Natural Awakening

Wystan Bryant-Scott: Suffering and its End

Aug 20, 2023

Wystan Bryant-Scott, a monk with profound insights on suffering, shares his transformative journey from deep personal struggles to serenity. He reflects on his childhood experiences leading to anxiety and depression, and his pivotal seven-year path to healing through wilderness therapy. The conversation touches on the power of mindfulness and storytelling in overcoming challenges. Wystan also discusses the intricate relationship between self-esteem and liberation, highlighting the role of mentorship and the value of a Zen practice in achieving enlightenment.

01:14:35

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Wystan Bryant-Scott

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Quick takeaways

The podcast highlights the host's transformative journey from childhood joy to navigating mental health challenges, ultimately leading to his pursuit of meditation and Buddhism.

Significant personal breakthroughs occurred during the host's year-long Zen monastery residency, particularly through rigorous koan training that altered his perception of self.

Post-transformation, the host reflects on the ongoing challenge of integrating newfound awareness into daily life while exploring cognitive science and philosophy.

Deep dives

The Switch in Roles

The episode features a unique role reversal where the usual host is interviewed instead. This shift was proposed over a year ago, coinciding with the guest’s impending residency at a Zen monastery. The interviewer emphasizes the curiosity surrounding the host's personal journey, particularly as listeners are interested in gaining insights about his life and experiences beyond his role as the facilitator. This conversation serves as an opportunity to explore recent developments in the host's understanding of consciousness and his transformative experiences during his residency.

Intro

4min

From Childhood Bliss to Adolescent Struggles

6min

From Despair to Healing

5min

From Suffering to Serenity

20min

Navigating Self-Esteem and Liberation

11min

Journey Through Zen: Practice and Transformation

22min

Embracing the Journey of Self-Integration

4min

Exploring the Intersection of Spirituality and Academia

3min

Wherein host and guest enjoy a figure-ground reversal and Roger interviews me. We briefly biograph, cover practice in part, and skip to the endless finish. To all teachers, sentient and insentient, past, present, and future, thank you.

THE CASE

A monk asked Jōshū in all earnestness, “Does a dog have Buddha nature or not?” Jōshū said, “Mu!”

MUMON’S COMMENTARY

...

Now, how should you concentrate on Mu? Exhaust every ounce of energy you have in doing it. And if you do not give up on the way, you will be enlightened the way a candle in front of the altar is lighted by one touch of fire.

THE VERSE

Dog—Buddha nature!

The perfect manifestation, the absolute command.

A little “has” or “has not,”

And body is lost! Life is lost!

Quoted from The Gateless Gate:

https://www.amazon.ca/Gateless-Gate-Classic-Book-Koans/dp/0861713826

If you're interested in an accurate description of practicing the 無 kōan from someone who knows better than I, please see Corey Hess' excellent, evocative treatment:

https://youtu.be/87yUZ5EGYSA

See also Daido Loori Roshi's introduction to Zen training:

https://monasterystore.org/products/eight-gates-of-zen?_pos=1&_sid=541953426&_ss=r

I had the privilege of training at https://zmm.org/https://zmm.org/ for 13 of the most frustrating, rewarding months of my life.

From beneath the bottom of my heart, thank you.

For further detail, please consult the introduction to Victor Sogen Hori's wonderful Zen Sand:

https://www.amazon.ca/Zen-Sand-Capping-Phrases-Practice/dp/0824835077

And either/both of Meido Moore Roshi's brilliant books:

https://www.amazon.ca/Rinzai-Zen-Way-Guide-Practice/dp/1611805171

https://www.amazon.ca/Hidden-Zen-Practices-Awakening-Realization/dp/1611808464

You can find Roger on his website:

https://www.rogerthisdell.com/