In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 72 – Chuyu’s Monkey, a Zen kōan that reveals how our grasping mind—like a restless monkey—constantly reacts, interprets, and shapes our experience. But what happens when the monkey is asleep? Who are we beyond the endless mental commentary?

Through humor, direct insight, and Zen practice, we examine:

• The six windows and the monkey—what they represent in Yogācāra thought
• How the mind constructs narratives and why we get caught in them
• What happens when we step beyond concepts into direct experience
• How Zen practice helps us meet life fully, without waiting for "perfect" conditions

Key Takeaways

✔ The mind’s chatter isn’t reality—it’s just the monkey making meaning
✔ True practice isn’t about escaping life but meeting it fully
✔ Direct experience is beyond analysis—drop the stories and be present
✔ The monkey loves puzzles, but awakening isn’t something to solve

Quotes from the Episode

🌀 "If you ask the monkey who you are, it’ll dress you up and stand you in front of a mirror."
🌀 "Zen isn’t about finding the right answer—it’s about stepping beyond the need for one."

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