Shows
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Being Just This Moment, by Andrew Sono Tootell“Each moment, as it is, is complete and full in itself. Seeing this no matter what arises in each moment, we can let it be.” – Joko Beck.
In this guided meditation, Sono invites us to trust our body and our breath to allow each moment to be exactly as it is.
2026-02-0319 min
The OzZen PodcastCase 94, Book of Serenity, by Andrew Sono TootellWhen Joko Beck broke away from the White Plum Asanga to form her own sangha which she named the Ordinary Mind Zen School, she also stopped wearing a robe and also dropped the Koan curriculum and the Jukai ceremony. Barry Magid reintroduced the Jukai ceremony (minus the Buddhist names) and also reintroduced the study of koans. Barry reintroduced the study of koans in the spirit of Soto Zen – using the koans as teaching stories to illuminate different aspects of Zen practice and not as a form of meditation practice aimed at inducing a special spiritual experience. However, more than that, I...
2026-02-0231 min
The OzZen PodcastOur Core Practices Part Three: The Three Treasures, by Andrew Sono TootellZen practice is premised on the identity of the Absolute and the Relative. They are both the same and different. Which is why in Zen we say, “not one, not two”! The Absolute is expressed in our Practice Principles as being just this moment – and the identity of the Absolute with the Relative is expressed as Compassion’s Way. If we see that our home is just this moment, then there is nothing else we need to depend on – no matter what happens in our life we will always be at one with our home. If only it was so easy! For...
2025-11-2342 min
The OzZen PodcastTransforming Suffering into Compassion, by Andrew Sono TootellWe often view life as a problem to be solved – we are either living a successful life, a good life, or we feel we are a failure at living. We might try one self-improvement project after another, and they can work for a certain period of time. But in the end, we cannot escape the inevitable – impermanence and interdependence. Impermanence and interdependence are experienced often as suffering – and when we resist impermanence and interdependence, we add another layer of suffering from our attempt to separate out from the fact that we are embedded in life and relationships with other human beings...
2025-10-2647 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Mindful Awareness, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this guided meditation we explore the distinction between awareness and mindfulness – with awareness being described as effortless presence and mindfulness being described as remembering to be aware of a particular object or to be aware of awareness itself (objectless meditation).
2025-10-2131 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Bodhisattva's vow, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this guided meditation Sono recites Torei Zenji’s Bodhisattvas’ Vow to open the heart to practice loving kindness towards those who have hurt us or done us harm.
2025-10-0740 min
The OzZen PodcastThe Place of Sangha in Post-Monastic Zen Practice, by Andrew Sono TootellThe Place of Sangha in Post-Monastic Zen Practice, by Andrew Sono Tootell by
2025-09-0126 min
The OzZen PodcastOur Core Practices Part Two, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this talk I discuss the principle of the middle way. In particular, the middle way between self and no-self and the middle way through the absolute and the relative. After establishing that our self, just as it is, is already Buddha nature, I discuss how difficult it can be to recognise this. The talk reflects on the preciousness of our impermanent and interdependent, self which arises in relation to other selves. It focuses on the importance of cultivating a healthy self and healthy relationships, on the basis of safety, trust, recognition, reliability and the willingness to mend that which...
2025-08-1723 min
The OzZen PodcastOur Core Practices Part One, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this talk I will show how our practice principles can be translated into our core practices that I have inherited from Joko Beck, and in particular, from my teacher Barry Magid. The core practices to be covered in this talk are:
1. Just-Sitting.
2. Becoming aware of our curative fantasies and core beliefs and at the same time, cultivating an increasing capacity for self-acceptance.
2025-07-2046 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: The Five Remembrances, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this Guided Meditation I invite you to contemplate the following five remembrances:
I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my...
2025-07-1533 min
The OzZen PodcastTaking Refuge in Self-Affirming Experiences, by Andrew Sono TootellThis talk is an example of the ongoing project, initiated by my teacher, Barry Magid, of integrating a Relational Self Psychology approach into Zen practice – in this case – integrating Heinz Kohut’s concept of the “selfobject experience” with Buddhism’s Three Refuges. I will first make a crucial distinction between “dialogue-narrative” and “experience” before introducing what Kohut meant by “selfobject experiences”. The concept of a selfobject was a familiar kind of language in the psychoanalytic world of Kohut’s time, but I have decided to rename selfobject experiences as self-affirming experiences – I think this makes it more user friendly for non-psychoanalysts. The pur...
2025-06-0837 min
The OzZen PodcastSpiritual Autobiographies Part 3, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this final talk on the theme of spiritual autobiography, Sono discusses the theme of home and homelessness by sharing some more stories from his own life and also discusses the memoir The Salt Path (2018) written by Raynor Winn and released as a movie in May, 2025.
2025-05-1729 minThe OzZen PodcastSpiritual Autobiographies Part 2, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this dharma talk Sono focuses on Lou Norstrom’s Memoirs of an American Zen Pioneer published in 2023. This memoir is a courageous exploration of how zen practice can at times collude with forms of “self-alienation” and “self-abandonment” caused by early attachment trauma.
