10% Happier with Dan Harris The World's a Mess, But Don't Freak Out | Norman Fischer
Dec 11, 2019
Norman Fischer, a poet, Zen priest, and founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation, shares insights on expanding our self-perception and worldviews. He discusses the transformative power of Zazen meditation and the importance of personal experience in a modern context. Fischer dives into concepts of enlightenment, advocating for a broader perspective that embraces life's unpredictability. He emphasizes the need for imagination and interconnectedness in tackling global challenges, promoting compassion and communal identities in uncertain times.
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Norman Fischer's Path to Zen
- Norman Fischer's early interest in death and unfairness led him to explore existentialism and Zen Buddhism.
- Initially, he perceived Zen as a philosophy rather than a practice, until he learned about zazen in San Francisco.
Zazen vs. Mindfulness Meditation
- While Zazen and mindfulness meditation share similar techniques, their contexts differ significantly.
- Zazen is viewed as a religious practice, where meditation occurs within Buddha's mind.
Enlightenment in Soto Zen
- Soto Zen views enlightenment as the fundamental nature of time itself.
- Every moment, including those in meditation and daily life, is a moment of awakening.
