In this interview I am joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi holding lineages in both the Soto and Rinzai schools.

We learn about Daizan’s Catholic upbringing, his fascination with the 14th century Christian contemplative text the Cloud of Unknowing, and how a search throughout Asia eventually led him to become a Zen monk for over twenty years.

We lift the lid on his traditional training, including intensely painful meditation practice, severe sleep deprivation, and deep emotional catharsis.

Daizan also reveals why he emphasises enlightenment in his teaching, lays out a traditional four stage model of awakening, and details his own awakening experiences in accordance with that model.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep56-daizan-skinner-zen-and-the-unknowing/

Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

0:00 - Intro

0:49 - Daizan’s biography

5:37 - Why Zen over Catholicism?

7:10 - Learning meditation from a Catholic priest

9:44 - Dialogue between Catholicism and Zen

10:22 - The Cloud Of Unknowing

12:24 - Daizan’s research into the Cloud of Unknowing

18:41 - The spiritual heritage of the British Isles

26:36 - Asian spiritual quest and choosing Zen

32:51 - Suicide at the monastery

34:37 - Soto monastic training

36:11 The secret to succeeding in a monastic environment

39:51 - Daizan’s emotional catharsis

45:58 - The Way of Pain

52:42 - The Enlightenment Intensive

56:24 - Daizan’s intense yaza (night sitting) training and dream yoga

1:09:49 - The Rule of St Benedict

1:10:20 - Celibacy as a monk

1:14:48 - Enlightenment or passivity?

1:18:12 - Applying monastic training to lay life

1:20:38 - Daizan’s enlightenment experiences

1:28:36 - Attaining stream entry

1:34:11 - Attaining second path

1:37:22 - Awakening in Tibet

1:46:30 - Working with Daizan

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To find out more about Daizan, visit:

- www.zenways.org

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James