My Zen path to liberation: Enjoy a cup of tea! | Tatjana Myoko von Prittwitz | TEDxBard College

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal spiritual views and understanding of meditation and personal development. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...

In her talk Tatjana Myoko weaves her studies of Zen Buddhism together with tales from her personal journey. As a teenager, although coming from a place of privilege, she struggled with mental health. Her passionate search for happiness—supported by decades of therapy—was eventually met by the Buddhist teachings of liberation. After studying Zen as a lay practitioner for over 20 years, she took the monastic vows and completed a three year residence in a Soto Zen training monastery in Okayama, Japan. The motivation of sharing her story is rooted in the recognition that this path of transformation is open to everybody, all the time. The process takes courage and determination, but in fact the act of connection is not so difficult—just let go! Tatjana Myoko von Prittwitz is an ordained Zen priest and professor for spiritual art at Bard College. Originally from Munich (Bavaria, Germany) she has been at Bard for 26 years. While at Bard, she founded the Bard Meditation Group in 2001, she has since given an introduction to meditation to thousands of students. Throughout her studies, she found herself in various programs such as German, religious studies, and environmental sciences, before finding a home for her interdisciplinary courses in studio arts. Her BA is in French literature on Charles Beaudelaire, her MA in curatorial studies and contemporary culture (CCS alumna, Class of 1999), and her PhD in comparative literature. She is also an interdisciplinary artist in the fields of singing, drawing, crafts, and Japanese tea ceremony. Being on a spiritual quest, she has traveled extensively alone through countries such as Mongolia, Namibia, and the Amazon, seeking authenticity and oneness. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx