About this Class

In this master class, we’ll explore the Ten Zen Bulls—an ancient series of images and teachings that depict the stages of a spiritual seeker’s journey toward awakening. Each “bull” symbolizes a phase of inner development, from the initial search for meaning to the final return to everyday life, transformed and free.

Together, we’ll reflect on how these timeless teachings mirror the challenges, insights, and breakthroughs that arise on the spiritual path. We’ll uncover how the Bulls speak directly to the modern seeker—offering guidance not just toward enlightenment but toward integration, wholeness, and deep involvement in the world.

The Ten Bulls were illustrated in the 12th century by the Chinese Zen master Kakuan, who offered poetic verses and commentary alongside each image. Kakuan’s vision emphasizes not just the mystical experience of awakening, but the importance of returning to ordinary life, carrying the wisdom of realization into the world with humility and heart.

As we encounter each bull, we’ll examine both the outer and inner landscapes they reflect: the frustrations of the mind, the joy of insight, the humility of non-duality, and the mystery of returning to the marketplace with a knowing heart.

Whether you see yourself in the early stages of seeking or in the quiet of deeper realization, the Ten Bulls offer a mirror and a map. Their simplicity, poetry, and depth serve as companions on the path—reminding us that awakening is not the end, but the beginning of living life as an adventure.