This podcast is the next best thing to a visit to the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe. Wonderful wisdom and compassion come from the teachings of Roshi Joan, Wendy Lau, and Kaz Tanahashi (who creates wonderful art that is infused with his being).

these reviews are from years ago important and timely teachings in this age of violence and suffering to engage in activism and how to work with deep emotions isn’t just “ a teaching” but needed for the survival of the planet deep bow of thanks and blessings

It is a beautiful experience to “find your people.” I am so grateful to hear words from many humans at Upaya that exemplify something worthy of embodiment. Thank you. 🙏🏼🪬!

Roshi Joan is the genuine article. A teacher of such clarity, compassion and authenticity, that it is a wonderous thing to have these generous teachings available by her and her associates at Upaya. I feel she is the greatest living Buddhist teacher/leader alive today, and the programs from Upaya cover a wide range of topics from many distinguished teachers. I very gratefully support Upaya with dana, but ithe programming is freely offered to all. My most treasured talks are those from the Rohatsu Sesshins. All are rich and enlightening.

Each year I look forward to the Zen Brain series of ten or more episodes. These podcasts are engaging and awakening. Roshi Joan brings delightful teachers to share wisdom and I look forward to one day visiting upaya Zen center in person. Until then, this podcast holds me over.

this is one of my favorite zen podcasts. i love the meditation bowl at the beginning of each episode!

This podcast has been wonderfully insightful for me. I would recommend it to anyone, whether they are a practicing Buddhist or not. Roshi Joan is an excellent teacher. Just hearing the tone of her voice when she speaks is enough to set a pleasant mood to my day.

Wow what a excellent treasure trove of good to great dharma talks. I wish they would open up ther whole archive. Great tool for self retreats or introducing oneself to real dharma not pop dharma. I plan to visit upaya website and give dana. Thank you Upaya center, thank you.

Truly educational and enlightening.

When you live far from any teachers, podcast dharma talks are fantastic. To find a clear, wise, funny, refreshing teacher like Joan is wonderful. I have listened to a lot and these are among the best. From major life issues to how to live thru a sesshin, it is all great. The bells and gongs are a nice touch, as are the detailed info notes. I would only suggest they pass a microphone to their audience when they ask questions (like audiodharma does) so we can hear them better.

Roshi Joan has a way of making so very clear those things that are not easily clarified. Having attended one of her Dharma talks, and then (very excitedly) finding she now has a podcast, I was very gratified to hear the same clarity, the same ability to paint a picture and place you directly into the middle of it, and the courageous ability to tackle the difficult issues unabashedly and unapologetically. Kudos!!