Bret W. Davis – Real Zen for Real Life (2020)

Bret W. Davis
“To understand what Zen is really all about, it is vital not only to study its profound philosophical teachings but also to engage in the practice of Zen, especially meditation.”
Alma mater: Vanderbilt University
Institution: Loyola University Maryland
Bret W. Davis is a Professor of Philosophy and the T.J. Higgins, S.J., Chair in Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, where he also directs The Heart of Zen Meditation Group. He earned his PhD in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University. Fluent in Japanese, Professor Davis has spent more than 13 years studying and teaching in Japan, where he trained in Buddhist thought and Japanese philosophy and became a recognized Zen teacher (sensei). He has presented academic papers internationally, lectured at prestigious institutions, and authored multiple books on Zen and philosophy.

Overview
What do you think of when you hear the word “Zen”? Many Westerners may associate Zen with the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, while others may simply think of it as laid back and relaxed. In reality, Zen is a school of Buddhism and a rigorous spiritual discipline that emphasizes meditation, clearing the heart-mind, and opening both heart and mind—an approach that fosters creativity and compassion.

In this accessible course, Professor Davis guides you through both the intellectual and practical sides of Zen. Over 24 lessons, including meditation checkups, you will explore the philosophy, practices, and cultural applications of Zen, learning to engage deeply with your own mind while connecting to traditional teachings. The course challenges preconceptions and offers practical exercises for cultivating mindfulness, inner calm, and insight in everyday life.

With this program, you will explore:

* The Heart-Mind of Zen—Learn to clear your mind of preconceptions, engage fully in meditation, and discover what Zen can teach you about yourself.

* Meditation Practice—Step-by-step guidance for Zen meditation, including preparation, posture, breathing, focus, and overcoming common mental blocks.

* Buddhist Philosophy—Understand the foundations of Zen, including the Four Noble Truths, the Middle Way, and concepts of the true self, impermanence, and karma.

* Zen in Daily Life—Apply the principles of Zen to morality, creativity, engagement with nature, and personal responsibility.

* Zen Arts and Culture—Explore the Kyoto School, the role of kōans, Zen art, and literature, learning to cultivate naturalness and spontaneity in practice.

With these 24 lessons, you’ll gain both a deep understanding of Zen philosophy and the tools to incorporate Zen into daily life, intellectually, spiritually, and practically.

24 Lectures

01 – What Is Zen? Recovering the Beginner’s Mind
(35 min)
Professor Davis introduces Zen by explaining the importance of clearing your mind of preconceptions. Learn the practice of emptying your cup through Zen meditation and discover what traditional Zen teachings offer to modern Western culture.

02 – The Zen Way to Know and Forget Thyself
(31 min)
Reflect on who you truly are beyond superficial labels. Professor Davis guides you through meditation practices to reduce stress, mental clutter, and attachment, helping you open your heart and mind.

03 – Zen Meditation: Clearing the Heart-Mind
(36 min)
Gain an intellectual understanding of Zen meditation. Professor Davis explains methods, preparation, and common obstacles, revealing five key benefits of successful meditation.

04 – How to Practice Zen Meditation
(32 min)
Learn the optimal setup, postures, breathing techniques, and mental focus for meditation. Calm the “monkey mind” and begin applying Zen principles in practice.

05 – The Middle Way of Knowing What Suffices – Meditation Checkup: The Middle Way of Meditation
(41 min)
Explore the Buddhist Middle Way through stories and diagrams, and see how this principle can be reinterpreted for modern Western life.

06 – Embracing the Impermanence of Life
(34 min)
Examine the Four Noble Truths and consider your desires. Learn how understanding impermanence can deepen your perspective on life.

07 – The True Self Is Egoless – Meditation Checkup: Lead with the Body and Physical Stillness
(42 min)
Explore the Zen view of the self. Professor Davis discusses the ungraspable nature of the true self and the challenges of intellectual and emotional engagement with this concept.

08 – Loving Others as Yourself
(34 min)
Understand the interconnected nature of self and others. Explore examples from various teachings, including Christianity, to experience the oneness of life while recognizing individual differences.

09 – Taking Turns as the Center of the Universe – Meditation Checkup: From Mindless Reacting to Mindful Responding
(42 min)
Examine the paradox of realizing oneself as the center of the universe while letting go of self-centeredness. Learn how to respond mindfully in interactions.

10 – Who or What Is the Buddha?
(32 min)
Discover the many meanings of “Buddha” across traditions. Learn why the term signifies “awakened one” and how it applies to Zen practice.

11 – Mind Is Buddha: If You Meet Him, Kill Him! – Meditation Checkup: Dealing with Unavoidable Pain
(42 min)
Explore Zen’s provocative teachings on freeing yourself from attachments, including the famous Linji Zen admonition: “If you encounter the Buddha, kill the Buddha!”

12 – Dying to Live: Buddhism and Christianity
(34 min)
Examine how Zen and Christian teachings intersect on attachment and ego. Discover the transformative power of spiritual death and rebirth.

13 – Zen beyond Mysticism: Everyday Even Mind
(36 min)
Learn to cultivate ordinary, stable awareness during meditation, focusing on clarity and presence rather than mystical experiences.

14 – Engaged Zen: From Inner to Outer Peace – Meditation Checkup: Dealing with Distractions
(39 min)
Understand how inner peace translates into outer peace through Zen practice. Examine justice, responsibility, and ethical living in light of Zen principles.

15 – The Dharma of Karma: We Reap What We Sow
(31 min)
Explore the concept of karma beyond reward and punishment. Understand how your actions shape who you are and who you want to be.

16 – Zen Morality: Follow and Then Forget Rules
(34 min)
Discover Zen’s nuanced approach to morality. Learn to reduce suffering without rigidly adhering to fixed rules.

17 – The Zone of Zen: The Freedom of No-Mind
(33 min)
Achieve freedom from ego and binary thinking. Explore zazen and learn to live fully in the present moment.

18 – Zen Lessons from Nature: The Giving Leaves – Meditation Checkup: Three Ways of Breathing In and Out
(46 min)
Engage fully with the natural world through samu and discover the give-and-take of life, gratitude, and release from expectation.

19 – Zen Art: Cultivating Naturalness
(34 min)
Learn how Zen cultivates spontaneity and creativity through structured practice. Discover how artistic discipline leads to greater freedom.

20 – Zen and Words: Between Silence and Speech – Meditation Checkup: Chanting as a Meditative Practice
(42 min)
Explore Zen’s relationship with language, poetry, and silent meditation, learning how words can guide yet also limit understanding.

21 – Zen and Philosophy: The Kyoto School
(35 min)
Examine the holistic approach of the Kyoto School and how philosophy integrates with Zen practice beyond Western distinctions between philosophy and religion.

22 – Just Sitting and Working with Kōans – Meditation Checkup: Walking Meditation
(48 min)
Delve into Sōtō and Rinzai Zen. Learn to cultivate nonthinking, work with kōans, and understand there is no single path to enlightenment.

23 – Death and Rebirth: Or, Nirvana Here and Now
(34 min)
Explore Zen teachings on life, death, and impermanence. Learn why embracing mortality is essential to living fully.

24 – Reviewing the Path of Zen: The Oxherding Pictures – Finding a Zen Community
(42 min)
Follow Professor Davis through the Ten Oxherding Pictures, reflecting on the stages of Zen practice, cyclical self-discovery, and community support.