246. Shinzen Young - a podcast by Rick Archer

Shinzen Young became fascinated with Asian culture while a teenager in Los Angeles. Later he enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Buddhist Studies at the University of Wisconsin.

Eventually, he went to Asia and did extensive training in each of the three major Buddhist traditions: Vajrayana, Zen and Vipassana. Upon returning to the United States, his academic interests shifted to the burgeoning dialogue between Eastern meditation and Western science.Shinzen is known for his innovative “interactive, algorithmic approach” to mindfulness, a system specifically designed for use in pain management, recovery support, and as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

He leads meditation retreats throughout North America and has helped establish numerous mindfulness centers and programs. He also consults widely on meditation-related research, in both the clinical and the basic science domains.He often says:

“My life’s passion lies in exploring what may arise from the cross-fertilization of the best of the East with the best of the West.”Websites:

basicmindfulness.com (Phone-based retreats and classes)shinzen.org (Articles, CDs, onsite retreats)
YouTube.com/user/expandcontract (Video talks)YouTube.com/user/ShinzenInterviews (Interviews with Shinzen)
BlogFacebook
TwitterBooks:

The Science of EnlightenmentScience of Enlightenment CD series
Natural Pain ReliefThe Five Ways to Know Yourself (Basic Mindfulness Practice Manual – Free PDF)
What Is Mindfulness? – A Comprehensive Overview (Free PDF)Introduction to ULTRA (Free PDF)
See, Hear, Feel (A basic introduction for beginners - Free PDF)And many more

Second BatGap interview with Shinzen.Interview recorded 8/16/2014

Transcript of this interview.Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.


YouTube Video Chapters:00:00:00 - Shinzen Young: A Systematic Approach to Mindfulness
00:04:32 - The Alternative to Suicide00:08:25 - Perspectives on Euthanasia
00:12:21 - A Journey into Japanese Culture00:16:38 - Altered Experiences and the First Noble Truth
00:21:10 - Meeting a Catholic Priest at a Zen Retreat00:26:02 - Brain Waves of Zen Meditators in Japan
00:30:13 - East-West Cross-Fertilization00:34:56 - Accessing Equanimity with Physical Pain
00:39:36 - The Power of Physical Pain00:43:00 - The Inherent Ambiguity of Enlightenment and Siddhis
00:47:53 - Paradigm Shift and the Sensory Experience of Self00:53:06 - The Nature of Identity and Enlightenment
00:58:02 - The Dimensions of Enlightenment01:02:56 - The Consequences of Ultimate Liberation
01:06:46 - Subjective perspective in the face of destruction01:11:12 - The Dimensions of Growth
01:16:35 - Behavioral Guidelines for Enlightenment01:21:57 - Behaviorally Oriented Accountability and Support Structure
01:26:15 - The Human Nervous System as the Ultimate Scientific Instrument01:30:32 - The Lack of Uniform Experiences in Enlightenment
01:35:33 - Books and the neuroscience of enlightenment01:40:31 - Accelerating Enlightenment and the Future of Humanity
01:45:34 - The Importance of Spirituality and Science Integration01:50:36 - The Unpleasantness of Meditation
01:55:38 - Finding Opportunity in Challenges02:00:55 - The'divide and conquer'02:05:29 - The Importance of Realistic Expectations and Personal Growth
02:09:50 - The Goals of Mindfulness Practice02:15:04 - The Potential of Saving the World

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