Avainsana: meditation

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 46

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 46

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    The history of Auschwitz-Birkenau is not only a history of perpetrators and victims. It is also a history of memory, inherited trauma, moral ambiguity and the heavy burden carried by those who survived. The experiences of survivors, their children and those who return to these places of suffering reveal how deeply historical trauma can shape…

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 45

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 45

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    What leads an ordinary person towards violence, and what allows them to recognise the consequences of their actions? This essay explores these questions through the lens of Zen practice, meditation, social engagement, and the story of Bosnian war criminal Esad Landzo. Drawing on more than a decade of meditation practice within the Soto Zen tradition,…

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 44

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 44

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    This post explores the relationship between mystical experiences, altered states of consciousness, psychedelic experiences, and Zen Buddhism through anthropology, philosophy, psychology, and personal reflection. The post examines how extraordinary states of mind have accompanied humanity throughout history, shaping religions, rituals, and spiritual traditions. Drawing from examples such as persistence hunting, ultramarathon hallucinations, Indigenous trance rituals,…

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 43

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 43

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    This post explores mystical experience as a universal dimension of human consciousness that transcends culture, religion, and historical period. From the trance rituals of the Kalahari San peoples to Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Hinduism, mystical traditions have sought ways to dissolve the boundaries between self and world. The post examines how mystical experience transforms…

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 42

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 42

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    The post explores the nature of mystical experience from both philosophical and scientific perspectives, highlighting its significance in human life. Mystical experiences are described as profound states in which individuals feel a sense of unity with the universe, often accompanied by deep insight, sacredness, and transcendence. These experiences, while subjective and difficult to measure, have…

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 37

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 37

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    Bernie Glassman (1939–2018) was an American engineer, Zen teacher and social entrepreneur. His work—such as the Greyston Bakery—combined personal insight with societal transformation. Glassman stressed the realisation of the bodhisattva ideal, offering assistance with social challenges such as poverty and substance abuse.

  • Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 35

    Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 35

    This post was written by

    Sensei Mikko

    Losing Myself and My Suitcase This post explores how the stories our minds create – stories of guilt, inadequacy, or fear – can become far heavier burdens than the events that inspire them. A lost suitcase, a moment of confusion in a foreign railway station, or a lapse in attentiveness can transform into a mental…