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.
Donations are currently accepted by etransfer to saltspringzencircle@gmail.com or by PayPal (button below).
If the teaching you’ve selected is on the quiet side, you may like to use ear buds or head phones.
INFORMAL REFLECTIONS AFTER WEDNESDAY ZAZEN
Active Participation in Loss
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Active-Participation-in-Loss-July-13.mp3
Awareness Practice of O Sa Ki Ni
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Awareness-Practice-of-O-Sa-Ki-Ni.mp3
Affecting Our Environment
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/affecting-our-environment2.mp3
Ball Rolling Across an Empty Ground
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-Ball-Rolling-Across-An-Empty-Ground.mp3
Being Where We Actually Are
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/being-where-we-actually-are.mp3
Chilean Miners and Women Ancestors
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/chilean-miners.mp3
Desires, No Preference and Wholeness
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Desires-No-Preference-and-Wholeness.mp3
Discussion with Sangha: Seeing Ourselves Without Judging
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/discussion-with-sangha.mp3
Feelings are Gateways to the Real
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Feelings-are-Gateways-to-the-Real-2009.mp3
Finding Perfect Existence Within Imperfect Existence
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Finding-perfect-existence-within-imperfect-existence.mp3
Going All the Way
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/going-all-the-way.mp3
Hard Working Hippies
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hard-working-hippies.mp3
Imperturbability
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/imperturbability.mp3
Kido: An Experiment in Speed Walking, Chanting and Surrender
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/KIDO.mp3
Murders in Norway
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Murders-in-Norway.mp3
No Gap
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/no-gap.mp3
Sincerity
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/sincerity-in-practice.mp3
Tozan’s Poem and Reflective Samadhi
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/TozanZenjisPoemandReflectiveSamadhi.mp3
Way-seeking Mind
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/way-seeking-mind-1.mp3
What’s the Most Important Thing?
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/What-is-the-most-important-thing_.mp3
Informal Talks on Dogen’s Teachings in Shobo Genzo
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 1
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dogens-Manifestation-of-Great-Prajna-Feb-14-2018.mp3
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 2
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dogens-Manifestation-of-Great-Prajna-Feb-28-2018.mp3
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 3
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dogens-Manifestation-of-Great-Prajna-Mar-7-2018.mp3
Manifestation of Great Prajna Talk 4
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dogens-Manifestation-of-Great-Prajna-Mar-14-2018.mp3
Utmost Sincerity and a Trusting Heart
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Utmost-Sincerity-and-a-Trusting-Heart.mp3
Utmost Sincerity and a Trusting Heart Talk 2: Letting Go
http://dev.saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Just-Let-Go-May-2-2018.mp3
Wisdom, Compassion and Arousing Way-seeking Mind
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wisdom-Compassion-and-Arousing-Way-seeking-Mind.mp3
FORMAL TALKS
Talk at San Francisco Zen Center Celebrating the Publication of Dogen’s Shobo Genzo
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/01-Peter-Levitt-SFZC-Talk-on-Dogen_Translation_Poetry-Celebrating-Publication-of-Shobo-Genzo.mp3
2019 Autumn Study Retreat
A Kind Heart: October 27, 2019
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/dharma_fall_2019.m4a
2019 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1. Inmost Request: April 5, 2019
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Inmost-Request-April-5-2019-.mp3
Talk 2. The Freeing Tether April 6, 2019
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Freeing-Tether-April-6-2019.mp3
2018 Autumn Study Retreat
Talk 1. Introduction to Genjo Koan / Actualizing the Fundamental Point
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1.-Intro-to-Genjo-Koan-mp3-1.mp3
Talk 2. Sincere Being and Actualization
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2.-To-Be-Sincere.mp3
Talk 3. Ignorance Means the Mind Moves3
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3.-Ignorance-Means-the-Mind-Moves.mp3
2018 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1: Can We Stop Violence Non-Violently?
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Can-We-Stop-Violence-Non-Violently.mp3
Talk 2: Action No-action
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Action-No-Action.mp3
2017 Autumn Study Retreat
Talk 1: Silent Concentration of Mind
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Talk-1-Silent-Concentration-of-Mind.mp3
Talk 2: Continuous Practice
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Dharma-Talk2-Saturday-October-21-2017-2.mp3
Talk 3: Zen Householders
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Dharma-Talk3-SUNDAY-Oct-22-2017.mp3
2017 Spring Sesshin
Talk 1: Three Poisons – Greed
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Three-Poisons-Greed.mp3
Talk 2: Three Poisons – Hatred or Il Will
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Three-Poisons-Hatred-or-Ill-Will.mp3
Talk 3: Three Poisons – Ignorance
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Three-Poinson-Ignorance.mp3
TALKS FROM EARLIER SESSHINS (MISC.)
Compassion and Atisha’s Mind Training Slogans – Part 1
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Compassion-and-Atisha-mind-training-pt1.mp3
Compassion and Atisha’s Mind Training Slogans – Part 2
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/compassion-and-Atisha-Mind-training-pt2.mp3
Inside The Cocoon
http://saltspringzencircle.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/inside-the-coccoon.mp3