zengateway's podcast

In this Podcast we discuss the effect that culture has on our development and the difference between loneliness and being alone.

This month: You have mentioned the - wisdom of the body - several times. However, the body is also the place where we commonly think of our instincts and impulses. How do we differentiate between this wisdom and impulsiveness?   … In this podcast:   A short history of differing conceptions of 'body' and 'nature' East & West The problem of evil as assisting everything to its 'right' place. The huma...

Master Dogen said: 'The flower petals fall though we love them, the weeds grow though we hate them - that is just how it is.' (Wisdom of the Zen Masters by Irmgard Schloegl) …………………… In this podcast: The difference in meaning between the Buddha's liberation and political liberation & freedom. The link between picking & choosing and attachment to self and between self & fear How attachment to self...

Why do we place a count on the out breath in Zazen meditation practice? In this podcast:   Meditation on the breath - Four Foundations sutta The focus of attention is where the heart energy goes - Tibetan spider story Mind - body split and healing the rupture with samadhi breath to out breath - to count on the out-breath aligns body and mind together

How the practice of bowing is at the heart of spiritual practices. Setting the mood for practice - The Great 'Yes' - Acceptance practice Cultivating reverence - looking up rather than dragging down. Sincerity in bowing - before the shrine, before a meal (an expression of gratitude & dependency) The bow as an expression of love

In this podcast: The illusion of 'I' being in control. Some neurological insights into how 'I' appear to be in charge. Conscious control and unconscious management Reflective consciousness and the appearance of 'myself'. No-I is not a 'state' of consciousness but the true nature of consciousness. The sun behind clouds and the giving of myself away into… the forgetting of 'I

In this podcast:   The difference between 'knowing in the head' and 'knowing in the body'.   Knowing by doing - learning through embodied action and how it works in practice. How faith is key to exploring the 'miraculous'.   This wisdom of the body aligns with the wisdom of the universe. How 'my' notions get in the way of this 'ordinary' functioning.

In this podcast: 'giving myself' = samadhi. A phrase used by Master Daiyu as a counter to 'mind/mindfulness' Rhys Davids translation early 20th century. Phrase emphasises embodiment rather than mind-led activity. citta = heart; Five Skandas are field of consciousness and rupa = body and senses used as counterpoint to the thinking centre of the samskaras - helps to kick the habit of heart residing...

"In America, when we meet a friend, we shake hands; the strength is in the arm. When you walk on the street, you should put strength in the abdomen and walk straight. Some people give the impression of being intoxicated, their walk is so weak. A gentleman or lady must cultivate dignity. Therefore, you must practice the shape of meditation whenever you have time. People who cannot keep this shape a...

In this podcast: inka literally means a stamp or seal that authenticates and gives permission to teach in the Zen tradition. As with most things that develop over time, it has been given several meanings. Mainly it is used to either authenticate deep realisation or to covey dharma transmission from master to pupil. One who has been given inka may be referred to as Zen master. inka as dharma transm...

  "Master Sessan said: 'In our daily life we should remember three things: joining the palms as in prayer; bowing as in worship; and charity. Joining the palms is the best practice for bringing the body and mind into a state of unity; the bow means honour and respect for others; charity is the basis for peace in society. If we practise them, it is certain that we shall in turn receive.'"   (The Wi...

" In working with the fires you say that this process burns away the sense of self. Can you unpack this comment a bit more. Also where does this practice come from? Would you also just go through the process of ' how to ' work with the fires please? "   ……………………….   In this podcast:   The Satipatthana sutta as the basis for this practice, in particular the 3rd Foundation of Mindful Awareness. Mast...

In this podcast:   The three main archetypes outlined by Jung as part of his process of individuation. Early meditation and mindfulness and the exposure to the awareness of shadow   Animus & anima - tolerating the presence of the 'other'   The archetype of the Self - a perfect marriage

And how, monks, does a monk dwell practising mind object contemplation on mind objects? …   Herein a monk dwells practising mind object contemplation on the mind objects of the five hindrances…   Herein, monks, when sense desire is present in him the monk knows, "there is sense desire in me", or when sense desire is absent, he knows, "there is no sense desire in me…   Herein, monks, when anger is...

Q) Sometimes I find it difficult to stay awake during zazen, particularly at the beginning of sesshins (Zen retreats). Why is this? ……………… Zen retreats as part of Zen practice. Slowing down the pace of life turns attention inward to the psyche Retreats sharpen up the skill of both meditation and mindfulness Different people can experience retreats very differently Encountering repressed material o...

In this podcast: What is 'Mind' and what are the Buddhist theories of Mind? The Three Fires and how they drive the Wheel of Rebirth How fear can distort the way we 'see' the world around us How delusion causes 'mis-direction' of the causes of our distress Making a pact with the devil! Encountering the Shadow and the importance of this in spiritual development

Q) In one podcast you mention dealing with lethargy. Will you say some more about this please? In this podcast: Master Daie says: "If you want strength, first you must conserve it." The energy/power that fills and underpins all phenomena in all the worlds How my picking and choosing turns that power against ones Right Intentions and actions Form and timetables - colluding with the enemy (Mara) - T...

"And how, monks, does a monk dwell practising feeling-contemplation on feelings? When experiencing a pleasant feeling, the monk knows: 'I experience a pleasant feeling'; when experiencing a painful feeling, he knows: 'I experience a painful feeling'; when experiencing a neutral feeling, he knows: 'I experience a neutral feeling."   (Maha Satipatthana Sutta tr. Nyanaponika Mahathera) ….. In this po...

And again, monks, a monk when going, knows "I am going"; when standing, he knows "I am standing"; when sitting, he knows "I am sitting"; when lying down, he knows "I am lying down"; Or he knows any other positions of the body. Thus he dwells practising body – contemplation on the body internally, or externally, or both internally and externally. He dwells contemplating origination factors in the b...

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living among the Kurus, at Kammasadamma, a market town of the Kuru people. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhu thus: "Monks," and they replied to him, "Venerable Sir." The Blessed One spoke as follows: This is the only way, monks, for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the destruction of suffering...

Q) Is there a parallel in Zen practice for the psychological process of integrating the archetype of the shadow? … In this podcast: What is the shadow in psychology? - Jung and the archetypes - Opening up to the unconscious? What if meditation makes me worse?. Seeing things as they really are - warts and all Shadow as the portal through which all the other archetypes are known, plus repressed elem...