In this episode I am once again joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir’. 

In this interview Henry discusses the dangers of early spiritual openings, reflects on personality changes after awakening, and questions the complexifying of enlightenment in such activities as the yogas of dream and sleep.

Henry also shares his own journey rediscovering the power of community as crucible, how to navigate religious trauma, and offers his thoughts on a viable formula for Zen in America.

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Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep118-henry-shukman-3-zen-the-crucible/

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:43 - What’s it all about?

05:29 - Early openings can cause trouble

11:24 - Self as a seed

15:54 - What happens to the self after awakening?

20:31 - Personality changes after awakening

27:14 - Zen and sleep yoga

31:06 - Complexifying enlightenment

34:32 - Nondual experience can assist trauma resolution

36:26 - Community and wearing down the sharp edges

41:00 - The lone wolf finds a guide

45:29 - Navigating sangha after religious trauma

49:48 - The negative influence of power on religious leaders

50:50 - A plausible formula for Zen community

53:23 - Henry’s zen is not religious

56:05 - The Sambo Zen lifestyle

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Previous episode with Henry Shukman:

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep101-henry-shukman-one-blade-of-grass/

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep107-henry-shukman-2-zens-true-miracle/

To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit:

- https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James