Taiten Guareschi (Zen Master): the art of disrupting the mind, the Way of spontaneity, mastering contradictions, dissolving the conflict within, and beyond 'to be or not to be' - Podcast #205

"I'm not using the verb 'to be'; it is a problem for my teachings" - Zen Master Taiten Guareschi.

Isra Garcia interviews the honourable Jūdō and Zen Master, Taiten Guareschi, about an entire life devoted to practising Zazen at every moment while finding awe in misunderstandings and enjoying the risk and vulnerabilities of being human. We deconstruct some of his most provocative and essential learnings and thoughts. And also dissects how he followed the lead of his three great masters, Taisen Deshimaru Rōshi and Narita Shūyū Rōshi, and Cesare Baroli, and created his Way while founding and teaching at the Fudenji Monastery (Fidenza, Italy).

"'I' generates compulsive thinking. You don't listen, you are only worried by what your thought affirms, but Zazen breaks this compulsive thinking."

"I'm a Buddhist, but being a good observer, I can become a good Christian" - Zen Master Taiten Guareschi.

It's a vibrant and profound interview about becoming one, abandoning body and mind, koans, embracing contradictions, accepting conflict, the Zen Way, habits, skills and zazen practice, which goes beyond any categorization, concept or word. It's a conversation about a great and formidable man who shares himself and all his most personal stories and life-changing anecdotes. It shows us his mind-blowing attitude and a very disruptive way of thinking, behaving and acting.

"Existence is not limited only to humanity."

"Why don't we steal from the poor and give to the rich?" - Zen Master Taiten Guareschi.

Index of contents

1. Intro.
2. Taiten and Filippo.
3. Life milestones and critical moments touched Master Taiten deeply.
4. Teachings from martial arts and their connection with Zen practice.
5. Essential learnings from Master Cesar Barioli.
6. What made Taisen Deshimaru so unique for him was that he decided to become his disciple.
7. On practising Zazen.
8. How to follow the situation without being in conflict?
9. Master Taiten's take on koans.
10. Beyond words, concepts and practice intellectualization.
11. His thoughts on humanity.
12. Back to playing like children.
13.  Healthy habits.
14. Something the master struggle with.
15. The boldest thing he has ever done.
16. Adopted by an Afrikan youngster.
17. Most significant learning of his life so far.
18. Finding harmony in today's world.
19. A recipe for succeeding in the art of living.
20. Final message.

"The koan is our life."

Podcast show notes:

• Fundenji website.
• Giovannino Guareschi.
• Toilet Cleaning Management - book.
• Pavel Floresnski.
• Aaron Stern.
• Mundo Piccolo - book.
• The Way of Cleaning - Zen.
• Taisen Deshimaru.
• Fatti d'Acqua - book (Italian).
• Fatti di Fuoco - book (Italian).
• Fatti di Terra - book (Italian)
• Fatti di Nebbia.
• Contact Fundenji: fudenji(@)tiscalinet(dot)it

"There is no such thing as contradictions" - Zen Master Taiten Guareschi.

* Note: this is an interview where questions are asked in English to the master, and e replies in Italian; Maurizio Anshu translates it into English.

"When you facilitate the conditions, the result comes by itself."