Zen: Meaning in Simplicity (Episode #85)

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Welcome to episode 85 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.

In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino discuss the true meaning of Zen, finding beauty and meaning in simplicity, and how to practice so in everyday life. Also, what does it mean to be part of a Zen tradition? And how do we practice Zen? How do we see the world ‘through the eyes of Zen’?

The conversation also touches upon the cultivation of mindfulness, concentration, and insight; the importance of humility; finding beauty in the mundane; the sacredness of objects and spaces; the role of rituals and routines; the balance between sophistication and simplicity in one’s spiritual practice; and much more. 

The episode concludes with a short meditation, guided by Brother Phap Huu, on being present and grateful for the wonders of life.

Enjoy!

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Co-produced by the Plum Village App:
https://plumvillage.app/  

And Global Optimism:
https://globaloptimism.com/

With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:
https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/

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List of resources

Donate to support Plum Village’s reconstruction 
https://plumvillage.org/donate

Interbeing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing  

Samatha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha-vipassan%C4%81

Dhyana in Buddhism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyana_in_Buddhism 

Dharma Talks: ‘Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels’
https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/taking-refuge-in-the-three-jewels-sr-chan-duc-spring-retreat-2018-05-20 

Wim Wenders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wim_Wenders 

Perfect Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv8YO5BXCAQ 

Love Letter to the Earth
https://www.parallax.org/product/love-letter-to-the-earth/

Sister Chan Khong
https://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong 

Sister Hien Nghiem (Sister True Dedication)
https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sister-hien-nghiem 

European Institute of Applied Buddhism
https://www.eiab.eu

Sutras
https://plumvillage.org/genre/sutras 

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Quotes

“Zen is an art of contemplation in order to see reality as it is.”

“This is because that is.”

“The first foundation of mindfulness, which is the core of Zen, is learning to be in the body; aware of the body in the body.” 

“The essence of Zen can simply be called the beginner’s mind, or the art of stopping, the art of living. And I can confidently say that in the training of the Zen school, we have to embody the three elements or three energies. Thay sometimes called them the holy energies: the energy of mindfulness, the energy of concentration, and the energy of insight.” 

“Sacredness is very alive when the practice is alive. And that definition comes into play when we’re in a space that has cultivated this energy of mindfulness, concentration, and insight, such as Thay’s hut, where we’re sitting now.” 

“Being aware and having the ability to take care of ourselves in t