Sensei John Pulleyn is a Co-Director of the Rochester Zen Center. Together with Sensei Donna Kowal, he provides Zen training and spiritual guidance to the Center’s members worldwide. The following are many of his more recent teisho (Dharma talks).
Teisho and Dharma Talks
Practice Off the Mat
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:32 — 36.2MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Zen practice has the potential to change our lives for the better. So what are we doing when we’re not facing a wall? Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
It’s OK to Suffer
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:32 — 46.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
The usual human response to trouble and uncertainty is anxiety and resistance. How can we learn to live wholeheartedly with things as they are? Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Marsha Linehan and Radical Acceptance
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:30 — 45.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Marsha Linehan is the creator of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) which was the first form of psychotherapy proven effective for suicidal people with personality disorders. Her work was driven by her own struggles and by her experience in Zen training. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Song of Mind” by Sheng Yen, Part 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:15 — 40.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 6
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Song of Mind” by Sheng Yen, Part 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:39 — 40.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 5
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away” by Ajahn Chah #4
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:21 — 43.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 4
Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Paul Breiter) Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away” by Ajahn Chah #3
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:32 — 42.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 3
Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Paul Breiter) Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away” by Ajahn Chah #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:16 — 42.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 2
Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Paul Breiter) Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away” by Ajahn Chah #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:00 — 39.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2023 Sesshin, Day 1
Commentary on “Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering” by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Paul Breiter). Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Zen and Religion
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:48 — 45.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Separating Dharma from Dogma. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
The Precepts, Part 2: The Ten Cardinal Precepts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:42 — 44.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
The Precepts, Part 1: The Three Poisons, Repentance, The Three Refuges, and The Three Pure Precepts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:55 — 49.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
OK with Things as They Are
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:25 — 38.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
By trying to wall off the inevitable pain we encounter, we make it hurt more and last longer. Acceptance and practice show us another way. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Learning to Want What We Have
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:19 — 31.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Advice from a 21st century Stoic. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Nothing Special: Living Zen” by Joko Beck #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:07 — 13.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 7
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Nothing Special: Living Zen” by Joko Beck #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:50 — 12.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 6
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Ordinary Wonder: Zen Life and Practice” by Joko Beck
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:22 — 11.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 5
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” by Guo Gu #4
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:54 — 12.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 4
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” by Guo Gu #3
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:45 — 12.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 3
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” by Guo Gu #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:32 — 12.7MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 2
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening” by Guo Gu #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:01 — 12.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
March 2022 Sesshin, Day 1
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Ups and Downs of Practice
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:17 — 13.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Cultivating openness and awareness in the face of habit energies that pull us in the other direction. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Transcript
Russia Invades Ukraine
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:56 — 11.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
With Russia’s invasion the world has changed. Facing up to uncertainty and suffering. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Faith in Mind: A Commentary on Seng Ts’an’s Classic” by Master Sheng Yen #4
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:11 — 11.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
February 2022 Sesshin, Day 4
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Faith in Mind: A Commentary on Seng Ts’an’s Classic” by Master Sheng Yen #3
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:25 — 12.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
February 2022 Sesshin, Day 3
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Faith in Mind: A Commentary on Seng Ts’an’s Classic” by Master Sheng Yen #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:35 — 11.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
February 2022 Sesshin, Day 2
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Faith in Mind: A Commentary on Seng Ts’an’s Classic” by Master Sheng Yen #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:05 — 11.2MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
February 2022 Sesshin, Day 1
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Zen and the Body (Part 2)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:04 — 12.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Working with the body and attitudes towards the body in Zen practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Zen and the Body (Part 1)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:29 — 13.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Body awareness as a key to Zen practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Restlessness
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:22 — 13.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
The compulsive and unsettled tenor of modern life was diagnosed well over 300 years ago by the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who wrote, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:56 — 12.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 7
On Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui, (trans. by J.C.Cleary). Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:15 — 11.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 6
On Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui, (trans. by J.C.Cleary). Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Being Dharma” by Ajahn Chah #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:51 — 12.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 5
On Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha’s Teachings by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Peter Breiter). Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Being Dharma” by Ajahn Chah #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:47 — 12.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 4
On Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha’s Teachings by Ajahn Chah (trans. by Peter Breiter). Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everyday Zen: Love and Work” by Charlotte Joko Beck
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:35 — 11.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 3
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Nothing Special: Living Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:52 — 11.7MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 2
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Nothing Special: Living Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:52 — 11.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
January 2022 Sesshin, Day 1
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Transcript
Faith, Doubt, Determination
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:56 — 14.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
The three essentials of Zen practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Transcript
Zen Practice and the Thinking Mind
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:48 — 13.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Replacing grasping and aversion with awareness. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
A Look at the Precepts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:54 — 16.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Morality as the first of the three foundations of Zen practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Mumonkan #16, “The Sound of the Bell”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:36 — 9.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 7
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated transcript Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:53 — 12.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 6
Commentary on Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui, translated by J.C. Cleary. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everyday Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck #3
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:22 — 11.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 5
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everyday Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:10 — 11.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 4
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Everyday Zen” by Charlotte Joko Beck #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:29 — 12.4MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 3
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Attaining the Way” by Master Sheng Yen #2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:15 — 12.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 2
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
“Attaining the Way” by Master Sheng Yen #1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:19 — 11.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
November 2021 Sesshin, Day 1
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
The Spirit of Practice
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:37 — 16.5MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Examining helpful (and not so helpful) ways of approaching Zen practice. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Transcript
Letting Go of Fear-Based Strategies
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:15 — 14.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
To one degree or another, we allow habitual reactions to pain and anxiety to limit our lives. Zen practice shows us another way. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Anatta: The Teaching of Not-Self
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:43 — 15.7MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Ordinary Mind is the Way, Case 19 in the Mumonkan
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:19 — 11.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Looking for Truth in all the wrong places. Teisho by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
The Middle Way
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:30 — 15.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
The Buddha’s Way to freedom. Dharma Talk by Sensei John Pulleyn. Automated Transcript
Impermanence
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:16 — 15.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
A look at one of the Buddha’s three characteristics of existence. Dharma Talk by Sensei John Pulleyn.