A. Jesse Jiryu Davis's dharma talks

Speak Up If You're Stuck in a Zazen Rut

Certain topics seem off-limits in Zen, like: What's the goal of meditation? How do I get better at it? What is everyone else experiencing when they sit? I spoke at the New Paltz Zen Center [https://npzc.org/] about getting stuck at a plateau in meditation skill, and about Zen communities' reluctance to discuss peak experiences, progress, and goals. Here's a written version: https://emptysqua.re/blog/speak-up-if-youre-stuck-in-a-zazen-rut/ [https://emptysqua.re/blog/speak-up-if-youre-stuck-in-a-zazen-rut/]

Arjuna's dilemma

I look in the Bhagavad Gita and the life of radical abolitionist Benjamin Lay for examples: how do we live in stressful times, and how do we act when there are no good options?

Which Beings Are Sentient?

Which animals are sentient, and how can we liberate them from suffering? I review the philosopher Jonathan Birch's book "The Edge of Sentience" and shares good news about humanity's moral progress regarding animal welfare.

Is an Enlightened Person Afraid of Illness and Death?

This is a dharma talk I gave at the Village Zendo December 12, 2024, about my mother's brain surgery and end-of-life decisions. Here's the video and a transcript [https://emptysqua.re/blog/is-an-enlightened-person-afraid/].

Are You Prepared To Save A Life?

You can find yourself in a critical situation without warning. Is Zen practice preparing you? Here's a dharma talk I gave to the Village Zendo [https://villagezendo.org/] on September 5, 2024, about the classic koan, "Nansen kills the cat." Video and transcript here [https://emptysqua.re/blog/are-you-prepared-to-save-a-life/].