About this episode
Shinzen Young is an American mindfulness teacher and neuroscience research consultant. His systematic approach to categorizing, adapting, and teaching meditation has resulted in collaborations with Harvard Medical School, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the University of Vermont in the burgeoning field of contemplative neuroscience. Shinzen’s interest in Asia began at the age of 14 when he decided to attend a Japanese ethnic school in his native city of Los Angeles. After majoring in Asian languages at UCLA, he entered a Ph.D. program in Buddhist Studies at the University of Wisconsin. As a part of his thesis research, he lived as a Shingon (Japanese Vajrayana) monk for three years at Mount Koya, Japan. It was then that he received the name Shinzen (真善). Also during that time, he became friends with Father William Johnston (author of Christian Zen). Fr. Johnston helped broaden Shinzen’s interests to include comparative world mysticism and the scientific study of meditative states. Upon returning to the United States, his academic interests shifted to the dialogue between Eastern meditation and Western science. Shinzen is known for his interactive, algorithmic approach to mindfulness, and often uses mathematical metaphors to illustrate meditative phenomena. Shinzen leads residential retreats throughout North America. In 2006, he created the Home Practice Program. These phone-based mini-retreats are designed to make deep meditation practice accessible to anyone in the world regardless of their location, health situation, and time or financial constraints. 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) Blog Facebook Twitter Books: The Science of Enlightenment Science of Enlightenment CD series Natural Pain Relief The Five Ways to Know Yourself (Basic Mindfulness Practice Manual – Free PDF) What Is Mindfulness? – A Comprehensive Overview (Free PDF) And many more Transcript of this interview First BatGap interview with Shinzen. Interview recorded 11/26/2016 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:03:16 - Introduction to Shinzen's Work 00:07:04 - The Scientific Method: Breaking Down the Basic Elements 00:11:24 - The Sword and the Book in Buddhism 00:16:21 - Vivid Experiences and the Laws of Physics 00:22:19 - Analyzing the Dimensions of Mindfulness 00:31:49 - The Potential of New Discoveries 00:41:08 - The Marriage of Spirituality and Technology 00:50:01 - Different fields of the same elephant 00:55:19 - The Effortlessness of Concentration 00:58:49 - Elevating Concentration without Effort 01:03:06 - Who or what becomes enlightened? 01:07:29 - The Circuits of Meditation 01:12:54 - Enlightenment and Phenomenal Experience 01:18:56 - The Oneness of Experience 01:23:50 - Navigating the Power Realms and Surrendering to the Formless Source 01:33:07 - Balancing Effort and Surrender in Practice 01:38:49 - Equanimity and Surrender 01:41:48 - Developing a Fully Modern Delivery System 01:45:58 - Enhancing Enlightenment with Brain Hacks 01:52:59 - Suspending the Obstacles to Primordial Perfection 01:57:23 - Experiment and Hypotheses 02:02:31 - Exploring the Possibilities of Virtual Lesions for Enlightenment 02:06:58 - Exploring Neurological Conditions and Enlightenment 02:10:52 - The State of Absolute No-Self 02:15:27 - Basal Ganglia System and Thymormic Syndrome 02:20:51 - The Model Disease 02:25:12 - Industrial Strength Brain Technology 02:29:29 - Awakening Coma Patients with Ultrasound Technology 02:32:57 - The Marriage of the Century 02:35:08 - Wrap-Up and Gratitude