Zen - Awakening the Big Mind: A New Approach to Zen Practice

• Learn about the synergy between traditional Zen practices and modern psychotherapeutic methods
• Delve into the innovative 'Big Mind' process, which aims to accelerate the journey to spiritual realization
• Gain insights into the significance of focusing on breath during meditation and its impact on achieving a state of mindfulness
• Reflect on the relationship between personal identity and transcendent states in Zen practice

Roshi Genpo, born Dennis Paul Merzel, is a Zen Master, the founder and abbot of Kanzeon International Community, and the creator and head of Big Mind Zen. In 1980, he became the second Dharma successor of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, one of the leading pioneers of Zen in the United States.  In 1972, he met his Zen teacher, Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and studied closely with him until his teacher’s death in 1995.

Roshi Genpo was one of the pioneers in spreading Zen throughout Europe in the early 1980s. He received final seal of approval as a Zen Master from his Dharma brother Bernie Glassman Roshi in 1996, becoming Glassman’s first Inka successor, the second to receive Inka in the Maezumi Roshi lineage. In the same year he became President of the White Plum Community, composed of successors of Maezumi Roshi, after Roshi Bernie Glassman stepped down. Merzel served in that position until 2007.

From his initial awakening in early 1971, Merzel’s purpose and his passion have remained the same: deepening his own practice as well as assisting others in awakening to their true nature. In 1999, he created the Big Mind Process, which philosopher Ken Wilber has called “arguably the most important and original discovery in the last two centuries of Buddhism.” His publications include The Eye Never Sleeps, Beyond Sanity and Madness, 24/7 Dharma, The Path of The Human Being, The Fool Who Thought He Was God, Spitting Out the Bones: A Zen Master’s 45 Year Journey, and Big Mind/Big Heart: Finding Your Way. His website is bigmind.org

10 minute guided meditation practice with Dennis Merzel Genpo Roshi