The Daily Zen Teisho https://www.dailyzen.com/teisho-today/the-daily-zen-teisho/ Daily Zen has been a contemplative haven for online visitors since 1998 offering a unique blend of Eastern quotes for each day of the year, Zen-inspired e-cards, and a meditation room where at any moment a visitor may be meditating with any one of our companion Wayfarers each day. The Journal, called On the Way, is published once a month and this podcast has been created to turn those Journals into an auditory experience allowing listeners to contemplate its ideas in another way. Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000 en-US © 2024 Daily Zen A series of Teisho for readers of the Daily Zen Journal Daily Zen episodic Daily Zen has been a contemplative haven for online visitors since 1998 offering a unique blend of Eastern quotes for each day of the year, Zen-inspired e-cards, and a meditation room where at any moment a visitor may be meditating with any one of our companion Wayfarers each day. The Journal, called On the Way, is published once a month and this podcast has been created to turn those Journals into an auditory experience allowing listeners to contemplate its ideas in another way. Daily Zen dailyzenpodcast@gmail.com false https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/lectern-1.jpg The Daily Zen Teisho https://www.dailyzen.com/teisho-today/the-daily-zen-teisho/ dailyzenpodcast@gmail.com Daily Zen has been a contemplative haven for online visitors since 1998 offering a unique blend of Eastern quotes for each day of the year, Zen-inspired e-cards, and a meditation room where at any moment a visitor may be meditating with any one of our companion Wayfarers each day. The Journal, called On the Way, is published once a month and this podcast has been created to turn those Journals into an auditory experience allowing listeners to contemplate its ideas in another way. No https://www.dailyzen.com/sponsor 78c0705e-a71b-5469-a4c0-4c8a8a220277 The Enlightenment of Chiyono https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-enlightenment-of-chiyono/ Tue, 19 May 2026 16:58:43 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=21229 Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen.

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]]> full 200 1 Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-enlightenment-of-chiyono-1.png The Enlightenment of Chiyono false no 00:12:08 No no What is Ch’an? https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/what-is-chan/ Tue, 12 May 2026 09:08:00 +0000 c439b744-3d2d-55e9-8ee2-f1eea9dd701c This is a time to return to the roots of practice. With new people coming into Daily Zen every month, it is fitting now for a piece like this. Sheng-yen skillfully paints a history of how Buddhism traveled from India to other parts of the East, and the transformation that became known as Zen today.

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]]> full 199 1 This is a time to return to the roots of practice. With new people coming into Daily Zen every month, it is fitting now for a piece like this. Sheng-yen skillfully paints a history of how Buddhism traveled from India to other parts of the East, and the transformation that became known as Zen today.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-what-is-chan.png What is Ch’an? false no 00:09:11 No no The Awakening of Mugai Nyodai – Part 2 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-awakening-of-mugai-nyodai-pt-2/ Mon, 04 May 2026 08:32:29 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20860 Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen..  While she is well known through her founding of many women's Zen monasteries, she is relatively unknown to those of us in the West who are more familiar with the Patriarchs of Zen, like Hui-neng or Bodhidharma.

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]]> full 198 1 Mugai Nyodai, known also as Chiyono, was one of the first Japanese women to receive transmission in Zen..  While she is well known through her founding of many women's Zen monasteries, she is relatively unknown to those of us in the West who are more familiar with the Patriarchs of Zen, like Hui-neng or Bodhidharma.

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]]> false no 00:15:09 No no On the Transmission of Mind – Part 12 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/on-the-transmission-of-mind-part-12/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:29:29 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20847 This piece of Huang Po’s touches elements of practice that seem to turn your mind inside out at first. He seems to raise more questions than answers, and thus helps us return to beginner’s mind—that place where we don’t know as much and are ready to learn.   

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]]> full 197 1 This piece of Huang Po’s touches elements of practice that seem to turn your mind inside out at first. He seems to raise more questions than answers, and thus helps us return to beginner’s mind—that place where we don’t know as much and are ready to learn.   

