Who it is for
For people looking for a direct approach to nonduality together with its integration into ordinary life.
Life and places
- He began Zen practice in New York, sat three sesshins with Shunryu Suzuki while a student at Stanford, was ordained as a monk by Kobun Chino in 1974 and practised for five years with Taizan Maezumi at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. 1, 2
- From 1988 he studied with Jean Klein for ten years; within a year of Klein's death in 1998 he met Adyashanti, who offered him Dharma transmission in 2001. 2
- He was editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal for ten years and is trained as a psychotherapist. 1
Where to start
- The introduction to Infinite Awakening (Shambhala, 2026), which he publishes free on his Substack, on the direct approach and the pathless path. 3, 5
- Wake Up Now (McGraw-Hill, 2008), his guide to the journey of spiritual awakening. 1, 8
- Beyond Mindfulness (2017), on a direct approach that points to awakened awareness without deliberate practice. 1, 9
Public context
- He describes receiving Dharma transmission from Adyashanti in 2001 and publishes the poems they exchanged; in 2021 Open Gate Sangha, the organisation of Adyashanti's teachings, listed him among the students Adyashanti invited to share the Dharma. Adyashanti wrote the foreword to Infinite Awakening. 2, 3, 6, 7
- Since 2007 he has led the School for Awakening, a months-long online programme. 1, 7
Documented teaching relationships
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Teaching areas recognised by Adyashanti
Bodian describes the teaching transmission by Adyashanti in 2001 and publishes a dated poem change.
Self-reported · stephan-bodian.squarespace.com
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Learned personally with Jean Klein
Bodian names Jean Klein as his long-time teacher.
Self-reported · stephan-bodian.squarespace.com
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Learned personally with Shunryū Suzuki
Stephan Bodian writes that as a graduate student at Stanford he sat three long sesshins (retreats) with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and hoped to continue studying with him at Tassajara, but Suzuki died toward the end of that fall practice period.
Self-reported · stephan-bodian.squarespace.com
Teaching relationships are documented statements. They confer no trust and do not attest realisation.
Sources
- Stephan Bodian · biography His own biography; read in full. His teaching authorisation is not equated with an independent check of a formal Zen lineage. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Dharma Transmission · Bodian's account His own account of his path and of the Dharma transmission by Adyashanti in 2001, with the poems they exchanged; read. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Infinite Awakening · publisher's page Page of the book (published by Shambhala) on the Penguin Random House website, naming Adyashanti's foreword and endorsements by name; read in full. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- The Direct Approach · Stephan Bodian His short written introduction on his website; read. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Introduction - Infinite Awakening · Stephan Bodian (Substack) The introduction of his book Infinite Awakening, published by him on his Substack on 1 June 2026; read in full. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Resources · Open Gate Sangha (archived copy) Page of Open Gate Sangha, the organisation of Adyashanti's teachings, listing the students Adyashanti invited to share the Dharma; read as a web.archive.org copy of 22 June 2021 because the live site blocks automated access. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Stephan Bodian · Open Gate Sangha (archived copy) His entry in the list of Open Gate Sangha, the organisation of Adyashanti's teachings; web.archive.org copy of 17 May 2021. accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Wake Up Now · Open Library Catalog record of the first edition (McGraw-Hill). accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Beyond Mindfulness · Open Library Catalog record of the 2017 edition (Non-Duality Books). accessed 19 Oct 2026
Compiled by us from the sources listed. Last checked 19 Oct 2026.
E-mails about gatherings with Stephan Bodian: coming soon.