On the practice of sitting, walking, becoming, and living as yourself, precisely where you are.

• (0:00) – Introduction and Guest Welcome
• (2:21) – Gru's Journey to Zen Practice
• (5:53) – Elena's Personal Reflections
• (12:18) – The Concept of "Becoming Yourself"
• (19:34) – The Role of Precepts and Ethical Practice
• (32:29) – The Importance of Confidence and Effort
• (37:46) – Conclusion and Gratitude

This long-awaited new book from Shunryu Suzuki: Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life, edited by Jiryu Rutschman-Byler and Sojun Mel Weitsman, is one of my favorite books of 2025.

Jiryu Rutschman-Byler is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, with dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman. Jiryu has trained residentially in Zen temples since 1996, and currently serves as a co-Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center through his role as Abiding Abbot of Green Gulch Farm Zen Center.

Shunryu Suzuki was one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the Twentieth Century and a founding father of Zen in America. Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, first published in the U.S. in 1970, is considered one of the most important Buddhist books in modern history, and has been translated into more than thirty-five languages.

A Japanese priest of the Sōtō lineage, Suzuki taught Buddhism in the United States from 1959 until his death in 1971. He was the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center and the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. While contemporary Buddhist figures such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Thích Nhất Hạnh, and Pema Chödrön are more familiar to American audiences, Shunryu Suzuki was among the first Buddhist teachers with cultural influence in the West and was the first to establish a lasting practice community in the U.S. Importantly, the warmth, humor, and simplicity of Suzuki's teachings made Buddhism accessible.

For decades, the San Francisco Zen Center has preserved an archive of Suzuki's original audio teachings, most of which have never been edited or published.

Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life offers newly available teachings by Suzuki, exploring a practice he describes as fundamentally about "becoming yourself." Rather than offering a philosophy or even a set of techniques, Suzuki points to a way of being, and calls readers to the simple practice of zazen, or "just to sit," as the expression of a fulfilling life and grounded ethical orientation.

Becoming Yourself is a result of the painstaking efforts of the Zen community over many years. Archiving, transcribing and interpreting Suzuki's intention clearly and accurately proved to be very challenging work. The final editor and compiler of the book is Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, a senior teacher and co-Abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center.

As we learn in these pages, "becoming yourself" is not meant to be understood as an idea but rather tried out as a way of being. It is a practice of deeply connecting with how it feels to be alive in your surroundings, whether on a meditation cushion or not, and stepping forward from that connection. It is opening to your life, wherever you are, and finding right there a deep well of innate wisdom, compassion, and care.

On the Tao Te Ching as guide through recovery, allowing our process, and the generative medicine of stillness.

• (0:00) – Introduction
• (3:32) – Miguel's Journey and Inspiration
• (6:50) – Day 11: The Use of Emptiness
• (11:44) – Day 19: Empty Your Mind
• (15:16) – Day 25: That Which Cannot Be Named
• (21:00) – Day 60: Handle Life Gently
• (24:46) – Group Facilitation and Personal Reflections
• (26:55) – Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Miguel Rios is an educator, writer, and recovery advocate.

By day, he teaches 8th-grade English, helping young people find their voice through literature. By night—and often early morning—he writes poetry, reflections, and spiritual texts grounded in Taoist philosophy, sobriety, and presence.

The Way Within Without was born from Miguel's personal journey through recovery. It's the book he wished he had in the beginning: something honest, non-dogmatic, and deeply gentle. Miguel believes healing happens quietly. In stillness, not striving. In simplicity, not performance. His work blends ancient wisdom with modern clarity, inviting readers to return to the calm already within them. He lives in New York and spends his free time walking, reading, and sipping coffee.

https://www.thewaywithinwithout.com

On the power of letting go of numbing habit energies, aligning with our intrinsic wisdom, and living a clear life.

• 0:00 – Introduction and Guest Overview
• 1:55 – Discussion on the First Awareness: My Life is Better Clear
• 4:24 – Experimenting with Alcohol and Personal Growth
• 8:37 – The Concept of "Clear" and Personal Agency
• 10:33 – Connection Between Alcohol and Health Issues
• 19:03 – The Fourth Awareness: My Trauma is Not My Identity
• 21:02 – The Fifth Awareness: Forgiveness and Letting Go
• 29:58 – The Sixth Awareness: I Do Not Judge or Impose My Orientations Upon Others
• 34:01 – The Seventh Awareness: Our Most Precious Currency is Time
• 39:07 – The Eighth Awareness: I Seek Ways to Support Others

Cecily is a mother, author, investor, and founder, the voice behind the ClearLife Movement, the ClearLife Reset, and host of the Undimmed podcast. A former attorney and Silicon Valley executive turned author and investor, she's also the co-founder of Wisdom Ventures. Cecily helps people create undimmed lives of presence and intention, free from the stigma of addiction and the patterns of avoidance that keep us from living fully.

Her new book, released January 2026. Undimmed, The Eight Awarenesses for Freedom from Unwanted Habits - https://www.cecilymak.com/book-coming-soon

Podcast, Undimmed; conversations with people on an undimming path: https://www.cecilymak.com/podcast

ClearLife Reset Supplement (feel amazing as you take a break from drinking): https://www.clearlifereset.com/