Spring Practice Period 2024: Sesshin Dharma Talk with Alcio Braz

In this intimate and reflective Dharma talk, Sensei Alcio emphasizes the joyful and pure essence of Zen practice, countering any misconceptions that Zen involves a somber or stern attitude. Alcio continues with a critique of the Western psychological model’s focus on the individual self and its emotions, advocating for a broader, community-oriented perspective in psychology and Zen practice. The Abhidharma teachings are introduced as tools for understanding the illusory nature of the self, encouraging practitioners to witness and let go of afflictions until they are exhausted, while also planting good seeds through practices like Mudita (empathic joy).