Zen Buddhism Books

Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERFull of anecdotes, relatable quotes and beautiful illustrations, this little book makes a wonderful read and thoughtful gift!''Is it the world that''s busy, or my mind?''*****Life moves fast, but that doesn''t mean we have to.In this timely guide to mindfulness, Haemin Sunim, a Buddhist monk born in Korea and educated in the United States, offers advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with rest and relationships.Combining his teachings with calming full-colour illustrations, Haemin Sunim''s simple messages speak directly to the anxieties that have become part of modern life and remind us of the strength and joy that come from slowing down.*****''Everyone who wants to thrive more in their life should have it on their nightstand'' Arianna Huffington''Offers practical advice on everything from handling setbacks to relationships. Best for reclaiming your zen'' StylistTrade ReviewEveryone who wants to thrive more in their life should have it on their nightstand -- Arianna HuffingtonUniversal truths, beautifully expressed, lovingly illustrated -- Mark Williams, co-author of 'Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World'Ingeniously simple tips from a zen monk that'll boost your mood, career - and relationships * Daily Mail *Offers practical advice on everything from handling setbacks to relationships. Best for reclaiming your zen * Stylist *Taking time is Sunim's thing. He's a Buddhist monk who has become internationally famous for it. Written in response to requests for advice on social media, [The Things You Can See] directly addresses problems facing people around the world -- John-Paul Flintoff * Guardian *Full of insightful and practical advice-and wonderfully portable, like a daily guidebook. I read it with great interest -- Bhante Gunaratana, author of 'Mindfulness in Plain English'Haemin Sunim has offered us a remarkable gift, a compendium of practical wisdom. It is accessible brilliance -- Allan Lokos, founder and guiding teacher, Community Meditation Center, NYC; author of 'Through the Flames', 'Patience', and 'Pocket Peace'A remarkable guide to how to live a life of unpretentious authenticity and compassionate engagement. In Haemin Sunim's brief essays and aphorisms, the insights of Buddhism have fully become the stuff of life itself -- Robert Buswell, Director of Buddhist Studies, UCLAThis book is wonderful-straight from the heart of a wise, kind teacher. Written simply and with gentle humor, it will help you find lasting happiness in a changing world -- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of 'Buddha’s Brain' and 'Hardwiring Happiness'Loving, practical, and kind, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down is a beautiful reminder of the rewards of living wisely -- Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of 'A Path with Heart' and 'The Wise Heart'Filled with gems of wisdom, this book will lift up your heart and enliven your spirit -- Tara Brach, author of 'Radical Acceptance' and 'True Refuge'The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down proves what the Wise have always taught: As goes our attention, so comes our experience. The more we attend to living in the present moment, the richer becomes our experience of it . . . and of our own higher possibilities -- Guy Finley, bestselling author of 'The Secret of Letting Go'Perfect for readers looking for a respite from busy lives and tumultuous times . . . Sunim evokes a calm assuredness in his philosophy, reminiscent of Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran * Publishers Weekly *Haemin Sunim's book has a place in my backpack now. When I read it at the coffee shop, my coffee break becomes a meditation break. At bedtime, it brings me peace. And in the morning it inspires me -- Joseph Emet, author of 'Finding the Blue Sky' and 'Buddha’s Book of Meditation'I believe this elegant book will help heal a river of grief that runs through our entire nation, just below the surface, everywhere I go. People ache for time with those they love, with friends and family, with nature. My hope is that everyone who opens this book will immediately find some passage, some way into a secret garden of slow time, where things of great beauty and truth grow, and blossom, in effortless abundance. It is a glorious refuge -- a timely, welcome escape from the pervasive trance of ordinary, relentlessly productive time -- Wayne Muller, bestselling author of 'Sabbath' and 'A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough'Wonderful . . . They read almost like haikus -- Lakshmi Singh * All Things Considered (NPR) *

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Book SynopsisBe more Zen in 2025 with this little book of 100 tips and activities to soothe the soul''Brings the spirit of Zen Buddhism to everyday life . . . 100 snack-size Zen activities you can do daily to add more calm to your life'' Daily Telegraph_______Zen is the perfect antidote to the stress and uncertainty of modern life . . .In clear, practical and easy to follow lessons - one a day for 100 days - renowned Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno draws on centuries of wisdom to show you how to apply the essence of Zen to modern life.You will learn how to exhale deeply to eliminate negative emotions, to arrange your house simply to clear your thinking, to line up your shoes at night to bring order to your mind, to plant a single flower and watch it grow, to worry less about what you cannot control, and so much more . . .You will even make time to think about nothing at all.Simplify your life with the art of Zen, and learn how to feel more relaxed, fulfilled, and with a renewed sense of peace._______''Full of the simplest yet richest rituals to adopt in order to live a long and happy life, this book of wisdom is a soothing balm of peace for anyone living in the busy modern world'' Psychologies''Does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter'' Publisher''s Weekly''This little treasure needs to be at every bedside'' llan Lokos, author of Through the Flames, Patience, and Pocket Peace''Zen: The Art of Simple Living makes the wisdom of the Buddha radically accessible'' Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Emotional Rescue and Rebel BuddhaTrade ReviewBrings the spirit of Zen Buddhism to everyday life . . . 100 snack-size Zen activities you can do daily to add more calm to your life * Daily Telegraph *Full of the simplest yet richest rituals to adopt in order to live a long and happy life, this book of wisdom is a soothing balm of peace for anyone living in the busy modern world * Psychologies *Does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter: pare down and simplify . . . A bestseller in Japan, this will certainly resonate with fans of Zen practice, or those simply looking to declutter a busy mind * Publishers Weekly *A pretty book to dip into for insights into a Japanese mindset * The Tablet *With clear, practical and easy-to-follow lessons - one a day for 100 days - renowned Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno draws on centuries of wisdom to show you how to apply the essence of Zen to modern life * Eastern Daily Press, Top 10 Books on Mental Health & Psychology *You don't have to be into Japanese Zen Buddhism to appreciate this very prettily illustrated book of concise and nonjudgmental life lessons. It doesn't require long reading times - the bitesize paragraphs are perfect as quick bedtime reading or as an anti-anxiety boost first thing in the morning. * Real Homes *Zen is one of the most beautiful books I've bought. I finished reading it with a renewed sense of peace . . . I can guarantee that after reading this, your heart will feel lighter and you'll feel alive with a warm, refreshing energy * KeiSei Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'The perfect guide for a course correction in life' Deepak ChopraIf we open our eyes and see clearly it becomes obvious that there is no other time than this instant An insightful exploration into the origins and history of Zen Buddhism from pioneering Zen scholar Alan Watts. With a rare combination of freshness and lucidity, Watts explores the principles of Zen and how it can revolutionize our daily life.Trade ReviewThe perfect guide for a course correction in life -- Deepak Chopra

