cheers, Vindictive.

I should have written on that, sotty. I guess I am still processing it.

In a nutshell: the seminar was held by Dan Landgré, one of Genpo Roshi (Swedish) students, who however was not certified by Genpo Roshi (he did not explain why).

It was a very interesting experience, a little too therapeutic to my taste (consdering the history of the voice dialogue it is understandable) but I tried to stay open all the way. (Besides, the Cynic in me got a chance to speak up.)

I don’t know if you are familiar with how the Big Mind Process is set up so i jump to the last part – the grand finale, ust to keep it shorter.

Nothing very striking, no feeling of euphoria or anything like that, no feeling the way I normally have feelings. Just Being, not wishing for anything. In terms of feelings I would say a feeling of total freedom would be the one close to it or rather I guess this is the one I choose to mention of all the other ones. Like a huge burden was lifted off my chest and shoulders: there was nothing I needed to do, nothing I wished to attain. (I am using “I” but at that moment there was no clearly defined I that my self could relate to). That was a truly beautiful experience (I have no idea what others in the group felt like).

I believe being open and taking part in the voice dialogue is very important for the final result.

I am not sure where to go with it now. I will continue with zazen, of course and I would like to learn more about the Big Mind Process and how one can work with it. If you are registered at IntegralNaked you can watch a series of videos with Genpo Roshi doing the voice dialogues at one of the seminars.

Gassho,

Irina

Regards, Charles

I used to be involved at the Zen Center in Salt Lake but now live in Southeast Asia. It’s interesting to experience Buddhism in its cultural context and not the polite translation we have in the West. Here we are seeing a “Saffron Revolution” of monks standing up for human rights in Burma and Tibet and being killed and tortured for doing so. Are a few well orchestrated glimpses of nothingness enough to give you the courage and conviction to stand up for what’s right for all beings at the cost of your own self interest and possibly your life? I wish it were so. But don’t take my word for it.

Are you familiar with the work of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the movement he started called “Engaged Buddhism?” This is an example of mature practice.

Many blessings.

Thank you both for stopping by and sharing your insights.

I have listened and watched a few interviews with Genpo Roshi (Integral Institute offers a video recording of one of the seminars) and it did sound interesting. I also heard Genpo Roshi say in his interview that at their center people that want to sit are given a chance to sit but I didn’t get a feeling he considered zazen necessary for training the mind.

One of the difficulties I think comes from the fact that so little is known about the actual “enlightenment”. From what I read about the old Zen masters they didn’t really appreciate direct questions about it. So who would know what it is like if those who experience it don’t talk about it?

I find it interesting that the Buddha said he was teaching one thing only: “suffering and the end of suffering” and did not say “enlightenment”.

Anonymous Zennie, I too question that Brad Warner’s harsh words falls can be defined as “right speech”, finding them neither kind nor helpful. It would indeed be interesting to hear the two have a discussion but it demands that both come to it with open minds and I am not sure Brad Warner is there just yet.

Surely the Dharma will stand the tests and the way I see it it us the test for the whole community and all the individuals that follow the path rather than the Dharma itself.

I look forward to the seminar and welcome whatever insights it can offer. I don’t expect to be enlightened just yet and will continue with zazen.

I am curious as to how a new lineage can be started say in Zen, what it takes.

May we all be healthy, safe and happy!

I’ve done Big Mind a couple of times (am a regular Zen practitioner of about 15 years standing myself) and found it very helpful. I think a lot of people will just go to a BM event and get a sort of insight into what satori might be like but unless it’s part of a regular practice I doubt it will have lasting impact.

Re the Brad Warner thing – while I defend his right to say whatever he likes – he too is a recognised Zen Master of a traditional lineage though not as long-standing as Genpo – his manner of attack seems to me in violation of the precepts he’s taken regarding right speech. I read somewhere (sorry don’t remember where – ‘Buddhist Geeks’ perhaps?) that Genpo Roshi has offered to meet with Warner Sensei, but the invitation has not been accepted.

In any event, I think that the dharma can survive a couple of experiments in method – for that ultimately is what BM is. If it truly is horseshit, then it’ll probably fade out in time. Genpo’s students (of whom I know a couple) will tell you that for all the BM stuff that he’s currently working with, he insists that his students are devoted practitioners of zazen.

One final point – the stuff that Genpo Roshi is currently doing with BM seems to be aimed at more senior Zen students than casual seekers – some of it is fascinating. I’m not 100% convinced personally about BM – I certainly don’t think it’s _necessary_ or anything – but it’s at least interesting and innovative.

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