In this episode, we explore the long arc of practice — how insight and awakening might come suddenly, but true transformation takes slow, organic time. Like digestion or composting, it can’t be rushed. We reflect on moments of birth and death, on coming back to practice after seasons away, and on learning to pace ourselves at the endless feast of awakening.

Whether you’re tasting your first bites or returning after time away, the Buddha’s buffet is always open. It’s good to be here together.

I’m Eshū, Abbot of Zenwest Buddhist Society, where we make Zen come alive in contemporary community. At Zenwest we offer a fully online Free Orientation to Zen program here

https://app.kit.com/landing_pages/77458?v=7

If you’d like support building a foundation for practice, I offer one-on-one Orientation to Zen Support here:

https://monarchtrancework.com/orientation-to-zen-support

For deeper mentoring and one-on-one guidance, you’ll find my Zen Mentorship & Training program here:

https://monarchtrancework.com/zen-mentorship-training

You can also join me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/redmountainway, where I share reflections, Zen resources, and more to support your path.

If this talk nourishes you, please help others find it by rating, reviewing, or sharing. It makes a real difference — especially for those practicing far from a Zen centre.

In this talk, I explore how practice invites us to return again and again — to breath, posture, intention — dissolving fear and self-criticism, and opening to the quiet miracle of simply being here.

When we give ourselves fully to this moment — to a bow, a breath, a meal, a conversation — life itself becomes the miraculous medicine this world so deeply needs.

Thank you for listening, and for walking this path alongside me.

• Support this work & get early access as a Patron: patreon.com/redmountainway

• Free Orientation to Zen program: zenwest.ca

• Orientation to Zen Support with Eshū: https://monarchtrancework.com/orientation-to-zen-support

• Zen Mentorship & Training with Eshū: https://monarchtrancework.com/zen-mentorship-training

With gratitude,

Eshū

“The Dharma is being preached in everything."

This Dharma talk, offered just after summer solstice, reflects on the rhythms of breath, season, and spirit. It explores the natural arising and dissolving that moves through our practice, our emotions, and our path — and invites us to rest in the still point between.

Recorded in the Zenwest zendo and shared here on Living Zen – Red Mountain Way.

Support this work and access more teachings at The Red Mountain Way on Patreon.

If this offering supports you, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast platform. It really helps others find the path.

Thanks for listening!