Keith Martin-Smith - A Heart Blown Open: The Life and Practice of Zen Master Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi

Written with extraordinary heart and skill, this book chronicles the making of an integral Zen master. Jun Pos life has been as unpredictable as it has been astounding. How many spiritual masters can speak of intense family abuse, life on the run, prison, fame and notoriety, hedonism, and monasticism as part of the journey to their awakening? Jun Pos dedication to exploring his own psychological shadows in light of his own awakening consciousness is the story of our times, for it is the integration of Eastern mystical wisdom with Western psychological insight. It is an absolute must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in human evolution and Keith Martin-Smith does a truly brilliant job of bringing it all together.

Ken Wilber, author of Integral Spirituality

This is the legendary story of an inspiring teacher that mirrors the journey of many contemporary Western seekers. A flash of white light from psychedelic theophanies leads to a lifetimes pursuit of enlightenment under the Buddha dharma prayer flag.

Alex Grey, artist and author of Transfigurations, Sacred Mirrors, and The Mission of Art

A Heart Blown Open is the real life saga of a true spiritual warrior. What is so fascinating about Jun Po Roshis story is that it describes, at times with painful honesty, the challenges of warriorship in the strange new world of postmodernity, where Spirit is denied, all things are equal, and therefore real teachers are forced to find their own way. Mondo Zen, the American Roshis updated version of Japanese Buddhism, retains the immediacy and uncompromising fire of nonduality that too many Buddhist traditions seem to have lost in their translation from Eastern masters to Western teachers. This biography is a time capsule colorfully and poignantly conveying the powerful emergence and evolution of a cultural revolution from the inside out.

Andrew Cohen, founder EnlightenNext, author of Evolutionary Enlightenment

This book provides a provocative window into the life of one of the more controversial Zen Masters of our generation, and will not fail to touch and inspire those who read it. Jun Po Roshi has lived a life of amazing fullness. Few have risen to such heights of notoriety and wealth in their youth and given back so much wisdom and service later in life. His greatest gift is his continuing effort to discover the best way to transmit the ancient wisdom of Zen in this 21st century.

Dennis Genpo Merzel, author of Big Mind Big Heart: Finding Your Way

This is a profoundly inspiring story about a rebel with a cause, Jun Po Roshi a fiercely caring man who does not know what it means to give up. At one point in the book Jun Po has to own up to betrayal. Because of his status as a respected Zen master, Jun Po could have hidden behind the curtain like the Wizard of Oz. Instead he made a choice to tell the truth and risked destroying everything he had worked to create. Jun Pos life teaches us that it is never too late to regain our integrity and realize our true nature.

Rich Tosi, Founding President, ManKind Project

Jun Po Roshis life is a powerful testament to the human capacity to go beyond fear. How rare is it that we risk our comfort, let alone our lives, to do what needs to be done? Jun Pos life and teaching seem to whisper, sometimes softly, sometimes with deafening force: to wake up, you have to risk it all.

Vincent Horn, Chief Geek, BuddhistGeeks.com

From the hills of San Francisco to the foothills of the Himalayas, Jun Po Roshis life story is a mad rip through the jungles of Samsara. Brilliantly crafted by Martin-Smith, it left me by turns breathless, astonished, devastated, and finally redeemed right alongside Denis himself. I stayed up all night reading, not daring to put it down as jewel after brilliant jewel revealed themselves through the heros journey that it really is. And its our story, each of us When that moment dawns in our lives and were called through Gods precious gift to take our seat, we need look no further than this modern day hero to show us how its done.

Robb Smith, former Chairman, Integral Life

A Heart Blown Open is for anyone with an interest in Zen Buddhism, including those who are not Buddhist. Keith Martin-Smiths writing is so straight-forward and engaging I felt as if Jun Po Roshi had knocked on my door and offered to tell me the story of his remarkable life. And in the process of hearing his story, my understanding of Zen was also deepened. The conversations about the role of emotions, especially anger, were the most insightful and powerful for me they shone a new light on the immeasurable benefit the day-to-day practice of Zen can have in our lives.

Gary McClain, PhD, author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Zen Living

Jun Po Roshis teaching has a transcendent ring and gritty humor that speaks to decades of him surrendering every aspect of his life to more love and more truth. Whether I am meditating with Jun Po, or reading his book, or spending a couple of hours in the mountains with him, I receive the gift of the softness of him humbly owning his humanity and electric jolts as I am shown mine tears from experiencing loss in this life and tears of hilarity from leaving no stone on a journey unturned. I love finding a teaching I know is being lived by the one teaching it.

Decker Cunov, Founder, Authentic World

Published by DIVINE ARTS

DivineArtsMedia.com

An imprint of Michael Wiese Productions

12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111

Studio City, CA 91604

(818) 379-8799, (818) 986-3408 (FAX)

Cover design by Johnny Ink. www.johnnyink.com

Edited by David Wright

Book layout by William Morosi

Cover photo by Geraldine Overton

Printed by McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., Saline, Michigan

Manufactured in the United States of America

Copyright 2011 by Keith Martin-Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Martin-Smith, Keith.

A heart blown open : the life and practice of Zen master Jun Po Denis Kelly Roshi / Keith Martin-Smith.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-61125-008-4

1. Kelly, Jun Po Denis, 1942- 2. Zen Buddhists--United States--Biography. I. Title.

BQ968.E55M37 2012

294.3927092--dc23

[B]

2011041193

Printed on Recycled Stock

For Mom and Dad, who always encouraged and supported me in following my dreams.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I WISH TO GIVE THANKS TO MARK FOR HELP WITH EDITING and for the inspiration that only an older brother can provide; to Madeleine for highly specific feedback on early drafts as well as her unwavering support; to Manny Otto who not only shared his editing expertise but also fought to get the book published and to keep a fire lit under my ass; to David Wright, whose keen eye and judgment as an editor were indispensable; to the entire FY Group in Boulder (Casey, Robert, Michael, Max, Pieter, Jason, William, Huy, Devon, Bryce, Joel, Marco, and Forest) who provided support and encouragement from the very beginning, including when I sold my house to finance this book; to Michael Wiese for believing in me; to Doshin M. J. Nelson Roshi for his clarity of insight and his help with fine-tuning the message of this book; to Ken Wilber for being willing to be the guy with all the arrows in his back; to the Laughing Goat coffee house for letting me use their establishment as an office, bathroom, and occasional place to buy coffee; and to Jun Po Roshi, who showed me what it looks like to walk the walk in your life. To all those others who have helped, prodded, and encouraged me and whose names Ive forgotten to mention, I beg one thousand pardons. The bottom line is that this book could never have been written without the love and support of many, many people, and to all of you I offer a deep and humble bow of gratitude.