Henry Shukman - A Path To True Mindfulness

Feb 5, 2024

In this episode, Henry Shukman, meditation expert and author, discusses the common struggles of beginner meditators and the different challenges faced by men and women. They explore the power of allowing thoughts and emotions, the concept of original nature, and the potential similarities between psychedelics and meditation. Henry also shares insights about his upcoming meditation app.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Returning Guest and Discussing Resistance and Challenges in Meditation

02:30 • 2min

Exploring Challenges in Meditation

04:06 • 37min

The Power of Letting Things Be

40:53 • 2min

The Power of Allowing and Observing Thoughts and Emotions

42:52 • 5min

Exploring Mindfulness and Original Nature

47:48 • 16min

Building The Way: A Sequential Journey to Meditation

01:04:15 • 8min

Talking points: zen, meditation, mindfulness, psychedelics, mindset

I'm one of those people who hated sitting down and meditating, even after a few years of trying to practice. It's now something I do nearly every day, and it grounds me in ways I can't explain. This is a pretty common story, especially among men I've worked with, so I brought Henry Shukman back on the show to dig into what novice meditators get wrong, what some good starter methods are, and really: what IS thought, anyway?

Listen in for a great look at the start and "end" goal of mindfulness, and Henry's infectious enthusiasm for this powerful practice.

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:47)- Do men and women have different struggles with meditation?

(00:08:35) - Why do meditation and mindfulness draw more women than men?

(00:18:45) - What are the initial resistance points when people start a meditation practice?

(00:25:03) - What IS thinking?

(00:31:57) - But what’s the actual goal of mindfulness, and how do you get there?

(00:38:56) - The power of allowing, and what it actually means

(00:49:29) - What is “original nature”?

(00:56:16) - Do psychedelics offer the same glimpse into reality as meditation does?

(01:04:24) - Henry’s upcoming app

Henry Shukman is a mindfulness teacher and the spiritual Director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center. He has been trained by several Zen teachers, particularly the roshis Joan Rieck, John Gaynor, Ruben Habito, and Yamada Ryoun Roshi, as well as by teachers and mentors in other traditions. Henry has an MA from Cambridge and an MLitt from St. Andrews, and has written several award-winning books of poetry and fiction.

He currently guides a wide range of students from all walks of life. He received dharma transmission (inka shomei) from Yamada Ryoun Roshi, the abbot of Sanbo Zen, and is a Zen Master of the Sanbo Zen lineage of Kamakura, Japan.

Connect with Henry

-Upcoming app: The Way: https://www.thewayapp.com/

-Website; Mountain Cloud Zen Center: https://www.mountaincloud.org/

-Website; Original Love Meditation: https://originallove.org/

-Book; One Blade Of Grass: https://bit.ly/3CFLuFz

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mountaincloudzencenter/

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