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Redesigning the DharmaAuthor: Adrian Baker
Redesigning the Dharma (RTD) explores the evolution of contemplative practice from traditional models (Proprietary Dharma) to open sourced approaches to contemplative practice and Dharma communities. As an American expat who has lived in Thailand for over ten years, Im interested in both how The Dharma is evolving in Western countries, as well as how Buddhist traditions and practices are evolving in more traditional contexts in Asia. While RTD has a clear Buddhist bent, its also for those interested in conversations between other contemplative traditions and Buddhism, as well as the dialogue between various traditions and schools within Buddhism. Finally, the podcast will also consider how to work with plant medicines such as Ayahuasca and Soma through Buddhist and contemplative perspectives. See all episodes at SahajaSoma.com/redesigning-the-dharma. Language: en Genres: Buddhism, Natural Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Zen, Dzogchen, & Nondual Awareness with Kokyo Henkel (part 2)
Sunday, 11 October, 2026
In Episode 30 of Redesigning The Dharma by Sahaja Soma, Adrian Baker continues his conversation with Zen priest and Dzogchen practitioner, Kokyo Henkel. They discuss how he balances Zen and Dzogchen practices on a day-to-day basis—keeping ritual practices separate, and dive into his current hermitage life, his upcoming book, and the differences between between group and solitary retreat. This episode presents concrete advice onscheduling, exercise, reading/chanting, boundaries, weekly retreat days, and modern challenges like phone distraction and reintegration.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:33 Balancing Zen and Dzogchen Practices07:25 Life After Monastery + Daily Schedule at Hermitage11:06 Month Long Solo Retreats 14:12 Group Retreat Social Dynamics 18:43 Advice for Self Retreats 25:33 Reintegration After Retreat29:01 Digital Detox and Phones30:22 Offerings and ClosingGuest Bio:Kokyo Henkel has dedicated his life to Buddhist practice since 1990. He spent nearly two decades in monastic training, living at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm, and No Abode Hermitage in the Sōtō Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. He also spent a full year studying in Japan at Bukokuji Monastery under Tangen Harada Roshi. Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi ordained Henkel as a Zen priest in nineteen ninety-four and gave him Dharma transmission in twenty ten, making him the ninety-second generation lineage holder. From 2010 - 2020, Henkel served as the guiding teacher at the Santa Cruz Zen Center.Beyond his roots in Zen, Henkel integrates Tibetan Vajrayana and Dzogchen traditions into his path. He has studied with masters like Tsoknyi Rinpoche since two thousand and three and completed his foundational Ngöndro practices in twenty twenty. Today, Henkel focuses on applying ancient teachings from India, China, and Japan to modern life. He lives with his wife at Bright Window Hermitage, a retreat space in California's Santa Lucia Mountains for practitioners of all traditions.KOKYO HENKEL’S WEBSITEBRIGHT WINDOW HERMITAGESAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTERGREEN GULCH FARM SESSHINS
