Teachings
The first set of teachings are informal in-the-moment reflections on a variety of practice related topics offered by Peter after Wednesday evening zazen on Salt Spring Island. They were recorded starting in 2008, and appear here by title, but not in chronological order. The link to the talk appears beneath the title.
Further down the page you may select some of the more formal talks given at sesshin over the years.
For those of you who listen to these teachings and offer a donation, please know that your generosity helps to make these talks available. We thank you for your kind contribution.
INFORMAL REFLECTIONS AFTER WEDNESDAY ZAZEN
Active Participation in Loss
Awareness Practice of O Sa Ki Ni
Affecting Our Environment
Ball Rolling Across an Empty Ground
Being Where We Actually Are
Chilean Miners and Women Ancestors
Desires, No Preference and Wholeness
Discussion with Sangha: Seeing Ourselves Without Judging
Feelings are Gateways to the Real
Finding Perfect Existence Within Imperfect Existence
Going All the Way
Hard Working Hippies
Imperturbability
Kido: An Experiment in Speed Walking, Chanting and Surrender
Murders in Norway
No Gap
Sincerity
Tozan’s Poem and Reflective Samadhi
What’s the Most Important Thing?
Informal Talks on Dogen’s Teachings in Shobo Genzo
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 1
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 2
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 3
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 4
Utmost Sincerity and a Trusting Heart
Utmost Sincerity and a Trusting Heart Talk 2: Letting Go
Wisdom, Compassion and Arousing Way-seeking Mind
FORMAL TALKS
Talk at San Francisco Zen Center Celebrating the Publication of Dogen’s Shobo Genzo
Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt Q&A on Dogen San Francisco Zen Center
2019 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1. Inmost Request: April 5, 2019
Talk 2. The Freeing Tether April 6, 2019
2018 Autumn Study Retreat
Talk 1. Introduction to Genjo Koan / Actualizing the Fundamental Point
Talk 2. Sincere Being and Actualization
Talk 3. Ignorance Means the Mind Moves3
2018 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1: Can We Stop Violence Non-Violently?
Talk 2: Action No-action
2017 Autumn Study Retreat
Talk 1: Silent Concentration of Mind
Talk 2: Continuous Practice
Talk 3: Zen Householders
2017 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1: Three Poisons – Greed
Talk 2: Three Poisons – Hatred or Il Will
Talk 3: Three Poisons – Ignorance
TALKS FROM EARLIER SESSHINS (MISC.)
Compassion and Atisha’s Mind Training Slogans – Part 1
Compassion and Atisha’s Mind Training Slogans – Part 2
Inside The Cocoon