The Historical-Political Rise of Silent Illumination, Shikantaza, and Embodied Experiencing

This talk from Beginner’s Mind Temple was offered by visiting teacher, Guo Gu. In this talk, Chan Teacher Guo Gu speaks of the different past and present contexts for the rise of Silent Illumination. In the modern age, because people are mostly living in their headspace, he emphasizes the embodied dimension to Silent Illumination and how to practice it. Recorded Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Guo Gu is a Chan teacher, author, and Buddhist scholar. He is the founder and teacher of the Tallahassee Chan Center in Florida and founder of the socially engaged intra-denominational Buddhist organization, Dharma Relief. Guo Gu’s website: https://guogulaoshi.com/ San Francisco Zen Center website: https://www.sfzc.org/ Donate and Support: https://www.sfzc.org/ways-to-support-... Practice Calendar: https://www.sfzc.org/calendar Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.sfzc.org/newsletter-signup