The Zen Studies Podcast 311 – Ten Fields of Zen, Field 8 – Learning the Self: This Very Body Is Buddha (1 of 3)
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Aug 25, 2025 Dive into the transformative journey of Learning the Self, where self-awareness in Zen practice takes center stage. Discover how Zen Master Dogen's teachings illuminate personal experience as a vital path to liberation. Explore the multifaceted nature of identity, including the illusory aspects we cling to. Unravel the impact of interconnectedness and personal struggles on understanding one’s true nature. The insights shared invite deep introspection and challenge listeners to embrace their unique, imperfect existence as a gateway to awakening.
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Self As The Gateway
- The self is both your obstacle and your gateway to liberation in Zen practice.
- Your unique body and mind are not inferior vehicles but the very place Nirvana appears.
Turn The Light Inward
- Turn toward your direct, moment-by-moment experience through zazen and mindfulness.
- Practice until you become intimately familiar with your lived body and mind.
Learning Like A Baby Bird
- The Japanese word narau implies learning by becoming familiar, like a baby bird learning to fly.
- Dogen's study of self means practicing until the self is lived, not merely analyzed.
