Brad Warner

Brad Warner is a Zen teacher and best-selling author known for his candid insights on Zen practice. Shozan Jack Haubner, an ex-Zen monk and prize-winning author, adds layers with his humorous memoir. They share their journeys through writing, tackling the nuances of portraying real-life experiences and the complexities of American Zen. Topics include the commercialization of meditation and the balance of authority in teaching. Their conversation delves into online criticism, social justice, and maintaining authenticity in a polarized world.

In this conversation, Brad Warner, an ordained Zen teacher and author of "Hardcore Zen," shares his unique insights from blending Zen principles with punk rock culture. He discusses the idea of absolute versus relative truth and the importance of the Buddhist precepts, emphasizing that rules are not universally applicable. Warner also reflects on the iceberg metaphor representing self-awareness and the unseen aspects of our being. Additionally, he highlights the paradox of goals in Zen practice, encouraging a state of being present in life.