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Book SynopsisA revolutionary approach to writing inspired by ancient Eastern wisdom, from the bestselling author of Wabi SabiJoin author and Japanologist Beth Kempton on a sacred journey to uncover the secrets of fearless writing which have lain buried in Eastern philosophy for two thousand years.In a radical departure from standard advice and widely-held assumptions about the effort and suffering required for creative success, The Way of the Fearless Writer will show you there is another way to thrive - a path of trust, ease, freedom and joy.Learn how to free your mind so your body can create, transform your relationship with fear, dissolve self-doubt, shift writer''s block, access your true voice and bravely share your words with the world.This profound book reveals the deep connections between mind, body, spirit, breath and words. Offering a rare insight into the writing life and a host of fresh and original exercises, it will open your eyeTrade ReviewThe Way of the Fearless Writer is WONDERFUL. This book is a tonic for the soul. All writers should take time to read this. There are many books about writing, but Beth's approach is practical, honest and yet deeply spiritual and caring. We're keeping this book by our bedside. This is more than just a book, it's a way of life. -- Parul Bavishi & Matt Trinetti * co-founders of the London Writers’ Salon *In The Way of the Fearless Writer, Beth Kempton uses a Buddhist sensitivity to create a path at the intersection of our inner life, our daily life, and the lifelong practices of opening and listening; all in the service of the deeper expressive journey which, if true to, gives us access to the life below. Walk with Beth on this path and the vow to write will bring your depth to the surface and your voice into the world. -- Mark Nepo * author of Surviving Storms and The Book of Awakening *

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Book Synopsis'Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth' The Dalai LamaHow do we say what we truly mean? How can we learn to listen with compassion and understanding? How do we find true connection with one another?Celebrated Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh shares the five steps to truly mindful communication. Drawing on his experience working with couples, families, colleagues and even on international conflict, the world's most famous monk has created a simple guide to communicating with yourself, others and the world.'The monk who taught the world mindfulness' Time Trade ReviewThich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earthThich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout. He is a scholar of immense intellectual capacity. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanityThich Nhat Hanh does not merely teach peace; Thich Nhat Hanh is peace -- Elizabeth GilbertThich Nhat Hanh's work, on and off the page, has proven to be the antidote to our modern pain and sorrows ... His books help me be more human, more me than I was before -- Ocean Vuong, author of On Earth We're Briefly GorgeousThe monk who taught the world mindfulness * Time *

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Book SynopsisLook around you - what do you see? You may discover to your surprise that the people who are most at peace with money are the ones who walk nimbly between having too little and having too much. They have found a balance between indulgence and austerity; between success and happiness; between motivation and inspiration; and between any number of other poles we tend to think of as either/or choices, but which in reality are simply posts on either side of a doorway through which we must pass.For many of us the subject of money is unavoidably stressful. Managing our personal finances is complicated, time consuming and often, particularly in the slow countdown to pay day, dispiriting. The good news is that in Japan - where a Zen approach to life is more widely practiced - a pathway to a better relationship with money is being carved, by Ken Honda.This beautifully written book will reinvent the way you see your personal finances. You will come to understand that money flow

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Book Synopsis'Suzuki's works on Zen Buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living Buddhism' Carl Jung Essays in Zen Buddhism was the first book to fully introduce Zen in the West. In it, Dr D.T. Suzuki outlines the origins of Zen as a unique Chinese interpretation of the Doctrine of Enlightenment with the aim of attaining Satori ('Sudden Enlightenment'). He describes how Satori can be achieved and the methods that can bring it about - but always stresses that Zen has to be a way of life that can cope with the demands and frustrations of everyday life. Exploring the history of Buddhism, the daily life of a Zen monk and the path to enlightenment, Essays in Zen Buddhism offers an understanding of Zen not as a religion but as a way of perceiving, acting and being. It is both a classic introduction to Zen and a foundation for living a fulfilled life. After reaching enlightenment at the age of 27, Dr Suzuki spent the next 65 years writing about Buddhism and teaching in universities in Europe and the US. Widely regarded as the twentieth century's leading authority on Buddhism, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1963.Trade ReviewSuzuki's works on Zen Buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living Buddhism. * Carl Jung *He speaks of what he has experienced... the essential quality of Zen. * Erich Fromm *Dr Suzuki writes with authority... he is a Buddhist... He is honoured in every temple in Japan for his knowledge of spiritual things. -- Christmas Humphreys

