Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi began practicing daily meditation in 1976. Since then, he has studied Buddhism extensively—investigating and engaging in Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, and Western non-dual traditions. He was authorized to teach in the Theravada Buddhist tradition in 2007 and the Zen Buddhist schools of Soto and Rinzai in 2022. Mugen is a senior student of Roshi Mark Sando Mininberg and a transmitted teacher in the White Plum Asanga—the body of teachers in the Maezumi-roshi lineage.

Mugen’s resonant and warmhearted teaching style engages students around the globe through in-person and online retreats, as well as one-on-one coaching. He encourages students to turn toward their true nature and, with realization of their true nature, embody their true identity. Mugen is the author of five books, including Liberating the Self, Demystifying Awakening, and Buddha’s Heart. He co-authored Practicing the Jhānas.

For more information about Awakening Dharma, please visit the following link: https://awakeningdharma.org/

For Todd Mushin Lisonbee's interview with Mugen Roshi, please see the following link: https://youtu.be/pscxTP2ckeE?si=bgvZ9n1pyKCpcZbe

We discussed Inka Shomei and the sacred and humbling experience of sharing a dharma eye with a teacher, koan study and working with our bull tails that are sticking out, the Enneagram and being your uniqueness without being your dysfunction, how deeper levels of awakening reveals deeper levels of work that needs to be done, and the importance of making contact with your innate goodness.