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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…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 44
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,…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction — Part 43
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…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 42
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…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 41
This post examines the use of psychedelic substances from both historical and scientific perspectives. In many indigenous cultures, altered states of consciousness have been central to healing practices and religious rituals, often achieved through dancing, breathing techniques, or the use…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – 40
Altered States of Consciousness in Indigenous Cultures Altered states of consciousness have played an important role in many human cultures throughout history. While modern societies often associate such experiences with psychoactive substances, numerous Indigenous traditions achieve similar states through meditation,…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 39
The Disrupted Way of Shamanic Life Imagine living in the desert with twenty-five to fifty of your closest relatives. The social pressures of such intimate, constant coexistence would, for most of us, be overwhelming. For the San people of the…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction –Part 38
Zen Master Bernie Glassman had a remarkable journey from aeronautic engineer to Zen teacher and social entrepreneur. Here, the focus turns to Glassman Roshi’s understanding of what peacemaking means, and how Buddhist practice can be embodied in everyday life without…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 37
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…
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Zen and the Art of Dissatisfaction – Part 36
This exploration examines the interplay between perception, duality, and oneness through insights from ancient traditions and modern interpretations. It highlights how economic systems disrupt unity, fostering dissatisfaction. Through spiritual practices, individuals can gradually awaken to interconnectedness, overcoming misaligned perceptions shaped…
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