Henry Shukman, a poet and Zen master, engages in a captivating dialogue about his new book, Original Love, and the path to awakening. He shares insights on how embracing 'original love' can transform self-perception, contrasting it with harmful notions like 'original sin.' The conversation delves into the power of mindfulness, the importance of community support, and the fulfillment found in the present moment. With personal anecdotes, Shukman highlights the significance of deep connections and acceptance in fostering personal growth and emotional well-being.
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insights INSIGHT
Original Love vs. Original Sin
Original sin is an unhelpful concept, hindering human progress.
True awakenings reveal belovedness, not condemnation.
insights INSIGHT
Two-Rut Path to Awakening
Spiritual growth is like a two-rut path: mindfulness and direct experience.
One cultivates presence, the other reveals inherent oneness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Self-Love as a Foundation
Cultivate self-love as a starting point for spiritual growth.
Freedom from self comes from self-acceptance, not self-denial.
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In 'Savage Pilgrims: On the Road to Santa Fe', Henry Shukman recounts his travels through New Mexico, drawing inspiration from D.H. Lawrence's 'savage pilgrimage'. The book is a personal exploration of landscapes and self-discovery, weaving together memories of lost love, encounters with locals, and reflections on the American Southwest. While it offers polished portraits of the region, it is more about Shukman's personal journey than a detailed exploration of New Mexico or Lawrence.
Tao te ching
Laozi
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].
Flow
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow.' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.
Survival of the Friendliest
Vanessa Woods
Brian Hare
In 'Survival of the Friendliest,' Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods present a compelling case that human evolution was driven not by brute strength, raw intelligence, or ruthlessness, but by a unique capacity for friendliness and cooperative communication. The authors advance the 'self-domestication theory,' which suggests that humans evolved to be more tolerant and cooperative, traits that also make us capable of great cruelty when our in-group is threatened. The book explores how these traits shaped human history and offers insights into how we can expand our definition of who belongs to foster a more compassionate and cooperative society.
BRAIDING SWEETGRASS
David Muñoz Mateos
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Original Love
Henry Shukman
Original Love is an essential meditation guide for the twenty-first century. Henry Shukman, a spiritual director and mindfulness teacher, provides a way forward based on four paths—Mindfulness, Support, Absorption, and Awakening—that promote growth and healing through meditation. The book includes inspiring stories from his students and weaves together teachings from Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and other contemplative traditions. It aims to help readers create peace by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, relaxing the mind and body, easing feelings of worry and anger, and improving decision-making and executive functioning. The book emphasizes the importance of direct experience over intellectual understanding and encourages readers to explore meditation to discover the transformative power of mindfulness and awakening.
In this special episode, Henry Shukman and Eric engage in a meaningful conversation in front of a live audience at Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They discuss his new book, Original Love, and explore how to embrace this "original love" on the path to awakening. They also delve into the transformative power of mindfulness and the importance of seeking support of others on the path of healing and growth.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Discover the transformative power of Original Love
Uncover the influence of shame on your self-perception and emotional well-being
Explore Zen teachings that reveal a deeper human connection with all things
Cultivate mindfulness as a gateway to awakening and experience inner peace and mental clarity
Embrace the support and wisdom of community in your journey of personal growth and self-discovery
The One You Feed 