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Book Synopsiskokoro [n.] intelligent heart, feeling mind One year. Two devastating losses. Three sacred Japanese mountains. A major life transition, a heart full of grief and a revelation that changes everything. Join Japanologist Beth Kempton on a pilgrimage through rural Japan in search of answers to some of life''s biggest questions: How do we find calm in the chaos and beauty in the darkness? How do we let go of the past and stop worrying about the future? What can an awareness of impermanence teach us about living well?Together you will journey to the deep north of Japan, hike ancient forests, watch the moon rise over mountains of myth and encounter a host of wise teachers along the way - Noh actors, chefs, taxi drivers, coffee shop owners, poets, philosophers and the spirits that inhabit the land. You will contemplate the true nature of time at one of the world''s strictest Zen temples and nothing will be quite the same again.This book is an invitation to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world. It all begins with the kokoro, a profound Japanese term which represents the intelligent heart, the feeling mind and the embodied spirit of every human being.To explore the kokoro is to explore the very essence of what it means to be human in this tough yet devastatingly beautiful world. When you learn to live guided by the light in your kokoro, everything changes, and anything is possible.

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**A TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR SELECTION**As heard on The Tim Ferriss Show!'Captivating'TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'The book Shukman was born to write'NATALIE GOLDBERG, author of WRITING DOWN THE BONES'A wonderful and generous book'DAVID HINTON, author of THE WILDS OF POETRY***One Blade of Grass is award-winning novelist and poet Henry Shukman's account of his journey through the world of Zen Buddhism. Raised in a rationalist household in Oxford during the spiritual heyday of the Sixties and Seventies, an unexpected spiritual awakening would prompt a lifelong quest to integrate the experience into his life, leading him eventually to Zen Buddhism. As Shukman gets to grips with meditative practice and struggles with anxiety, depression and the chronic eczema he had had since childhoods, he discovers in surprising ways the emotional, spiritual and even physical healing that he has been searching for all along.By turns humorous and moving, this beautifully written memoir demystifies Zen training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language, and takes the reader on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures of life that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us.

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Book SynopsisCleanliness is next to enlightenment. In this Japanese bestseller a Buddhist monk explains the traditional meditative techniques that will help cleanse not only your house - but your soul.Live clean. Feel calm. Be happy. We remove dust to sweep away our worldly cares. We live simply and take time to contemplate the self, mindfully living each moment. It's not just monks that need to live this way. Everyone in today's busy world needs it.In Japan, cleanliness is next to enlightenment. This bestselling guide by a Zen Buddhist monk draws on ancient traditions to show you how a few simple changes to your daily habits - from your early morning routine to preparingfood, from respecting the objects around you to working together as a team -will not only make your home calmer and cleaner, but will leave you feeling refreshed, happier and more fulfilled.Trade ReviewThe most unusual self-help book of 2018 ... There is something surprisingly calming about just reading the book, hearing Matsumoto's simple instructions and admiring the clean pen drawings of Japanese sandals and brooms -- Jane Fryer * Daily Mail *A bestseller in Japan, this charming book offers practical cleaning tips as well as fascinating insights into the Buddhist approach to life, which counters the wastefulness of modern society with a respect for spaces and objects that is deeply humane ... Ideal preparatory reading for the January clean -- PD Smith * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAlthough the consciousness of death is, in most cultures, very much a part of life, this is perhaps nowhere more true than in Japan, where the approach of death has given rise to a centuries-old tradition of writing jisei, or the death poem. Such a poem is often written in the very last moments of the poet's life. Hundreds of Japanese death poems, many with a commentary describing the circumstances of the poet's death, have been translated into English here, the great majority of them for the first time. Yoel Hoffmann explores the attitudes and customs surrounding death in historical and present-day Japan, and gives examples of how these have been reflected in the nation's literature in general. The development of writing jisei is then examined from the poems of longing of the early nobility and the more masculine verses of the samurai to the satirical death poems of later centuries. Zen Buddhist ideas about death are also described as a preface to the collection of Chinese death poems by Zen monks that are also included. Finally, the last section contains three hundred twenty haiku, some of which have never been assembled before, in English translation and romanized in Japanese.Trade Review Kevin Rose and Tim Ferriss discuss Japanese Death Poems on episode #670 of The Tim Ferriss Show - Listen to it here (conversation starts at 1:18:00)"There is something so otherworldly and beautiful about Japanese poetry, but especially Japanese poetry about death…poetry and prose regarding death, dreams, and memories have an extra weight and heft to them, whilst still being able to maintain an ethereal, dreamy, nostalgic, cozy warm delivery in their thematic idea exploration." —Traveling Book Nerds"A wonderful introduction to the Japanese tradition of jisei, this volume is crammed with exquisite, spontaneous verse and pithy, often hilarious, descriptions of the eccentric and committed monastics who wrote the poems."—Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

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Book Synopsis'A spiritual polymath, the first and possibly greatest' Deepak ChopraThe spiritual is not to be separated from the material, nor the wonderful from the ordinary This remarkable collection of essays from pioneering Zen scholar Alan Watts offer a challenging and comprehensive insight into 'cosmic consciousness'. From the paradoxes of self-consciousness to psychedelics and the connection of spirit and matter, this is a mind-opening exploration into the relationship between spirituality and ordinary life.Trade ReviewThe perfect guide for a course correction in life -- Deepak Chopra

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Book SynopsisWritten by Japanologist Natalie Leon, this beautiful guide unlocks the secrets of Japan's seasonal culture to help you relishthe seasons wherever you are.

