Practicing Doubt

Suzanne Taikyo Gilman, Senior Monastic - ZMM - 6/27/25 - Doubt in some early Buddhist sutras carried a negative connotation, as doubt of the truth of the Dharma itself, and yet Great Doubt has become a foundational practice in Zen as well as other spiritual traditions. Monastic Taikyo shares her exploration of doubt in its healthy form: as integral to our daily practice of awareness and mindfulness. When we look below the surface of our thoughts and actions and examine our habitual patterns of thought, we can begin to see into the nature of our own suffering, and the ground of our liberation. Doubt as inquiry, rather than debilitating self-doubt or self criticism, can help us avoid unhealthy mind states when they arise.

Om Podcasten

The Mountains and Rivers Order (MRO) is a Western Zen Buddhist lineage established by the late John Daido Loori Roshi and dedicated to sharing the dharma as it has been passed down, generation to generation, since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. Zen Mountain Monastery, the main house of the Mountains and Rivers Order, is one of the West’s most respected Zen Buddhist monasteries and training centers. Nestled in New York’s beautiful Catskill Mountains, the Monastery draws its strength from the ancient tradition of Buddhist monasticism. Since 1980, the Monastery has offered spiritual practitioners traditional and innovative ways to engage the dharma through a wide range of retreats and residential programs that unfold within the context of authentic, full-time Zen monastic training. The Zen Center of New York City: Fire Lotus Temple is the city branch of Zen Mountain Monastery. Supporting home practitioners in the metropolitan area, ZCNYC offers varied practice opportunities within the Eight Gates training matrix.