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This is a series of newly digitized talks by spiritual teacher, Lola McDowell Lee, spanning two decades—from the early Seventies through the Nineties.
Lola was a Zen Roshi whose Rinzai lineage included Doctor Henry Platov and renowned Zen master, Shigetsu Sasaki. Lola was a religious scholar as well as an ordained Christian minister.
While the talks are focused mainly on Zen and Buddhism, Lola drew on many spiritual traditions—including those of Jesus, Plato, Lao-Tzu, the Hindu Vedas, Meister Eckhart and Gurdjieff.
If you find Lola’s talks valuable, more will be posted in days to come. RSSVERIFY
Episode | Date |
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The similarities between Hassidic Judaism and Buddhism. May 19, 1985
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Oct 08, 2024 |
Make the smallest distinction and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. May 12, 1985
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Sep 29, 2024 |
A monk asked his teacher, "I am pecking from inside the shell. I beg you, Master, please peck from outside." May 5, 1985
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Sep 23, 2024 |
First is learning, called hearing. Then approaching. Then transcending. Lola Apr 14, 1985
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Sep 19, 2024 |
As illusions drop, as attitudes drop, how relaxing it is to be at ease with yourself. Mar 31, 1985
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Sep 12, 2024 |
The depth in saying “I don’t know.” Mystica Theologica. Lola Jul 22, 1985
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Sep 03, 2024 |
Zen masters never tell the truth. July 15, 1985
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Aug 26, 2024 |
"The mind dwells in the cave of the heart. He who conquers it frees himself from slavery." May 26, 1985
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Aug 15, 2024 |
The mightiest fighting rooster does not crow about his might. Jun 24, 1984
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Aug 13, 2024 |
When you’re silent, there is one mind. When you’re thinking, you are many. Jun 10, 1984
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Aug 06, 2024 |
Examine your past so it doesn’t govern you. The past is dead. Stop living it. Oct 30, 1983
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Jul 30, 2024 |
What must wake up in you for you to be awake? Oct 29, 1989
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Jul 25, 2024 |
Once we understand we are not the masters of our thoughts—but victims—we can stop cooperating. Lola Mar 17, 1985
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Jul 15, 2024 |
The tale of the visitor who asked Zen master Bankei what miracles he could perform. Aug 6, 1989
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Jul 11, 2024 |
Easter of 1985 - What Zen practitioners can learn from the story of Christ's Resurrection. Apr 7, 1985
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Jul 02, 2024 |
Second in a series about using Transactional Analysis in Zen - the Child, Parent, Adult. Lola Oct 13, 1983
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Jun 24, 2024 |
Learning to work with three elements of our identity: the parent, the child and the adult. Oct 6, 1983
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Jun 17, 2024 |
Most of us are after power. Control in our situation. A wiseman seeks not. Instead, he cooperates. Nov 27, 1923
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Jun 11, 2024 |
Life. Death. And Love. The most important thing for you is your life. Do you ever thoroughly investigate it? Nov 20, 1983
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Jun 09, 2024 |
We can repeat the most profound teachings and remain stupid. What in us is orginal? May 1, 1983
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May 23, 2024 |
Get beyond the effort of meditation and find real meditation. Jul 3, 1983
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May 17, 2024 |
What is the greatest miracle in the world? Oct 30, 1983
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May 07, 2024 |
The Taoist sage, Lieh Tzu, was once asked: Why do you value emptiness? Jun 12, 1983
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Apr 20, 2024 |
By the merit of a single sitting, they destroy innumerable sins. (Hakuin) Jun 5, 1983
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Apr 10, 2024 |
There are plenty of Buddha statues sitting still. But have you ever seen a Zen master sitting still? Mind vs action. May 29, 1983
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Apr 02, 2024 |
The tale of the thief who robs Shichiri Kojun who was busy reciting sutras. Don’t fight the darkness—light a candle. May 22, 1983
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Mar 26, 2024 |
Human beings are stuck in an in-between state—not unconscious and we’re not completely conscious. May 15, 1983
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Mar 18, 2024 |
When we meditate and watch our breath, we are playing an iron flute with no holes. Apr 24, 1983
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Mar 12, 2024 |
Without speaking and without silence, how can you express the Truth? Apr 10, 1983
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Mar 07, 2024 |
Being truly alive should be an adventure into the unknown. Apr 3, 1983
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Feb 27, 2024 |
We identify with everything but ourselves. Possessions, emotions, thoughts. But not our true selves. What is true silence? Mar 12, 1983
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Feb 19, 2024 |
Chuang Tzu and appreciating the useless in the world. Mar 6, 1983
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Feb 16, 2024 |
The intellect cannot penetrate consciousness. When you drop thoughts, consciousness is present. When you drop the pseudo self, the True Self is present. July 12, 1981
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Feb 07, 2024 |
What is the meaning of movement and rest, in Zen and Christian practice? Dec 13, 1981
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Feb 05, 2024 |
As you breathe into the tanden (Hara), your focus deepens and mysteries will reveal themselves. You don’t have to solve them—they reveal themselves to you. Apr 14, 1981
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Jan 30, 2024 |
Are you free or is your conditioning controlling you? Dig into yourself and ask “Who am I?” Jun 21, 1981
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Jan 23, 2024 |
We are divided between our senses and our thinking, our body and soul, matter and consciousness. Jun 14, 1981
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Jan 21, 2024 |
Zen practice is not an intellectual endeavor. The tale of the blind man and the lantern. Feb 17, 1985
