Nansen’s ordinary mind is the way (2019) - Mumonkan 19

What is the mental state from which we can take action during these times of uncertainty, fear and grief? How can we access such a “prized” mental state? In this talk Sensei Kritee Kanko (Ph.D.) shares, with examples and stories, a modern trauma-informed way to access equanimity and courage to take action for the benefit of all beings. In these times of polycrisis, it is ordinary to feel busy, distracted and stressed all the time. But were we born to be like this? Usually when humans have experienced trauma and stress themselves, they perpetuate trauma to others. Are we destined to just keep passing on trauma? Or does somewhere, beyond all of our challenges, and our fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses to these challenges, lie a natural, ordinary, relaxed, and trusting “infant” mind? What is our collective responsibility in these challenging times which are generated by accumulated trauma? In this talk given on the second day of the December 2019 Rohatsu sesshin, Sensei Kanko explains how we can access the “ordinary” loving mind and work towards personal and collective healing through meditation and by welcoming/embracing grief on the cushion. Thank you for listening to the Boundless in Motion podcast. You can access more information about our programs and retreats by going to www.boundlessinmotion.org or www.kriteekanko.com