In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several books including “Living Awakeness: Embodying Your Awakening”.

Stephen compares Theravada to Zen in terms of difficulty and depth, explains why 30 minutes of cessation is his minimum to achieve Theravada stream entry, and shares why he believes cessation has a feminine energy.

Stephen discusses the writing practices that have made him such a prolific author, reflects on how spiritual experiences can change one’s reading habits, and reveals his opinion on academic histories of Buddhism

Stephen also discusses false awakenings and ego inflation, whether enlightenment eliminates all negative emotions, and considers the controversial relationship between enlightenment and political engagement.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep361-living-awakeness-stephen-snyder

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:02 - Stephen’s secrets for writing so prolifically

04:51 - Writing routine

05:57 - Influence of law career on writing style

07:32 - Does Stephen read fiction?

08:00 - Does awakening change reading preferences?

10:03 - Does Stephen read Buddhist history?

12:14 - Stephen’s new book, “Living Awakeness”

12:34 - Patterns in students with deeper awakening

13:30 - 8 levels of consciousness

18:22 - Are desire and anger eliminated by awakening?

20:32 - The Buddha was angry

21:19 - How does awakening affect emotion?

22:59 - Stored karma in the 8th level of consciousness

24:31 - Awakening vs self improvement

27:07 - Meditation as stress reduction

29:26 - Why not just teach the brahmavihārās?

30:45 - Yogic origin of Buddhist practices

31:18 - Different ways to practice brahmavihārā

34:13 - Theravada vs Zen awakenings

34:54 - Theravada awakening is in danger of being lost

37:00 - Which is more difficult: Theravada or Zen?

37:58 - Fear of extinction

39:34 - Cessation is a feminine energy

41:06 - Which awakening should you get first: Theravada or Zen?

41:54 - 30 min cessation minimum for stream awakening

44:56 - False awakenings

45:11 - Cessation vs falling asleep during meditation

45:38 - “Awakening” is used to generically

46:10 - Interrogating awakening experiences

47:18 - Ego inflation after transcendent experiences

49:09 - Post awakening perspectives

53:07 - Awakening and political engagement

57:21 - Bernie Glassman’s Auschwitz retreats

59:52 - Does awakening change one’s politics?

01:03:01 - Origin of enflamed political engagement

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Watch previous episodes with Stephen Snyder:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=Stephen%20Snyder

To find our more about Stephen Snyder, visit:

- https://awakeningdharma.org/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James