Serene Reflections: From the Heart That Seeks the Way
The Serene Reflections Podcast is a series of Dharma Talks from the Wallowa Buddhist Temple in the mountains of Northeast Oregon in the United States. Reverend Clairissa Beattie, a Zen Buddhist monk and priest, invites you to join in listening from your own place of stillness, from the Heart That Seeks the Way. Each talk lasts about half an hour or less. Settling down to hear these clear and quiet teachings through the gateway of the ear may serve as a general introduction to Chan or Zen Buddhist practice within your inquiry into Mahayana Buddhism, or as a supportive adjunct to your own unfolding spiritual work. These gentle, introspective recordings flow from one monk's personal reflections on the myriad facets of Zen practice. Episodes of the Serene Reflections Podcast are prepared with the help of the monks and congregation of the Wallowa Buddhist Temple, offered throughout the seasons for the benefit of all beings, including you, wherever you may be.
TO CLARIFY: This is the original Serene Reflections Podcast. It is the only podcast affiliated with the Wallowa Buddhist Temple.
Episodes
92 episodes
Serene Reflections Podcast Trailer
The Serene Reflections Podcast is a series of Dharma Talks from the Wallowa Buddhist Temple in the mountains of Northeast Oregon in the United States. Reverend Clairissa Beattie, a Zen Buddhist monk and priest, invites you to join in lis...
109 Full Creek, Tall Grass, Bright Sun 07-31-22
On this final weekend in July, Rev. Clairissa offers “Full Creek, Tall Grass, Bright Sun.” She comments on teachings gleaned over these last five weeks of exploring together the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. She opens to the teaching offered ...
108 I Vow to Realize It 06-12-22
Rev. Clairissa completes her series of reflections on the four Bodhisattva Vows with the fourth and final vow, which reads “However infinite the Buddha’s Truth is, I vow to realize it.” Exploring the connection between the four Bodhisattva Vows...
107 The Limitless Dharma 06-05-22
Rev. Clairissa continues to contemplate the teaching of the Bodhisattva Vows, this time referring to the third of the four Bodhisattva Vows. She considers the various meanings of the term “Dharma” which is so central to Buddhism, and the import...
106 However Inexhaustible 05-29-22
Rev. Clairissa discusses a Buddhist approach to the arising of strong emotions in response to events in the world and in the world inside of us. She refers to the second of the Bodhisattva Vows. These four vows are the expression o...
105 That I May Help 05-22-22
Contemplating the Kesa verse, Rev. Clairissa offers reflections on our natural pure intention, the wish to help all beings. The Kesa is the monk’s robe which symbolizes the Buddhist Precepts, our vow to cease from harm, to do only good, to do g...
104 Preparing to Receive the Precepts 05-15-22
As three of the temple’s congregation get ready to travel in a few days to the monastery, where they will participate in Jukai, Rev. Clairissa offers some thoughts for us all to consider on the joyous occasion of their significant spiritual ste...
103 Carved in Water 05-08-22
Rev. Clairissa explores how our practice of seated meditation means becoming still, flexible, and clear in all conditions. Through this, we help ourselves and all beings to the balance beyond the opposites, joining in the endless flow of all ex...
102 Being Seated, Allowing Time 05-01-22
Rev. Clairissa reflects on how sitting in meditation leads to becoming truly seated in our place of meditation, made possible by not letting anything get in the way of our doing the practice of meditating and living the life of the Precepts, in...
101 Clearing the Way 04-24-22
Rev. Clairissa describes the ordinary practice within our Sōtō Zen tradition of sweeping pathways clear of debris. Just as we do this and other simple activities with presence and care, so may we clear the way for ourselves to do the spiritual ...
100 Finding the Way 04-17-22
Rev. Clairissa points out that when we open to being honest with ourselves as to how we may be doing harm, and take refuge in the heart of the Precepts within, the way to true peace and freedom appears naturally.
99 Cherishing All Life 04-10-22
In light of our intention to help beings, which is at the heart of the Three Pure Precepts, Rev. Clairissa considers a facet of the first of the Ten Great Precepts, the guideline on not killing. She explores the daily practice of sparing tiny b...
98 All Things Become Buddha 04-03-22
Rev. Clairissa looks at the Buddha Nature of material things. She invites us to reflect on how we are with the things that surround us in everyday life. It’s wonderful to work for the good of all sentient beings. How might we help non-sentient ...
97 What is Buddha Nature? 03-27-22
“What is Buddha Nature?” Rev. Clairissa responds to this and two other helpful questions that were posed this past week by some of our friends near and far.
96 Why Train? 03-20-22
“Why Train?” Rev. Clairissa considers how it can help to ask ourselves this question, at times. When considering taking up a practice, when first setting out on the path, or when the going gets rough, it may be of use to reflect on our m...
95 Stories 03-13-22
In this Dharma talk titled “Stories,” Rev. Clairissa reflects on how stories of various kinds may be of benefit in our spiritual training, and how they may also become impediments, depending on what we do with them as they arise. She tel...
94 Friendship 03-06-22
Rev. Clairissa explores the offering of great Love in the form of friendship toward oneself and others. Recounting the words of the Buddha to his followers on this topic, she considers how good friendship functions as both the source and fulfil...
93 Other Than They Are 01-30-22
In the Dharma talk titled “Other Than They Are” Rev. Clairissa explores the conditional mind frame, the one in which we wish things were somehow not as they are. She reminds us of how we may live from our place of stillness which neither...
92 Waiting Is Awakening 01-23-22
In “Waiting is Awakening,” Rev. Clairissa looks at what it can be to wait wholeheartedly, and also what the offering of such a way of waiting has to do with our realization of enlightenment.
91 And Yet Live Truly 01-16-22
Rev. Clairissa offers an opportunity to reflect on life’s deeper purpose, which may clarify when we let go of the human tendency to judgement and respond to the beckoning of That Which Is.
90 Losing Power 01-09-22
After the recent experience of a day without electricity at the temple, Rev. Clairissa reflects on what may be gained when in the course of Zen practice we unexpectedly find ourselves prompted to let go of personal individual “power” and respon...
89 As Windbells Resound 01-02-22
On the first Sunday of the New Year, Rev. Clairissa points toward reminders of our Original Buddha Nature which reverberates through all beings. She speaks of the various forms of Maitreya, the Buddha Yet to Come, and she invites us to join her...
88 Keeping Vigil 12-26-21
As we approach the turning of the year, Rev. Clairissa considers the teaching on keeping vigil which is intrinsic to our practice of meditation, following the Precepts, and being fully present with ourselves.She explores example...