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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
Dogen
Zen Buddhism
Bodhisattva
Zen Practice
Zen
Zazen
Social Justice
Suffering
Meditation
Upaya Zen Center
Climate Change
Community
Death
Impermanence
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes73Founded20 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, Frank Ostaseski traces what he learned sitting at the bedside of thousands of dying people: “to sit next to people and not mess with them. Not try and help them have some experience, or meet someone else’s agenda,... more

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Dainin describes bringing Roshi Joan’s G.R.A.C.E. compassion training into New Mexico’s prison system. Working previously with the correctional cadets, and now with men who are incarcerated, Dainin names ho... more

This session of The Measure of Our Humanity series opens with Roshi Joan Halifax‘s welcome and a grounding meditation led by Dainin, before writer and activist Rebecca Solnit takes the floor. Rebecca nurtures in us the view of possibility, offering i... more

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Sensei Fushin turns to the first two folds of the Eightfold Path—right view and right intention—the wisdom from which the rest of the path grows. Right view, he suggests, is not a belief we acquire but seeing what... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Adam Frank
Astronomer and author, panelist
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)
John Dunne
Guest speaker invited for this episode, a scholar of Buddhist philosophy
Unspecified in transcript
Episode: Varela 2026: Reflexive Awareness and Encountering Reality (Part 2)
Kathy Fisher
Speaker for this episode; Zen practitioner and educator
Unspecified in transcript
Episode: Dogen Seminar 2026: Our Care-full Attention (Part 7 of 7)
Steven Heine
Professor of Religion and History, Director of Asian Studies at Florida International University
Florida International University
Episode: Dogen Seminar 2026: Cultural Legacy (Part 2)
Bhikkhu Bodhi
Buddhist monk and translator/teacher
Theravada Buddhist tradition
Episode: The Measure of Our Humanity: WISDOM

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 416 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 Kingdoma year 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.

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.
Dogen Seminar 2026: Cultural Legacy (Part 2)
Q: When did the Soto identity become solidified, and how did it relate to Dogen's own stance on labels?
The speaker explains that while Dogen resisted labels during his lifetime, the Soto lineage was increasingly solidified shortly after his death, aided by government oversight and the later efforts of figures like Keizan to connect Dogen's temple Eheiji with Soji-ji, forming a unified lineage.
Varela 2026: Re/cognizing the Mystical (Part 5)
Q: How do you reconcile the idea of an inner, inward mystical experience with the outward, institutional nature of Buddhist lineages?
The inward experience is real and central for many traditions, but it always occurs within a lineage and under the influence of the social and institutional practices that shape understanding and realization; thus, practice and lineage help ground and translate personal insight into ethical and communal action.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Household Income
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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. Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield
5. The Way Out Is In

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

Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast launched 20 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. Jarvis Masters
2. Rebecca Solnit
3. John Halifax
4. Adam Frank
5. Michael Pollan
6. John Dunne
7. Kathy Fisher
8. Steven Heine

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