In this interview I am once again joined by Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk and prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex.

In this interview Jack reveals the interaction between his creative process and his Zen journey, from his screenwriting days in Hollywood, to journalling as a Zen monk, to penning his award winning spiritual memoirs.

Jack also considers the role of self-disclosure and comedy in his writing, reflects on why Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art in his spiritual training, and recounts stories of fellow Zen student and renowned singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.

Jack also discusses how even senior Zen monks can become complacent during intense retreat, how to break through stagnancy in practice, and what it means to make spiritually resonant art.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep180-zen-and-the-art-of-being-funny-jack-haubner

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:01 - The Book of Questions

03:31 - Moving to LA and failing as a screenwriter

05:08 - Jack’s influences as a writer

05:58 - Stories of ‘dog eat dog’ Hollywood life

12:21 - Rupert Spira vs Henry Shukman

15:05 - Creativity vs becoming a Zen monk

19:47 - Zen Confidential

20:22 - The role of art in Zen and Japanese culture

22:32 - Zen is the direct path

23:25 - Harada Roshi’s enso

23:59 - Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art at all

25:09 - Complacent Zen practitioners

28:32 - Sweet spot of great art

30:06 - Passivity in advanced Zen students of Sasaki Roshi

35:45 - Prostate problems during sesshin

38:25 - Strife with other monks as training

42:55 - How Jack found his voice as a writer

48:03 - Moral superiority vs self deprecation

49:32 - - Jack’s ‘why’

51:36 - Escaping the nihilism trap of low motivation

58:30 - Jack’s Zen friendship with Leonard Cohen

01:00:23 - Cohen’s love songs to God

01:02:52 - More about Leonard Cohen

01:03:48 - Jack on humour

01:05:25 - Jack on taking risks as a writer

01:06:51 - Making art out of Sasaki Roshi’s sex scandal

01:08:10 - Criticism of Jack’s books

01:11:19 - Edgy humour, cruelty, and cultural changes

01:16:29 - Current writing projects

01:18:40 - Jack’s Youtube channel

01:20:42 - Artists must finish

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Previous episode with Jack Haubner:

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep126-zen-scandal-jack-haubner/

To find out more about Jack Haubner, visit:

- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James