In this episode, Su Terry, Magdalena Herreshoff and Johana Sand are exploring the intensity of these times which is effecting all of us both personally and collectively and how we can mine the spiritual understanding that we have gained through our practices for transformation.  From the outward appearance of chaos and dissolution, it seems bleak and life denying.  By listening to the ancient and modern wisdom teachings, a different picture is presented of the resurrection of our True Self through the breakdown of all that is false and a trust of what we essentially are.  Our suffering both personally and collectively are here to open us up to a greater depth if we can shift our perspective to see it that way. 

Magdalena Herreshoff,  Su Terry and Johana Sand are exploring the use of Koans in this episode, focusing on the new book from Roshi Joan Sutherland.  Joan's new book on koans, Through Forests of Every Color, from Shambhala Publications is an amazing read about how koans can help us take a different perspective on our life issues. “A clearer path or a better guide would be hard to find," says Red Pine, translator of Chinese texts, primarily Taoists and Buddhist poetry and sutras. Joan is a teacher in the koan tradition and the first woman teacher in her lineage in the Americas. She is one of the founders of the Pacific Zen School, an innovative contemporary koan school that also includes Pacific Zen Institute.

Koans short circuit the conceptual mind with a problem it cannot resolve, causing it to exhaust itself and release its claim on the primary way of knowing.  The ordinary mind loses its grip and one's true nature can be revealed and/or a deeper intuitive response.   

The paradox of free will vs. determinism has been one of great philosophical questions of all time. Su and Johana look at this from a perspective of freeing ourself and living a life of less suffering.  At first glance, it is threatening to even think that we do not have the free will we think we have.  From an eastern enlightenment perspective, where the existence of a separate self is seen through, the idea of free will can easily be deconstructed.  When looked at more deeply, it can be seen, not as a lack but as a way to see that Reality functions as a whole, and everything is inter-dependent. There is a great relief from the suffering of blame, shame and taking credit for anything.  It is a paradox as we will always have the experience that we are making free choices, but as always, things are not what they seem.  

References:  
Sam Harris - Making Sense Podcast #241, Final Thoughts On Free Will
In Search of the Miraculous by P.D. Ouspensky
The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin by P.D. Ouspensky