Joshin Brian Byrnes: Faith Mind: Life in “True Faith”

Episode Description: In the last of three public interactive dharma discussions on the Zen poem, “Verse of the Faith Mind,” Joshin and the sangha explore together the question of “truth” and “true faith.”  The Third Patriarch writes: “For the unified mind in accord with the Way, all self-centered striving ceases. Doubts and irresolutions vanish and life in True Faith is possible.” With the conclusion of this series, the residents enter sesshin with Sensei Kaigetsu Irene Bakker to sit in silence with the essence of this treasured Zen teaching on the oneness of life. BIOs: Joshin Brian Byrnes serves as Upaya’s Vice Abbot and President. He came to Upaya in 2009 from the San Francisco Bay Area. He was ordained as a novice priest by Roshi Joan in 2012 and became a Dharma Holder in 2014.  Before coming to Upaya, Joshin served as President and CEO of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, and worked for most of his career to now in the AIDS epidemic and leading a variety social change and community philanthropy organizations.  Joshin’s early spiritual formation was influenced by his time in the Dominican Order where he studied theology and was inspired by the work of many social justice advocates to seek a life of contemplative action in the world. While no longer a Catholic, he remains deeply committed to socially engaged Buddhism, especially issues around social change philanthropy, economic justice, gender equity, and child welfare. He is actively involved in the Zen Peacemaker Order with Roshi Joan and Bernie Glassman Roshi, and volunteers weekly at the local homeless shelter, in addition to his responsibilities at Upaya. Besides overseeing Upaya’s administration and the resident and chaplaincy programs, Joshin teaches regularly at Upaya, leading practice periods, retreats, and sesshins, as well as regularly offering dharma talks, which can be heard here. You can reach Joshin at joshin@upaya.org. To help keep these podcasts freely available, we hope you will consider making a suggested donation of $25 to our Dharma Podcast Fund. Donate $25 Here