Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast cover image

Upaya Zen Center's Dharma Podcast

A Posture of Unprejudiced Attention

Sep 23, 2024
Sensei Monshin, a spiritual teacher known for his insights on practice and zazen, delves into the essence of meditation and the importance of posture. He highlights zazen as a pathway to unprejudiced attention, revealing how it fosters deeper connections with our surroundings. The conversation explores the balance of internal peace amidst external chaos, the role of breath in stabilizing the mind, and the significance of embracing thoughts without interference. Monshin encourages listeners to engage authentically with their experiences and cultivate a hopeful mindset.
36:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Zazen is a transformative practice of silent sitting that fosters unprejudiced attention, enabling clear observation and creative action in daily life.
  • By embracing all experiences and cultivating a beginner's mind, practitioners develop compassion and a flexible response to the complexities of existence.

Deep dives

The Essence of Zazen

Zazen is described as a practice of silent sitting that transcends mere introspection, embodying a deep commitment to being present in the moment. This practice involves facing a wall and sitting quietly, which may seem counterintuitive but serves to cultivate a profound form of awareness and acceptance of reality. The speaker emphasizes the importance of sitting with an unprejudiced attention, which allows practitioners to develop a mind capable of clear observation and creative action. By engaging in Zazen, individuals can confront their suffering and the suffering of the world, motivating them to foster love, clarity, and equanimity in their lives.

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