Metacognition, Finders and the Three Turnings - Ekai Joel Kreisberg

Metacognition, Finders and the Three Turnings - Ekai Joel Kreisberg - August 8th, 2026

Ekai Joel Kreisberg explains metacognition as “thinking about awareness” and connects it to Zen, Mondo Zen, and Buddhist practice. The practice develops through four stages: receptive, active, reciprocal, and interpenetrative - moving from recognizing awareness within oneself to embodying it in relationship with others and eventually seeing awareness as pervasive.

Mondo Zen and emotional koans help take awakening off the meditation cushion and into everyday life, especially when we are triggered or interacting with others. The Sangha becomes essential because relationships reveal our shadows and give us opportunities to practice compassion, insight, and awakening.

The central message is, awakening isn't just an experience we have during meditation; it's a way of showing up in every moment. Metacognitive awareness helps us notice when we forget, remember our practice, and consciously choose how we respond. 

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive community, dedicated to awakening through Buddhist teachings promoting personal and interpersonal healing with ethical compassionate action.

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