Use code SUMMERPRACTICE for a 25% discount on all On Demand Courses through August 31.

The Appropriate Response

With Justine Dawson recorded on May 8, 2022.

Found our teachings useful? Help us continue our work and support your teachers with a donation. Here’s how.

When a monk asked the 10th Century Zen master Yunmen, “What are the teachings of a whole lifetime?” Yunmen replied, “An appropriate response.” 
 
What is this appropriate response and how do we know we’ve got it right? Beyond linear formulas, Dharma teachings point to a natural intelligence that guides us in a spontaneous responsiveness to life. No matter our doubt or perfectionism, we can engage our practice towards its revelation.

Listen to the audio version below, or click here to download the mp3.

Discover more from the Dharma Library

  • Clarity, Presence and Love: Both on and off the Cushion

    How to meet the world’s joys and crises, alongside our deepening practice? Learn from the examples of Buddhist teachers and activists who engage with the world and create change from the presence, clarity and love of a dedicated dharma practice. Portraits of people and organisations:Dr A. T. Ariyaratne (1931 – 2024) and the Sarvodaya movementJoe…

    Read More

  • Miles Kessler

    Daily Meditation Recordings, with Miles Kessler – Week of 28 October, 2024

    We’re grateful to have Miles Kessler leading our Daily Meditation sessions this week. May they support and enrich your practice.

    This week’s theme is: Practicing Insight In Daily Life

    The practice of mindfulness meditation automatically triggers off a series of developmental insights that gradually develop over time. But how do these “insights” appear in your daily life? In this week of daily meditation practice, Miles Kessler will lead you through an exploration of how the path of insight meditation unfolds on the cushion, but also in your daily life. Join Miles in this week of daily meditations and integrating the “Practicing Insight In Daily Life”.

    Read More

  • photo of Martin Aylward smiling

    Love for the world

    In our last class of 2017, our guiding teacher Martin offers reflections on life, love and liberation, looking particularly at some of the challenging events and elements of worldly life, and pointing towards a skilful, loving and courageous engagement with the world and everyone in it.

    Read More

  • Daily Meditation Recordings, with Caverly Morgan – Week of June 15

    We’re very grateful to have Caverly Morgan hosting our Daily Meditation Series for North America. To find out more about Caverly, and to view her past recordings and contributions to Sangha Live, click here. Monday, June 15 Clearing and grounding breath for anxiety and fear Wednesday, June 17 Chakra balancing breath practice Friday, June 19…

    Read More

  • photo of Martin Aylward smiling

    Warrior heart: transforming anger into strength, dynamism and creativity

    Dharma teachings point to how dangerous and destructive anger is, and how words and actions can cause great suffering. This class looks at skilful means for meeting and exploring anger, and for understanding and transforming it. Martin leads a specially oriented meditation, and his talk explores the inner strength and confidence which can arise from…

    Read More

  • Ronya Banks

    Embodied Wisdom: the Fruit of Buddhist Practice

    Cultivating embodied wisdom can provide us with lasting equanimity in the face of life’s inevitable ups and downs. During this session, Ronya offers Buddhist practices and frameworks to help us access deep peace and profound contentment for life’s precious journey.

    Read More

  • Nathan Glyde

    Daily Meditation Recordings, with Nathan Glyde – Week of 02 March, 2026

    This week’s theme is: Release The Pressure

    We often feel pressured to become better-pushed to chase the impossible or to be someone always just out of reach. This same strain can seep into our practice. Yet the Middle Way invites us to soften that drive, releasing unnecessary pressure here and now, and uncovering the steadfast flexibility of wise compassion.

    Our Dharma Library thrives through collective generosity. Your donation helps sustain this offering for our entire community.

    Read More