How Practice Takes Shape (The Role of Vow)

How Practice Takes Shape (The Role of Vow)

From Zen Mind by Zenki Christian Dillo

May 14, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

The episode explores the role of vow in Zen practice and its implications for self-identity.

This talk was given during a zazen intensive at the Boulder Zen Center. The talk holds a question often left unasked: what is the role of vow in Zen practice? It opens with a confession of skepticism. Vow can become superego, a new identity to monitor against. The talk works through this tension by tracing how way-seeking mind emerges from the friction of misrepresenting ourselves as substantial, separate selves within a reality that is undivided activity. Just sitting already contains the dy...

People in this episode

Host: Zenki Christian Dillo

Topics covered

  • Zen practice
  • vow
  • zazen
  • spirituality
  • self-identity
  • mindfulness

Keywords

  • Zen
  • vow
  • zazen intensive
  • Boulder Zen Center
  • spiritual practice
  • mindfulness
  • self
  • identity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boulder Zen Center

More episodes of Zen Mind

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Zen Mind podcast page.