The Zen Gateway's Podcast

1. Without haste or hurry, the herdsman rides home on the back of the bull. Far through the evening mist carries the sound of his flute, Note for note, tune for tune, all carry this boundless mood; Hearing it, not need to ask how the herdsman feels. 2. Pointing ahead towards the dyke where his home is, He appears out of mist and fog, playing his flute. Then suddenly the tune changes to the song of return. Not even Bai-ya' masterpieces can compare with this song. 3. In bamboo hat and straw coat he rides home through the evening mist, Sitting back to front on the bull, with joy in his heart. Step by step along in the cool, gentle breeze, The bull no longer looks at the once irresistible grass.   (Gentling the Bull: The Ten Bull Pictures by Myokyo-ni, pub. Zen Centre, London) …………………………….   In this podcast:   The mysterious and ‘divine' nature of the bull. The difference in understanding ‘mind' between Western and Buddhist psychology. Relating to the ‘ineffable'. The importance of the right relationship to the mystery of the Dharma. The end of the Arhat path and the emergence of the Bodhisattva path.

On one of my visits to my old home, Port Elizabeth in South Africa my mother, son, and I visited Addo, a local elephant park, which was one of our favourite outings.    We were watching a small group of female and young elephants as they were enjoying themselves at a water hole, drinking, bathing and splashing.  There was a very tiny elephant which found it could not scramble out of the slippery and muddy hole, and seemed in some distress.  The adult elephants ignored its struggles, but a slightly bigger baby elephant, perhaps a sibling, reached down and managed to get it out. The elephants finished their time there soon after and, as they left, we saw the baby elephant tenderly lay its trunk over the back of the one that helped,  in an unmistakeable gesture of thanks and love.      From that moment I realised that animals really could show compassion and gratitude, just as we can! …   In this podcast:   This story raises issues such as - the Golden Rule, ahimsa and the problem of taking sides & gratitude the glue of cooperation. The story of Rabbi Hillel who taught the 5 books whilst standing on one leg. Do we all want the same thing? Why do I end up buying Xmas presents that I like when I'm supposed to be buying for others? Ahimsa - the conundrum of the spider and the fly. Compassion at the personal and the group levels do not always coincide. The Bodhisattva and the murderous merchant. Sentiment may not always be the best guide to compassion. Becoming conscious means letting go of my opinions, because they can only ever be partial truths in a world of impermanence. The movement towards unity.

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.

In this episode Jamie Shavdia & Martin Goodson discuss the importance of the body in the practice of mindfulness and Buddhist practice, as well as the pivotal role of following the breath.     Along the way they also discuss the feeling of an existing 'I' that develops through habitual patterns of thought and emotion, psychosomatic symptomology, Zen Master Hakuin and gumboils.  

In this podcast Jamie and Martin discuss the mindfulness of eating and drinking, and how a meditational way of being in this inevitable act, helps us to connect with the present moment. Eating and drinking is discussed as an important part of meditational daily life practice in both the secular world but also in a temple environment.   Other aspects of the discussion include an eating meditation exercise and the Buddhist view of relative and absiolute truth.

In this podcast Jamie and Martin discuss the importance of working with the emotions, not only as a way to better emotional health but also as a training vehicle to a greater transformation beyond the confines of a limited version of the self.

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the act of walking in meditation, and how movement helps us to connect with the body and in turn the present moment.  Walking is discussed as a practice in several of the Buddhost schools, as well as other religions and spiritual ways of life.  Other aspects of the discussion include Wu-wei (non-intentional action), and walking as part of the pilgrims journey.

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the important topic of practicing mindfulness in everyday life.  Topics range from using mindfulness in everyday tasks, to interpersonal mindfulness and working with the emotions.

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the emergence of the compassionate heart in Buddhist training, uncovering what is intrinsic to every sentient being and fundamental our Buddhanature.  Discussion also covers the recent adoption of compassion training in western psychotherapy.

In this episode Jamie and Martin discuss the construct of a meditational retreat, both in general terms as well as from their own personal experience. Discussion includes; what a retreat is, why one would attend, the importance of silence, keeping to a time schedule and the transformational effect this has on our inner life.    

In this episode Jamie Shavdia and Martin Goodson discuss what mindfulness is actually for, and how the context for Mindfulness varies considerably depending on whether it is cultivated towards religious or therapeutic ends.  They also discuss the effects on perception which can result when glimpses of no-mind arise.

This time Jamie and Martin discuss whether Mindfulness is a technique or a way of life? What defines the state of mindful awareness? How is this state attained?  In between they take in a short history of Mindfulnes- based-therapy in recent times, the Buddha's teaching of 'No-I' and ask where next for a Mindfulness practice?

In this wide ranging discussion therapist Jamie Shavdia & Zen Gateway co-founder Martin Goodson discuss the nature of consciousness, realisation of one's own mortality, compassion, Zen Buddhism, therapy and Alan Partridge. You can read Jamie's article on realisation of mortality, around which the conversation is based, here.