Our thoughts leap from branch to branch, constructing meaning, seeking control—just like a restless monkey. But who are we when the monkey is silent? In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 72 – Chuyu’s Monkey, unpacking the grasping mind, conditioned perception, and the immediacy of direct experience. Through humor, insight, and Zen wisdom, we examine how to move beyond the mind’s endless chatter and meet life as it truly is.
In this episode, Sensei Michael Brunner explores Shōyōroku Case 72 – Chuyu’s Monkey, a Zen kōan that reveals how our grasping mind—like a restless monkey—constantly reacts, interprets, and shapes our experience. But what happens when the monkey is asleep? Who are we beyond the endless mental commentary?
Through humor, direct insight, and Zen practice, we examine:
Key Takeaways
✔ The mind’s chatter isn’t reality—it’s just the monkey making meaning
✔ True practice isn’t about escaping life but meeting it fully
✔ Direct experience is beyond analysis—drop the stories and be present
✔ The monkey loves puzzles, but awakening isn’t something to solve
Quotes from the Episode
🌀 "If you ask the monkey who you are, it’ll dress you up and stand you in front of a mirror."
🌀 "Zen isn’t about finding the right answer—it’s about stepping beyond the need for one."