The Zen Gateway's Podcast

Modern psychology talks about the importance of self-esteem and yet the Buddha talked taught about No-Self. 

Are these two approaches reconcilable?

Martin Goodson, co-founder of The Zen Gateway is joined by Jamie Shavdia, psychotherpist and musician (his latest album 'Truth Lamp' can be found now on Spotify). 

Together they explore what both these concepts mean and how they are used therapeutically and as part of a spiritual path.

This talk was given at the Kettering Buddhist Society on Monday 17th June 2024 to commemorate the memorial anniversary of Soko Morinaga Roshi.

In this final episode Jamie & Martin discuss how the infinitely complex nature of the mind is often modelled in both Buddhism and psychology.  The models offer us a map in order to give structure to an otherwise chaotic terrain however in the end this map must be laid down after the arising of the awakened mind.  

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the inevitability of change and impermanence, both core concepts in Buddhism and Mindfulness practice.  Topics range from the Buddha's life story to Brexit, the end of cycles to intrapsychic momentary change.  

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the unconditional acceptance of the shadow self, those unfavourable parts of "I' the ego that are often repressed and not allowed in. The case is made for the acknowledging, allowing and accepting of these aspects of the fallible self, before one can truly find peace of heart.   

In this episode Jamie & Martin discuss the role of 'gratitude' as an attitude that can help condition and humble our small selves, expand consciousness, with recognition of our interdependent reality.  Discussion includes looking at what gratitude is, and why it is so important within the context of mindful daily life practice.  What does it mean for the egoic state condition and how should one practice it?

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the body's innate wisdom arising from a bottom-up rather than a top-down more cognitive approach to spiritual practice.  They discuss the difference between knowledge and wisdom, insight experiences and a gradual training approach.  They also look at practices that can be used to access this wisdom of the body.

In this episode Jamie & Martin discuss the difficult topic of bereavement, loss and dying. Discussion ranges from how loss is worked with and experienced in the therapy room as well as the role of death as providing a sense of mystery within religion. 

In this episode Jamie & Martin discuss the spiritual potential of transcending the individual ego and therefore the limited confines of our own cognitive prisons which limit our potential as human beings.  Topics range from relative/absolute truth, group dynamics, crowd psychology and the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness.

In this episode Martin and Jamie take a different stance by looking at the use of sound, mantras and chanting. How do mantras work? How does sound affect conciousness? Why has chanting always been integral in religious practice? All shall be explored!

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the importance of mindfulness within relationships.  The changes that mindfulness can bring about in the individual in both the spiritual and psychotherapeutic sense are discussed, specifically in relation to the interpersonal dynamic between people/partners.  Later the conversation broadens to the relationship consciousness itself has to the environment and objects.

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss sitting meditation, otherwise known as 'Zazen' in the Zen Buddhist tradition. They take in the history of meditation, why it is used as a central practice, the effect on the mind and tips to setting up a Zen practice. This includes the environment, posture and the breath.