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-on-the-transmission-of-mind-pt12.png On the Transmission of Mind – Part 12 false no 00:09:27 No no True School of the Ancient Buddhas https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/true-school-of-the-ancient-buddhas/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:50:37 +0000 139d04fb-d8a1-5504-9dd3-b494f8164a50 Down to earth and, at the same time, a most expanded view of practice; each line is an invitation to explore. 

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]]> full 196 1 Down to earth and, at the same time, a most expanded view of practice; each line is an invitation to explore. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-true-school-of-the-ancient-buddha.png True School of the Ancient Buddhas false no 00:07:36 No no On the Transmission of Mind – Part 3 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/on-the-transmission-of-mind-pt3/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:24:01 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20752 We are exhorted to aspire to a paradoxical way of learning/unlearning in Zen; to “think” the unthinkable. Many words are used to help us see the limitations of words, and yet, we keep reading, studying, and aspiring to something we inherently possess.

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]]> full 195 1 We are exhorted to aspire to a paradoxical way of learning/unlearning in Zen; to “think” the unthinkable. Many words are used to help us see the limitations of words, and yet, we keep reading, studying, and aspiring to something we inherently possess.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-on-the-transmission-of-mind-pt2.png On the Transmission of Mind – Part 3 false no 00:09:54 No no The Activity of the Reality of Life https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-activity-of-the-reality-of-life/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:46:50 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20728 Uchiyama Roshi begins with a powerful line that stops us right at the very beginning of this reading. To live the reality of true fluidity existing between ourselves and the world is a profound experience in anyone’s life and practice.

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]]> full 194 1 Uchiyama Roshi begins with a powerful line that stops us right at the very beginning of this reading. To live the reality of true fluidity existing between ourselves and the world is a profound experience in anyone’s life and practice.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-activity-of-the-reality-of-life.png The Activity of the Reality of Life false no 00:08:57 No no A Lotus in Fire https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/a-lotus-in-fire/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20685 This collection of letters written to teachers, students, and lay people reveals a side of Yuanwu that is personable and easily understood. He is better known as the author of the famous Blue Cliff Record, which offers challenges to students at all levels of practice.

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]]> full 193 1 This collection of letters written to teachers, students, and lay people reveals a side of Yuanwu that is personable and easily understood. He is better known as the author of the famous Blue Cliff Record, which offers challenges to students at all levels of practice.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-a-lotus-in-fire.png A Lotus in Fire false no 00:10:38 No no Mud and Water 1 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/mud-and-water-1/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:25:48 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20654 We live in very different times from those in Japan in the 1300s, but the search for a true teacher or master beckons to students in every century. Bassui’s quest began the way it does in any person strong enough to question for themselves.

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]]> full 192 1 We live in very different times from those in Japan in the 1300s, but the search for a true teacher or master beckons to students in every century. Bassui’s quest began the way it does in any person strong enough to question for themselves.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-mud-and-water-1.png Mud and Water 1 false no 00:10:13 No no A Single Handful https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/a-single-handful-2/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 20f790f0-55ab-57e7-adfe-6e5887d49b69 Perhaps we should begin at the beginning, where Buddhadhasa starts with the fundamental principles in the first chapter of this teaching, because in the above piece, he alludes to the handful of teachings that are all we need, but what are they? 

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]]> full 191 1 Perhaps we should begin at the beginning, where Buddhadhasa starts with the fundamental principles in the first chapter of this teaching, because in the above piece, he alludes to the handful of teachings that are all we need, but what are they? 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-a-single-handful-1.png A Single Handful false no 00:09:12 No no The Teachings of the Fourth Chan Patriarch Tao-shin https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-teachings-of-the-fourth-chan-patriarch-tao-shin/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20593 There is something for everyone in this profound teaching. We don’t know who the questioner is, but really it is us. Who hasn’t asked these questions in their own time? And how many have had the Fourth Patriarch to hang out with and ask questions to?

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]]> full 190 1 There is something for everyone in this profound teaching. We don’t know who the questioner is, but really it is us. Who hasn’t asked these questions in their own time? And how many have had the Fourth Patriarch to hang out with and ask questions to?

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-on-cultivating-the-mind-2.png The Teachings of the Fourth Chan Patriarch Tao-shin false no 00:10:16 No no On Cultivating the Mind https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/on-cultivating-the-mind/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:44:49 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20581 Nothing much to grab onto here, not even instructions to meditate!  However, we realize that a Zen master is teaching meditation; how else does one learn to turn the light around and look inside?

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]]> full 189 1 Nothing much to grab onto here, not even instructions to meditate!  However, we realize that a Zen master is teaching meditation; how else does one learn to turn the light around and look inside?

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-on-cultivating-the-mind-1.png On Cultivating the Mind false no 00:08:46 No no Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind – Part 2 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/zen-mind-beginners-mind-part-2/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 a365162a-4483-527e-9992-c9598476a04d Each journal presents a way into a larger perspective, and each piece speaks to us uniquely. There are teachers we easily connect with, and others that demand more of a stretch to understand their style.

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]]> full 188 1 Each journal presents a way into a larger perspective, and each piece speaks to us uniquely. There are teachers we easily connect with, and others that demand more of a stretch to understand their style.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-zen-mind-beginners-mind-pt2.png Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind – Part 2 false no 00:08:56 No no Absorption in the Treasury of Light – Part 1 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/absorption-in-the-treasury-of-light-part-1/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 c944abba-e2cf-58eb-808e-bf9b9e98a0ec It is rare to hear in Zen anyone state exactly what meditation is; there are a lot of questions asked, and a little technique discussed, but originally, students just sat and found out for themselves. 

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]]> full 187 It is rare to hear in Zen anyone state exactly what meditation is; there are a lot of questions asked, and a little technique discussed, but originally, students just sat and found out for themselves. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-absorption-in-the-treasury-of-light-pt1.png Absorption in the Treasury of Light – Part 1 false no 00:12:09 No no Essential Teachings of the Stone Lion: Instructions for Meditation https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/essential-teachings-of-the-stone-lion-instructions-for-meditation/ Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20113 In Zen, there are many styles of meditation taught through the various schools; each person has to find the approach that strikes a chord within them, one they can spend enough time to realize the fruits of their efforts.

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]]> full 196 1 In Zen, there are many styles of meditation taught through the various schools; each person has to find the approach that strikes a chord within them, one they can spend enough time to realize the fruits of their efforts.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-essential-teachings-of-the-stone-lion-1.png Essential Teachings of the Stone Lion: Instructions for Meditation false no 00:10:33 No no Essential Teachings of the Stone Lion: Stages of Meditation https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/essential-teachings-of-the-stone-lion-stages-of-meditation/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=20005 Fall and Spring are both potent times to evaluate our practice; without judgment, just look to see if there are any adjustments to be made.

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]]> full 185 1 Fall and Spring are both potent times to evaluate our practice; without judgment, just look to see if there are any adjustments to be made.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-essential-teachings-of-the-stone-lion.png Essential Teachings of the Stone Lion: Stages of Meditation false no 00:10:43 No no The Eight Qualities of a Great Person – Part 2 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-eight-qualities-of-a-great-person-part-2/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:29 +0000 5c1fcc70-dda7-582d-b892-60d3eb660418 As with any translation of a very ancient teaching, and one that was passed on orally rather than written down, we are often stopped wondering what was actually transmitted. 

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]]> full 184 1 As with any translation of a very ancient teaching, and one that was passed on orally rather than written down, we are often stopped wondering what was actually transmitted. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-eight-qualities-of-a-great-person-pt2.png The Eight Qualities of a Great Person – Part 2 false no 00:13:51 No no The Essential Gateway to Truth by Means of Instantaneous Awakening https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-essential-gateway-to-truth-by-means-of-instantaneous-awakening/ Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=19832 If the questions seem to flow too precisely and neatly along, it is because this is a format Hui Hai used to communicate these principles.

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]]> full 183 1 If the questions seem to flow too precisely and neatly along, it is because this is a format Hui Hai used to communicate these principles.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-essential-gateway-to-truth-1.png The Essential Gateway to Truth by Means of Instantaneous Awakening false no 00:11:18 No no The Eight Qualities of a Great Person – Part 1 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/the-eight-qualities-of-a-great-person-part-1/ Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000 da668f29-152d-599f-8d89-d9407e7d1736 This was the last teaching of both the Buddha and Dogen before they died. For Dogen, it was part of his intention to rewrite all his work, and he had completed 11 chapters prior to this new piece. 

