Josh Bartok

Josh Bartok

Josh Bartok (Keido Mu’nen) is the abbot (head teacher and spiritual director) at the Greater Boston Zen Center. He is a Dharma heir of James Ishmael Ford Roshi in both of the roshi’s lineages: the ordained Soto Zen lineage of Jiyu Kennett, and the koan introspection lineage of John Tarrant.

Recent Articles

Meditation Leading to an Unstable Mind?

Josh Bartok, a Zen teacher, suggest what to do if meditating leads to an unstable mind.

Zazen Is Not Limited to the Mind

In the practice of shikantaza, or “just sitting,” says Josh Bartok, there’s a lot more going on than one might think.

Dark Night of the Meditator

Josh Bartok gives advice on how to meditate without provoking unhealthy psychological states.

Enso Enlightenment

Forum: What Is Enlightenment?

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Ayya Tathaaloka, Setsuan Gaelyn Godwin, and David Matsumoto explore their traditions' different perspectives on awakening.

Best Practices for Bodhisattvas

Traditional Buddhist vows can seem hardcore, but they’re just maps for a good human life. Josh Bartok translates them into values we can relate to.

Searching for the Ox: The Path to Enlightenment in 10 Pictures

A contemporary take on the oxherding pictures by artist Mark T. Morse, with commentary by Josh Bartok and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.