Zen and Ecodharma Talks by Kritee Kanko

Can there be grievous suffering even in the midst of an expansive, vast and clear “blue sky” mind?In Buddhism, the practice of meditation helps us access what some teachers call “the blue sky mind”, a state that relieves a sense of insufficiency in our lives and brings clarity, spaciousness and joy. But is this the deepest level of intimacy with “reality-as-it-is” we can reach in our spiritual practice? In this talk, Sensei Kanko explores this question from a modern, polycrisis-informed

Is Mu enough?In this talk, Sensei Kanko dives into some details of the Rinzai Zen path, discussing the all-encompassing nature of the Mu Koan and its relationship to breathing from the hara (lower belly) and accessing concentrated awareness. She invites listeners to balance the masculine Zen approach with emotional healing. Acknowledging Zen's limitations with respect to dealing with societal inequalities, she also advocates for devotional approaches as part of spiritual practice. The talk

Kisagotami's Mustard Seed - Hidden Lamp 49Will Western Buddhism lead us to selfish acts and an egoistic pursuit of enlightenment if we do not reintroduce the original communal aspects of Buddhism as they were present at the time of the Buddha? In this Zen Talk, Sensei Kanko delves into the profound intersection of Buddhism and the universal experience of grief. She shares her journey from India to the United States, weaving in the poignant story of Kisagotami, Buddha, and the mustard seed to

How to access your spiritual power amidst overwhelming grief and shame?How can a sword made of paper help you when you are being attacked? How can we fight oppression when we feel powerless? How can we begin to see why the universe brought us alive as a human in this exact time and place? In this talk given on the last day of Feb 2024 Zen retreat, Sensei Kanko powerfully shows us a clear path to access our spiritual power against all the odds and make a difference. How is it possible that almost

How can we bridge the gap between serene meditation experiences and our world’s ongoing climate and social crisis?In this thought-provoking talk given on the last day of a Zen retreat, Sensei Kanko (Dr. Kritee) invites us to consider life beyond the retreat. She emphasizes the necessity of grounded compassion and encourages a broader understanding of Zen beyond the usual Western interpretations. She illustrates the importance of carrying the fruits of our meditation practice into our day-to-day

How is giving birth or merging with a lover a Buddhist act? Familiar encounters in novel ways. In this radical talk, Sensei Kanko explores the contours of a Zen life and experience in a warm and novel way. She encourages listeners to think beyond standard masculine ways of understanding Zen with metaphors and stories that have a taste of impermeable sweetness. How can the experience of Mu be like giving birth or merging with a lover? How to see through obsessive spirituality, clinging, and spiritual

Can we find the most important teaching in Zen (Mu) in indigenous cultures? In this talk, Sensei Kanko talks about the most important Koan: Joshu's Mu, and discusses how it is related to wisdom and teachings in indigenous cultures. When we start practicing Zen, we often crave appreciation, healing, and community. These needs are particularly strong due to the complex traumas and goal-oriented mindset inflicted on our minds by modern society. This is okay and so human. However, there is also

What trickery makes a Zen student or a skeleton baby of slaves free? This episode takes us on a journey through the Zen koan "Nansen draws a circle," exploring liberation in unexpected places like slave ships to the middle of COVID-19 pandemic. Join us as we uncover how Zen teachings can offer tools for resilience and hope in our shared journey while acknowledging our layers of trauma and the need for larger socio-political change. Sensei Kanko gave this talk during the Fall 2022 Zen