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Appamada

2026-04-07 I Inquiry I The Smallest Thing I Josh Gifford

·1 hr 1 min·5 clips
Josh Gifford reveals how his father's 'get it done then rest' mentality contrasts with Zen's simultaneous movement and rest.
Josh Gifford opens the Appamada inquiry session by welcoming attendees and leading a sitting period. He introduces the theme of energy and effort, reflecting on how his father's 'get it done then rest' mentality differs from Zen practice's integration of movement and rest. Gifford shares a personal koan about managing these two ways of being. He references Suzuki Roshi's teachings from 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind,' noting the paradox that effort creates mind waves but is necessary for calmness. Gifford describes his litter picking practice, using gear from Waterhall in Cornwall, and observes his grandsons' different approaches to the task. He poses inquiry questions about how personal experiences shape one's relationship with energy and effort. Participant Darcy discusses hosting her sister, whose driven nature causes tension, and grapples with accepting that people may not change. Katherine shares her awareness of adrenaline activation in her body and seeks practices to work with inherited patterns. Jill reflects on being addicted to rushing and finds inspiration in Mary Oliver's poem about slowing down. Trudy reads a poem about taking a day off and stillness. The session closes with verses and acknowledgments.

As heard by us

A quiet reflection on sandals, incense, and service as wholehearted practice.

Appamada treats ordinary movement as practice, and the episode is strongest when it stays with the body. After a twelve-minute sitting and the verse of the robe, the host remembers pausing before lighting incense, then turns to Mel Weitzman's teaching that thought and activity…

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Press play when putting on your shoes could use the seriousness of an Olympic event.

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