730. Julie Nelson

Julie Seido Nelson is a transmitted teacher (Sensei) in the Maezumi Roshi Zen lineage. Her home Zen community is the Greater Boston Zen Center, a sangha which has experienced three major upheavals due to teacher arrogance and abuses of power over the last several years. She is also a teacher at the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, and has written for Buddhist audiences in Tricycle magazine and on her blog. Having begun Zen practice in 2004, she has found it to be of immense value. She is deeply saddened when people, either in addition to or instead of realizing the benefits, suffer great harm. When not reflecting writing about Zen, she sometimes writes and give talks based on her pre-retirement academic work as a feminist and ecological economist. She enjoys visiting her two children and two grandchildren and enjoying the New England outdoors. Books: Practicing Safe Zen: Navigating the Pitfalls on the Road to Liberation (Monkfish, 2025) Amazon Indie Pubs Economics for Humans (University of Chicago Press, 2nd ed. 2018) Website: julieanelson.com Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Summary and transcript of this interview Interview recorded May 11, 2025   YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 The Myth of Teachers as Exemplars in Education  00:05:07 Measuring Spiritual Attainment and Its Challenges  00:10:46 The Journey to Self-Realization: Insights from Soto Zen    00:14:29 Importance of Ethics in Spiritual Teaching    00:19:30 The Transformative Power of Momentary Cosmic Experiences  00:24:23 Shadow Work and Spiritual Growth  00:28:30 Legal Challenges in Zen Communities    00:32:31 Identifying and Avoiding Cult-Like Spiritual Groups  00:37:38 The Challenges of Becoming a Zen Teacher  00:41:51 Zen and the Importance of a Beginner's Mind    00:46:30 Trusting the Dharma vs. Human Advice    00:50:48 Embracing Buddha Nature Through Life's Storms    00:55:50 Examining Zen Precepts and Self-Awareness  01:00:23 Navigating Zen Teachings and Moral Conduct  01:05:06 The Misunderstanding of No-Self    01:09:12 The Impact of Long-Term Meditation on the Brain    01:14:22 Power Dynamics in Teaching and Spiritual Leadership    01:17:44 Navigating Teacher-Student Boundaries in Dharma Practice    01:21:06 Institutional Misconduct and In-Group Protection  01:25:22 Understanding DARVO: Strategies of Manipulation    01:28:38 Recognizing and Avoiding Cult-like Behaviors in Groups  01:32:04 Understanding Authority in Charismatic Groups and Zen  01:36:13 Discernment in Supporting Charities    01:39:36 The Essence of Dharma Teaching Transmission  01:44:16 Recognizing Genuine Spiritual Awakening  01:48:28 Finding Inner Security Beyond External Influences    01:53:01 Financial Misuse in Spiritual Communities    01:57:21 Navigating the Path to Spiritual Development  02:01:19 Pre-Order "Practicing Safe Zen"    02:03:38 Engaging with Greater Boston Zen Center Online