Watching Your Mind with Sokuzan

Joining us on the show is the founder and abbot of the Sokukoji monastery, Sokuzan. Having received his full ordination as a priest in the Soto Zen lineage, Sokuzan has spent the past 50+ years of his life studying, practicing, and teaching the Buddhist Dharma. He also happens to be a lifelong artist who paints and teaches his students how to expand their awareness using meditative techniques that he’s developed. In this conversation, we explore some of his prominent teachings on awareness. What it is, what it isn’t, and how we can live our lives operating from a more clear and present state of mind. We also explore his artistic expressions and the technique of ‘Opening the Eye Mind’ which is the focus of his upcoming book. If you want to stay plugged in with Sokuzan, you can head over to sokukoji.org to watch recorded teachings and practice with the Sokukoji monastery on a daily basis. He also has many teachings available on YouTube which can be easily found. Show Topics - Sokuzan’s Story of Finding the Dharma - The Teacher’s Path - Where do Teachings Come From? - The Role of Conceptual Practice - What is Awareness? - Understanding Enlightenment - The Nature of Cultivation - Nature of Personality - The Meditator’s Role in Today’s Social Climate - Managing Overwhelm - Monastic Vows - Art and Awareness