654. Stephen Snyder

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Rick Archer

Stephen Doetsu Snyder began meditating daily in 1976. he has practiced since in the Zen tradition as well as extensive practice in Theravada Buddhism. he is a lineage Zen teacher as well as a lineage Theravada teacher. He was also influenced by Diamond Heart teachings and practices.

He combines the ancient Buddhist heart practices with awakening practices of the Zen tradition into a heartfelt journey of realization and embodiment.

Books:

Demystifying Awakening: A Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom
Buddha’s Heart: Meditation Practice for Developing Well-Being, Love, and Empathy
Practicing the Jhanas: Traditional Concentration Meditation as Presented by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw

Website: awakeningdharma.org

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded July 10, 2022

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

640. Andrew Holecek

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Rick Archer

Andrew Holecek has completed the traditional three-year Buddhist meditation retreat and teaches internationally on meditation, dream yoga, and the art of dying. He is the author of six books, and many articles, including scientific papers on lucid dreaming. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a concert pianist, with degrees in music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. He is the co-founder of Global Dental Relief, which serves impoverished children in six developing countries; the founder of the online platform Night Club, which supports the nocturnal meditations, and the founder of the Preparing to Die Institute, a nine-month spiritual and practical training program to help with the end of life.

Books:

Website: andrewholecek.com

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded March 27, 2022

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

612. Eva Natanya

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Rick Archer

Eva Natanya is Executive Director and Resident Teacher at the Center for Contemplative Research at Miyo Samten Ling.

A scholar of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, Christian theology, and comparative religion, Dr. Natanya has served in many capacities as a spiritual teacher, academic lecturer, translator, and editor of Tibetan texts, writer, and retreat leader. Following a nine-year career as a professional ballet dancer with both the New York City Ballet and the Royal Ballet of England, she earned an MA in Christian Systematic Theology at the Graduate Theological Union and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Her dissertation examined the complex interactions of Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, and Abhidharma teachings as they underlie the Vajrayāna philosophy of Je Tsongkhapa. She has worked closely with Dr. B. Alan Wallace on his translations for several books, including Open Mind: View and Meditation in the Lineage of Lerab Lingpa and Fathoming the Mind: Inquiry and Insight in Dudjom Lingpa’s Vajra Essence, and has co-taught meditation retreats with Dr. Wallace around the world. In a Christian context, she co-authored Living Resurrected Lives: What It Means and Why It Matters with Veronica Mary Rolf. She has spent more than three years in solitary meditation retreat, and remains in residence at Miyo Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado, guiding fellow retreatants in the details of contemplative training. Her website is: evanatanya.com.

Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded August 21, 2021

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.