The Downsides of Awakening

'The person of the world gains something everyday. The person of the way looses something every day'.
In this talk Daizan says that awakening is essentially a letting-go process and in letting-go there can be a sense of vulnerability as well as a great sense of loss. Then there is a ‘letting-come’ period in which many uncomfortable feelings may arise before they gradually resolve and you can ‘enter the stream’ and flow freely. During this period doubt may appear forcefully as a kind of resistance, but if you can ride the turmoil out, the doubt finds peace and you fully enter the stream.
Zenways (www.zenways.org) promotes and encourages activities and practices that enhance human wellbeing, balance and awakening (satori or kensho - the enlightenment of Zen) in the many different situations we find ourselves in. Over many years of strict training, in Japan and the west, Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi received dharma transmission and permission to teach in both the Rinzai and Soto lineages of Zen. He now teaches at the Yugagyo Dojo in London, UK. May these recordings help you and those around you to find and realise the truth.
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Find us on Instagram - @juliandaizan and @zenways_zen

[@kennelskybar]

Such a comforting video. Gently and with great presence and love. Because awakening it is at points totally excruciating. A lot of love an patience is put into awaken the sleeping. To those so close to fully experience the shift there is little encouragement to be found. This is beautiful.

[@Zenways_zen]

Thank you so much.

[@bungalowchill7021]

I can enter the stream by emphasising that the truth of everything in this life becomes my lesson unto all others. I am not teaching them more than simply being real. And, what I have for myself, is the wisdom.

[@zenstreamz]

Thank you, I heard this at the exactly right time.

[@Zenways_zen]

You're very welcome Zen Streams

[@timeout8057]

This really hit home for me. I have been having some very difficult dreams lately. I find comfort in meditation after awakening from my awful dreams and it's very helpful. I feel like I'm in the agitation cycle in a washing machine..... I'm going to continue to trust the process I am going through because I know the outcome will be a better me. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Zenways_zen]

You are so welcome, Time Out. Wishing you all the best as you go forward.

[@McLKeith]

Very good talk talk. Thank you Daizan. Practical Zen and its companion book on health are very good.

[@Zenways_zen]

Thank you Keith

[@RomanBuchok]

"Something's gained and something's lost in living every day." Joni Mitchel

[@Barbarossa19]

Thank you

[@Zenways_zen]

You're welcome

[@SuperRedhat123]

I was under the illusion zazen would bring quiet and peace, that the empty soil would grow sweetness. But empty soil also brings weeds and slugs. I would say it is very hard to sit with them.. but they've been there all along. So more accurately, it is uncomfortable to finally see and feel them. Doubt offers a way to step away, to quit. Your words are encouraging that this process is typically difficult, as this was not at all the story I had been told. I thought it would take patience, but now I see it actually takes courage.

[@Zenways_zen]

Absolutely right, SuperRedhat.

[@caseychristiansen931]

I love this guy, but when he said "we have members all over the world now" in that calm zen voice, he sounds like a Bond villain....

[@Zenways_zen]

hahaha

[@worldofenigma1]

LOL

[@MissRomanticKitty]

Thank you. I haven't realized kensho yet but I'm following the path. I have always been an introverted person and my negative emotions were either suppressed or directed at myself. Lately my emotions have been stronger and I feel like all the pent up anger is coming out and I often have thoughts related to anger, perceived injustice. I feel like I'm regressing and losing my wisdom. Me who was so good at hiding how I felt in front of others. Is this something you see before kensho this rising of certains emotions? Thank you very much and have a nice day

[@Zenways_zen]

It's absolutely nornal for buried emotions to come up and it's really a good thing. The only factor to bear in mind is to take things gently and keep going steadily. There's no great value in getting swamped in stuff coming up. Give yourself time to digest.

[@CharanzaPeterkin]

Want to tell everyone that Enlightment is not ehat you think. Not all its cut out to be. It has its beauty, but its dangerous. Be careful on your path, n dnt invest in things you dnt know too much about. Dnt analyze your difficulties too mch- n its so harx healing yourself by yourself too- there is a healing that goes on after too- but with effort everything will turn out well.

[@user-xw9ro6ge1m]

Care to elaborate? Did you get to the point of insight and enlightenment?

[@Ignozi]

Are retreats necessary to experience awakening? Can a dedicated meditation and self-inquiry practice at home be sufficient?

[@Zenways_zen]

No, retreats are not necessary to realise your true nature. Retreats are a tool, an opportunity to study the self without the distractions of everyday life - but not necessary. We can wake up to who and what we are right now, right here, right in the midst of "the mud" of daily life...

[@user-xw9ro6ge1m]

I have a question. Would you say enlightenment is for people who suffer too much in life, and not for people who are happy?

[@Zenways_zen]

No I wouldn't say that. I think it's for those who have that intention.

[@TheLegend-ct6ss]

What are the benefits of being like this? You cant socialize anymore and you end up lonely

[@tennysontaggart]

It's exactly the opposite

[@Big_talks.]

You can socialize if you choose and loneliness is just in the mind bro but to each they own

[@MrTetsukobu]

Words, more words, infinite words devoid of any practical use...like the words on this comment.

[@nettinetti8465]

@Tetsukobo Musashi - That's why we have come to know about the Buddha's teachings because he opened his lips and spoke to people (which at first he was hesistant to do). Just because it's Zen you think that words are non-essential. This video is not zazen. This is a dharma talk that's why Daizan utilizes words. Don't parrot what masters said or what was written in Zen books, ie, "finger pointing to the moon, words are nothing, words more words infinite words." A real satori tells of satori in his own words, or silence.

[@worldofenigma1]

@@nettinetti8465 And yet that was what real Zen was - a finger pointing at the moon.