Henry Shukman (Ryu’un-ken) is an Associate Zen Master of the Sanbo Zen lineage, based in Kamakura, Japan, and he teaches at the Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM. He has trained primarily with Joan Rieck Roshi, Zen teacher John Gaynor, Ruben Habito Roshi, and now continues his training under the guidance of Yamada Ryoun Roshi, current abbot of Sanbo Zen. Henry is dedicated to what he sees as core Zen training — clarifying our essential nature to our own satisfaction, and thereby finding true peace of mind, and then living that essential nature in every moment of daily life, in freedom, love, and deep responsiveness.Henry is a writer and poet of British-Jewish origin, who has published eight books to date, of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. He writes regularly for Tricycle, The New York Times, and other publications, and his most recent book is One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir.SHOW NOTESHow we each began the journey toward practicing meditation. [01:30]Henry suffered from extreme eczema for decades. Here's how meditation was instrumental in relieving his condition. [04:38]The pros and cons of Transcendental Meditation (TM) as we understood them, and why we each chose to move on. [09:09]An awakening epiphany Henry experienced around the time he wrote his first book -- before he discovered meditation. [11:00]One problem with epiphanies: they don't come with a user's manual. [17:53]Further musings (and concerns) about TM. [22:22]Henry shares an overview of Zen and how he became involved with it. [25:49]What is a koan? [28:41]Zen vs. psychedelics. [29:48]Can enlightenment be explained by existing language, or does it need to be experienced? [34:25]The "emptiness" of Buddhism, the relief of lightening psychic burdens, and some thoughts on the way our senses process reality. [36:09]Zen is not always about enlightenment, but applying the practice to the practical aspects of our lives. [43:10]What does Henry's Zen practice look like, and how does someone get involved? [45:21]What are the benefits of having a guide when you're learning to meditate? Does Henry consider it necessary for everybody? [47:42]A koan awakening. [52:23]The importance of recognizing life's transformational passages as we encounter them, as well as the beauty of valuing the ordinary. [54:50]How does Henry go from appreciating life's mundane moments to coping with 2020's more sensational aspects like politics and COVID-19? [58:50]Feeling powerless to engage in the political process? Take a lesson from the bodhisattvas and help work toward good without getting wrapped up in potential outcomes. [1:06:04]A deeper dive into koans and how we can work with them. [1:08:13]A computer science guy's approach to understanding koans. [1:12:52]Henry takes us through a few particularly famous koans. [1:16:07]Are koans ever meant to shock a student into enlightenment? [1:20:59]What can we expect from Henry's latest book, One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir? [1:24:48]Parting thoughts and ways to get in touch with Henry. [1:27:07] This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Kevin interviews Colleen Cutcliffe, CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum. Pendulum produces a novel strain probiotic that restores the body's natural ability to metabolize fiber and produce butyrate. Kevin talks about his results with the probiotics using a continuous glucose monitor. A recent study of Pendulum demonstrated a significant reduction in A1C and blood sugar spikes in people with type 2 diabetes. The study was a U.S. based, multi-site, double-blinded, placebo controlled RCT. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Sharon Salzberg is a New York Times Bestselling author and teacher of Buddhist meditation practices in the West. Her emphasis is on vipassana (insight) and metta (loving-kindness) methods and has been leading meditation retreats around the world for over three decades. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Kevin and Dr. Andrew Weil talk all things coronavirus, including prevention tactics, and lesser-known immune-boosting herbs.Note: This episode is for information purposes only. While Dr. Weil is a medical doctor, this episode is not medical advice. Please speak with your own physician when considering any medical treatment, supplement, or herbs. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Guest Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist, discusses the connection between movement and mental well-being. She shares insights on the benefits of exercise, the minimum effective dose for mental health, and the anthropology behind the 'runner's high'. The podcast explores how movement impacts mood, anxiety, and depression, highlighting 'hope molecules' and the joy found in physical activities.

In this episode, we explore the language of relationships, polarity, energy management, difficult conversations, finding peace and patience, the importance of self-compassion, the search for palatable decaf coffee, panic-selling, serving the moment, and much more! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Happy new year! In this episode, we cover the latest Omega3 research, new sulforaphane research, sauna usage, and more! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

Ryan Graves, an experienced F-18 fighter pilot for the Navy, shares gripping tales from his encounters with UFOs. He discusses the recent Department of Defense revelations about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and the significant 2015 New York Times article that brought military footage to light. Graves emphasizes the operational hurdles pilots face when reporting UAPs, including navigating outdated protocols. He also raises pressing concerns about the implications these encounters have for national security and pilot safety.

David Sinclair, Ph.D., is a Professor Harvard Medical School. He is best known for his work on understanding why we age and how to slow its effects. In this podcast, we discuss several new ways to slow aging, along with novel treatments that are just a few years away. We also cover his new book: Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe

The Random Show is back! In this episode: Japanese whisky, forest bathing, healing wood potions, Tim's favorite gifting books, growing mushrooms, the power of awareness and surrender, intermittent fasting, and Tim's new book [exclusive]! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.kevinrose.com/subscribe