Surrender and Awakening with James Ford

This is an illustration of the first Oxherding picture created by Seigaku Amato, Osho. You can follow him on Instagram and on Substack.

In this episode, I explore the spiritual path with author and Zen priest James Ishmael Ford. We discuss James's transition from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to a nuanced understanding of spirituality that includes Zen practices, psychotherapy, and elements from other faith traditions. Although James has written many books, we focus on his most recent book, The Intimate Way of Zen, which uses the Ox-Herding Pictures as a framework for discussing stages of spiritual awakening, the non-linear nature of enlightenment, and form & emptiness. Additionally, we touch on themes of ethical clarity, the integration of therapeutic models, and the importance of humility and continual practice. James emphasizes the journey of Zen as one of continuous transformation, where awakening is an ongoing, deeply personal process.

In this episode, James makes reference to:

Addison Hodges Hart

’s The Pragmatic Mystic

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Divinity School Address

JAMES ISHMAEL FORD has walked the spiritual path for more than fifty years. A Zen priest and a Unitarian Universalist minister, he has lived in monasteries and other spiritual communities, served as a parish minister and spiritual director, and has preached from the high pulpits of Old New England churches. His previous books include The Book of Mu, Zen Master Who?, and If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break.

You can also find James on Substack

Unanswered Question

.

---