Reading the sutras and traditional Zen stories is a legitimate practice. But, by itself, it should not be considered a complete Zen experience. (Zen is the transmission of the Dharma directly from teacher to student, outside of the sutras.)

Also, it's essential to realize that the sutras and Zen stories are not light reading.

In this course, we identify eight rules of thumb that you should consider when reading either.

You may have heard of the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki and his teaching of Zero, and you may likely be confused about both.

At the very least, we can fill in a few details about Zero.

Throughout human history, allegories have been a cornerstone of explaining the incomprehensible... helping us navigate the complexities of our existence. These timeless stories, passed down through oral traditions and immortalized in written works, invite us to uncover profound truths through metaphor and imagination.

Take, for instance, the enduring power of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Even if we've never directly studied it, its essence resonates across cultures, shaping films, literature, and philosophical thought. It challenges us to question what we perceive and can ultimately know.

In this course, we present a new allegory—a uniquely spiritual lens on the interplay between aspiration and action. The Allegory of the Wall explores the tension between the pursuit of some 'highest good' and the essential steps required to achieve it. Let's start by recognizing that there are indeed barriers that inevitably obscure true understanding... and we should want to know how to move beyond them.

Join us in this free online course: Reconciling Zero... The Allegory of the Wall  - a journey of insight. Together, we'll peel back the requirements of the seemingly impossible... in the pursuit of what lies beyond the Wall.

As there are many paths up 'the mountain,' it may be worth taking some time to ask what makes one path more effective than others.

For over 50 years, the Zen master Joshu Sasaki taught here in the US. And he taught something he had condensed into one word - Zero. Sasaki could have taught Zen from just about any perspective. And yet, he settled on Zero. Why?

In this course, we will investigate this teaching of Zero - and how we can use it to evaluate the various Zen stories, depictions, paths, and claims that we encounter ... almost on a daily basis. Most importantly, we can use the teachings of Zero to come to an understanding of something we call Effective Zen.