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In the latest episode of "World Through Zen Eyes," we explored the profound concept of wisdom in Zen Buddhism, specifically focusing on...

The Five Roots: Transforming Meditation into Power In our journey through life, we often seek external solutions to internal challenges, overlooking the powerful resources already residing within us. The latest episode of World Truths and Eyes podcast delves into this concept through the exploration of "Chong Kun," the fourth of the five roots in Zen philosophy, focusing specifically on meditation and stillness. Myongahn Sunim explains that these roots—innate qualities that e

In the latest episode of "The World Through Zen Eyes," hosts Myongahn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert delve into the concept of perseverance (jongjin) as part of their ongoing mini-series about the five roots and their transformation into powers. This exploration offers profound insights into how our innate qualities can be consciously harnessed for personal growth and spiritual development. The episode begins by establishing a fundamental premise: certain qualities, including de

In Buddhist philosophy, particularly within Zen practice, there exists a profound concept of the "five roots" that govern our existence. These roots are not something we need to acquire; they are innately part of our being from birth. Like the physical roots of a tree that remain hidden beneath the soil yet provide essential nourishment and stability, our spiritual and psychological roots operate beneath our conscious awareness, silently directing our lives. In a recent explo

The ancient Buddhist concept of Ogun, meaning "five roots," reveals profound truths about human nature and consciousness that modern...

The World Through Zen Eyes podcast recently explored a fascinating question: If Buddhism emphasizes suffering so much, where's the joy? This question stems from a common misunderstanding that Buddhism is pessimistic, when in reality, it offers profound insights into finding genuine happiness. Dr. Ruben Lambert and Myongahn Sunim discussed how the emphasis on suffering in Buddhism isn't meant to be depressing but rather practical and ultimately liberating. As they eloquently p

The common misconception that "Buddhism only talks about suffering" reveals a fundamental misunderstanding that prevents many from...

Language, Zen, and the Limitations of Words: A Deeper Understanding In the latest episode of "The World Through Zen Eyes," hosts Myongahn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert tackle one of Buddhism's most challenging paradoxes: the relationship between language and Zen practice. This recurring question highlights a fundamental tension within spiritual practice—how can we use words to describe that which transcends verbal expression? Words serve as tools, not territory. As the hosts ex

Freedom is a concept we all cherish, yet rarely understand in its deepest sense. In the latest episode of "The World Through Zen Eyes," hosts Venerable Myongahn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert delve into the profound paradox of psychological freedom and what it truly means to be liberated from mental constraints. The conversation begins with a powerful observation: one shouldn't even mention the word "freedom" until one is free from bondage—from the habitual functions of the mind

In our latest episode of "The World Through Zen Eyes" podcast, we explored the concept of numbness—a topic that emerged from a brief...

In a world that often celebrates righteous anger as a catalyst for change, Zen Buddhism offers a profoundly different perspective. This...

The practice of silence, or Mugon Suhaeng as it's called in Korean Zen tradition, goes far beyond simply not speaking. In our latest podcast episode, we explored the profound depths of this practice and what it reveals about the human mind. When we think about observing silence, we often imagine it as merely the absence of speech. However, as our hosts Myongahn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert discuss, the practice of Mugon exposes something much more significant: the constant, in

Karma is a concept often misunderstood and oversimplified, but in reality, it encompasses a profound understanding of cause and effect...

Understanding karma is essential for anyone seeking to navigate life with greater awareness. In our latest podcast episode, we delve deep...

The differences between the conscious and unconscious mind have fascinated psychologists and spiritual practitioners for centuries. In...

Reincarnation isn't merely a religious concept—it's a fundamental aspect of existence that we encounter everywhere, from the recycling of...

In our latest podcast episode, we delved into the profound Buddhist perspectives on aging gracefully, a journey that begins not at sixty,...

In our latest episode of "World Through the Eyes," MyongAhn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert tackle a profound question from a listener about...

In our fast-paced modern world, worry has become so normalized that many consider it an inevitable part of caring deeply. This subtle...

Forgiveness is a concept that transcends religious and spiritual boundaries, yet it remains one of the most challenging practices to...