Hardcore Zen

Gods, Aliens, and Jabberjaw with Ben Goldman

My nephew Ben Goldman joins me for a wide-ranging discussion about gods and divinity in Buddhism, whether aliens could get enlightened, and how Jabberjaw is a rip-off of Scooby Doo.

In The Light - Dogen’s Divine Light Part Five

The roaring finale of my series on Dogen's essay Komyo (aka Divine Light)! In which everything is explained.. or is it?

In The Light: Dogen’s Divine Light Part Four

More commentary on Dogen's essay Komyo (aka Divine Light or Brightness). Also why just hearing this podcast means you've encountered the Buddha himself!

In The Light: Dogen’s Divine Light Part Three

Another deep dive into Dogen's essay KOMYO (aka Divine Light). This time with Ziggy the dog barking at birds! Plus more insights about the nature of reality!

In The Light- Dogen’s Divine Light Part Two

Episode Two of my commentary on Dogen's essay KOMYO (Brightness). In this episode I talk about Milk Medicine, the Gospel of John, how consciousness is like a move, and we hear Ziggy the dog bark!

In The Light: Dogen’s Divine Light Part One (Re-Upload)

Dogen's essay KOMYO is one of his most mystical pieces of writing. This series will examine this fascinating essay in detail.

Women and Misogyny in Zen Buddhism

On a recent YouTube video I talked about misogyny in Buddhism and the pro-female ideas Dogen expressed in Shobogenzo. In this talk from March 16, 2016, I go into greater depth about both subjects in front of an audience at a retreat at Mount Baldy Zen Center. 

Dogen’s ”Mind Alone is Buddha”

This is a talk I gave at the Rochester Zen Center on April 24, 2016 about Dogen and his essay "Mind Alone is Buddha." What the heck did he mean by that? Here's my attempt at answering that question.

God is Closer Than Your Jugular Vein

Here's a conversation I had with Sufi sheik Ingo Taleb Rashid at Benediktushof Meditation Center in Germany on September 27, 2017. We talk about God and Star Trek and take questions from the audience.

Preview of My NEW BOOK! The Other Side of Nothing

In this episode I read from the chapter "Who Walked My Dog" from my new book, The Other Side of Nothing: The Zen Ethics of Time, Space, and Being." It's a sneak preview of the book, which is available now, and of the forthcoming audiobook.