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Book SynopsisNobel Peace Prize nominee, internationally renowned Zen master and bestselling author Thich Nhat Hanh shares his mindful techniques in mastering the art of living.'Thich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout...a scholar of immense intellectual capacity' -- Martin Luther King'[He] shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth' -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama'The father of mindfulness' -- Irish Times'Easy to read and understand' -- ***** Reader review'Uplifting, questioning, and reaffirming' -- ***** Reader review'An enlightening book by a truly enlightened being' -- ***** Reader review'Compulsive reading' -- ***** Reader review''The Art of Living' is probably the best Buddhist book I've read so far' -- ***** Reader review**************************************************************************Master the art of living from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders.Thich Nhat Hanh, the world's most renowned Zen master, turns his mindful attention to the most important subject of all - the art of living.The bestselling author of The Miracle of Mindfulness presents, for the first time, seven transformative meditations that open up new perspectives on our lives, our relationships and our interconnectedness with the world around us. He reveals an art of living in mindfulness that helps us answer life's deepest questions, experience the happiness and freedom we desire and face ageing and dying with curiosity and joy instead of fear.Stimulating and inspiring, this book teaches us the importance of looking inside ourselves and developing compassion, before we can turn to our relationships at home and in the wider world. Full of remarkable stories from Thich Nhat Hanh's own experiences and mindful practices for engaging with life, this will be a book that will help us generate happiness, understanding and love so we can live deeply in each moment of our life, right where we are.Thich Nhat Hanh is the subject of the major documentary Walk With Me narrated by Benedict CumberbatchTrade ReviewThich Nhat Hanh is a holy man, for he is humble and devout...a scholar of immense intellectual capacity. -- Martin Luther KingThe father of mindfulness. * Irish Times *[He] shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth. -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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Book SynopsisIn this ground-breaking approach to golf instruction, Dr Joseph Parent, both a noted PGA Tour coach and a respected Buddhist teacher, draws on this natural connection to teach golfers how to play with more consistency and less frustration, and consequently how to lower their scores.When body and mind are synchronized, we can uncover our inherent dignity and confidence. The ultimate goal is not just to help people become better golfers, but better human beings.'Zen Golf offers a fresh perspective for golf and for life. Instead of focusing on what''s wrong with us what''s broken, flawed or missing we can take the attitude that there is something fundamentally, essentially right with us.In chapters such as How to Get from the Practice Tee to the First Tee', You Practice What You Fear', and How to Enjoy a Bad Round of Golf', author Joseph Parent shows how to make one's mind an ally rather than an enemy: how to stay calm, clear the interference that leads to bad shots, and eliminate bad hTrade Review‘The lessons in Zen Golf make the mental game seem so simple’ Vijay Singh, current World No 1 Golfer ‘Soothing and enlightening, Zen Golf exposes us to the storm-tossed waters of the golfer’s psyche’ Golf Digest ‘In Buddhism, if you want to achieve enlightenment, you have to do it through meditation and self-improvement through the mind. That’s something my mother passed on to me: to be able to calm myself down and use my mind as my main asset’ Tiger Woods

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Book SynopsisA rare, intimate account of a world-renowned Buddhist monk’s near-death experience and the life-changing wisdom he gained from it.'Generous, beautiful, and essential' - George Saunders, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the BardoIn In Love With the World, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, one of the world's most respected leaders of Tibetan meditation, shares his personal story of how he explored the deepest, most hidden aspects of his being, and the near-death experience that came to define his meditation practice and teaching forever. Moving, beautiful and suffused with local colour, Rinpoche shares the invaluable lessons learned during his four-year wandering retreat and the meditation practices that sustained him, showing how we can all transform our fear of dying into joyful living.Trade ReviewOne of the most generous, beautiful, and essential books I’ve ever read – thoroughly engaging, so clear, so honest, so courageous and full of wisdom. This book has the potential to change the reader’s life forever. -- George Saunders, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the BardoI loved this book. It is moving and inspiring, profound and utterly human. It will certainly be a classic. Mingyur’s life-changing adventure carries us with him and teaches us how to find the unshakable heart amidst it all. -- Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart One of the most inspiring books I have ever read. -- Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall ApartOne of the most inspiring books of our times. An extraordinary testimony and a profound teaching that keeps you reading with wonderment, page after page. -- Matthieu Ricard, author of Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill and Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the WorldThis is an extraordinary book. A gripping narrative of how the process of dying, letting go of our fixed selves and constraining habits, can liberate the human spirit and promote flourishing, this book has something profoundly important to teach each of us. -- Richard J. Davidson, best-selling author of Emotional Life of Your Brain, co-author of Altered Traits, and Founder and Director, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-MadisonIn this vivid, compelling account, Mingyur Rinpoche reveals his own struggle and awakening as he faces the loss of worldly identity and the threat of dying itself. This book is a rarity in spiritual literature: Reading the intimate story of this wise and devoted Buddhist monk directly infuses our own transformational journey with fresh meaning, luminosity and life. -- Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True RefugeThis book will change many lives. -- Tara Bennett-Goleman, author of Emotional AlchemyThis artfully told spiritual adventure casts a spell—you can’t put it down, and you don’t want it to end. I recommend it without reservation: I bet you’ll love it, too. -- Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional IntelligenceIn his book, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche gifts us with more than just a mesmerizing read. As Rinpoche narrates his spiritual journey, he lays bare his early hopes and aspirations, his doubts, indignities, bodily and emotional suffering, and his vulnerabilities. He offers these with great skill, clarity, and love to encourage and inspire us to travel our own spiritual journeys. -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real LoveA rollicking travelogue...this slim book also moved me, and left me with a better appreciation of Tibetan Buddhism than so many weightier tomes that I’ve struggled to understand. -- Barbara Demick, Baillie Gifford award-winning author of Nothing to Envy

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Book Synopsis'The perfect guide for a course correction in life' Deepak ChopraFor decades, people have turned to the inspiring words of pioneering Zen scholar Alan Watts for guidance, support and spiritual sustenance. In this thought-provoking collection of aphorisms and quotations, Watts reminds us all to slow down, to recognize we are not the universe but part of it and to enjoy each moment that composes our lives. This is a timeless work to reflect upon, to live by and to read for inspiration, knowledge and growth.

