October 4th, 2025.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/constancy-...

Its centerpiece is the opening lines from Hongzhi Zhengjue’s “Guidepost for the Hall of Pure Bliss.”

Enjoy.

#buddhism #dharma #zen #substack #dharmatalk

Today, I’m offering a short piece on Case 11 from the Book Of Serenity: Yunmen’s “Two Sicknesses.” Unequal parts philosophy, poetry, and self-reflection, encouraged by a polished mirror.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/yunmens-tw...

Enjoy.

#buddhism #dharma #zen #substack #writing #koan

A video recording of my recent Dharma talk, edited and complete with captions, is now available. 🌻

m.youtube.com/watch?v=EWTg...

#buddhism #zen #dharma #zazen

Today, I’m pleased to share a Dharma Talk offered to the No Barriers Zen sangha—my sangha. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and humbled by everyone’s attentive presence and thoughtful comments and questions.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/steeped-in...

Enjoy.

#buddhism #dharma #zen #zazen

Today, I’m pleased to share some of what lingers from last month’s retreat on the Ten Ox Herding Pictures. The focus on this post is the first picture.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/ox-herding...

#buddhism #dharma #zen #writing #substack #oxherding

You can now listen / watch my talk on Acceptance from last month on Youtube. Thank you SBZC!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=IUie...

I’m grateful to these members of the Olean and Windfall sanghas, as well as a couple from farther away, who gathered this past weekend at the Center of Solitude for a retreat on the Ten Ox Herding Pictures. It was a pleasure to serve as their guide.

#buddhism #dharma #zen #retreat #oxherding

This morning, over coffee and pastries, I felt inspired to produce something short for you. We all need encouragement from time to time. Perhaps this is the encouragement you need today.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/whatever-t...

#buddhism #dharma #zen #poetry #rumi #encouragement #inspiration

Yesterday, I offered a Dharma talk to the Santa Barbara Zen Center on the practice of acceptance. This was a great joy; it was with that sangha that I started walking the path.

You can read a transcript of the talk below:

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/acceptance

#buddhism #recovery #acceptance

Last month, I celebrated three years of continuous sobriety. Today, I’m offering a reflection on where I am three years after a seemingly contradictory and transformative moment.

You can find the Substack link here: hoantaishin.substack.com/p/blown-out

#sobriety #recovery #buddhism #dharma

Thanks to Ben Jackson for the image and Tess Wenderski for adding this meaningful quote from Otagaki Rengetsu!

This week, I’m heading into sesshin at @jikojizencenter. I wanted to wrap-up some writing on contentment and resignation before assuming a Noble Silence. To my delight, I did. Enjoy.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/how-is-you...

Yesterday, I found time to finish a post on Dazu Huike, Zen’s second Chinese ancestor. I’m glad to begin the New Year with another offering.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/dazu-huike...

#buddhism #dharma #zen

Today, I’m wrapping up an eventful year with a short reflection, a pair of poems, and a picture of Ozni and Wilbur.

May you touch the confidence necessary to remain present with all that is. I’ll see you in 2025.

#zen #dharma #writing #buddhism #poetry

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/the-sunday...

My latest Substack post on Bodhidharma, Zen’s first Chinese ancestor, is available below.

hoantaishin.substack.com/p/bodhidharm...

#buddhism #dharma #zen