Our conversation continues  with Zen roshi and a Catholic spiritual director Ruben L. F. Habito.

Ruben L. F. Habito is both a former Jesuit and a master of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth the Society of Jesus sent him from his homeland in the Philippines to Japan, where he began his Zen practice under the guidance of Yamada Koun-roshi. Koun-roshi was a Zen master who taught many Christians students, an unusual practice for the time. In 1988, Habito received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He left the Jesuit order shortly after that, and in 1991 founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989 where he continues to be a faculty member. He is married and has two sons.

Dr. Habito is the author of several books, all of which explore various aspects of Buddhist-Christian dialogue, including Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises, and Living Zen, Loving God. 

In this concluding part of his conversation with the Encountering Silence team, Rubito speaks about what inspires him as a writer, the difference between centering prayer and zazen, the centrality of the breath in contemplation, and other topics related to his singular path as a Zen Christian.
Spend one hour a week doing nothing; doing nothing in a very intentional and purposeful way. In short, not attempting to do anything, but just allowing... to be. — Ruben L. F. Habito
Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode:

Ruben L. F. Habito, Be Still and Know: Zen and the Bible
Ruben L. F. Habito, Zen and the Spiritual Exercises
Ruben L. F. Habito, Healing Breath, Zen for Christians and Buddhists in a Wounded World
Ruben L. F. Habito, Living Zen, Loving God
Ruben L. F. Habito, Experiencing Buddhism: Ways of Wisdom and Compassion
Maggie Ross, Silence: A User's Guide, Volume 2
Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings
World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume One
World Spirituality: Jewish Spirituality, Volume Two
World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume One
World Spirituality: Hindu Spirituality, Volume Two
World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume One
World Spirituality: Islamic Spirituality, Volume Two
World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume One
World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Two
World Spirituality: Christian Spirituality, Volume Three
World Spirituality, Spirituality and the Secular Quest
Simone Weil, Waiting For God
Simone Weil, Gravity and Grace
Frances S. Adeney, Christianity Encountering World Religions
Mary Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems
Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Dainin Katagiri, Each Moment is the Universe

Episode 69: Christianity, Buddhism and Silence: A Conversation with Ruben L. F. Habito (Part Two)
Hosted by: Carl McColman
With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson
Guest: Ruben L. F. Habito
Date Recorded: May 3, 2019