
Spontaneous Zen talks given in the Rinzai tradition by Ven. Eshu Martin, abbot of the Victoria Zen Centre in Victoria, BC, Canada. www.zenwest.ca If you enjoy this podcast, rate it,review it, and share it with your friends on Twitter, Facebook and face to face. www.zenwest.ca Check out the Living Zen Podcast app on the iTunes app store!
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 471 | Founded | 16 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Religion & SpiritualityMental HealthBuddhismHealth & Fitness | |||

In this talk, I reflect on form as a living, embodied Zen practicioner.
Drawing on Rinzai Zen forms — gassho, sasshu, posture, breath, walking, and bowing — I explore how Zen is practiced through the body itself. The forms of practice are not symbo... more
Animacy in Zen
In this episode of Living Zen, I reflect on Zen form — not as something merely procedural or symbolic, but as something alive.
This talk explores how breath, movement, sound, chanting, bells, incense, and shared attention all parti... more
This talk was recorded during our first sit of 2026 at the University of Victoria's Multifaith Centre. It's a reflection on Zen practice, play, and seriousness—and how we meet the great matter of life and death without becoming rigid or grim. Beginni... more
In this episode, I explore one of the most treasured teachings in the Rinzai Zen tradition: Kōzen Daitō Kokushi Yuikai, the "Final Instruction" of National Teacher Daitō, founder of Daitoku-ji. This chant has accompanied my practice since 1995, and o... more
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The best podcast on Buddhism I've found. Very interesting and often profound. Check it out.
The clearest and most helpful explanations of zen and koans that I have come across. These podcasts are wonderful to listen to.
I have bee listening and engaging in distance trainings and am now looking forward to my meditation periods. A true gift from ZenWest. Lifechanging....
I have always found Buddhism intellectually satisfying, but to understand and experience are different things. Though still a beginner in every way, this podcast helped to open me up to the spiritual experience in way that I couldn’t before and exposed me to Zen in way I hadn’t been before. The talks are clear and “informal” - in that they are open in mindset, for every person, and not clouded by opaque tradition. There’s much more I could say, but if you’re looking for a place to begin and cont... more
These podcasts are such a wonderful tool for learning because they link important concepts in Zen to real stories from real human experience. Its helped me a lot in learning about practise. Thanks Eshu Martin!
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Centered around spontaneous talks in the Rinzai Zen tradition, this series offers meaningful insights into the practices and philosophies of Zen Buddhism. The discussions are led by a knowledgeable host who delves into the richness of Zen principles, including mindfulness, community, and personal growth. By integrating personal anecdotes and relatable narratives, the series seeks to make ancient teachings accessible for contemporary listeners, encouraging both beginners and seasoned practitioners to deepen their understanding and practice of Zen in daily life. While the content highlights traditional practices, it also embraces a playful approach to the sometimes serious nature of Zen, inviting listeners to engage with the teachings joyousl... more
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Living Zen launched 16 years ago and published 471 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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