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Zen 24/7
all zen / all the time
by Philip Toshio Sudo
With his signature wit and modern-day wisdom, Sudo uses koans, parables and meditations to challenge and encourage us to stay rooted in the here and now. He teaches us to look inward and open our minds to the wonder, hope and gratitude in the ordinary.
If you are new to zen, as I was, you'll enjoy this playful but inspirational little book that takes us through a typical day and awakens new awareness in the smallest of activities from breakfast to bedtime. Sudo explains that zen never goes away and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He takes the most mundane and turns them into interesting insights. Waking up, shaving, putting on a watch, walking through the door, stopping at the dry cleaners, driving the car, shaking hands and working out are examples of mindless actions we will look at differently after reading Zen 24/7.
My favorite is the Zen Door. Sudo explains:
"In the West, we're advised to 'make an entrance' when we walk into a room. But in the art of the Japanese tea ceremony, that's impossible. The traditional houses used to host the events are purposely built
with low doorways so that all who pass must bow their frames as
they enter and exit. No one can stride through.
The intent is to physically impose a posture of humility, requiring the head to
be down, and in so doing effect a change in attitude. Entering,
one is humbled before the others present, as those who follow are
humbled toward you; exiting, one is humbled before the outdoors
and Great Nature.
The door to the teahouse thus symbolizes the only door that matters in life:
the one leading to enlightenment. Step humbly through the door,
with no expectations, into the great wide world. Find yourself there.
Open door, open mind."
I've read this book from cover to cover, carried it in my purse, left it
sitting on the bathroom counter to share with family members. It only
takes a minute to read a page, but it makes a big impact on how we are
learning to live in the moment and enjoy very small activities. Zen 24/7 makes a great little gift for someone who needs to slow down, relax or chuckle at something so small as a raindrop or as big as the moon.
To Purchase:
• Zen 24/7 at Amazon.com
• Zen 24/7 at Amazon Canada
• Zen 24/7 at Amazon UK
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