The Wisdom Of Zen

Companion volume to Thomas Merton's The wisdom of the desert and Geoffrey Parriner's The wisdom of the forest.

By dipping into this little book of simple Zen Buddhist sayings, you can calm your anxiety and return serenity to your soul. Are you feeling stress and anxiety from the demands of daily life? Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list and the constant deluge of information from all quarters? Are you unhappy with your life and envious of those around you? At times like these it's important to step back and take a breath. Zen meditation may conjure up images of sitting in silence for long hours, but according to Buddhist monk and author Shinsuke Hosokawa, Zen can be summed up as "the knowledge needed for a person to live life with a positive outlook." With this in mind, he has produced this charmingly illustrated collection of thoughts and sayings to help you live life with less stress and anxiety. The sayings include: Pay attention to what is right in front of your eyes Nothing happens by chance. Every encounter has its meaning Be careful not to confuse the means and the purpose Keep flowing just like water Nothing will control you Even a bad day is a good day Check the ground beneath your feet when you're in trouble You'll never walk alone These 52 mindful sayings mirror the 52 steps traditionally taken to achieve Buddhist enlightenment, and they also coincide with the 52 weeks of the year--passing through the seasons, both in the natural world and our lives. Each page has an illustration and a simple, meditative reflection to help you see into your own heart, accept your current state of being, reduce anxiety and find peace. Whatever the time of year, whatever your time of life, by browsing the pages of this book you are sure to quickly find a piece of universal wisdom that will resonate with your soul.

The Little Book series aims at bringing within the reach of everyone beautiful texts that will stimulate the mind and inspire the heart; these miniature masterpieces will fit into the bag or pocket, or find a permanent place by the beside. Beautifully illustrated in two colour or full colour, each is a treasure chest of wisdom, and an inspiring introduction to its subject. Keep this little book in your pocket and carry it with you. Wherever you find yourself, in the noise of the city, in the peace of the countryside, or in the silence of your room, the wisdom it contains will inspire and comfort you. Stop talking, stop thinking, and there; is nothing you will not understand. Return to the Root and you will find the Meaning; Pursue the Light, and you will lose Its source...There is no need to seek Truth: only stop having views. - Seng-Ts'an/Sosan (D. 600)

ZEN WISDOM is about Zen meditation practice, philosophy and doctine; Buddhism and social issues: the arts, children, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, morality, medical technology, material success, conservation with a master power of the mind, personal growth, self help and spiritual practice.

Master Sheng-yen combines wisdom gained from years of study and practice with knowledge of the contemporary world to show how Chan and Buddha’s teachings are still relevant today. Beginners, as well as those already on the path, will find clear and useful guidance as the revered teacher answers questions from his students on the simple yet elusive principles of Chan (Zen) practice.

A taste of Zen for the seeker and the curious alike. This small but wise book collects Eastern and Western sayings, haiku, poetry, and inspiring quotations from ancient and modern thinkers. Its aim is not to define Zen or answer its famous koan—What is the sound of one hand clapping?—but rather to point to a fresh way of looking at the world: with mindfulness, clarity, and joy. “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought” —Bashō New material is taken from contemporary spiritual leaders, writers, meditation teachers, and others with an emphasis on the practice of mindfulness—on the heart, rather than the head. Pen and ink illustrations from the author bring an additional layer of feeling and beauty.

Here is cut-to-the-chase Zen by the beloved, no-nonsense teacher whose Everyday Zen and Nothing Special have become underground classics, with more than 120,000 copies sold. With wit and shining insight, Now Zen is a concise rendering of the foundational ideas of Joko Beck's teaching, wh ich shows how to live with mindfulness, awareness, honest, and integrity.