Alcohol Explained is the definitive, ground-breaking guide to alcohol and alcohol addiction. It explains how alcohol affects human beings on a chemical, physiological and psychological level, from our first drinks right up to chronic alcoholism. Despite being entirely scientific and factual in nature the book is presented in an accessible and easily understandable format.For those with an alcohol problem it will explain why they have a problem and what they can do about it. For those who are unsure whether they have a problem or not it provides them with firm guidance. For those who have someone close to them who has an alcohol problem it will help them to understand what that person is going through, how they ended up where they are, and what they can do to help them. However this is not just a book for people with links to problem drinking, it is compulsive reading for anyone who has ever, or will ever, drink an alcoholic drink. How many people have inadvertently drunk too much on occasion? Virtually every drinker on the planet has done that! But how many people have actually stopped to think why? There is in fact a logical, scientific explanation for this phenomenon, it is fully and simply explained in this book.Even for those who have never imbibed alcohol this book provides a fascinating insight into addiction generally and, more specifically, into a substance that has pervaded our society to such a great extent that it is now an integral part of our culture.

Red Pine's translation of this most revered of Chinese texts breathes new life into the poems and corrects errors in previous interpretations. (Philosophy)

In 1989, Bill Porter, having spent much of his life studying and translating Chinese religious and philosophical texts, began to wonder if the Buddhist hermit tradition still existed in China. At the time, it was believed that the Cultural Revolution had dealt a lethal blow to all religions in China, destroying countless temples and shrines, and forcibly returning thousands of monks and nuns to a lay life. But when Porter travels to the Chungnan mountains — the historical refuge of ancient hermits — he discovers that the hermit tradition is very much alive, as dozens of monks and nuns continue to lead solitary lives in quiet contemplation of their faith deep in the mountains. Part travelogue, part history, part sociology, and part religious study, this record of extraordinary journeys to an unknown China sheds light on a phenomenon unparalleled in the West. Porter's discovery is more than a revelation, and uncovers the glimmer of hope for the future of religion in China.

Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Bill Porter grew up to take the physically demanding job of a door to door salesman in the worst neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, earning no pay, only commissions. Eventually he became the companys top salesman in the city, the region, and finally the country. Along the way he learned powerful life lessons that he imparted to those around him. One of those people was Shelly Brady, first hired by Porter as a typist and driver, later to become his great friend. In this inspiring book, she brings together his lessons. These seemingly simple ideas, such as Mothers Know Best, Persistence Pays Off, and Know Your Limits, but Reach Beyond Them, resonate powerfully when seen through the lens of a life lived to the fullest against what would be impossible odds for many. Whether finding cooperative bellmen to button his cuffs or beaming a video to his speaking engagements because of ill health, Porter, whose life story became a cause celebre in the 1990s, gets the job done with a smile, and inspires readers to do the same.

Presents one hundred fifty poems in Chinese and English translation by a classic eighth-century Chinese poet little known in the West, with explanatory notes accompanying each one.

"It is one of the very first art books which helped artists develop the aptitude for seeing the inner essence of various natural phenomena."—Shambhala Sun "Red Pine introduces Western readers to both the text itself and the traditions it has inherited."—Virginia Quarterly Review Through a series of brief four-lined poems and illustrations, Sung Po-jen aims at training artistic perception: how to truly see a plum blossom. First published in AD 1238, Guide to Capturing a Plum Blossom is considered the world's earliest-known printed art books. This bilingual edition contains the one hundred woodblock prints from the 1238 edition, calligraphic Chinese poems, and Red Pine's graceful translations and illuminating commentaries. "Tiger Tracks" winter wind bends dry grass flicks its tail along the ridge fearful force on the loose don't try to braid old whiskers Red Pine's commentary: "The Chinese liken the north wind that blows down from Siberia in winter to a roaring tiger. China is home to both the Siberian and the South China tigers. While both are on the verge of extinction, the small South China tiger still appears as far north as the Chungnan Mountains, where hermits have shown me their tracks." Sung Po-jen was a Chinese poet of the thirteenth century. Red Pine (a.k.a. Bill Porter) is one of the world's foremost translators of Chinese poetry and religious texts. His published translations include The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain, Lao-tzu's Taoteching, and Poems of the Masters. He lives near Seattle, Washington.

