Guo Gu

Guo Gu, a Zen teacher known for guiding the embodiment of silent illumination, leads listeners through a transformative experience focusing on posture and presence. He takes participants on a guided meditation that enhances body awareness and relaxation techniques, emphasizing the importance of mindful sitting. The conversation explores self-massage as a way to deepen mindfulness and grounding in the moment. Guo Gu shares gratitude for community and the Bodhisattva vows, fostering a sense of connection within the practice.

Join Chan Buddhist teacher Guo Gu and Rinzai Zen Abbot Meido Roshi as they explore their decades-long friendship and the importance of dharma relationships. They discuss misconceptions about awakening, the benefits of integrating body-mind practices, and the transformative power of mindfulness training. With anecdotes from their early retreats and insights into developing as teachers, they reveal how close connections with masters can impact personal growth. Plus, they share tips on maintaining practice journals and the joys of a committed spiritual journey.

Guo Gu, a Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar, shares his transformative journey from a bullied teen and hardcore music enthusiast to a monk and academic. He discusses the influence of his violent past on his identity and music, his embrace of Straight Edge, and the pursuit of a PhD on self-inflicted violence in religious contexts. Guo Gu examines the role of the body in spiritual practices, reflects on societal meaning crises, and introduces his new book on the Gateless Barrier, emphasizing the importance of silent illumination in meditation.