A novel meditation app, The Way, aims to immerse users in a profound meditative journey under the tutelage of an accredited Zen master. Founded by Henry Shukman and his nephew Jack Shukman, The Way seeks to transcend the commonplace mindfulness offerings of apps like Headspace and Calm by delving into millennia-old meditation traditions.
Henry Shukman, one of just five authorized Zen masters in the Sanbo Zen lineage globally, adapted his teaching to digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, discovering a receptive audience for online meditation. It was during this period that tech entrepreneur Kevin Rose, a student of Henry’s, proposed developing a meditation app featuring his teachings. With the concept initially on hold due to a lack of leadership, the idea gained momentum as Jack Shukman, having left a decade-long career in finance, underwent a personal transformation through meditation, guided by his uncle Henry.
Jack reflected on his journey, sharing with TechCrunch, “Henry went from being just my boring Uncle Henry to someone I could turn to for guidance and advice.” Inspired by his uncle’s teachings and the quest for effective meditation tools, Jack joined forces with Henry to co-found The Way in 2022. Recently, the app secured $1.4 million in seed funding led by Kevin Rose and True Ventures, bolstered by support from angel investors.
Central to The Way’s philosophy is the opportunity for users to experience daily sessions guided by Henry, simulating a year-long journey as if mentored by a Zen master in person. Upon opening the app, users are greeted by Henry in his Zen school, offering an introduction to the structured meditation program comprising daily guided sessions and informative talks.
In contrast to popular apps that overwhelm users with choices, The Way presents a linear, step-by-step approach aimed at minimizing decision fatigue. Jack Shukman explained their unique user experience design, stating, “Our UX design ensures all content appears in a linear step-by-step path, inspired by early user research revealing decision paralysis among meditators using other apps.” This approach guides users methodically through a curriculum designed by Henry to deepen their meditation practice progressively.
While acknowledging the value of apps like Calm and Headspace in introducing basic mindfulness, Henry emphasized The Way’s role in guiding practitioners towards profound meditation experiences. “Beyond stress reduction and calm, our aim is to uncover a deeper interconnectedness and flow states within meditation,” Henry noted, underscoring the app’s focus on facilitating transformative insights and effortless meditation experiences.
The Way offers initial 30 meditation sessions for free, with full access to the curriculum available via a $9.99 monthly or $74.99 yearly subscription. To ensure accessibility, The Way provides a scholarship program for those unable to afford the subscription fee. The app is compatible with iOS and Android platforms, catering to a broad audience seeking to deepen their meditation practice.
For more information or to download The Way, visit their website or respective app stores.
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