In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner of One River Zen explores the transformative power of the Three Pure Precepts—Cease from Evil, Practice Good, and Practice Good for Others—not as rigid rules, but as a living, breathing process of awakening. Through keen observation, we uncover how our judgments shape reality, how attachment to narratives obscures the beauty of the present moment, and how stepping beyond self-imposed separation allows compassionate action to arise naturally. Sensei Michael delves into Mumonkan Case 36, challenging us to consider: How do we greet a fully awakened being? More importantly, how do we meet life itself? This talk invites us to release the need to know, bear witness without interference, and move in harmony with the unfolding moment—a practice that ultimately costs us the small self but grants us the boundless life of the universe. 🔹 Key Topics: The Three Pure Precepts as a dynamic process, not a rule set The role of perception and judgment in shaping our reality Moving beyond self/other duality into direct experience Applying Mumonkan Case 36: Meeting a Woman Who Has Accomplished the Way Letting go of the constructed self and fully showing up
In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner examines the Three Pure Precepts as a practice of seeing beyond the limitations of self and other. Rather than moral commandments, these precepts serve as a dynamic way of engaging with the world, allowing us to break free from conditioned narratives and step into direct experience.
The talk explores how our judgments shape perception, how the gap between self and other is self-imposed, and how true compassion arises naturally when separation dissolves. Using Mumonkan Case 36, Sensei Michael challenges us: If we meet a fully awakened being, how do we greet them? More importantly, how do we meet this very moment?
🔹 Cease from Evil – Not about moral judgment, but releasing attachment to narratives that distort direct experience.
🔹 Practice Good – A call to bear witness rather than impose labels and categories.
🔹 Practice Good for Others – Stepping beyond self/other duality to act from unity.
🔹 Perception Shapes Reality – Our judgments are not distant objects, they are our experience.
🔹 Compassion Beyond Calculation – Action arises freely when we no longer hesitate.
🔹 Mumonkan Case 36 – A koan that forces us to drop the idea of a "right" response and instead fully meet reality.
00:00 – Introduction: The precepts as a process, not rules
05:10 – How our judgments shape perception
12:30 – The Three Pure Precepts in daily life
18:45 – Self and other: Seeing through the same eyes
24:15 – Mumonkan Case 36: How do you greet an awakened being?
32:00 – Letting go of the constructed self and showing up fully