Ep266: Meeting of Masters - Guo Gu & Meido Roshi

Aug 9, 2024

Join Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu and Rinzai Zen Abbot Meido Roshi as they explore their decades-long friendship and the importance of dharma relationships. They discuss misconceptions about awakening, the benefits of integrating body-mind practices, and the transformative power of mindfulness training. With anecdotes from their early retreats and insights into developing as teachers, they reveal how close connections with masters can impact personal growth. Plus, they share tips on maintaining practice journals and the joys of a committed spiritual journey.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Navigating Early Retreats: A Journey of Connection

03:19 • 11min

The Art of Reflective Writing

14:28 • 29min

Exploring Language and Energy in Practice

43:22 • 2min

The Evolution of a Teacher's Presence and Compassion

45:23 • 2min

Embodied Practice and Community in Dharma

47:41 • 26min

The Transformative Power of Mindfulness Training

01:13:48 • 28min

The Joyful Journey of Practice

01:41:29 • 3min

The Importance of Quality Spiritual Training

01:44:07 • 2min

In this episode, I host a dialogue between Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher and scholar and author of ‘Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening’, and Meido Roshi, Rinzai Zen Abbot of Korinji Monastery and author of ‘Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realisation’. Guo Gu and Meido Roshi reflect on their long friendship, recall their first meeting in 1989 at a meditation retreat led by Master Sheng Yen, and extol the virtues of dharma friendship. They challenge common misconceptions about awakening, explain how to train the body in Chan and Zen practice, and reveal the suprising results of an integrated body-mind. They also describe the enlightened field of a true master, the power of being close to one’s teacher, and how to master energy, time, and space. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep266-meeting-of-masters-guo-gu-meido-roshi Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Meido and Guo Gu reflect on their friendship since 1989 08:20 - What is a dharma friend? 11:36 - Sharing experiences in Chan vs Zen 14:28 - Half baked experiences and marking history 16:25 - Keeping a practice journal 20:16 - Dreaming about Master Sheng Yen 24:30 - Developing as a teacher 28:30 - Embodying the master 31:04 - Master Sheng Yen’s sharp humour and private sarcasm 34:01 - Face to face training and being an attendant 35:55 - Drawbacks of online training 39:22 - The teacher as friend 41:46 - Dharma projections 43:16 - The resonant field of a master 47:42 - Embodied practice and interdependence of being 51:47 - The power of the retreat container 52:39 - The silent influence of one’s practice 57:33 - Learned bodily aptitude 58:39 - How to train the body 01:01:44 - Content and clear 01:04:32 - Mastering energy, time, and space 01:06:57 - Everyone is different 01:09:33 - The body-supporting experience 01:10:46 - Working with injuries 01:13:47 - Zazen emerges organically 01:15:20 - How to use the teacher’s influence 01:17:09 - Learning to let go 01:20:39 - “Put it down” 01:25:40 - Delusion is baked into the body 01:31:24 - Mind and body conditioning 01:34:20 - Solving problems 01:36:40 - Integrating the body-mind 01:30:01 - The entire universe is the true human body 01:38:30 - Putting down awakening 01:39:11 - Effort vs allowing 01:40:47 - Concluding remarks Previous episodes with Guo Gu: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=guo Previous episode with Meido Roshi: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep98-meido-roshi-hidden-zen … To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ To find our more about Meido Roshi, visit: - https://www.korinji.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James