Leonard Cohen on his Life as a Zen Monk

Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) practiced Zen for several years at the Mt. Baldy Center on the mountains north of Los Angeles. His friend Roshi, founder of the center and Zen master died in the year 2014 at the age of 107. Interview excerpts from the documentary of Armelle Brusq (1996). You can find the full documentary (45 minutes) here: • Leonard Cohen on Mt. B...
See also "Pico Iyer on Leonard Cohen's Years as a Buddhist Monk" here: • Pico Iyer on Leonard C...

[@chloeevans2569]

Listening to him talk gives me chills

[@SkitKorek]

Throughout time, men of wisdom have left their mark on the world through the peaceful utterances of the divine. In 2021 we live in the age of self want and foolish pride. Leonard Cohen has left this world, and the world is a darker place without the presence of his energy through poem and song. If we have a chance to pass through life without being stuck in frivolity, tear out the sliver of light amongst the darkness. We are the lost generations waiting to be awoken and found. Sleep soundly Leonard, my friend, my compatriot.

[@robertthomas4234]

We who are lost are found

[@annalisavajda252]

Yes he was a treasure but probably considered overly sensitive by modern societies standards and certainly eloquent in his expression of the human condition.

[@hmh4951]

So beautifully said

[@YOSOYLADISCO]

"you who wish to conquer pain, you must learn to serve me well"

[@josan48]

Precious being... missed.

[@annamaedevlin1713]

Introspection is what WE NEED!

[@franzcohen439]

Ein besonders interessanter Künstler, ein echter Dichter und begabter Liederschreiber. Ich danke Dir Leonard für alles. Gott segne Dich:-)

[@paulnorthey6712]

when you get out of the way of your own love....it broadcasts in front of you, in back of you, to the right of you, to the left of you, above you and beneath you, and the centre of love is a force field that has no inside and no outside, that doesn't look at anything, nor does it need to be looked at,...it is like the taste of honey when you are very young, or chocolate when you need something sweet, every cell of your body says thank you, that is what it is like.

[@gypsy4932]

Really cool. Thank you!

[@alexandrastratanphotographer]

there is a void without him

[@SWo2007]

and within ...

[@solodolotrevino]

He’s still here

[@MrVal024]

and that's how the light gets in

[@charlesrae3793]

An amazingly profound interview.

[@CreatingExcellence]

“A liberating kind of love… and that kind of love is how we should be…”

[@blahblahoink]

Classy.

[@chloeevans2569]

Cool

[@carminedemarco]

@Peacefulness - The term "Roshi" is a title, like "Sensei", not a name.

[@cheri7054]

I would love to go there. I need to be in a bubble

[@ObakuZenCenter]

That's not how Zen training works. It's more about coming out of any bubble.

[@MrVal024]

Hello, I can't find the full documentary. Could someone please help?

[@YOSOYLADISCO]

Around the world with Anthony Bourdain........oh wait...

[@MrVal024]

@@YOSOYLADISCO lol

[@YOSOYLADISCO]

@@MrVal024 Leonard Cohen: Printemps 96.....thats the actual name by the way

[@MrVal024]

@@YOSOYLADISCO appreciate you my friend

[@moonmissy]

Wow... That zen master is real grumpy! My teacher said: "be careful who you learn from.... You might turn out exactly like them." I be very weary of the grumpy overly serious zen types.

[@mindyourownbusinessfatty]

Try Luang Por Khemadhammo Mahatera, the most unhappy, glum, self centred, conceited, narcissistic, monk you could find. And he reached the top of the lot.

[@raulmexb]

That is your problem Lotus!

[@AnnaLVajda]

"I'm the little Jew who wrote the bible".

[@Major_Grubert]

Dr. Spock

[@timlloyd2129]

Major Grubert Decay is inherent in all compound structures, work out your salvation with diligence. Xxx

[@cheri7054]

Talk about despair. The world is full on it now that tRump s in power. Now Leonard you're free

[@d.b.levitt]

What does Trump have to do with anything?

[@cheri7054]

@@d.b.levitt Alot of people are in a desperate financial situation cuz tRump is doing nothing for the poor and middle class. Leonard always sings about the unfairness in the world and middle class groups. People are fearful of what can happen if he wins a second term. All in despair and worried about what's to come. Many now have PTSD and Leonard always talks about these inner feelings

[@d.b.levitt]

@@cheri7054 trump is doing nothing for the low and middle class???

[@d.b.levitt]

@@cheri7054 Black unemployment is the the lowest it has ever been and employment in general is extremely high and federal taxes are low.

[@cheri7054]

ave to take two and three jobs now a days. There is no low income housing. Try looking and you won'ty find a thing. Cut HUD funds. Cuts to food support. People will be stealing food to make it. Especially the elderly and disabled. Deficit is super high so next move is to take awahil our SSI when we retire. You won't like that but that's where it's headed

[@sharonramsey715]

Roshi the zen master who sexually assaulted woman at Mt. Baldi ?