<p>Zen teacher and author Henry Shukman offers a clear and grounded introduction to the heart of Zen practice. We explore how awakening is not an escape from life, but a deeper participation in it — a realization that dissolves the illusion of separation and reveals a boundless field of awareness and love.</p><p><br /></p><p>Henry shares his own spontaneous awakening experience at 19, the profound insight that life is not divided between self and world, and the difficult healing journey that followed. From mindfulness and meditation to flow states, jhanas, koans, and the role of trauma in spiritual growth, this conversation maps out a path that integrates awakening with emotional healing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Download SAILY in your app store and use our code KNOWTHYSELF at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/knowthyself </p><p><br /></p><p>Go to https://thewayapp.com/knowthyself to begin your journey with 30 free meditation sessions</p><p><br /></p><p>André's Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list</p><p><br /></p><p>___________</p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>01:26 An Introduction to Zen</p><p>13:10 The Premise of Original Love</p><p>17:14 Training the Mind Like the Body</p><p>20:54 Freedom From Identification With Thought</p><p>27:50 What Are the Jhanas?</p><p>32:50 Ad: Saily</p><p>33:54 Tasting Awakening for Yourself</p><p>45:17 Awakening vs Psychological Healing</p><p>50:17 Awakening as an Ongoing Path</p><p>54:54 The Distinct Path of Zen</p><p>59:13 Koans as a Path to Insight</p><p>1:13:53 The Enlightenment of the Mundane</p><p>1:20:07 The Freedom of Emptiness</p><p>1:26:16 The Necessity of Meditation Practice</p><p>1:34:32 Sweeping the Yard (A Zen Poem)</p><p>1:43:33 Beauty, Ethics, and Interconnection</p><p>1:47:33 The Journey to a Whole Heart (A Poem on Heartbreak)</p><p>2:02:58 Original Love in a Fragmented World</p><p>___________</p><p><br /></p><p>Episode Resources: </p><p>https://www.instagram.com/henryshukman/</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/theway_app/</p><p><br /></p><p>https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcast</p><p>https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com</p>