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Book SynopsisCharlotte Joko Beck is one of the most popular Zen teachers currently teaching in the West.This beautifully written book is a Zen guide to the problems of daily living, love, relationships, work, fear and suffering. Beck describes how to be in the present and living each moment to the full.Trade Review‘Deals with the most important spiritual practice of all – how we can live awakened in our daily life.’Jack Kornfield

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Book SynopsisThe deceptively simple practices of Peace is Every Step encourage the reader to work for peace in the world as he or she continues to work on sustaining inner peace by turning the 'mindness' into the mindful.Trade ReviewThis is a very worthwhile book. It can change individual lives and the life of our society

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Book SynopsisThe path to achieving Zen (a balance between the body and the mind) is brilliantly explained by Professor Eugen Herrigel in this timeless account.This book is the result of the author's six year quest to learn archery in the hands of Japanese Zen masters. It is an honest account of one man's journey to complete abandonment of the self' and the Western principles that we use to define ourselves. Professor Herrigel imparts knowledge from his experiences and guides the reader through physical and spiritual lessons in a clear and insightful way. Mastering archery is not the key to achieving Zen, and this is not a practical guide to archery. It is more a guide to Zen principles and learning and perfect for practitioners and non-practitioners alike.

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Book SynopsisA comforting book that will offer relief to anyone moving through intense grief and loss, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh shares accessible, healing words of wisdom to transform our suffering. In the immediate aftermath of a loss, sometimes it is all we can do to keep breathing. With his signature clarity and compassion, Thich Nhat Hanh will guide you through the storm of emotions surrounding the death of a loved one. How To Live When A Loved One Dies offers powerful practices such as mindful breathing that will help you reconcile with death and loss, feel connected to your loved one long after they have gone and transform your grief into healing and joy.

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Book Synopsis'In the beginner''s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert''s there are few.' So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki''s classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it''s all about. An instant teaching on the first page. And that''s just the beginning. In the thirty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner''s Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics, much beloved, much re-read, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics—from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality—in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page. It''s a book to come back to time and time again as an inspiration to practice.

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Book SynopsisReveals how true power comes from within. This book illustrates how the understanding of power leads us on a search for external markers like job title or salary. It challenges our assumptions and teaches us how to access the true power that is within our grasp.Trade Review"The Art of Power is a bold and visionary work that reframes power, ambition, success, happiness, love, and peace." -- Spirituality & Practice "Among Buddhist leaders influential in the West, Thich Nhat Hanh ranks second only to the Dalai Lama." -- New York Times

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Book SynopsisOne of former president Barack Obama''s favorite gifts under ten dollars, this mini Zen garden will help you find peace in everyday life and deliver mindfulness to your desktop. Kit includes: Mini Zen gardening tray Bag of sand Decorative rocks Miniature wooden rake Mini book on the beauty of Zen gardening

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Book Synopsis'The monk who taught the world mindfulness' TimeIn this masterful work, one of the most revered spiritual leaders in the world today shares his wisdom on how to be the change we want to see in the world. In these troubling times we all yearn for a better world. But many of us feel powerless and uncertain what we can do. Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) is blazingly clear: there's one thing that we have the power to change-and which can make all the difference: our mind. How we see and think about things determines all the choices we make, the everyday actions we take (or avoid), how we relate to those we love (or oppose), and how we react in a crisis or when things don't go our way.Filled with powerful examples of engaged action he himself has undertaken, inspiring Buddhist parables, and accessible daily meditations, this powerful spiritual guide offers us a path forward, opening us to the possibilities of change and how we can contribute to the collective awakening and environmental revolution our fractured world so desperately needs.Trade ReviewOne of the most influential spiritual leaders of our times * Oprah *Thich Nhat Hanh's empowering voice and example will be valuable to those seeking wisdom in a frenetic, threatened world * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSix revolutionary essays from the perfect guide for a course correction in life, away from materialism and its empty promise (Deepak Chopra), exploring the relationship between spiritual experience and ordinary life—and the need for them to coexist within each of us. With essays on “cosmic consciousness” (including Alan Watts’ account of his own ventures into this inward realm); the paradoxes of self-consciousness; LSD and consciousness; and the false opposition of spirit and matter, This Is It and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience is a truly mind-opening collection.

