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Artwork for Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot
Buddhism
Compassion
Mindfulness
Zen Buddhism
Dogen
Zen
Zen Practice
Suffering
Upaya Zen Center
Zazen
Bodhisattva
Death
Climate Change
Social Justice
Impermanence
Community
Meditation
Paradox
Love
Hanshan

The Upaya Dharma Podcast features Wednesday evening Dharma Talks and recordings from Upaya’s diverse array of programs. Our podcasts exemplify Upaya’s focus on socially engaged Buddhism, including prison work, end-of-life care, serving the homeless, training in socially engaged practices, peace & nonviolence, compassionate care training, and delivering healthcare in the Himalayas.

PublishesDailyEpisodes73Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BuddhismPhilosophyReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Cynthia Ryotan Kear opens up the practice of koans as part of Upaya’s Fall Practice Period devoted to the Chinese master Zhao Zhou. She suggests that the longing that drew practitioners to Zen in ancient Ch... more

In this Wednesday night Dharma talk, Sensei Shinzan explores the famous koan “Mu” from Zhao Zhou (Joshu in Japanese), leading up to Upaya’s fall practice period devoted to the Chinese master’s teachings. Shinzan sets the scene in Tang-dynasty China, ... more

This is the second half of the closing session for the Love and Death series: Roshi Joan Halifax reflects on what it means to practice beyond our transactional habits. She points to awakening in the details of everyday life and to presence as “being ... more

This is the first half of the closing session for the Love and Death series: Roshi Joan Halifax reflects on what it means to practice beyond our transactional habits. She points to awakening in the details of everyday life and to presence as “being w... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Cynthia Kear
Speaker for the episode
Episode: Ancestral Stories: A Dharma Gate of Intimacy with Our Lives
Shinzan Pama
Speaker; Zen teacher affiliated with Upaya Zen Center
Upaya Zen Center
Episode: Zhao Zhou’s Mu: The Threshold of Everyday Practice
Frank Ostaseski
Speaker; founder of the Zen Hospice Project and a leading voice on compassionate care
Zen Hospice Project / Upaya collaborator
Episode: The Measure of Our Humanity: BELONGING
Jarvis Masters
Buddhist practitioner, writer on death row
San Quentin State Prison (former inmate)
Episode: Grace in Prison
Rebecca Solnit
Writer-in-residence at Upaya, writer and activist
Writer, Activist
Episode: The Measure of Our Humanity: POSSIBILITY
John Halifax
Roshi, Zen teacher
Episode: Varela 2026: Panel Discussion – AI, Experience, and Ethics (Part 10)
Michael Pollan
Author; researcher; interviewed about consciousness and psychedelics
Author, Consultant on consciousness projects
Episode: Varela 2026: A Conversation with Michael Pollan (Part 9)
Adam Frank
Physicist, author of The Blind Spot
University or affiliations not specified in transcript
Episode: Varela 2026: The Blind Spot – Part A (Part 4A)
John Dunne
Zen practitioner and scholar
Episode: Varela 2026: Panel Discussion – Time, Perception, and Not-Knowing (Part 3)

Host

Joan Halifax
Host of Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast (and related programs); founder and senior teacher at Upaya Zen Center; renowned for socially engaged Buddhism and interfaith, end-of-life care, and prison-work initiatives.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 422 ratings
  • Anchoring

    A powerful anchor in these challenging times. How to face difficulties? Welcome.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coriolis86
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love Upaya

    Always appreciate their content but Awareness In Action is world class thought leadership worth so much more than the time it takes to listen (or go to the website and watch it - even better).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ro.views
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A wonderful Dharma experience

    This podcast is the next best thing to a visit to the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe. Wonderful wisdom and compassion come from the teachings of Roshi Joan, Wendy Lau, and Kaz Tanahashi (who creates wonderful art that is infused with his being).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jon Katz Defense
    United States2 years ago
  • Gratitude

    these reviews are from years ago

    important and timely teachings in this age of violence and suffering to engage in activism and how to work with deep emotions isn’t just “ a teaching” but needed for the survival of the planet

    deep bow of thanks and blessings

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mtyogini
    United States2 years ago
  • Thank you for the sangha

    It is a beautiful experience to “find your people.” I am so grateful to hear words from many humans at Upaya that exemplify something worthy of embodiment. Thank you. 🙏🏼🪬!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dhattura S
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is a trusted source for mindful activism and ethical leadership
Episodes are described as both uplifting and practically actionable
Listeners praise clarity, compassion, and practical wisdom from teachers
Guests are diverse, bringing deep expertise and lived experience to important issues

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Being real
Q: What happens when someone asks you to 'be real' in a conversation?
The host suggests that being real often means showing up as your true self rather than delivering a polished or strategic response, and that the aim is to be fully present rather than perform for others.
Being real
Q: Does this make sense to you so far?
The speaker invites live feedback from the audience, emphasizing that being real is a practice of staying with the present moment and not forcing a particular experience, while acknowledging that some may be unsure and encouraging honest engagement.
Dogen Seminar 2026: Cultural Legacy (Part 2)
Q: What is the significance of the Shinjin Datsuraku moment, and can we treat it as historical fact or myth?
The presenter discusses demythologizing the event to focus on its essence: every moment can be an awakening opportunity, and the historical moment may be less important than the ongoing practice of mindfulness and awakening in daily life.
Dogen Seminar 2026: Inspiration for Everyday Life – Opening Session (Part 1)
Q: For someone new to Dogen, where should they begin?
Start with show-up and immersion; the material is interconnected, and readers will be guided to parts that speak to them over time; there is no single entry point that guarantees comprehension.
Dogen Seminar 2026: Inspiration for Everyday Life – Opening Session (Part 1)
Q: How do you decide which language to study when approaching Dogen, given the multiple translations and centuries of tradition?
The panelists suggested that simply showing up and engaging with the material is more important than choosing a perfect starting point; the connections across fascicles reveal how no single entry is isolated, and readers can be guided to materials that resonate with their questions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

What is Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center on compassionate action, ethical leadership, and social engagement through Buddhist practice. Episodes frequently blend Dharma with real-world crises—democracy, climate, health care, incarceration, Indigenous lifeways, and community resilience—while offering practical guidance for personal practice and civic responsibility. The show's strength lies in integrating traditional teachings with contemporary challenges, featuring a mix of senior teachers, clinicians, Indigenous scholars, and community organizers who illuminate how wisdom can inform everyday action and systemic change. Potential guests and topics tend to emphasize humility, interdependence, and planetary stewardship, making it valuable for listeners seeking mi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast:

1. Tricycle Talks
2. Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg
3. Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein
4. The Wisdom Podcast
5. The Zen Studies Podcast

How many episodes of Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast are there?

Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast launched 21 years ago and published 73 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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What guests have appeared on Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast?

Recent guests on Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast include:

1. Cynthia Kear
2. Shinzan Pama
3. Frank Ostaseski
4. Jarvis Masters
5. Rebecca Solnit
6. John Halifax
7. Michael Pollan
8. Adam Frank

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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