Shinzen Young's Journey into Meditation

Shinzen Young describes his early fascination with Asian cultures and languages, which led him to study Buddhist meditation practices. Despite struggling academically in high school, he pursued knowledge of East Asian traditions through private tutoring and language classes. His journey took a transformative turn during a trip to Asia, where he encountered genuine Buddhist meditators, leading him to realize a deeper understanding of these practices. This experience propelled him into an academic career in Buddhist studies, where he transitioned from theoretical learning to becoming an active practitioner and teacher.