In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Henry Shukman, a widely published poet, author, meditation teacher and Zen master of the Sanbo Zen lineage, shares his personal story. Henry grew up in Oxford, UK, where his parents were professors and his early love of poetry led to an interest in Chinese Zen poetry, and ultimately to him becoming a writer and poet.

Henry suffered from severe eczema from infancy into his 20’s, along with associated psychological problems, and meditation was a key element in a long journey of healing. He travelled extensively, eventually settling in New Mexico where he became fascinated by the indigenous culture's deep connection to the earth and where he was introduced to meditation and Zen, which in turn influenced his writing.

Main topics

• The meditative quality of poetry and how it can bring one back to the present moment
• Using poetry in meditation to create a serene atmosphere.
• The differences between various forms of meditation
• The concept of awakening
• The connection between meditation and mindfulness
• The transformative power of poetry and its potential to enrich one's life
• The concept of original sin and its influence on Western culture
• The idea of karma and its physical consequences
• The concepts of mindfulness, support, and absorption
• The concept of flow states and how they can be achieved through complete absorption in a task, leading to enhanced performance and increased happiness.
• How flow is not limited to specific professions or activities and can be accessed through simple practices like meditation
• The relationship between meditation and religion and the practical and philosophical significance of meditation

Action items

Henry's book is called "Original Love: The 4 Ends on the Path of Awakening," and it has an accompanying meditation app, "The Way."