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Butterfly Hours
by Patty Dann"For twenty-five years, writer Patty Dann has taught a class on memoir writing at the West Side YMCA. By offering simple prompts, such as ofoodo or obicycle,o Dann invites her students to pluck memories from their lives that can be turned into larger stories. She's taught butchers and bakers and bodybuilders who hail from Brooklyn, Bialystok, and Beirut. She taught a student who declared on her first day of class, oI am going to write my head off. o This book offers up fifty of Dann's writing prompts, organized into ten rules of writing and adorned with stories from Dann's own life and from the lives of her students. This book is meant to inspire and excite you so that, day by day, page by page, you too will write your head off. "
Coming Home to Tibet: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Belonging
by Tsering Wangmo DhompaIn this beautifully written memoir, a daughter travels to her mother's Tibetan homeland and finds both her own deep connections to her heritage and a people trying to maintain its cultural integrity despite Chinese occupation.After her mother dies in a car accident in India, Tsering Wangmo Dhompa decides to take a handful of her ashes back to her homeland in Tibet. Her mother left Tibet in her youth as a refugee and lived in exile the rest of her life, always yearning to return home. When the author arrives at the foothills of her mother's ancestral home in a nomadic village in East Tibet, she realizes that she had been preparing for this homecoming her whole life. Coming Home to Tibet is Dhompa's evocative tribute to her mother and a homeland that she knew little about.Dhompa's story is interlaced with poetic prose describing the land, people, and spirit of the country as experienced by a refugee seeing her country for the first time. It's an intriguing memoir and also an unusual inside view of life in contemporary Tibet, among ordinary people trying to negotiate the changes enforced on it by Chinese rule and modern society.
Invincible Warrior
by John StevensInvincible Warrior tells the fascinating story of the life of Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), whose quest for the true meaning of warriorship lead to the creation of the martial art called Aikido, "The Art of Peace. " Ueshiba--whose name means "abundant peace"--is considered by many to be one of the greatest martial artists who ever lived. His documented ability to disarm any attacker, throw a dozen men simultaneously, and down and pin opponents without touching them has accorded his life legendary status. Invincible Warrior presents the real story behind Morihei's achievement, illuminating the man and his message. Stevens describes the people, events, and ideas that influenced Ueshiba's lifelong spiritual quest, which culminated in the development of unique teachings of Aikido. