Soryu Forall

Soryu Forall is my spiritual teacher. He teaches at the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth (MAPLE). Soryu is a Zen monk who trained for many years with Shodo Harada Roshi at Sogenji in Japan. He also trained in many other spiritual traditions. Although a Zen monk, he is not teaching Zen at MAPLE.

While living with him, I have observed the following good qualities which make me trust him as a teacher: (Note: if you have not encountered people like Soryu, this list may seem like hyperbole or aggrandizement. Don't assume that, instead consider the possibility that it is true. If you really want to know, try living with him and see for yourself.)

Impeccable ethics

I have never met anyone with as good ethics as him. He is free from many of the ethical faults we excuse with the words we're only human. For example, I have never seen him do anything according to his desires or his ego; I have never seen him overcome by anger or frustration; I have never seen him complain or pity himself. Rather, in each moment, he strives to do what is best for all beings.

Non-hypocrisy

I have never seen him be hypocritical. If he claims that we should live a certain way, he is living that way. If he tells us to do a certain meditation practice, he is doing that practice while speaking. If he instructs a student to do something hard, they can be sure that he has done things at least as hard many times.

Lives simply

He lives in a cabin on the MAPLE property. He dries his clothes outside. I have never seen him pursue or delight in luxury.

Extremely skilled teacher

He is able to connect deeply with a student and give them individualized instruction which addresses exactly where they are at.

Deep empathy during interviews

Interviews are short sessions of one-on-one meditation instruction. In these, Soryu is in a samadhi which allows him to deeply empathize with the student, accurately reflecting what is going on in their meditation without the student even needing to speak.

Extremely devoted teacher

He consistently gives everything he can to his students, doing everything he can to facilitate their spiritual growth.

Believes deeply and sincerely in his students

I have never seen him doubt a student's ability to walk the spiritual path. He believes in his students more than they believe in themselves, and generally more than they thought possible. This is never faked, he is certain that they can walk the path.

Committed to his students, even when they go far astray

Soryu continues to be available to support all of his students, even those who have attacked the community. I once saw him say about someone who have done real harm to the community that he is like my son.

Always keeps the door open to those who have broken trust, without enabling bad behavior.

The way this works is that he gives these people a way back into regaining trust rather than simply letting them off the hook.

Deep awareness of social situations

In a room full of people, he is aware of all the interpersonal dynamics going on to a shocking degree.

Superb listener to questions

Soryu is able to hear a student's question and give an answer that hits the nail on the head, resolving their confusion. Even when the question is unclear or confused, he still can hear the true question being asked.

Apologizes when he is wrong

Since he holds himself to such a high ethical standard, the offenses he apologizes for often seem minor.

Doesn't apologize when he isn't wrong

This is because to do so would be dishonest.

Very open to being questioned

When I first got to MAPLE, I questioned many things. Soryu never took offense, but each time he welcomed my questioning.

Does not give bad advice

Following his teacher Harada Roshi, he simply does not give bad advice. If he does not have good advice to give, he does not give any advice.

Actually faces the planetary crisis

Soryu is very clear that the destruction of life on Earth is the massacre of his own family, and lives his life accordingly.

Extremely energetic

Soryu works hard all day, with great concentration and energy, without laziness or anxiety.

Endlessly creative

Every teaching he gives is fresh and new, not a mere reshuffling of what he has already taught. Where does all this material come from?

Keeps it real

Soryu always keeps it real.