#850: The Peace That's Always Within You — Guided Meditation by Zen Master Henry Shukman · The Tim Ferriss Show summary

Key takeaways

The series aims to cultivate calm and peace through short, guided meditations.
Henry Shukman teaches the Zen concept of 'taking the backward step'—a method to rest in awareness and access a peaceful, unconditional well-being.
Regular practice of these meditations can help reduce anxiety and deepen one’s sense of calm throughout the week.
Listeners are encouraged to use Henry’s app, The Way, which offers a structured, step-by-step meditation program, with an exclusive offer of 30 free sessions.
The key to the practice is reconnecting with a broader, timeless awareness beyond the stream of daily life and time-bound stresses.

Summary

Introduction to Meditation Monday Series

Tim Ferris introduces a new series called Meditation Monday, where each episode will feature a short, approximately 10-minute meditation aimed at fostering calm, peace, and effectiveness throughout the week. The series is designed to develop a Zen toolkit for personal well-being.

Expert Guidance from Henry Shukman

Henry Shukman, a rare authorized teacher of Sanbo Zen and previous guest on the podcast, leads the meditation. He emphasizes the use of his app, The Way, which has significantly helped Tim in reducing anxiety. Listeners are offered 30 free sessions via a special link.

The Practice of 'Taking the Backward Step' in Meditation

Shukman explains the Zen teaching of 'take the backward step' as a method for turning inward and resting into one's awareness. He guides listeners to relax the body thoroughly, create a space of rest, and then mentally recede from external engagement to access a wider, more peaceful state of awareness.

Experiencing Restful Awareness and Broader Perspective

The meditation focuses on resting into a condition of awareness that is always present—an intrinsic, unconditional well-being. This practice encourages a shift in perspective, offering a sense of timelessness and a broader view of life, often less bound by the flow of time and daily stresses.

Concluding and Encouraging Regular Practice

The session concludes with gentle movements and an invitation to incorporate this meditation into daily routines. Gratitude is expressed for participation, with encouragement to use these practices at any time to cultivate peace and calm.

Show notes

This episode is part of a series called Meditation Monday. The teacher, Henry Shukman, has been on my podcast twice before. He is one of only a few dozen masters in the world authorized to teach Sanbo Zen, and now, he’ll be your teacher.

In addition to my long-form interviews each week, every Monday I’ll bring you a short 10-minute or so meditation, which will help you for the rest of the week.

Over this four-episode series, you’ll develop a Zen toolkit to help you find greater calm, peace, and effectiveness in your daily life.

Henry’s app, The Way, has changed my life since I first started using it. Unlike other meditation apps, where you’re overwhelmed with a thousand choices, The Way is a clear step-by-step training program guided entirely by Henry. Through a logical progression, you’ll develop real skills that stick with you.

I’ve been using it daily, often twice a day, and it’s lowered my anxiety more than I thought possible.

As a listener of my podcast, you can get 30 free sessions by visiting https://thewayapp.com/tim and downloading the app.

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#850: The Peace That's Always Within You — Guided Meditation by Zen Master Henry Shukman