Meditation teacher Henry Shukman discusses original love vs. original sin, the purpose of life as experiencing love, and the four zones of love. He shares insights on deep meditation training, the benefits of guided meditation, discipline, and approaches to meditation guidance.
Henry Shukman emphasizes the value of gentle guidance in meditation practice, aiding practitioners at all levels.
Original Love meditation involves accepting emotional difficulties with kindness, leading to inner peace and connection.
Deep dives
Henry Shookman's Approach to Meditation Practice: Emphasizing Guidance and Support
Henry Shookman, in his conversation with Michael Taft, explores the importance of guidance in meditation practice. Shookman draws a contrast between traditional Zen training and a more pedagogical approach, highlighting the value of instructional guidance in navigating the complexities of meditation. He emphasizes the role of gentle guidance in aiding practitioners at varying levels, from beginners to seasoned meditators, illustrating how even subtle instructions can significantly enhance the meditation experience.
The Significance of Handholding in Meditation Practice
Shookman discusses the benefits of 'handholding' in meditation practice, referring to the gentle guidance that can help practitioners navigate challenges. He highlights the importance of offering support and direction during meditation, especially in practices like focused attention or breath awareness. By acknowledging the common difficulties faced by meditators, Shookman advocates for accessible guidance that can enhance focus and deepen the meditation experience.
Original Love Approach in Meditation Practice
Shookman introduces the concept of 'Original Love' in meditation practice, emphasizing the necessity of allowing emotional difficulties to be met with acceptance and love. He proposes a shift from resisting negative emotions to embracing them with kindness and patience. Through this approach, Shookman suggests that the path to meditation mastery involves a gradual softening and dissolution of inner obstacles, leading to a deeper sense of connection and self-acceptance.
Moving from Resistance to Acceptance in Meditation
Shookman elaborates on the transformative power of transitioning from resistance to acceptance in meditation practice. He advocates for a compassionate and gentle approach towards emotional hurdles, encouraging practitioners to embrace difficult feelings with a sense of openness and love. By emphasizing the importance of nurturing self-acceptance and inner peace, Shookman highlights the profound impact of allowing oneself to be present with all aspects of experience during meditation.
Host Michael Taft talks with meditation teacher and author Henry Shukman about love, original love vs. original sin, wellbeing intense enough to be called “blessedness,” seeing your original face outside of time, the four zones of love, experience as inseparable boundless space, experiencing love as the purpose of our lives, and much more.
Henry Shukman is founder of the Original Love meditation program, spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM, and the author of several award-winning books of poetry and fiction. His newest book Original Love: the Four Inns on the Path of Awakening(HarperOne) is released in July 2024. Henry has taught at Google, Harvard Business School, the Institute of American Indian Arts and Oxford Brookes University. His poetry has been featured in the New Yorker, Sunday Times, and Guardian, and his essays in the New York Times and Outside. He has an M.A. from Cambridge and an MLitt from St Andrews. Henry is co-founder of The Way, a meditation app that offers a unique zero-choice path of deep meditation training.