Dear friends,
I’m happy to share the new BEYOND MEANING episode with you, where I speak with Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, a lineage teacher in both Theravāda and Zen, and the only Jhāna meditation master also recognized as a Zen meditation master.
For all his accomplishments and his 5 decades of practice behind him, you’ll find Mugen is such a gentle, open, and generous human being. I had a wonderful time speaking with him, and we covered a lot! We went over the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation (in both Theravāda and Zen), some common challenges and misconceptions, as well as some rarely talked about topics like past-life recall in deep meditation. I also asked Mugen a few of the questions submitted by channel members and patrons, AND we closed the conversation with a guided meditation.
Here is more of what we covered:
Samatha vs vipassanā (purifying mind vs purifying view) and how they can support each other
The Zen path of open awareness (“just sitting”) and koans, and how Mugen combines this with jhāna training
The heart practices (brahmavihāras), and why Mugen starts his students with them
What awakening changes in everyday life (and what it doesn’t change unless the personality is also integrated)
Why deep practice also requires psychological integration, and how therapy can prevent spiritual bypassing
A discussion of the potential role of psychedelics in the awakening journey
I hope this conversation brings you inspiration, clarity, and perhaps some new questions, too, that help you move forward on your path. The episode goes public this Saturday, the 28th.
With love and gratitude,
Simeon
🌐For more by Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, visit:
https://awakeningdharma.org/
⌛ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
08:36 A clear map of Buddhist meditation: key terms and core techniques
12:07 How the different kinds of meditation fit together
15:22 The heart practices (brahmavihārās) explained
18:35 What is “the Absolute” in meditation?
19:55 Invitation to the community
20:35 Is a “technique” even necessary in meditation?
22:09 A practical guide to open awareness practice
24:40 The jhāna stages of meditation explained
29:56 What does entering jhāna actually feel like?
32:39 How meditation transforms everyday life
35:01 What is the true aim of meditation?
38:35 What does “awakening” really mean?
43:49 What is an awakened person like in daily life?
46:33 Why psychological work and therapy matter on the path
51:41 Realistic meditation advice for busy lay practitioners
54:54 Concentration vs. “letting go” — which matters more?
56:40 How to combine concentration and open awareness in one sitting
1:00:43 Intensity or consistency — what leads to progress?
1:01:54 Meditation, awakening, and scientific research
1:04:14 Past-life recollection and extraordinary experiences in meditation
1:09:42 Can psychedelics support awakening?
1:13:03 Guided meditation
1:22:26 Books, retreats, and further resources
🎵 Original music by Ray Mickey
