👉 🌒 Zen Master Dae Kwang

Pointing at the Moon Interview Series with @KwanUmSchoolofZen teachers Hosted by Senior Dharma Teacher Diego Villasenor | Videography by Chris Leverone - A central theme in this interview is the importance of looking inside to find the truth for oneself (1:01). Zen Master Dae Kwang emphasizes that while spiritual teachings are readily available online, true understanding only comes from personal experience rather than just consuming information. The Zen style is described as simple, direct, and focused on self-revelation (2:32). Unlike traditions heavily reliant on specific doctrines, Zen aims to use simple practices to reveal your true nature to yourself, making it accessible to practitioners from various religious backgrounds, including Christianity. A crucial practice highlighted is together action or practicing in person with other people (7:29). The Zen Master explains that practicing with others at a center is superior to online practice because it teaches practitioners how to interact harmoniously and helps apply wisdom to real-world situations, including dealing with the suffering of others. The interview addresses the inevitability of the "Dark Night of the Soul" or moments of despair (11:54) that practitioners face. ZMDK notes that wanting to "throw in the towel" is natural, and the key is to simply persist and return to the cushion, as failing and coming back is part of the process. Finally, the goal of Zen is not to acquire something new, but to let go of attachments to likes and dislikes (17:34). By letting go of the need to get something (like nirvana) or get rid of something (like difficult people), one's true nature naturally appears. - Zen Master Dae Kwang has been a monk since 1987 and received transmission in 1996. He's traveled widely, leading retreats throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, including 90-day retreats in Korea. His interests include meditation practices common to Christians and Buddhists. He currently resides at Providence Zen Center.