Host Michael Taft speaks with Stephen Snyder Sensei about practicing the Pa Auk jhanas, the importance of vulnerability to find authentic strength, his two paths for awakening: the Theravada cessation path and the Zen shikantaza path, learn how to balance psychological work with awakening, seeing the enlightened qualities of anger (and other difficult emotions), what are “protective” meditations, the three levels of shikantaza practice, koan practice, aloneness as a spiritual path, and the three aspects he feels should be present for a real awakening.
Stephen Mugen Snyder, Sensei began practicing every day meditation in 1976. Since then, he has studied Buddhism extensively—investigating and fascinating in Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, and Western non-dual traditions. He was authorized to show within the Theravada Buddhist tradition in 2007 and the Zen Buddhist schools of Soto and Rinzai in 2022. Stephen is a senior student of Roshi Mark Sando Mininberg and a transmitted teacher within the White Plum Asanga—the body of teachers within the Maezumi-roshi lineage. Stephen is the creator of many books, including and .
Stephen Snyder’s website: https://awakeningdharma.org/
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