Search on Amazon, and you will get about 40,000 results for books on Zen. The first few page results are filled with book titles that begin with "Zen and the art of...". Unfortunately, Zen is a marketing word for self-help advice, peace, love, and relaxation. Buried between the "5 Zen Habits to Help You Redefine Obstacles," "How to Live Your Life The Zen Way," and "Zen Golf" is … [Read more...] about The Rinzai Zen Way [Book Review]
Zen
Zen training aims to free ourselves from the false perception of dualism: the separation of mind and body, self and others, life and death.
Shodo is Zen. Zen is Shodo
Zen Calligraphy is my favorite style of Shodo. Although I firmly believe that learning the fundamentals of calligraphy is necessary to brush good art, I also enjoy the emphasis Zen training puts in developing bokki (ki of the ink or the manifestation of kiai in the ink) through breath and posture. This style of calligraphy does not emphasize the academic grounds of penmanship. … [Read more...] about Shodo is Zen. Zen is Shodo
Meditation and Stress
Over a year and a half ago, I began my Thesis research project for my Master of Science in Management degree. My research question was simple: Is Zen meditation an effective mindfulness technique to manage stress and enhance psychological well-being? I've been training in Zen, sitting formally and informally, for years, always wondering: does this really work? While I knew … [Read more...] about Meditation and Stress
Zen Breakfast
I like breakfast, but I usually don't eat it. I drink coffee in the mornings, and that holds me up until lunch. I don't eat breakfast mostly for two reasons; I'm lazy in the mornings to prepare it, and early in the morning my stomach doesn't handle food very well. As a chef, I know the importance of the morning meal, and I appreciate it when I get a chance to have it, which … [Read more...] about Zen Breakfast
Your True Self
I told the group I was going to get to know them a little. I had them collect their materials and passed a sheet of Hanshi to everyone. I pulled out a sample of the Kanji EI (永) I had brushed earlier. The Kanji EI is composed of the eight basic strokes. If a student can brush the Kanji EI, they can technically brush any Kanji. The class had about 15 Roger Williams University’s … [Read more...] about Your True Self