Shinzen Young

[Fredodoow]

I think this Zen meditation teacher is fascinating. Maby the best i've seen. To me, he just screams "real deal". He's a master, yet so simple, humble and straight forward in his approach, I think he is truly a gem. I would just love to hear your thougts on this guy. 

 

 

 

[Matt23]

I like him on a technical and intellectual level, though, maybe I find him too intellectual and making too many distinctions, like maybe I find trying to memorize all his distinctions a bit much sometimes and prefer to stick with his basics, which I like.  

Like his humor and lightness that he brings, as well as the clarity with which he describes the spiritual domain (what I see as a beneficial side of all the fine distinctions he makes for which I criticized him above).

I could and might see him as being a little dogmatic sometimes, especially with the Zen approaches and attitudes.  

Down to earth.

 

Edited January 30, 2021 by Matt23

[Brandon Nankivell]

Just finished reading his book, The Science of Enlightenment.

Love his depth and breadth of experience combined with his intellect. Not everybody's cup of tea but I think those who gravitate towards intellecty stuff will enjoy.

Amazing to read that he's actively involved in 'enlightenment technology' experiments.

[Consilience]

I've attended two of his online retreats over this pandemic. Both have been incredible... He is truly a master and his mindfulness system is rock solid if you're feeling a call to explore the vipassana path. 

[Brandon Nankivell]

27 minutes ago, Consilience said:

I've attended two of his online retreats over this pandemic. Both have been incredible... He is truly a master and his mindfulness system is rock solid if you're feeling a call to explore the vipassana path. 

Awesome to hear. I've been considering signing up to his private group coaching.

[Jodistrict]

I took classes from Shinzen in the 1980s.  He was my first meditation instructor.  He was a teacher at a meditation center in Los Angeles.  He would conduct a meditation every Sunday, give a dharma talk, and then after the talk we would all eat snacks and talk around a table.  Shinzen is very knowledgable about not only Buddhism but many other spiritual paths, and he knows how to find the common elements of all of them.  When I was there, he became interested in native American spirituality and actually did a sun dance with a North American tribe, including having the two knives put through his breasts and hung from a tree.  

[Matt23]

26 minutes ago, Jodistrict said:

having the two knives put through his breasts and hung from a tree.

For a non-enlightened person, I'd say "Ballsy."  

For an enlightened person, I sense and from what I've heard, it ain't no big deal, and perhaps maybe even pleasurable. 

[Unseeking Seeker]

Thanks for sharing!