Walking in Daylight | Hekiganroku Case 41 | Sensei Michael Brunner

What happens after everything falls apart? In this powerful Zen talk, Sensei Michael Brunner explores the transformative teaching known as the great death—the moment when our old self drops away, and something deeper emerges. Drawing from Case 41 of the Blue Cliff Record, the Tenzo Kyōkun of Dōgen, and the lived experience of grief and awakening, this talk invites us to step beyond survival and meet life fully—in the clear light of day. Discover what it means to stop patching the past and instead walk forward with no mask, no script, and no need to hide. This is not about retreat or cleverness—it’s about vulnerability, presence, and the courage to recognize your true self in all things, including hardship. 🪷 Whether you're facing loss, change, or uncertainty, this talk is a lantern on the path. Timestamps: 0:00 – Opening reflections on practice 2:12 – Introducing Case 41: The Great Death 4:38 – The trapdoor falls: what now? 7:00 – Why we keep reweaving the old self 10:15 – Dōgen on suffering as Buddha’s body 13:00 – Full presence in daylight 15:42 – Silence after suffering 17:20 – Hakuin’s words on the Great Death 19:10 – Q&A and reflections from the Sangha 🔔 Subscribe for weekly Dharma talks, guided meditations, and reflections from One River Zen:    / oneriverzen   🌿 Learn more about upcoming retreats and classes: https://oneriverzen.org 📍 One River Zen is a Soto Zen center in Ottawa, IL in the lineage of Dainin Katagiri through Sojun Diane Martin, offering daily meditation, online and in-person teachings, and the deep encouragement to live an awakened life—just as you are! #Zen #BlueCliffRecord #Dogen #GriefAndAwakening #SotoZen #DharmaTalk #Buddhism #OneRiverZen