In an expansive discussion around Steve Kanji Ruhl’s book, Appalachian Zen, Steve and Raghu explore finding equilibrium through zen practice. “In Buddhism, the true home is that place within each of us, it’s an inner heartland. We can call it original Buddha Nature; it is accessible to all of us anytime and any place. It’s really a matter of finding this inner equilibrium and being in this moment, in this place, and being fully alive.” – Steve Kanji Ruhl In this episode, Raghu Markus and Steve Kanji Ruhl discuss: - Cultural Transformation in Appalachia - Steve Kanji’s experience of violence and PTSD - Zen practice and finding our inner equilibrium - Enduring a soul injury and the journey of healing - The teachers that shape us for better or worse - Meeting Ram Dass and receiving sanctuary - The concept of home and the path as the guru - Holding self and other simultaneously - Zazen meditation practice - Living deliberately and obstructions of the will - Balancing intention with surrender - Breaking down the conditioning that prevents us from being clear, kind, and present - Direct identification and Tantric intimacy - Community as the antidote of dysfunctional solitude About Steve Kanji Ruhl: Reverend Steve Kanji Ruhl, M.Div., is an innovative Zen Buddhist minister ordained in the Zen Peacemaker Order by Roshi Bernie Glassman, and is also a lay Zen dharma holder and preceptor authorized by Roshi Eve Myonen Marko. Formerly affiliated with Green River Zen Center in western Massachusetts where he helped to teach and assisted Roshi Eve, he now operates independently, teaching Zen students in person and through his Touch the Earth cyber-sangha to “be clear, be kind, be present” through instruction in koans, ethical precepts, and shikantaza (“just sitting”) meditation. Also a multi-published author, Steve Kanji Ruhl was awarded the Gold Prize for Best Spiritual Memoir in the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards for his book, Appalachian Zen: Journeys in Search of True Home, from the American Heartland to the Buddha Dharma. Get your copy of Appalachian Zen or one of Steve Kanji Ruhl’s other books HERE Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern. With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others. Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness! ================ Appalachian Zen with Steve Kanji Ruhl & Raghu Markus – Mindrolling Podcast Ep. 512 - https://youtu.be/RRQNylQEW8U Raghu Markus – Mindrolling – Ep. 512 – Appalachian Zen with Steve Kanji Ruhl - https://beherenownetwork.com/raghu-markus-mindrolling-ep-512-appalachian-zen-with-steve-kanji-ruhl ================ Make sure not to miss a single video podcast from Be Here Now Network! Click here to Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1lvEoC5PZWm-MzgUfJQfg Follow Be Here Now Network: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeHereNowNetwork Twitter: https://twitter.com/beherenownet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beherenownetwork ================ Be Here Now Network Podcasts, Courses, and Articles to help you live a Life in Balance. Heart-Centered wisdom from Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das + many more! Get a Free Guided Meditation from Sharon Salzberg when you first sign up at: https://beherenownetwork.com/