Shinzen Young became fascinated with Asian culture while a teenager in Los Angeles. Later he enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Buddhist Studies at the University of Wisconsin.
Eventually, he went to Asia and did extensive training in each of the three major Buddhist traditions: Vajrayana, Zen and Vipassana. Upon returning to the United States, his academic interests shifted to the burgeoning dialogue between Eastern meditation and Western science.
Shinzen is known for his innovative “interactive, algorithmic approach” to mindfulness, a system specifically designed for use in pain management, recovery support, and as an adjunct to psychotherapy. He leads meditation retreats throughout North America and has helped establish numerous mindfulness centers and programs. He also consults widely on meditation-related research, in both the clinical and the basic science domains.
He often says: “My life’s passion lies in exploring what may arise from the cross-fertilization of the best of the East with the best of the West.”
Websites:
- basicmindfulness.com (Phone-based retreats and classes)
- shinzen.org (Articles, CDs, onsite retreats)
- YouTube.com/user/expandcontract (Video talks)
- YouTube.com/user/ShinzenInterviews (Interviews with Shinzen)
- Blog
Books:
- The Science of Enlightenment
- Science of Enlightenment CD series
- Natural Pain Relief
- The Five Ways to Know Yourself (Basic Mindfulness Practice Manual – Free PDF)
- What Is Mindfulness? – A Comprehensive Overview (Free PDF)
- Introduction to ULTRA (Free PDF)
- See, Hear, Feel (A basic introduction for beginners – Free PDF)
- And many more
Second BatGap interview with Shinzen.
Interview recorded 8/16/2014
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Shinzen Young: A Systematic Approach to Mindfulness
- 00:04:32 – The Alternative to Suicide
- 00:08:25 – Perspectives on Euthanasia
- 00:12:21 – A Journey into Japanese Culture
- 00:16:38 – Altered Experiences and the First Noble Truth
- 00:21:10 – Meeting a Catholic Priest at a Zen Retreat
- 00:26:02 – Brain Waves of Zen Meditators in Japan
- 00:30:13 – East-West Cross-Fertilization
- 00:34:56 – Accessing Equanimity with Physical Pain
- 00:39:36 – The Power of Physical Pain
- 00:43:00 – The Inherent Ambiguity of Enlightenment and Siddhis
- 00:47:53 – Paradigm Shift and the Sensory Experience of Self
- 00:53:06 – The Nature of Identity and Enlightenment
- 00:58:02 – The Dimensions of Enlightenment
- 01:02:56 – The Consequences of Ultimate Liberation
- 01:06:46 – Subjective perspective in the face of destruction
- 01:11:12 – The Dimensions of Growth
- 01:16:35 – Behavioral Guidelines for Enlightenment
- 01:21:57 – Behaviorally Oriented Accountability and Support Structure
- 01:26:15 – The Human Nervous System as the Ultimate Scientific Instrument
- 01:30:32 – The Lack of Uniform Experiences in Enlightenment
- 01:35:33 – Books and the neuroscience of enlightenment
- 01:40:31 – Accelerating Enlightenment and the Future of Humanity
- 01:45:34 – The Importance of Spirituality and Science Integration
- 01:50:36 – The Unpleasantness of Meditation
- 01:55:38 – Finding Opportunity in Challenges
- 02:00:55 – The ‘divide and conquer’
- 02:05:29 – The Importance of Realistic Expectations and Personal Growth
- 02:09:50 – The Goals of Mindfulness Practice
- 02:15:04 – The Potential of Saving the World
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
