In April 2025 London Insight Meditation hosted Mimi Kuo-Deemer for a qigong and meditation day retreat on the theme of "Emptiness and Form". These are the teachings and guided meditations that were offered on that day.

The Heart Sutra, Chanting & 10 min silent meditation

Form and Emptiness

The Practice of Dynamic Stillness

Recorded at the Tergar Madison Community Center April 10, 2025

Abhidharma Talk April 10 with Dr. Cortland Dahl [20250410] (TMAD)

00:00:22 - Introduction by Josh
00:03:29 - 1st Talk - On Becoming a Teacher - link below
00:11:37 - 2nd Talk - Saturday Community Dharma Talk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi on Saturday November 9, 2024 - link below



1st Film - In this beautiful, intimate first film, made several years ago, which is around nine minutes long, Kwong Roshi talks about being a student and a teacher, and his early days at SFZC. 
On Becoming a Teacher
An Interview with Jakusho Kwong-roshi
https://www.chronicleproject.com/jakusho-kwong-roshi-on-becoming-a-teacher-from-bill-scheffel/

2nd Film - In the second film, which is on You Tube, so it includes adverts, Kwong Roshi, now 89, talks powerfully about the precepts, Jukai and waking up. We watched the first 11 minutes. I would encourage you to watch this film, to experience the expression of a life of practice, particularly if you are exploring the precepts or about to take Jukai.

Saturday Community Dharma Talk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi on Saturday November 9, 2024
https://youtu.be/hOSmtG9EEJ0?feature=shared

2025-04-03 | Listening to Jakusho Kwong-roshi | Nothing Missing Sangha

Mara

Cara Lai • Finding Faith in Uncertain Times • April 11, 2025

Shining Right Here

“Shining Right Here” is a soulful, blues-inspired anthem born from the timeless wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. Rooted in the tradition of seeing beauty beneath life’s struggles, this song blends the deep ache of the blues with a message of hope and awakening.

Inspired by the famous lines from Chapter 16—where the Pure Land is ever-present though often unseen—the lyrics invite you to change your perspective, let go of fear, and discover the brilliance already shining in your life. With heartfelt verses and a chorus that soars like sunlight through storm clouds, “Shining Right Here” is a reminder that even in the hardest times, joy and peace are just one clear vision away.

Let this song be your companion on the road: a little blues, a little light, and a whole lot of love for the real world, just as it is.

Listen, share, and let the Pure Land appear right where you are.

Lyrics: 
Verse 1:
Woke up this morning, felt that heavy old sky
World looked gray and empty, couldn’t help but wonder why
But then a little voice inside me whispered clear—
“This sorrow you’re feelin’? Buddha’s already here…”

Pre-Chorus:
I was searchin’ for heaven, far away and blue,
Never saw that heaven, shining in my view

Chorus:
So I changed my eyes, my heart, my mind,
Saw the world so bright, I left fear behind
Oh, this world ain’t broken, it’s shining right here—
If you clear your vision, the Pure Land appears

Verse 2:
Folks walk by in silence, heads hung low in pain,
They say the fire’s coming, life just ain’t the same
Well, let me tell you, brother, let me tell you true—
The beauty you’re missin’ is just hidin’ from you

Pre-Chorus:
There’s a song in the silence, light behind those tears,
Every moment sacred, when the Lotus appears

Chorus:
So I changed my eyes, my heart, my mind,
Saw the world so bright, I left fear behind
Oh, this world ain’t broken, it’s shining right here—
If you clear your vision, the Pure Land appears

Bridge:
Step outside your sorrow, step into the light,
Dance with all your darkness, hold your pain so tight
‘Cause the Buddha’s been smilin’, every mile, every year—
You’re already home, my dear

Chorus/Outro:
So let’s change our eyes, our hearts, our minds,
Find the truth together, leave old fear behind
Oh, this world ain’t broken, it’s shining right here
Right here, right now, let the Pure Land appear

Shining Right Here

2025-04-14 | Depth In Practice | Not Two: The Appamada Story | Peg Syverson

We all have hard days... Sometimes they are so hard we do not know what to do to help ourselves. I want to say how normal this is. I share about my latest hard day and what happened. If you are having a hard time reach out for help. You are not alone. 

Episode 193: Having a Hard Day... Give This a Try

Big Heart City is a San Francisco-Based meditation group. An open-hearted and welcoming community, we aim to offer a safe and authentic spiritual home for those interested in inclining their hearts and minds towards love and wisdom.

Tergar Meditation Community supports individuals, practice groups, and meditation communities around the world in learning to live with awareness, compassion, and wisdom. Grounded in the Tibetan Buddhist lineage of our guiding teacher Mingyur Rinpoche, our online and in-person programs are accessible to people of all cultures and faiths, and support a lifelong path toward the application of these principles in everyday life. For more information, visit tergar.org.

Please like and share. 
Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

Appamada is a contemporary center for Zen practice, inquiry, and community, located in Austin, Texas. If you appreciate these offerings, please consider making a contribution to support Appamada with the link below.

Kimberly Johnson was mentored by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She loves sharing her experience of working through the tough things that come her way in life. She hopes you enjoy these vulnerable and honest accounts of life and dealing with life. If you want to reach Kimberly you can @ kimberlyallysejohnson@gmail.com

Just This Zen Community

Zazen – just sitting – is the foundation of our practice. At the heart of our community is our shared commitment to compassionate inquiry, mutual care and deep gratitude, demonstrated through our everyday actions, words and thoughts. This practice supports our aspiration to open to all of life, as an expression of the timeless wisdom of Buddha’s Way.

We welcome people of all races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, classes, religions, abilities, and ages. We are committed to providing a safe place for all people to explore the dharma and awaken to their true nature.

We want to offer our deep gratitude and thanks to all the innumerable people whose practice and dedication have kept the flame of the dharma alive and well. We want to acknowledge that our western iteration of practice rests on the efforts of all those who practised for centuries in their own non-western cultures.

New tracks tagged #Buddhism