When we embrace a practice like Zen, we realize how difficult it can be to stay on a path that is so radically different from how we have been conditioned to show up. Deep inside, we know that we are not truly being our authentic selves and we consciously decide to search for something that can lead us to be who we naturally are. This practice is not for our personal development or growth. However, that is something that naturally happens. This practice offers the opportunity to show up in the world the way we are truly meant to, and when we do this, we are transformed and liberated.

As human beings, we all wish for happiness and peace in our lives, and we wish not to suffer. Yet, we experience so much sorrow, discontent, and suffering, and we are often left feeling hopeless or helpless, unable to comprehend this suffering. The Buddha's teachings are about liberation from suffering. But what does it really mean to be liberated? Perhaps the fundamental obstacle is that we do not really understand our suffering, nor how to truly cultivate happiness. This evening, we will look at suffering, happiness, peace, and liberation - how to see them more clearly.

The Platform Sutra of Hui-Neng, the sixth patriarch of Chinese Zen is one of the most influential texts of Chan Buddhism. According to Hui-Neng, Buddha nature is the true nature of all beings. We therefore don't need to purify our minds, rather we need to shift our perspective so we can see our true nature. Hui-Neng was an illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment, and who went on to demonstrate the depth and clarity of this insight. His example has demonstrated to generations of Zen students and spiritual seekers that awakening is attainable in this lifetime regardless of education or social standing.

The "mysterious principle" Master Linji Yixuan (the founder of Rinzai Zen) is centered on direct, spontaneous awareness. He taught us to stop seeking enlightenment outside of ourselves in scriptures, Buddha figures, or even the concept of Nirvana and to recognize our own true unconditioned nature. There is nothing to gain, no path to follow, and nothing special to achieve. True liberation is simply having enough confidence in yourself to stop looking for it and live in awareness as an ordinary person.

The Heart Sutra, possibly the best known text of Mahayana Buddhism, is said to be the pure distillation of wisdom (prajna). Perhaps because of both its profundity and brevity, the Heart Sutra is the most familiar of all the original teachings of the Buddha. An English translation can easily be printed on one side of a piece of paper. Also the Sino-Japanese version of the Sutra lends itself well to chanting. The Heart Sutra seeks to cut our dualistic thinking at the root.

In Zen we are taught that we have everything within us to be awakened and enlightened. However, we, in our conditioned mind, create barriers that hold us back from tapping into our authentic self and to live how we are meant to. How many times do we miss what is right in front of us? How can we see what we need to see? Let us explore these questions and share our lived experiences on this path.

Our lives are constructed of stories. Some are handed down to us, others take form from the outcome of events in our lives. Stories are the stuff of our sense of self, and when habits develop around them, we are constrained, we suffer. To realize new possibilities is how we transform our lives and discover new meaning.

Traditionally sangha referred to the community of ordained monks and nuns, but today the term sangha, includes all Buddhist practitioners, lay and ordained. The Buddha taught that each of us is responsible for our own journey of awakening "Be an island unto yourself." But at the same time, the Buddha left us a precious legacy, the teachings (dharma) and the community (sangha). We are never alone if we embrace the three refuges. The existence of Sangha is what makes Buddhism a living, applied spiritual tradition rather than a mere philosophy. We support and are supported by each other.