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times bestsellerFEATURED ON THE DELICIOUSLY ELLA PODCASTWe''re all on a search for happiness, but we''re looking in the wrong places.Everyone looks externally to find contentment, we think material possessions will unlock our happiness. A Monk''s Guide to Happiness explains how and why we need to look within, and connect to our true essence, in order to find peace. Everyone has the potential to be happy, after all, we''re all ''hardwired'' for happiness.But how do we get there? By meditating. Not just in the morning, but throughout the day by introducing micro moments so we never drop the mindfulness ball, even when we''re busy. Meditation is more than just a stress-reduction tool or a relaxation therapy, it is the key to finding long-lasting happiness.Gelong Thubten, a Buddhist monk who has worked with everyone from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to Ruby Wax and BenedicTrade ReviewThubten is a very generous and kind monk who writes with the lived honesty and humour of someone who has experienced the wisdom he shares. His writing is full of inspiration but also the pragmatism needed to form a sustainable practice. His book clearly illustrates why we all need meditation and mindfulness in our lives. -- Benedict CumberbatchGelong Thubten's book is as warm, wise and generous as the man himself. We've never needed a voice like his more. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *Compelling to read, yet full of profound wisdom, this wonderful book rationally describes how our mind functions and how we can cultivate the habit of happiness. * Professor Lokesh Joshi, Vice President for Research, National University of Ireland *Thubten is able to explain meditation using clear language and an approach which really speaks to our modern tech-infused lives. With openness, humility and humour he delivers a deep message that will resonate in our modern culture. * Rami Jawhar, Program Manager at Google Arts & Culture *Gelong Thubten's wonderful book provides a bracing challenge to our search for instant gratification and "instant" happiness, and a lucid, practical, step-by-step path to contentment and a genuine and lasting peace of mind. -- Mick Brown * Journalist for The Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThis modern-day commentary on Dogen’s Instructions for a Zen Cook reveals how everyday activities—like cooking—can be incorporated into our spiritual practice In the thirteenth century, Zen master Dogen—perhaps the most significant of all Japanese philosophers, and the founder of the Japanese Soto Zen sect—wrote a practical manual of Instructions for the Zen Cook. In drawing parallels between preparing meals for the Zen monastery and spiritual training, he reveals far more than simply the rules and manners of the Zen kitchen; he teaches us how to "cook," or refine our lives. In this volume Kosho Uchiyama Roshi undertakes the task of elucidating Dogen''s text for the benefit of modern-day readers of Zen. Taken together, his translation and commentary truly constitute a "cookbook for life," one that shows us how to live with an unbiased mind in the midst of our workaday world.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"…The authors did an excellent job at going deep into the surface of the style, a helpful beginning for those interested and a further study for those with experience in traditional Chinese martial arts…Grayscale photos and illustrations also help paint a clearer picture as to what the written instructions describe." -- Martial Journal

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Book SynopsisThis inspiring calendar features 12 examples of Zen poetry and quotes alongside beautiful Zen photography. These art forms open up a visual world and are a simple expression of organic living, and nature, that can be meditated upon. The datepad features previous and next month's views. Printed on FSC-certified paper, with plastic-free packaging.

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Book SynopsisBreathing brings the secret joy of meditation to you. You become joyful, fresh and tolerant and everyone around you will benefit.'The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing is one of the three most essentialteachings of the Buddha. In Breathe! You Are Alive, scholar, poet and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh unfolds this core teaching, showing how to apply it to everyday life. He explains the methods of conscious breathing that are presented in the sutra and offers exercises for practising those methods today. Moreover, his engaging commentary shows the profound nourishment that can be available to us when we slow down and get in touch with our breathing. Breathe! You AreAlive shows how we all begin to take in peace and happiness with each and every breath.Trade Review'Breathing brings the secret joy of meditation to you. You become joyful, fresh and tolerant and everyone around you will benefit.' The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing is one of the three most essential teachings of the Buddha. In Breathe! You Are Alive, scholar, poet and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh unfolds this core teaching, showing how to apply it to everyday life. He explains the methods of conscious breathing that are presented in the sutra and offers exercises for practicing those methods today. Moreover, his engaging commentary shows the profound nourishment that can be available to us when we slow down and get in touch with our breathing. Breathe! You Are Alive shows how we all begin to take in peace and happiness with each and every breath.

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Book SynopsisCultivate a mindful new habit in 2023 with Be More Bonsai, and discover how the art of growing bonsai trees can lead to a happier, more mindful way of lifeAmid the chaos of modern life, the ancient art of tending to bonsai can bring calm and perspective.The central tenets of this beautiful, meditative practice teach us patience, focus, calmness, perspective, planning, mindfulness and many more traits that can help us in our busy, challenging everyday lives.This calming companion will guide you through: Caring for your own bonsai tree Applying the mindfulness of cultivating bonsai to everyday life The ancient Eastern philosophy of tending to bonsaiFrom the shedding of leaves representing the letting go of material possessions, to carefully tending to the bonsai roots just as we should our own core values, Be More Bonsai is filled with wisdom that you''ll cherish every day.Th

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Book SynopsisA prominent Zen teacher offers a “direct, penetrating, and powerful” perspective on a popular mind training practice of Tibetan Buddhism (Rick Hanson, author of Buddha’s Brain)Lojong is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of working with short phrases (called "slogans") to generate bodhichitta, the heart and mind of enlightened compassion. With roots tracing back to the 900 A.D., the practice has gained more Western adherents over the past two decades, partly due to the influence of American Buddhist teachers like Pema Chödrön. Its effectiveness and accessibility have moved the practice out of its Buddhist context and into the lives of non-Buddhists across the world.It''s in this spirit that Norman Fischer offers his unique, Zen-based commentary on the Lojong. Though traditionally a practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the power of the Lojong extends to other Buddhist traditions—and even to other spiritual traditions as well. As Fischer explores the 59 slogans through a Zen lens, he shows how people from a range of faiths and backgrounds can use Lojong to generate the insight, resilience, and compassion they seek.

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Book SynopsisThese pithy and powerful readings provide a perfect introduction to the teachings of Zen master Dogen?and will inspire spiritual practice in people of all traditions Eihei Dogen (1200?1253), founder of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism, is one of the greatest religious, philosophical, and literary geniuses of Japan. His writings have been studied by Zen students for centuries, particularly his masterwork,Shobo GenzoorTreasury of the True Dharma Eye. This is the first book to offer the great master?s incisive wisdom in short selections taken from the whole range of his voluminous works.

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Book SynopsisTruly see yourselfHow to See is about our misperceptions, how we can gain insight and how mindfulness practices can help us see our real selves. Thich Nhat Hanh brings his signature clarity, compassion and humour in showing us how to achieve an awakened, more relaxed state of self-awareness so we cn understand ourselves and the world around us. This is a perfect pocket-sized guide to life by the most renowned Zen master in the world, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.Trade ReviewThich Nhat Hanh is a holy man...a scholar of immense intellectual capacity * Martin Luther King *The father of mindfulness * Irish Times *Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth * His Holiness the Dalai Lama *

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Book SynopsisJeff Bridges is one of the world''s most popular actors and his unforgettable performance as The Dude in Coen Brothers film, The Big Lebowski, made him a cult hero. His remarkable career as an actor, performer and songwriter has brought him an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice award. Away from the spotlight, Bridges is a dedicated practitioner of Zen Buddhism and for more than a decade has been close friends with Zen leader Bernie Glassman. It is Glassman who has helped guide Bridges'' lessons on the path to enlightenment and the two have spent many hours discussing life, love, the movies, creativity, happiness and death. With wit, charm and profound insight, Bridges and Glassman discover the Zen in iconic scenes and lines from The Big Lebowski. With honesty and humour, Bridges explores how his Zen practice and his life experience inform one another as he discusses his loving relationship with his parents, his marriage, his highly successful career and

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Book SynopsisHow can we be happy? How should we treat others? How should we spend our time? Discover the path to peaceful living with this beginner's guide to the ancient practice of ZenZen is a philosophy for living in a state of kindness, gratitude and awareness, teaching us to be present and to experience the world as it truly is. This book will guide you through the concepts of Zen, revealing how you can apply its principles to your daily life and how you can reap the benefits to gain a greater sense of peace and calm. Through simple tips, guided meditations and thought exercises, you can learn to cultivate Zen, whether you're new to the practice or have been familiar with it for years. Are you ready to discover the secrets of Zen? Within these pages you'll find:- The history of the Zen school of thought, and how it has shaped the world we live in today - An introduction to Zen practices and beliefs, including the Six Virtues and the Five Precepts, and to Zen ceremonies, holidays and rituals - Tips for cultivating and perfecting your practice, and developing your own sense of "Zen" - Step-by-step instructions for trying various meditations and exercises for yourself - Ideas to make your daily life and home more Zen - Exercises in Zen arts, such as calligraphy, painting, gardening and flower arranging - Wise words from the world's most enlightened thinkers - Thought-provoking Zen teachings to help you see things in a new light

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Book SynopsisLearn how to create a tranquil outdoor space at home with this practical and inspiring guide!With instructive drawings and step-by-step techniques, Inside Your Japanese Garden walks you through designing and creating your very own Japanese garden. From small projects like benches and gates, to larger undertakings like bridges and mud walls, this book provides a wide variety of ways to enhance the space around your home, no matter the size. Instructions on how to work with stone, mud and bamboo—as well as a catalogue of the 94 plant varieties used in the gardens shown in the book—round out this complete guide.This book also features 19 gardens that author Sadao Yasumoro has designed and built in Japan, and some—like those at Visvim shop in Tokyo and at Yushima Tenjin in Tokyo—are open to the public. From small tsuboniwa courtyard gardens to a large backyard stroll garden with water features, stairs and walls, these real-life inspirations will help spark your own garden plan.These inspirational garden projects include: Tea Garden for an Urban Farmhouse featuring a clay wall with a split-bamboo frame and a stone base The Landslide That Became a Garden with a terraced slope, trees, bushes, long grasses and moss A Buddha's Mountain Retreat of Moss and Stone with vertical-split bamboo and brushwood fencing Paradise in an Urban Jungle with a pond, Japanese-style bridge, and stone lanterns Each garden is beautifully photographed by Hironori Tomino and many have diagrams and drawings to show the essential elements used in the planning and construction.Trade Review"Fans of garden design will want to give this a look"--Publishers Weekly"While this is presented in the form of a manual, it is clear that what is truly important is not rigorously following a series of instructions but gardening from the heart, using fundamental design principles to inform one's plan and working with the site and conditions rather than trying to force them into obedience. Stunning color photographs depict the featured gardens and highlight smaller details within them. Thoroughly indexed and with a list of plants that appear in the book, this is a useful resource as well as a source of plentiful inspiration for readers." --Booklist"A visually beautiful book to simply browse through one garden at a time […] impressively written, organized and presented. A source of inspiration, ideas, and practical instruction." --Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisThe Genius of Japanese Carpentry tells the story of the 1200-year-old Yakushiji monastery in Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dedicated modern-day craftsmen who are working to restore what has been lost to the depredations of time, fire and warfare.Although the monastery's reconstruction will not be fully completed until 2030, one of the primary temples—the Picture Hall—has been wholly restored employing the same materials, tools and techniques originally used in its creation over a millennium ago. Featuring intricate, puzzle-like joinery and the integration of timber pieces to orient them in the same direction as when it was a growing tree, this book skillfully documents the stunning craftsmanship of the ancient Japanese, which is still alive today.First published more than thirty years ago, this book has become a classic. Author Azby Brown, one of the world's leading experts on Japanese architecture, chronicles the painstaking restoration of the Yakushiji monastery through: Extensive interviews with carpenters and woodworkers Original drawings based on the plans of master carpenter Tsunekazu Nishioka Detailed photographs and diagrams showing the woodworking techniques, tools and materials used This revised edition of the book contains a new foreword by Mira Locher, one of the world's leading experts on vernacular and modern Japanese architecture.An inspiring testament to the dedication of these craftsmen and their philosophy of carpentry work as a form of personal fulfillment, The Genius of Japanese Carpentry offers detailed documentation of the restoration of this historic building and a moving reminder of the unique cultural continuity found in Japan.cTrade Review"My main impression throughout reading this book has been one of head shaking and disbelief, and sheer amazement at the ingenuity of Japanese carpenters current and old. If you have any interest in carpentry, timber framing, woodworking, or even Japanese history, I highly recommend this book" —The Year of Mud blog"The Genius of Japanese Carpentry focuses on Japan's foremost carpenters who combine the timeless past and living present." —Japan Woodcraft Association"…very much heartfelt appreciation of Japanese carpentry." —Japan Forward blog