In the spring of 2006, Bill Porter traveled through the heart of China, from Beijing to Hong Kong, on a pilgrimage to sites associated with the first six patriarchs of Zen. Zen Baggage is an account of that journey. He weaves together historical background, interviews with Zen masters, and translations of the earliest known records of Zen, along with personal vignettes. Porter's account captures the transformations taking place at religious centers in China but also the abiding legacy they have somehow managed to preserve. Porter brings wisdom and humor to every situation, whether visiting ancient caves containing the most complete collection of Buddhist texts ever uncovered, enduring a six–hour Buddhist ceremony, searching in vain for the ghost in his room, waking up the monk in charge of martial arts at Shaolin Temple, or meeting the abbess of China's first Zen nunnery. Porter's previously published Road to Heaven: Encounters with Chinese Hermits has become recommended reading at Zen centers and universities throughout America and even in China (in its Chinese translation), and Zen Baggage is sure to follow suit.

"The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse [is] a tough-spirited book of enlightened free verse."—Kyoto Journal The Zen master and mountain hermit Stonehouse—considered one of the greatest Chinese Buddhist poets—used poetry as his medium of instruction. Near the end of his life, monks asked him to record what he found of interest on his mountain; Stonehouse delivered to them hundreds of poems and an admonition: "Do not to try singing these poems. Only if you sit on them will they do you any good." Newly revised, with the Chinese originals and Red Pine's abundant commentary and notes, The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse is an essential volume for Zen students, readers of Asian literature, and all who love the outdoors. After eating I dust off a boulder and sleep and after sleeping I go for a walk on a cloudy late summer day an oriole sings from a sapling briefly enjoying the season joyfully singing out its heart true happiness is right here why chase an empty name Stonehouse was born in 1272 in Changshu, China, and took his name from a cave at the edge of town. He became a highly respected dharma master in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Red Pine is one of the world's leading translators of Chinese poetry. "Every time I translate a book of poems," he writes, "I learn a new way of dancing. And the music has to be Chinese." He lives near Seattle, Washington.

Bill Porter is the ideal travel companion. His depth of knowledge of Chinese history and culture is unparalleled. His wit is ever-present. And his keen eye for the telling detail consistently reminds us that China is not what you think it is. Yellow River Odyssey, already a best-seller in China, reveals a complex, fascinating, contradictory culture like never before.

This authoritative, bilingual edition represents the first time the entirety of Cold Mountain's poetry has been translated into English. These translations were originally published by Copper Canyon Press nearly twenty years ago. Now, significantly revised and expanded, the collection also includes a new preface by the translator, Red Pine, whose accompanying notes are at once scholarly, accessible, and entertaining. Also included for the first time are poems by two of Cold Mountain's colleagues. Legendary for his clarity, directness, and lack of pretension, the eight-century hermit-poet Cold Mountain (Han Shan) is a major figure in the history of Chinese literature and has been a profound influence on writers and readers worldwide. Writers such as Charles Frazier and Gary Snyder studied his poetry, and Jack Kerouac's Dharma Bums is dedicated "to Han Shan." 1.B storied cliffs were the fortune I cast bird trails beyond human tracks what surrounds my yard white clouds nesting dark rocks I've lived here quite a few years and always seen the spring-water change tell those people with tripods and bells empty names are no damn good 71. someone sits in a mountain gorge cloud robe sunset tassels handful of fragrances he'd share the road is long and hard regretful and doubtful old and unaccomplished the crowd calls him crippled he stands alone steadfast 205. my place is on Cold Mountain perched on a cliff beyond the circuit of affliction images leave no trace when they vanish I roam the whole galaxy from here lights and shadows flash across my mind not one dharma comes before me since I found the magic pearl I can go anywhere everywhere it's perfect Cold Mountain A mountain man lives under thatch before his gate carts and horses are rare the forest is quiet but partial to birds the streams are wide and home to fish with his son he picks wild fruit with his wife he hoes between rocks what does he have at home a shelf full of nothing but books