Gyodo Sensei provides a talk during an introductory retreat on the fundamentals of Zen as a spiritual path. Why do we practice? What is Buddha? Dharma? Sangha? Millions of people over thousands of years have followed a path like this, because it works, and because our human condition is inherently problematic.

As the Buddha taught, it is permeated by a sense of lack or insufficiency, due to the delusion of separation created by our consciousness. Meditation brings us back in touch with our true nature. We start to see what’s happening and what gets in the way of our aliveness. We learn to appreciate the extraordinary in the ordinary. It’s right here.