Real Zen for Real Life

Course Overview

Engage in the practice of Zen as you dive into its philosophical implications on modern Western culture.

Course Description

What do you think of when you hear the word “Zen”? Many Westerners associate Zen with the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, while others might link it to today’s hipster culture. However, Zen is fundamentally a school of Buddhism and a rigorous spiritual discipline. To truly understand Zen, it’s vital to study its profound philosophical teachings and engage in its practice.

Professor Bret W. Davis, an expert in philosophy and Zen, provides a highly accessible introduction to Zen through this course, which reflects the interaction between Eastern and Western traditions. Across 24 lessons, including eight meditation checkups, you will learn about Zen’s traditional significance for East Asians and its contemporary relevance for Westerners. Prepare to challenge your preconceptions and discover how Zen can reveal deeper insights about yourself.

Video Lectures

1. What Is Zen? Recovering the Beginner’s Mind (35 min)
   Introduction to the essence of Zen and clearing misconceptions.
2. The Zen Way to Know and Forget Thyself (31 min)
   Discovering the true self through holistic meditation practices.
3. Zen Meditation: Clearing the Heart-Mind (36 min)
   Understanding methods of meditation and overcoming blocks to practice.
4. How to Practice Zen Meditation (32 min)
   Practical tips for setting up a meditation practice.
5. The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices (41 min)
   Exploring the Buddha’s teachings and the concept of the Middle Way.
6. Embracing the Impermanence of Life (34 min)
   Understanding the Four Noble Truths and the nature of desires.
7. The True Self Is Egoless (42 min)
   The challenge of realizing the ungraspable true self.
8. Loving Others as Yourself (34 min)
   Exploring interconnectedness and selflessness in Zen thought.
9. Taking Turns as the Center of the Universe (42 min)
   Examining unity in our differences and self-centeredness.
10. Who or What Is the Buddha? (32 min)
    An exploration of the various meanings of “Buddha” across traditions.
11. Mind Is Buddha: If You Meet Him, Kill Him! (42 min)
    Understanding Zen’s radical approach to the notion of the Buddha.
12. Dying to Live: Buddhism and Christianity (34 min)
    The links between Zen and Christian teachings on ego and rebirth.
13. Zen beyond Mysticism: Everyday Even Mind (36 min)
    Focusing on ordinary mindfulness rather than seeking mystical experiences.
14. Engaged Zen: From Inner to Outer Peace (39 min)
    The connection between inner peace and societal peace.
15. The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow (31 min)
    A deeper understanding of karma and personal responsibility.
16. Zen Morality: Follow and Then Forget Rules (34 min)
    Examining the complexities of Zen morality beyond rigid rules.
17. The Zone of Zen: The Freedom of No-Mind (33 min)
    Understanding “no mind” and its relation to being present.
18. Zen Lessons from Nature (46 min)
    How nature teaches us about freedom and co-existence.
19. Zen Art: Cultivating Naturalness (34 min)
    Exploring the balance between structure and spontaneity in Zen.
20. Zen and Words: Between Silence and Speech (42 min)
    The relationship of language to Zen meditation and practice.
21. Zen and Philosophy: The Kyoto School (35 min)
    Integrating philosophy with the holistic approach of Zen Buddhism.
22. Just Sitting and Working with Kōans (48 min)
    Delving into the major Japanese schools of Zen meditation.
23. Death and Rebirth: Or, Nirvana Here and Now (34 min)
    Examining Zen perspectives on life, death, and impermanence.
24. Reviewing the Path of Zen: The Oxherding Pictures (42 min)
    Understanding the stages of Zen practice through Ten Oxherding Pictures.