2025-05-1638 minThe OzZen PodcastSpiritual Autobiographies Part 1, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this dharma talk Sono introduces the important place of spiritual autobiographies in Zen Practice, inspired by Lou Norstrom’s Memoirs of an American Zen Pioneer published in 2023. Since Saint Augustine (354-430) famous Confessions, spiritual autobiographies often have a “confessional” theme. This is also the case in the spiritual autobiography Wild Ivory, written by the Zen Rinzai Master, Hakuin (1685-1768). In today’s language we would talk about self-disclosure and how self-disclosure can have therapeutic benefits.Sono begins to tell the story of his “Shakyamuni” moment – based upon two traumatic events which occurred in bis life when he was 19 years old.
2025-05-1535 min
The OzZen PodcastSamadhi, by Andrew Sono TootellThis is a dharma talk on. It's one of the eight noble truths, usually translated as concentration. I will to talk about the different approaches/interpretations of Samadhi you'll find in Rinzai practice and Soto practice. I will then discuss how we might talk about Samadhi from an Ordinary Mind Zen point of view, based on the teachings of Joko Beck and Barry Magid. We emphasise no-gain and you can’t get it right or wrong right. Just sitting expresses the unity of practice/enlightenment – let go of all gaining ideas – just sit – this is it.
2025-05-1151 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Shelter from the Storm: The Three Refuges, by Andrew Sono TootellWhy do we need refuge? In Zen Buddhism the Three Refuges are like a life-raft on the sea of life. We face many storms of different conditions and circumstances. We face natural disasters, floods and fires; the storms of relationships, loss and disappointment; we face wars and financial anxiety. We can summarise these as:
Fear
Uncertainty
Vulnerability
Greed, hatred and ignorance
People may take refuge in gods or an intervention God. They make seek refuge in authoritarian leaders. The Buddha taught us to find refuge within this world, within ourselves and our relationships.
2025-04-2236 min
The OzZen PodcastPractice Principles 2025, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this dharma talk I share my latest understanding of the Practice Principles, originally formulated by Joko Beck and as interpreted by my teacher Barry Magid. The practice principles give us a condensed way of understanding ordinary mind zen practice. However, they do miss out some important aspects of practice, such as the importance of supportive relationships and mutual recognition. This talk covers how they are a re-working of the four noble truths and the four great vows. The two couplets represent the Two Truths, the absolute or ultimate truth and the relative or conventional truth. The first two lines...
2025-04-1338 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Life as it is and other teachers, by Andrew Sono TootellThese days I like to think that “life as it is” is the ultimate teacher, but not of course, the only teacher. There are many teachers: relationships with nature; works of art and of course, relationships with significant people in our lives. Zen is a relational practice. Even when you are sitting alone, you are sitting with a long line of ancestors going all the way back to Shakymuni Buddha. During this guided meditation, we are going to integrate our zazen practice, our experience of life as it is, with an exploration of our relational selves, embedded as they are in a...
2025-04-0837 min
The OzZen PodcastWaking to a Dream within a Dream, by Andrew Sono TootellThis dharma talk focuses on exploring the concept of the self-centered dream and suffering, with discussions on practice principles and their potential modifications. Participants shared personal experiences and insights related to self-centeredness, dreams, and the nature of reality. The conversation also touched on the importance of shifting from a self-centered to a life-centered perspective, drawing from various philosophical and literary sources to illustrate key points.
2025-02-1644 min
The OzZen PodcastMedidation: Wabi Sabi, by Andrew Sono TootellIn this guided meditation we will be exploring the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of wabi sabi and how we can integrate it into our just-sitting practice. Wabi is about finding beauty in imperfection, simplicity, things that are aged and broken and cracked. Sabi is the appreciation of the beauty of impermanence and transience and the kind of melancholy feeling which comes with that which is kind of a sweet feeling. Sabi is concerned with the passage of time, with the way in which all things grow and decay and how aging alters the visual nature of those things.
2025-01-2835 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Leave everything alone, by Andrew Sono TootellThis guided meditation explores our core practice of just-sitting and the encouragement to leave everything alone. Even though we're in different geographical locations with different visuals, different sounds, we share very similar bodies. One thing all humanity has in common is breathing. We all share that together. Welcome the breath. Become one with the breath, our constant companion and friend, right to the very end. Not trying to change anything, fix anything. Just allowing our Zazen to do its work for us. Sitting relatively still allows us to go deeper and deeper into just simply experiencing this moment. Allow the...
2025-01-1438 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: The Morning Star, by Andrew Sono TootellChristianity has the star of Bethlehem. We have the morning star.
There is nothing special or supernatural about our morning star, yet the morning star is perfect just as it is, and it twinkles and changes from moment to moment – and we are all just like that morning star!
