“It is not valid to equate a fact, as real as it may seem to be, with the truth. It is just self deception. We deceive ourselves by believing a fact that exists in our mind is an absolute truth” —Kōshō Uchiyama
In this dharma talk, Koshin Paley Ellison draws from lessons learned during a recent talk given by Genyu Kojima as well as the guiding text by Kōshō Uchiyama for NYZC’s 90 day winter practice period. Koshin delves into the importance of prioritizing ‘how’ over ‘what’ we do with our lives and the significance of not deceiving ourselves, despite the popular need for ‘absolute truths’.
ZenTalk Notes:
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and Certified Chaplaincy Educator. Koshin co-founded the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.
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Music: Heart Sutra by Kanho Yakushiji – Buddhist priest and musician of the Rinzai sect and Imaji temple in Imabari, Japan. In 2003, he formed “KISSAQUO”, a songwriting duo based in Kyoto.
New York Zen Center Publications:
Get your copy of Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up here: https://amzn.to/2JTKF1t
Get your copy of Awake At The Bedside here: https://amzn.to/3aijXdL
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