Original Love audiobook cover - The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening

Original Love

The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening

Henry Shukman

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Categories:
Mindfulness & HappinessPersonal DevelopmentReligion & Spirituality

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Original Love
Core Philosophy: Love Beyond Self+
The Path of Meditation: Four Inns+
Navigating Challenges: The Five Hindrances+
Overcoming Obstacles: Radical Acceptance+
The Nature of Awakening+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
According to the text, what is the fundamental realization required for a radical shift in well-being?
  • A. The separate self is an illusion woven from memories and narratives.
  • B. We must detach completely from our emotions to find true peace.
  • C. The world is entirely external and must be renounced to achieve enlightenment.
  • D. Intellectual understanding of non-duality is more important than direct experience.
Question 2 of 6
In the metaphor of the spiritual journey, what characterizes the 'third inn' of absorption?
  • A. The initial practice of bringing non-judgmental attention to the present moment.
  • B. A state of deep immersion and profound stillness where 'doing' falls away.
  • C. The final stage where the illusory sense of self completely falls away.
  • D. The realization that meditation requires the guidance and companionship of others.
Question 3 of 6
Which of the following accurately describes the hindrance of 'restlessness' as defined in the text?
  • A. A heavy, sinking feeling associated with lethargy and spaciness.
  • B. A lack of confidence in the meditation practice or in oneself.
  • C. An endless loop of rehashing the past and rehearsing the future driven by worry or guilt.
  • D. A recoiling away from unpleasant experiences through distraction or denial.
Question 4 of 6
How does the author recommend responding to the five hindrances when they arise during meditation?
  • A. By using intense concentration to forcefully push the difficult sensations out of the mind.
  • B. By analyzing the psychological root causes of the hindrances to solve them intellectually.
  • C. By immediately shifting focus to a positive memory to counteract the negative feeling.
  • D. By observing them as bodily sensations and welcoming them with radical acceptance.
Question 5 of 6
In the context of awakening, what does the concept of 'emptiness' refer to?
  • A. A negative state of nothingness and emotional detachment from the world.
  • B. An exquisite spaciousness and openness from which all things arise.
  • C. The feeling of hollowness that accompanies the hindrance of doubt.
  • D. A permanent loss of one's memories and personal history.
Question 6 of 6
How does a stabilized, deep awakening affect a person's relationship with the everyday world?
  • A. It deepens their engagement and leads to a more intimate, loving existence with a natural inclination to help others.
  • B. It creates a permanent state of psychological isolation, making everyday interactions feel trivial.
  • C. It causes the individual to oscillate constantly between enlightened and deluded perspectives.
  • D. It alienates them from mundane life, requiring them to live solely in monastic retreat.

Original Love — Full Chapter Overview

Original Love Summary & Overview

Original Love (2024) presents a fresh approach to spirituality in the modern world. Replacing the concept of original sin, it offers a practical guide based on four elements – “inns” – of contemplative practice to help people find inner peace and connection. 

Who Should Listen to Original Love?

  • Meditators and spiritual seekers looking to deepen their practice
  • Those drawn to Eastern contemplative practices
  • Anyone curious about meditation and its benefits

About the Author: Henry Shukman

Henry Shukman is an author, poet, and Zen master who has guided thousands through mindfulness and awakening practices. He is the spiritual director emeritus at Mountain Cloud Zen Center, co-founder of The Way meditation app, and has taught meditation at institutions like Google and Harvard Business School. 

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