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An Awakening
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From Art to Engineering
Resting in Zen.
"a feeling of being back home, unconditional life as it is"
In 2003, Mark-Hans experienced what he later described as a "shift". It wasn't the first he had experienced but this shift was the most significant and seemed to be pulling him in an un-known direction. At the time, he was holding down an ordinary job, with an everyday life away from any form of spirituality or religious following. |
At exactly the same time, he met a master/teacher called Kezapio.
After a few meetings, Kezapio became curious about something that Mark-Hans was not really open to talk about, so in time, he prised the information out of him. "what exactly is going on with you?" Mark-Hans was somewhat cautious about this almost un-describable subject in case any men in white jackets should appear, but much to his amazement, Kezapio knew exactly what he had or was experiencing. It was indeed a shift, much talked about, much searched and intimately documented.
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Unconditional life as it is
He pointed to and explained what an awakening or enlightenment experience is. Whatever the label, it was radical, seeing life in a new prospective, a different dimension.
Mark-Hans explained that it was something so profound yet so obvious, familiar, so intimate, so known, yet so far from the usual every-day vision. Like meeting a really old friend.
This shift caused total confusion, then surprise at such simplicity, before finally drifting into an experience felt as pure gratitude, an un-resounding "thank you".
It has remained in place, or as he puts it, "a feeling of being back home is always here, unconditional life as it is".
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Kezapio, a Sôtô Zen trained monk who has an extensive knowledge of the world religions and the non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Zen, suggested that he train Mark-Hans full time. This in order to give him a background knowledge of the world religions, how enlightenment is the foundations stone of all religion and to introduce him to spirituality.
So, Mark-Hans gave up his job, sold his house and then, over the next four years, the two of them did indeed study together full time. The study enabled Mark-Hans to know more about what he had seen and experienced and to learn all about a subject he had absolutely no idea about before 2003. |
From Shamanism to Islam |
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Their studies took them all over the world to places like Sri Lanka, India, The Middle East, Europe, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Korea and recently Japan. All of these locations gave Mark-Hans a much broader understanding of cultures, religions and the many styles of teachings given.
From Christianity to Shinto, from Shamanism to Islam.
Also during that time, Mark-Hans developed his ability to heal, using touch therapy and energy transmissions and is now involved in a training of tantric transformation therapy. |
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Just recently in the temple at Eihei-ji Japan, the home of Dogen Zenji, (Sôtô sect of Buddhism), Mark-Hans received full transmission from his teacher and was given a new name Kôhô after receiving his robes.
During the ceremony, Mark-Hans (Kôhô) gave his first dhamma talk in the main dhamma hall of this historic and legendary location.
The subject he talked about was "keep it simple". He has returned to Amsterdam, where he now lives.
His study-work and research, are based on a very modern approach that delves into the teachings that are more than 2500 years old.
He gives satsang, intensives and healings. |
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