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Book SynopsisThe classic samurai-era text that fused Japanese swordsmanship with Zen philosophy—written by the incomparable Zen master Takuan Soho   Written by the seventeenth-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573–1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. Takuan was a giant in the history of Zen; he was also a gardener, calligrapher, poet, author, adviser to samurai and shoguns, and a pivotal figure in Zen painting. He was known for his brilliance and acerbic wit. In these succinct and pointed essays, Takuan is concerned primarily with understanding and refining the mind—both generally and when faced with conflict. The Unfettered Mind was a major influence on the classic manifestos on swordsmanship that came after it, including Miyamoto Musashi''s Book of Five Rings and Yagyu Munenori''s Life-Giving Sword.

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Book SynopsisThe complete English translation of one of the great Zen classics and works of Japanese literature, by the founder of the Soto school—now in a single volume   Treasury of the True Dharma Eye (Shobo Genzo, in Japanese) is a monumental work, considered to be one of the profoundest expressions of Zen wisdom ever put on paper, and also the most outstanding literary and philosophical work of Japan. It is a collection of essays by Eihei Dogen (1200–1253), founder of Zen’s Soto school. Kazuaki Tanahashi and a team of translators that represent a Who’s Who of American Zen have produced a translation of the great work that combines accuracy with a deep understanding of Dogen’s voice and literary gifts. This edition includes a wealth of materials to aid understanding, including maps, lineage charts, a bibliography, and an exhaustive glossary of names and terms—and, as a bonus, the most renowned of all Dogen’s essays, “Recommending Zazen to All People.”

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Book SynopsisCut through the busyness and anxieties of daily life to discover the simple happiness of living in the present moment, as taught by a world-renowned Zen monkIn this book, Thich Nhat Hanh?Zen monk, author, and meditation master?distills the essence of Buddhist thought and practice,emphasizing the power of mindfulness to transform our lives. But true mindfulness, Hanh explains, is not an escape. It is being in the present moment, totally alive and free.Based on a retreat that Thich Nhat Hanh led for Westerners,You Are Hereoffers a range of effective practices for cultivating mindfulness and staying in the present moment?including awareness of breathing and walking, deep listening, and skillful speech.These teachings will empower you to witness the wonder of life and transform your suffering, both within and outside you, into compassion, tenderness, and peace. As Thich Nhat Hanh declares, ?the energy of mindfulness is the energy of the Buddha, and it can be produced by anybody.? It is as simple as breathing in and breathing out.

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Book SynopsisShunmyo Masuno, Japan's leading garden designer, is at once Japan's most highly acclaimed landscape architect and an 18th-generation Zen Buddhist priest, presiding over daily ceremonies at the Kenkoji Temple in Yokohama. He is celebrated for his unique ability to blend strikingly contemporary elements with the traditional design vernacular. He has worked in ultramodern urban hotels and some of Japan's most famous classic gardens. In each project, his work as a designer of landscape architecture is inseparable from his Buddhist practice. Each becomes a Zen garden, "a special spiritual place where the mind dwells."This beautiful book, illustrated with more than 400 drawings and color photographs, is the first complete retrospective of Masuno's work to be published in English. It presents 37 major gardens around the world in a wide variety of types and settings: traditional and contemporary, urban and rural, public spaces and private residences, and including temple, office, hotel and campus venues. Masuno achieved fame for his work in Japan, but he is becoming increasingly known internationally, and in 2011 completed his first commission in the United States which is shown here.Zen Gardens, divided into three chapters, covers: "Traditional Zen Gardens," "Contemporary Zen Gardens" and "Zen Gardens outside Japan." Each Zen garden design is described and analyzed by author Mira Locher, herself an architect and a scholar well versed in Japanese culture.Celebrating the accomplishments of an influential, world-class designer, Zen Gardens also serves as something of a master class in Japanese garden design and appreciation: how to perceive a Japanese garden, how to understand one, even how to make one yourself. Like one of Masuno's gardens, the book can be a place for contemplation and mindful repose.Trade Review"Locher's stunning presentation highlights 37 master gardens in Japan and abroad (including in the U.S.) that embody a transcendent marriage between the primal elements of nature and metaphysics. […] With 320 color photos and designs, Locher captures the mystery and mastery of Masuno's work." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"This showcase of the work of Japanese garden designer Shunmyo Masuno marries clear exposition of the designer's philosophy with drop-dead gorgeous color art." --Publishers Weekly, 2012 Best Book, Gardening"Zen Gardens endorses a spiritual approach to the process of garden design, whereby the design and its inherent aesthetic qualities are allowed to grow from the place, rather than being imposed on it. Illustrated with more than 400 drawings and color photographs, this book is a wonderful source of inspiration for creating beautiful, contemplative landscapes."-- Garden Design Journal

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