During this guided meditation I will take you on a metaphorical journey through three phases of Zazen as we sink deeper and deeper into being just moment and how this moment discloses itself to us – leading us into our core practice of Shikantaza:
1. Settling in and building the Dwelling: Settling and clai...
2024-12-0835 min
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Being at home in the world, by Andrew Sono TootellOnce you have recognized and claimed your home, and have begun to find yourself at home in it, then you are able to open the doors generously to the entire universe, welcoming everyone in with warmth and hospitality, sharing the abundant treasures therein with all beings who come your way – Ruben L. F. Habito
Many Zen teachers, when describing the transformation brought about by zazen, draw upon the metaphor of recognising and claiming our home in this very body and in this very place.
This guided meditation will draw upon this metaphor as the three stages of Zazen:
1. Settling and cl...
2024-12-0337 min
The OzZen PodcastWu-Tsu’s Who is that Other? by Andrew Sono TootellTHE CASE
Wu-Tsu said, “Sakyamuni and Maitreya are servants of another. Tell me, who is that other?”
WU-MEN’S COMMENT
If you can see this other and distinguish him or her clearly, then it is like encountering your father at the crossroads. You will not need to ask somebody whether or not you’re right.
WU-MEN’S VERSE
Don’t draw another’s bow;
Don’t ride another’s horse;
Don’t discuss another’s faults;
Don’t explore another’s affairs.
2024-11-1548 min
Nuanez NowNuanez Now April 15, 2024 - Hour 2 - Ryan TootellFormer host Ryan Tootell makes a special guest appearance to break down the Masters with Colter Nuanez. Plus: Colter and Andrew Houghton go back and forth on Brandon Whitney staying with Griz hoops and Clifton McDowell ending up at McNeese State.
2024-04-1645 min
Simplicity Zen PodcastSimplicity Zen Podcast Episode 87 - An Interview with Dr Sono Andrew Tootell (The Zen Lamp Series)An Interview with Zen Teacher Dr Sono Andrew TootellDr Sono Andrew Tootell is an Australian Zen teacher in the Ordinary Mind Zen School. He is the dharma heir of Barry Magid and is an accredited mental health social worker and maintains a private psychotherapy practice. He is the teacher for the OzZen sangha.More about Andrew:https://ordinarymind.com.au/More about Simplicity Zen Podcast:https://simplicityzen.com/
2023-10-211h 23
Big Sky BreakdownBig Sky Breakdown - Third week of SeptemberColter Nuanez is joined by Brooks Nuanez to talk about Montana State's home opener, Ryan Tootell on Bobby Hauck and the Griz, Andrew Houghton on the in-state recruiting and the Big Sky Conference, the Montana State Minute with Alex Eschelman, Inside the Big Sky with Mariluz Cook, Catching up with the 'Cats with Amandre Williams and the ESPN Roundtable with San Diego Coach Dale Lindsey. Big Sky Breakdown timesBrooks Nuanez on Gold Rush - 3:10Ryan Tootell on Bobby Hauck and the Griz 41:40Andrew Houghton on in-state...
2021-09-172h 38Big Sky BreakdownBig Sky Breakdown - Griz, Bobcats prepare for home openersIn this Big Sky Breakdown, hear from Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, Griz linebacker Patrick O'Connell, Bobcat tight end Treyton Pickering, MSU safety Jeffrey Manning, Montana State linebacker Nolan Askelson plus analysis from Colter Nuanez, Ryan Tootell, Andrew Houghton and Alex Eschelman. Big Sky Breakdown times1 - Bobby Hauck - 2:322 - Brent Vigen - 6:263. Patrick O'Connell - 16:354. Treyton Pickering - 25:525.Ryan Tootell - 37:036. Andrew Houghton 47:487. Jeffrey Manning Jr. - 1:03:218. Nolan Askelson - 1:06:159. Alex Es...
2021-09-111h 34
The OzZen PodcastMeditation: Earth And SkyThis guided meditation OzZen teacher Andrew Tootell continues the project of developing a Zen-informed Guided Meditation practice. It begins by outlining the four principles that all Buddhist groups adhere to: Life is Dukkha (Suffering); Impermanence; Interdependence (no separate self); and Nirvana. Although all Buddhism agree on these “four seals” they interpret them differently. We will be exploring the following question: What makes a zen-informed guided meditation different to other Buddhist-informed guided meditations? Is it a sensibility, an aesthetic? It can be argued that the difference between Japanese (Zen Buddhism) and Indian Buddhism is in how these different cultures relate to this...
2021-02-0241 min
Griz Greats: The Coaching TreeBonus: Andrew Strait + Jordan HasquetIn today’s always-on world, your business demands a simpler approach to network security. At Blackfoot Communications we deliver state-of-the-art security solutions – from the perimeter to end-point devices and remote data backup – for businesses across Montana. Ensure your company’s network is online. All the time.For more information, visit GoBlackfoot.com/GrizGreats.Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez sat down with Andrew Strait and Jordan Hasquet, who both played for Larry Krystkowiak and Wayne Tinkle at the University of Montana, to get a player's perspective on what it was like to play for both men. Strait a...
2020-02-2941 min