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Emergence Magazine Podcast

Earth as Koan, Earth as Self – A Conversation with Susan Murphy Roshi

Apr 2, 2024
In this enlightening conversation, Susan Murphy Roshi, an Australian writer and Zen teacher, explores how Zen koans can shift our consciousness during crises. She discusses embracing uncertainty and deep adaptation as essential for personal and ecological resilience. The dialogue delves into the transformative power of emptiness, encouraging connections between humanity and nature. Susan emphasizes that recognizing our interconnectedness can lead to greater compassion and healing, urging listeners to respond to suffering with openness and awareness of our relationship with the Earth.
01:06:29

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Engaging with Zen koans helps individuals embrace uncertainty and deepen their connections with the world beyond themselves during crises.
  • Recognizing mutual suffering can foster compassion and reinforce the intrinsic link between human well-being and the health of the planet.

Deep dives

The Power of Expanded Consciousness

Human consciousness has the ability to confront the meaning of existence and connect with the wider reality. Often, however, people fall into insular patterns that limit their perception and keep them trapped in their own mental chatter. Embracing a more expansive consciousness is vital, especially in times of crisis, as it allows individuals to navigate uncertainty and create meaningful relationships with the world beyond themselves. The practice of Zen koans is proposed as a tool to help shift this consciousness, encouraging us to approach life with a spirit of openness and awareness.

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