Skinner Julian Daizan - Practical Zen: meditation and beyond

A true gift to the world. From the historical context of Zen to the profound insights that lie at its core, seldom has so much wisdom been packed into a single volume. This book is a true beacon on the journey of self-growth, for all those who wish to take it.

Dr Russell Razzaque, founder of The College of Mindful Clinicians, author of Breaking Down is Waking Up and Obama Karma

To those who find Zen somewhat intimidating, Daizans relaxed approach should be appealing; Practical Zen offers something for everyone with an interest in Zen, with a plethora of ideas, possibilities and suggestions for practice.

Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen and Zen Sourcebook

The explanations and instructions are beautifully clear and the structure really supports the transmission of these invaluable practices. I particularly loved the sections on duality and non-duality, the unborn, the hara, the ox and all the stories, particularly the moving events around the temple fire. I wholeheartedly recommend Practical Zen .

Livi Michael, multi-award-winning novelist

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PRACTICAL ZEN

MEDITATION AND BEYOND

Julian Daizan Skinner

Foreword by Shinzan Miyamae

Caution: The practices and techniques described herein are not to be used as an alternative to professional medical treatment. This presentation does not attempt to give any medical diagnosis, treatment, prescription or suggestion for medication in relation to any human disease or physical condition.

This material is intended to supplement individual instruction by a competent teacher. Anyone who undertakes these practices on the basis of this material alone, does so entirely at his or her own risk.

Zenways is not and cannot be held responsible for the consequences of any practice or misuse of the information presented here. Consult with your doctor before embarking on any meditation or exercise programme.

First published in 2017

by Singing Dragon

an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers

73 Collier Street

London N1 9BE, UK

and

400 Market Street, Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

www.singingdragon.com

Copyright Julian Daizan Skinner 2017

Foreword copyright Shinzan Miyamae 2017

Cover image by Shinzan Miyamae

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying, storing in any medium by electronic means or transmitting) without the written permission of the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the law or under terms of a licence issued in the UK by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd. www.cla.co.uk or in overseas territories by the relevant reproduction rights organisation, for details see www.ifrro.org. Applications for the copyright owners written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher.

Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 1 84819 363 5

e ISBN 978 0 85701 321 7

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

It is a pleasure for me to know that these practical methods of finding happiness and meaning, strength and power can at last be known and applied in the Western world.

Many Zen scholars have appeared; far fewer people have thrown themselves into the way of true training, forging a new body and mind. The writer of this book, my successor, Julian Daizan Skinner, has done just that.

He has guided many to the successful application of these ways of practice. Each year he brings Western students to Gyokuryuji Temple who are earnestly seeking awakening. I have seen with my own eyes that many find what they seek. This has been a great inspiration to Japanese students of Zen.

In this time of planetary ecological crisis, the world urgently needs true men and women whose life basis is deeper than mere materialism. May this book guide you to the practical achievement of the promise of Zen. May your practice benefit yourself, your family and the whole world.

Shinzan Miyamae, Gyokuryuji

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book could not have come into being without the guidance and blessings of my teachers over two-and-a-half decades, most particularly my primary teachers, Shinzan Miyamae Rshi and Rev. Master Daishin Morgan. In addition, I am particularly grateful to Rev. Master Jisho Perry, who showed me what love means in a Zen context; Rev. Master Koten Benson, who repeatedly encouraged me to take the next step with trust in myself and taught me to pull forth the essence of the teachings from their cultural framework; Rev. Master Saido Kennaway, who taught me to look beneath the surface of situations and relationships while I served as his attendant for a number of years; Rev. Master Daizui MacPhillamy, who drew important links between Zen and Western psychology; Gensho Hozumi Rshi, who generously shared his teachings on body-work and energy development; Nagasaki Shokyo Sensei, abbot of Kongofukuji, who opened up the area of managing energy in a new context; Okuda Donin Sensei, who showed me how a Zen monk can also be a very fine Shamanic mountain practitioner; Tada Katsuji Sensei, who allowed me to teach yoga in his temple, Saishoji; and Kuze Enju Sensei, who shared with me the living tradition of Enkus teaching.

I would also like to thank all the other teachers from whom I have learned over the years, particularly Father Jack Madden, who first taught me to meditate; Father Conrad Pepler OP, who explicated The Cloud of Unknowing, and drew links to Zen; Jhampa Shaneman and Lobsang Tulku, who taught me about the Tibetan tradition of inner fire; the unknown swordsman, who taught me the ah-un breathing practice; Toshi Sato, who taught me the version of naikan described in this book; Aikido master Shuji Ozeki Sensei, who taught me how to relate energetics and physicality, as well as how to cook; Hideko Ikawa Sensei, embodiment of tea, who introduced me to the Urasenke school of tea ceremony; Nakane Masanori Sensei, who taught me shakuhachi , Zen flute; Mori Tomoko Sensei, who showed me what dedication to teaching yoga can look like; and Lawrence Noyes, who meticulously passed on the teachings of Charles Berner.

I want to express special thanks to my parents and family, who have provided a platform of generous love and support over the years of my search, and who did their best to understand my journey, and trusted me to find my own way. My father, Kevin, passed on his love of asking difficult and challenging questions and not settling for easy answers, and my mother, Judith, gave me her grounded and practical advice along the way, and was utterly unfaltering in her love. I would also like to acknowledge my sister, Annie Owen, who has been a soul sister as well as a blood sister, and edited the first ten or so drafts of this book.