The University of the Waves — Koji Vanessa Able — Dharma Talk at Beginner’s Mind Temple

This talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Koji Vanessa Able, who is currently shuso (head student) for the fall 2025 practice period at City Center. Vanessa talks about fear and overwhelm and how we can meet them through practice, inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s poem ‘Fear’. Reflecting on the river meeting the ocean as a metaphor, Vanessa asks how we can find the courage we need to meet the vast unknown—and, for good measure, how we can look to cats for guidance. Recorded on Saturday, November 15, 2025. San Francisco Zen Center website: https://www.sfzc.org/ Donate and Support: https://www.sfzc.org/ways-to-support-... Practice Calendar: https://www.sfzc.org/calendar Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.sfzc.org/newsletter-signup Dharma App: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/sfzc-dh... Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...