Bruce Taylor: Training the Mind Toward Stillness
My work focuses on how the mind functions and how mental stillness can be cultivated through disciplined practice. I teach practical methods for reducing reactivity, strengthening attention, and stabilizing the mind through meditation, traditional Japanese Usui Reiki Ryōhō, Zen-based practice, and structured therapeutic psychedelic work.
How reactivity forms in the mind and how to interrupt it
Practical methods for interrupting reactive cycles and strengthening attention.
A long practice arc grounded in meditation, Reiki Ryōhō, Zen-based stillness, and disciplined internal work.
Key Experience and Training
Long-term Meditation Practice
Over 20 years and more than 10,000 hours of dedicated meditation practice focusing on the nature of the mind and the essence of consciousness
Traditional Usui Reiki Ryōhō
Usui Reiki Ryōhō is almost always framed within the confines of a “healing modality”, but indeed it is much more. It is a practice of continual mental and spiritual discipline that seeks stillness in every moment.
Zen Influence
The core tenant of Zen – the observation of reality as it is – is the central thread that binds all of Bruce’s work
Therapeutic Psychedelic Work
Utilizes psychedelic therapy responsibly for trauma healing and mental training. He is a strong advocate for the responsible incorporation of psychedelics in one’s spiritual journey and he recognizes the profound possibilities that are presented with their responsible use.
The Deep Roots Pilgrimage to Japan
Bruce leads annual spiritual pilgrimages to the nexus of Japanese spirituality – namely, Mt. Hiei and Mt. Kurama. Here, he connects his participants to revered spiritual leaders, and we come together for deep practice in sacred temples and sites.
Mind and Body Connection
The movement of energy (Chi) within oneself is the origin of Bruce’s journey. Being acutely aware of the trinity of energy, mind, and body, Bruce has spent his life in practice connecting to and striving to remain present with this flow.
Mental Stillness - Sustained Focus
To Bruce – the great leveler is stillness. If we seek a practice that helps in the cultivation of increasing mental stillness, then all other discussions and positions begin to drop their significance. There is nothing beyond stillness, and everything below. Keeping stillness as the goal is of fundamental and central importance to any spiritual journey.
Suggested Episode Titles
Training the Mind Towards Stillness
How Meditation Rewires Reactivity
Psychedelic Therapy and the Training of Mind
Reiki Ryōhō as Mental Training, Not Branding
Walking in Japan: Insights from Mt. Hiei and Mt. Kurama
Why Most “Spiritual Practice” Is Performance, Not Training
Understanding Consciousness Through Direct Experience
Reducing Suffering by Rewiring The Mind
Rewiring Reactivity with Stillness
What Trauma Feels Like in the Mind and Body
What disciplined Japanese practice trains in the mind
How Stillness Strengthens Emotional Stability
The Nervous System and the Training of Awareness
Cultivating Stillness in a Chaotic World
The Reality of Long-Term Practice
Integrating Zen Principles into Modern Life
Responsible Psychedelic Work and Its Limits
Zen in everyday life: how to cultivate meaningful stillness in each breath
Media and Links
Touching Silence – Energy, Stillness &
The Power To Heal
Touching Silence explores how stillness and energy shape the life we live. Drawing from Zen, Reiki, and reflections on physics and cosmology, it invites you to rest in the presence from which all form arises and dissolves. It is a space where awareness becomes transformation. More information can be found by clicking the button below:
Talking all things healing and psychedelics. This is part two of a three part series with Yolanda Williams of Reiki Radio. Here I’m exploring the impact that psychedelics have on healing and our own personal journey inward.
A discussion that focuses on the aspect of “universal energy” as well as the “great light of the universe”. I hope all enjoy this dive into these topics and that it helps us all to recognize our own joy and smiles as we progress through this thing called life together. .
I recently spoke at the Monroe Institute’s Consciousness Unveiled Conference outside of Venice, Italy.
My talk was titled:
“The Zero Point Mind: Pathways to Expanded Consciousness”
And in it, we explored the limitless possibilities that arise when the mind is still, and attachments are softened.
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Academia.com Articles
Connecting the notion of a “moment” in Buddhism to Planck Time and the spark of creation precisely after the Big Bang.
Phase changes, Critical Point Theory, and the nature of the mind. A common thread to release suffering
Explore the profound spiritual realm and journey of Mount Kurama and the deities that anchor the mountain’s practice
Host Introductions
Short Intro:
Bruce Taylor teaches on the nature of the mind and the disciplined cultivation of mental stillness. His work integrates long-term meditation, traditional Japanese Usui Reiki Ryōhō, Zen-based practice, and responsible therapeutic psychedelic work. Each year, he leads spiritual pilgrimages in Kyoto, practicing on Mt. Hiei and Mt. Kurama with monastic communities and respected lineage holders..
Long Intro:
Bruce Taylor’s work focuses on how the mind functions and how mental stillness is trained through committed practice. With more than two decades of experience, he teaches clear methods for strengthening attention, interrupting reactive patterns, and stabilizing the mind through meditation, traditional Japanese Usui Reiki Ryōhō, Zen-based discipline, and carefully structured therapeutic psychedelic work. Each year, he leads spiritual pilgrimages in Kyoto, spending time on Mt. Hiei and Mt. Kurama in direct practice with monastic communities and lineage holders. His teaching brings a grounded perspective to mind training, real-world practice, healing, and the difference between authentic discipline and performance-oriented spirituality.