730. Julie Nelson
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Julie Seido Nelson is a transmitted teacher (Sensei) in the Maezumi Roshi Zen lineage. Her home Zen community is the Greater Boston Zen Center, a sangha which has experienced three major upheavals due to teacher arrogance and abuses of power over the last several years. She is also a teacher at the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, and has written for Buddhist audiences in Tricycle magazine and on her blog.
Having begun Zen practice in 2004, she has found it to be of immense value. She is deeply saddened when people, either in addition to or instead of realizing the benefits, suffer great harm.
When not reflecting writing about Zen, she sometimes writes and give talks based on her pre-retirement academic work as a feminist and ecological economist. She enjoys visiting her two children and two grandchildren and enjoying the New England outdoors.
Books:
Practicing Safe Zen: Navigating the Pitfalls on the Road to Liberation (Monkfish, 2025)
Amazon
Indie Pubs
Economics for Humans (University of Chicago Press, 2nd ed. 2018)
Website: julieanelson.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded May 11, 2025
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 The Myth of Teachers as Exemplars in Education
00:05:07 Measuring Spiritual Attainment and Its Challenges
00:10:46 The Journey to Self-Realization: Insights from Soto Zen
00:14:29 Importance of Ethics in Spiritual Teaching
00:19:30 The Transformative Power of Momentary Cosmic Experiences
00:24:23 Shadow Work and Spiritual Growth
00:28:30 Legal Challenges in Zen Communities
00:32:31 Identifying and Avoiding Cult-Like Spiritual Groups
00:37:38 The Challenges of Becoming a Zen Teacher
00:41:51 Zen and the Importance of a Beginner's Mind
00:46:30 Trusting the Dharma vs. Human Advice
00:50:48 Embracing Buddha Nature Through Life's Storms
00:55:50 Examining Zen Precepts and Self-Awareness
01:00:23 Navigating Zen Teachings and Moral Conduct
01:05:06 The Misunderstanding of No-Self
01:09:12 The Impact of Long-Term Meditation on the Brain
01:14:22 Power Dynamics in Teaching and Spiritual Leadership
01:17:44 Navigating Teacher-Student Boundaries in Dharma Practice
01:21:06 Institutional Misconduct and In-Group Protection
01:25:22 Understanding DARVO: Strategies of Manipulation
01:28:38 Recognizing and Avoiding Cult-like Behaviors in Groups
01:32:04 Understanding Authority in Charismatic Groups and Zen
01:36:13 Discernment in Supporting Charities
01:39:36 The Essence of Dharma Teaching Transmission
01:44:16 Recognizing Genuine Spiritual Awakening
01:48:28 Finding Inner Security Beyond External Influences
01:53:01 Financial Misuse in Spiritual Communities
01:57:21 Navigating the Path to Spiritual Development
02:01:19 Pre-Order "Practicing Safe Zen"
02:03:38 Engaging with Greater Boston Zen Center Online
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