Ken Wilber coined the terms “ascending” and “descending” to describe two possible orientations to spiritual practice. The ascending path has to do with transcending the world, leaving samsara behind, and fusing with the infinite. The descending path has to do with finding spirit in the world–in the midst of everyday life. Both approaches are important, and both have been clearly highlighted in Stuart Davis’s journey as a Zen practitioner.
Listen in to hear Davis’s radical flip-flop between these two approaches. Where Davis once found himself sitting up in his “Zen tree fort in the sky” he now finds that “the mystery” is most intimately connected with being a father & husband. Lastly, Davis shares with us a very strange and powerful connection he has with crows (yes, the animals), who apparently are an important symbol in the Zen tradition.
This is part 2 of a two-part series. Listen to part 1, Stuart Davis: Bodhisattva Rocker.
Episode Links:
Stuart's Crow Paintings ( http://www.stuartdavis.com/paintings )
StuartDavis.com
Sex, God, & Rock ‘n Roll ( http://www.sexgodrocknroll.com )