Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, a meditation teacher, author, and the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we discuss Stephen’s new book ‘Buddha’s Heart’ a modern presentation of the Brahma Viharas, Buddhist heart meditations, from the perspective of Absolute Reality/ Awake Awareness. Stephen reveals how deficiencies in his early practice and the inaccessibility of his heart saw him engage these powerful heart practices derived from early Buddhism. Stephen discusses the damage done in the Americn Zen community by deeply enlightened masters with undeveloped hearts who abused students, embezzled money, and more. Stephen lays out the two routes to awakening, and how combining the brahma viharas with deep jhanic absorption can lead to profound spiritual insight. Stephen also talks about the counter-intuitive power of forgiveness, and his own journey in awakening the heart. ... Video version: