In part two of this exclusive interview, Daizan Skinner Roshi a world respected Zen Master talks about his own journey and the transformational power of Zen…
How can Zen Meditation potentially give someone deeper meaning to life?
Zen meditation will give you the perspective of happiness – a happiness that is independent of external circumstances.
You’ve taught many students from all around the world. In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of meditation for people at the start of their journey?
Beginning the journey has a lot to do with your relationship with mental chatter. People often think they have to silence the mind. That’s not actually the case. The process is much more about dis-identifying with all these thoughts and feelings.
You also teach people to be Zen yoga teachers. How does that fit in?
I learned yoga in the Zen temples I lived in over the years, plus I did some training with Pattabhi Jois (the founder of Ashtanga Yoga) in India. I personally found it incredibly valuable on all levels. Zen places an emphasis on physical posture and alignment and this of course carries over into the yoga. The practice, as I was taught it, develops the system on an energetic level, which has profound effects on the emotions and states of consciousness. There was a strong emphasis on a very particular kind of in-the-moment presence or mindfulness, which has a very transformative power.
Do you give students a set of postures and sequences?
Rather than giving people set postures and sequences, we work on developing each new teacher’s own resources so that their teaching can be an authentic presentation of their own development that grows and deepens over the years. Our courses tend to be in a total-immersion intensive style. I’ve found this to be the most efficient way to learn the tools of the trade and to go through the inner-journey of becoming a confident and competent yoga teacher.
Do you experience the odd ‘un Zen’ moment?’ If so, what usually triggers this?
Yes, I do. I get impatient in London traffic. That’s a big one for me at the moment.
You’ve not bothered with the convention of marriage and children; was this a conscious decision?
I was prepared to pay this price when I started on the journey. For the first fourteen years or so I lived in an environment of complete celibacy. However the Japanese tradition is not celibate and the second Master I studied with was married. I guess it would have to be a pretty unusual woman who would be prepared to join my crazy life.
What’s your take on the topic of love?
I think human beings are fundamentally social animals and are mostly more healthy and happy when in a social matrix that includes deep and nurturing bonding.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I’ll be teaching courses in The Scottish Highlands, Dorset and Andalucia. Plus I’m involved with training in the College of Mindful Clinicians. We’re launching an advanced meditation teachers’ course. Also we have a couple of Zen retreats, focused on helping people to wake-up quickly. In the middle of it all I’m trying to finish a book.
What do your future dreams involve?
A retreat house in Scotland on the shores of Loch Katrine, students who make me proud, at least a couple more books, and space for my own practice to develop further.
Lastly, what Zen proverb resonates most with you?
The lotus blooms in the middle of the fire.
For more information or to book a session with Daizan Skinner Roshi go to www.zenways.org