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]]> full 182 1 This was the last teaching of both the Buddha and Dogen before they died. For Dogen, it was part of his intention to rewrite all his work, and he had completed 11 chapters prior to this new piece. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-the-essential-gateway-to-truth.png The Eight Qualities of a Great Person – Part 1 false no 00:11:30 No no Tsung Ching Record of Hui Hai https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/tsung-ching-record-of-hui-hai/ Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000 8a517ef6-d1a1-59de-b26c-a32179c64217 The stubborn intellect can be crafty and tends to want “answers” and concepts to hold onto, and naturally, as students, we would appreciate a little help here.  However, our idea of help and a true teacher’s is rarely the same. 

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]]> full 181 1 The stubborn intellect can be crafty and tends to want “answers” and concepts to hold onto, and naturally, as students, we would appreciate a little help here.  However, our idea of help and a true teacher’s is rarely the same. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-tsung-ching-record-of-hui-hai.png Tsung Ching Record of Hui Hai false no 11:39 No no Making the Altruistic Vow https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/making-the-altruistic-vow/ Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=19605 Making the Altruistic Vow…serves to focus on our intentions and purpose here and now.  What have we committed to? What better time of year to contemplate this lofty vow than now?  

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]]> full 180 1 Making the Altruistic Vow…serves to focus on our intentions and purpose here and now.  What have we committed to? What better time of year to contemplate this lofty vow than now?  

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-making-the-altruistic-vow.png Making the Altruistic Vow false no 8:50 No no Constancy https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/constancy/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=19588 Constancy – it has a lovely ring to it and actually is similar to one of the paramitas in Buddhism. Seeking the right phrase or word to express any spiritual concept can be challenging.

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]]> full 179 1 Constancy – it has a lovely ring to it and actually is similar to one of the paramitas in Buddhism. Seeking the right phrase or word to express any spiritual concept can be challenging.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-constancy.png Constancy false no 11:30 No no Blood Stream Sermon – Part 3 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/blood-stream-sermon-part-3/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000 0e6f8fdf-fdf4-595f-a4f8-de3de0b33efb This piece is profoundly deep and vast in its scope. It’s as if all the true essentials of Buddhism and Zen are laid out right before us.

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]]> full 178 1 This piece is profoundly deep and vast in its scope. It’s as if all the true essentials of Buddhism and Zen are laid out right before us.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-bloodstream-sermon-part-3.png Blood Stream Sermon – Part 3 false no 8:08 No no Dream Conversations On Buddhism and Zen https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/dream-conversations-on-buddhism-and-zen/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000 5210fc08-2926-56bc-8d0e-979820cd5f5e Muso is touching on points we have covered many times over the years.  It is so easy to fool ourselves with our understanding.  Too often, there is confusion in thinking that knowing the meaning of a word equals the experience and manifestation of that principle.

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]]> full 177 1 Muso is touching on points we have covered many times over the years.  It is so easy to fool ourselves with our understanding.  Too often, there is confusion in thinking that knowing the meaning of a word equals the experience and manifestation of that principle.

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-dream-conversations-on-buddhism-and-zen-1.png Dream Conversations On Buddhism and Zen false no 8:24 No no Transmission of Mind -Questions from the Wan Ling Record – Part 10 https://www.dailyzen.com/podcast/transmission-of-mind-questions-from-the-wan-ling-record-part-10/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailyzen.com/?post_type=podcast&p=19452 The ability to stay focused on a train of thought, a task that takes days to complete, or a conversation that goes beyond things right in front of us is becoming a lost art in our times. 

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]]> full 176 1 The ability to stay focused on a train of thought, a task that takes days to complete, or a conversation that goes beyond things right in front of us is becoming a lost art in our times. 

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]]> https://www.dailyzen.com/wp-content/uploads/podcast-questions-from-the-wan-ling-record.png Transmission of Mind -Questions from the Wan Ling Record – Part 10 false no 11:10 No no