26.08.2026 – СС – Дзэсё Сьюзан О'Коннелл

This talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple (San Francisco Zen Center, City Center) by Zesho Susan O'Connell. When we speak about the third aspect of the triple treasure, Sangha, one of the things I most want to emphasize is this: we need authentic conversation and authentic companionship. The point is not merely to exchange ideas about the Dharma, but to support one another in embodying it.   The goal of authentic conversation is not just the sharing of views. It is the cultivation of real connection, the willingness to explore both joy and sorrow, the deepening of belonging, and the recognition that none of us practices alone.   In a world where everything changes, where control is limited, and where we cannot cling to what is pleasant or push away what is painful, the Buddha points us toward admirable companionship as something deeply reliable. Not because it is fixed, but because it helps us walk the path together. Recorded on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. San Francisco Zen Center website: Donate and Support: https://www.sfzc.org/ways-to-support-... Practice Calendar: https://www.sfzc.org/calendar Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.sfzc.org/newsletter-signup