Spring Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Closing with Overley, Braz, & Palma

In this closing talk for the Spring practice period sesshin, the teachers reflect on the essence of continuous practice beyond the confines of the retreat environment, emphasizing the importance of integrating the teachings and experiences from sesshin into everyday life. Drawing from personal experiences and the rich traditions of Zen Buddhism, the talk encourages practitioners to bring the sacredness and mindfulness cultivated during Sesshin into their daily activities, such as eating, working, and interacting with others, treating every moment as an opportunity for practice. Themes from the practice period are returned to like “storehouse consciousness”, the transformative potential of being mindful of karmic seeds, and other teachings of Vasubandhu. Listeners are reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the impact of one’s practice on the entire world, encouraging practitioners to lead by example and embody the virtues of contentment, compassion, and wisdom in their interactions and relationships.