Opening the Hand of Thought (Intro)

“Zazen is precisely the posture of sitting in the sphere of absolute peace of mind that is like the big sky in which the many clouds of thoughts come and go.” (Kōshō Uchiyama)

Shinmon Michael Newton introduces Opening the Hand of Thought by twentieth century Japanese Zen teacher Kosho Uchiyama Roshi.

This is the first of a ten week dharma seminar with MRZC guiding teachers and practice leaders. Uchiyama’s teachings are accessible, down-to-earth, wise and humorous.  He was a student of Kodo Sawaki Roshi ("Homeless Kodo"), and the teacher of Shohaku Okumura Roshi, Kate and Michael's first Soto Zen teacher in Japan. If you have the book you are welcome to follow along, but advance reading is not necessary.