Ep242: Soothing the Longing Heart - Stephen Snyder
Feb 23, 2024
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Stephen Snyder discusses the importance of working with personality material post-awakening and the blindspots in Buddhism. He shares insights on fear and anger, healing core wounds, and converting the superego. Stephen reflects on leading meditation retreats, the impact of electronics on concentration, and the subtle power of taking a dharma name.
Engaging with personality material post-awakening is crucial for growth and introspection.
Challenging traditional views in Buddhism can help prevent behavioral scandals among Zen masters.
American culture's contributions to Buddhism offer fresh perspectives and encourage inclusivity and social welfare practices.
Deep dives
Working with Personality Material After Awakening
After awakening, Stephen Snyder discusses the significance of engaging with one's personality material. He highlights the misconception of idealizing the Buddha and blind spots in Buddhism. Snyder explores working with fear, anger, healing core wounds, and transforming the super ego into absolute guidance. He reflects on American culture's interaction with Buddhist religion and shares insights on leading meditation retreats without enforcing strict Zen schedules.
Approach to Leading Meditation Retreats
Stephen Snyder details his approach to leading meditation retreats, focusing on gradual deconstruction of the self. He talks about organizing retreats with themes like Brahma Vihara, four elements, and awakening. Snyder adopts a relaxed Terra Bauta style over a traditional Zen approach, allowing flexibility in schedules and meditation practices. By offering guided meditations and interactive sessions, he aims to help participants integrate their experiences successfully.
American Cultural Contributions to Buddhism
Stephen Snyder acknowledges positive contributions of American culture to Buddhism. He mentions Americans' willingness to question hierarchical systems and challenge established norms. Snyder appreciates the American spirit of looking at things with fresh perspectives and breaking down social hierarchies. He praises Americans for their focus on assisting others and the emphasis on social welfare practices within Buddhism, highlighting a more inclusive and egalitarian approach.
Understanding Lineage and Tradition in Zen Practice
In the Zen tradition, lineage holds significant importance, tracing back generations to the Buddha. Zen incorporates elements from Daoist and yogic influences, shaping its unique practice. Zen in the States integrates holistic Native American spiritual approaches, emphasizing harmony with the natural environment, exemplified by temple construction considerations. Innovations like Anglican naming and Gregorian chanting infuse new dimensions into Zen practices, fostering continuous evolution and adaptation.
Differentiating Working vs. Wallowing in Meditation Practice
Distinguishing between working with emotional layers and wallowing in them is crucial for spiritual growth. Transitioning from a subjective 'this is me' perspective to an objective 'this is my behavior' outlook is a transformative shift in self-awareness. Engaging with challenging emotions enables practitioners to transcend limiting beliefs and fears, paving the way for awakening experiences. By cultivating a compassionate yet assertive approach towards internal struggles, individuals can progress towards deeper realizations and personal growth.
In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several books including ‘Buddha’s Heart’, ‘Trust in Awakening’, and his up-coming release ‘Soothing the Longing Heart’.
Stephen talks about the importance of working with one’s personality material especially after awakening. He points to an idealisation of the Buddha and other blindspots in Buddhism that he believes have led to the various behavioural scandals that have surrounded so many famous Zen masters.
Stephen discusses how to work with fear and anger, how to heal one’s core wound, how to convert the superego into Absolute guidance, and reflects on the pros and cons of American culture’s interaction with the Buddhist religion.
Stephen also reflects on how he approaches leading meditation retreats, why he does not enforce strict Zen schedules, the deleterious effect of electronics on concentration power, and the subtle power of taking a dharma name.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep242-soothing-the-longing-heart-stephen-snyder
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Stephen teaching in-person retreats in 2024 in Europe and the US
03:53 - Relaxed vs rigorous retreat approaches
06:10 - Treating students like adults
08:23 - Why Stephen cooks for his retreats
10:00 - Reworking the precepts
11:40 - The damaging effect of electronics on concentration power
13:03 - Stephen’s interview schedule on retreat
13:37 - Receiving full Zen dharma transmission to be recognised as a sensei
17:00 - Combing Zen with Theravada practice
18:10 - Post-awakening problems with personality issues
19:06 - Examples of post-awakening triggered behaviour and the core wound
23:08 - Working with anger and fear
27:42 - Quickly resolving karma
29:09 - Do meditation peak experiences heal the personality?
29:30 - Blindspots and scandals in Zen Buddhism
31:41 - Going beyond cultural bias
33:52 - How much cultural transfer is necessary in Buddhist practice?
35:36 - Stephen’s experimental teaching approach
38:00 - America’s contribution to Buddhism
40:57 - British class system
42:23 - Indian caste system
43:53 - How Buddhism assimilates indigenous cultural and religious forms
45:28 - Gregorian style Zen chanting
46:50 - The importance of your dharma name
47:49 - Working vs wallowing in emotional material
52:16 - What is your core wound?
54:52 -The personality as a shield
56:44 - The tyranny of the superego
01:00:39 - Transforming the superego into Absolute guidance
01:02:07 - True vs false
01:04:32 - Common compassion misunderstanding
01:06:12 Parenting mistakes around compassion
01:08:08 - Should we tell stories of awakening?
01:09:47 - The importance of doubt and trust
01:11:59 - Stephen’s advice to practitioners
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Previous episode with Stephen Snyder:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=Stephen%20Snyder
To find our more about Stephen Snyder, visit:
- https://awakeningdharma.org/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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