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Jan 19, 2024 |
When you look in the mirror, do you see you? When you are silent, it speaks. Your absence is its presence. Feb 10, 1985
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Jan 14, 2024 |
Understanding Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching and the Middle Way. Non-action, yet nothing remains undone. Sep 22, 1985
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Jan 13, 2024 |
Do not sit in meditation waiting for enlightenment. Direct your attention to the mind. And, what is faith? Mar 2, 1986
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Jan 05, 2024 |
Exploring the meaning of the Dhammapada. Listening to teachings as if you are an empty tape recorder. Sep 4, 1983
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Jan 04, 2024 |
What is this life living you? It’s the same as that which sings in the birds. Jan 8, 1984
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Dec 30, 2023 |
A Christmas message for Zen practitioners about the birth of the light within. Dec 20, 1986
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Dec 25, 2023 |
To witness the apparent in the real and the real in the apparent. One mind sees both worlds. Jan 26, 1986
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Dec 24, 2023 |
We try to both change and remain the same—the hook that many are on. Jun 7, 1981
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Dec 20, 2023 |
Meditation is about life and death. Nirvana is not. The thundering silence. 1990 Sesshin Friday
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Dec 17, 2023 |
Learning to differentiate what you see, what you think and what you feel. Aug 16, 1981
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Dec 13, 2023 |
Your ego has no power to do anything. It’s impotent. Dec 6, 1981
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Dec 07, 2023 |
Misfortune and our identity. And the tale of the farmer who asks God to let him choose the weather. Dec 03, 1981
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Dec 05, 2023 |
Lao Tzu uses the metaphor of a vessel to show that while existence renders it (and us) actual, it is the vessel's non-existence (or emptiness) that renders it useful. Aug 23, 1981
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Dec 04, 2023 |
What is consciousness? Does a rock have consciousness? Who are we? Summer 1990 Wed Night Sesshin
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Nov 30, 2023 |
The mind-body relationship. And breathing from the Hara. Apr 14, 1981
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Nov 28, 2023 |
Lola shares the tale of the monk and the bottomless pitcher. And how to focus with a no-thinking mind. 1990 Summer Sesshin Monday
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Nov 25, 2023 |
When you're fast asleep and hear a noise you wake up. What wakes up? What was awake to hear the noise? Jan 27, 1985.
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Nov 20, 2023 |
First one finds quiet, explains Lola. Then one goes further and finds silence, or Shunyata. Mar 28, 1982.
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Nov 17, 2023 |
An early talk by Lola where she explains the metaphor of a boat crossing a river to reach the other side. Apr 20, 1975.
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Nov 15, 2023 |
We can live in the valley—but be the peak. Lola explains how to live an awakened life. Apr 4, 1982
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Nov 13, 2023 |
What is the power with which you look at yourself? Lola explores the meaning of religion and non-discrimination. Feb 2, 1985
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Nov 06, 2023 |
Lola asks: What gives the eye its sight, the ear its hearing? Mar 22, 1987
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Oct 31, 2023 |
Lola explains how the process of becoming awakened depends on two factors—the information you feed your mind—and your meditation. Sep 24, 1989
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Oct 22, 2023 |
Lola suggests we ask ourselves Agathon’s question: What in your life is the greatest good? She also explains that truth is not an idea but an encounter, an adventure. Mind is just a record of what has happened. Sep 10, 1989.
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Oct 20, 2023 |
Lola mentions an early experience of awakening. And shares the tale of the Duke and the wheelwright. Feb 15, 1987
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Oct 08, 2023 |
Lola explores the nature of consciousness and the relationship in our world of subject and object. Apr 26, 1987
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Oct 07, 2023 |
Lola shares the story of the old man, the young man, and the donkey. Habits and non-attachment. Nov 30, 1986
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Oct 02, 2023 |
Lola explores how we create many identities during our lives, all the time ignoring our true selves. Mar 29, 1987.
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Sep 30, 2023 |
Lola asks "What is consciousness?" And continues exploring the meaning of the Hindu Isha Upanishad. Mar 15, 1987
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Sep 23, 2023 |
Lola explores the relationship of subject and object using sacred Hindu texts. Mar 08, 1987
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Sep 16, 2023 |
Lola discusses the Great Doubt, or dark night of the soul, which sometimes precedes Satori. May 17, 1989
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Sep 10, 2023 |
Lola tells the story of the frog in the well. And answers the question: Is Zen meditation active or passive? Aug 27, 1989
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Sep 09, 2023 |
Lola tells of the three men who ask Buddha if there is a God? June 3, 1984
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Sep 06, 2023 |
On Easter, Lola explores the meaning of the Resurrection. Apr 22, 1984
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Sep 02, 2023 |
Lola Explores the Meaning of the Eightfold Path - Apr 15, 1984
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Sep 02, 2023 |
Lola shares the story of the traveler and the one-eyed monk. Oct 20, 1985
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Aug 29, 2023 |
Lola explains how sometimes that which you value most in your life can become your greatest burden. Jan 24, 1988.
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Aug 28, 2023 |
Lola McDowell Lee, a Zen Roshi, explores what it means to plan for the future while we also are told to live in the present. February 7, 1988.
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Aug 28, 2023 |
Zen Roshi Lola McDowell Lee talks about the breath, and how we may have distanced our instinctual being from our rational mind. Jan 31, 1988
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Aug 28, 2023 |