“Watermelons and Zen students grow pretty muchthe same way. Long periods of sitting ‘till they ripen and grow all juicy inside, but when you knock them on the head to see if they’re ready – sounds like nothing&

Drawing on the wisdom of Buddhist writings, this guide offers a spiritual cornucopia that will inspire readers every day of the year.

In this one-of-a-kind mindfulness workbook for teens, New York Times-bestselling artist and author of Start Where You Are, Meera Lee Patel, presents an entire year of calming, stress-relieving zentangle-style drawings for young, first-time zen drawers to help relax and enjoy a truly mindful moment of creativity. Few activities are as spiritually satisfying as the art of the meditative “tangle” drawing. With this book, teens can find a quiet moment to craft an intaglio of intricate, mandala-like drawings that will calm and bring on a peaceful state that clears the mind and facilitates creativity and relaxation. Offering a different hand-illustrated prompt for each day of the year, Daily Zen Doodles inspires kids to lose themselves in the contemplative act of sketching beautifully repeating patterns and abstract designs. Whether it’s the outline of a nautilus shell, the petals of a lotus blossom, or the spokes of the Buddhist wheel, the mindfulness-inspiring ideas in this book foster focus and help unlock that budding inner artist. Accompanied by apt quotes from spiritual leaders and famed philosophers to provide you with an added spark of inspiration, each drawing prompt is an invitation to an improved mindset and elevated state of inner peace.

A neuroscientist and Zen practitioner interweaves the latest research on the brain with his personal narrative of Zen. Aldous Huxley called humankind's basic trend toward spiritual growth the "perennial philosophy." In the view of James Austin, the trend implies a "perennial psychophysiology"—because awakening, or enlightenment, occurs only when the human brain undergoes substantial changes. What are the peak experiences of enlightenment? How could these states profoundly enhance, and yet simplify, the workings of the brain? Zen and the Brain presents the latest evidence. In this book Zen Buddhism becomes the opening wedge for an extraordinarily wide-ranging exploration of consciousness. In order to understand which brain mechanisms produce Zen states, one needs some understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the brain. Austin, both a neurologist and a Zen practitioner, interweaves the most recent brain research with the personal narrative of his Zen experiences. The science is both inclusive and rigorous; the Zen sections are clear and evocative. Along the way, Austin examines such topics as similar states in other disciplines and religions, sleep and dreams, mental illness, consciousness-altering drugs, and the social consequences of the advanced stage of ongoing enlightenment.

As Zen takes root in the West, new forms arise. For centuries Zen masters have tested their students with “koans” and “capping phrases.” A koan is a spiritual paradox that must be solved intuitively. A capping phrase is a trenchant comment. Both are meditative practices that reveal deeper truths about the self and, ideally, lead to enlightenment. In Zen Traces, Buddhist scholar Kenneth Kraft plays off these practices in a new idiom. He selects passages from four sources: traditional Zen, present-day Zen, Henry David Thoreau, and Mark Twain. When a koan-like story about a contemporary Zen teacher is paired with a pithy comment by Mark Twain, something fresh emerges. “In this lovely book, Ken Kraft provides a unique opening for American Buddhism and American wisdom in general. The reader will come to fresh and spacious new insights and enjoyments… Cheers for Zen in America and a deep bow to Ken Kraft!”—POLLY YOUNG-EISENDRATH, Ph.D., author of The Present Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Discovery “I highly recommend this delightful book of East-West wisdom—full of surprise, insight, wit, and piercing beauty.”—KATY BUTLER, author of Knocking on Heaven’s Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death

Here is a comprehensive introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know how or where to begin, nor what to expect once they have started practicing. It includes the fundamentals of meditation practice (posture, technique, clothing), descriptions of the basic teachings and major texts, the teacher-student relationship, and what you will find when you visit a zendo, plus a history of Zen from the founding of Buddhism to its major schools in the West. In addition to answering the most frequently asked questions, it offers a listing of American Zen centers and resources, an annotated bibliography, and a glossary. Jean Smith's enormously practical approach ensures that The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism will become the book teachers and students alike will recommend.

Daily dharma teachings on compassion, wisdom, mindfulness, and joy--ideal for creating moments of peace and reflection in our chaotic world. Awaken Every Day shares a quick dose of everyday wisdom, encouraging us to understand the true causes of our suffering and the paths to freedom. These insightful reflections help us understand our minds, our connections to our communities, and how to become the people we aspire to be.

365 practical, powerful teachings for daily inspiration on how mindfulness can transform our lives and the greater world—from the beloved Zen teacher and author of No Mud, No Lotus “Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth.” —His Holiness the Dalai Lama Bringing the energy of true presence into our lives really does change things for the better—and all it takes is a little training. This treasury of 365 gems of daily inspiration is for anyone who wants to train to meet every moment of life with 100 percent attention. Beloved spiritual teacher Thich Nhat Hanh draws from the his best-selling works to offer powerful and transformative words of wisdom that reflect the great themes of his teachings: how the practice of mindfulness brings joy and insight into every moment of our lives; how to transcend fear and other negative emotions; how to transform our relationships through love, presence, and deep listening; and how to practice peace for our world. Inspiring, joyful, and deeply insightful, Your True Home shows how practicing mindfulness can improve every area of our lives—and how its benefits radiate beyond us to affect others and the whole, larger world.

Such is the powerful simplicity of Buddhist teachings that a one-or-two-line quotation from a seminal Buddhist text can resonate throughout our days and nights. The infinite wisdom of this religion has touched people from all walks of life from all over the world. For readers interested in discovering this rich tradition and cultivating a daily practice, 365 Buddha provides a single thought—a piece of wisdom to carry with one—for each day of the year. Filled with thought-provoking and inspiring quotations from the greatest Buddhist teachers throughout history, including Dogen, Suzuki, Thich Nhat Hanh, the Dalai Lama, and Milarepa, 365 Buddha is an invaluable resource and companion for living.

As an adult who leads a busy life, you have to deal with the stresses of home, work, and family. The Buddhist idea of Zen seeks to help you reduce stress so that you can remain calm when conflicts arise. This book begins with the basics, telling you what Zen is and how you can use it to deal with the situations that come up in your fast-paced life.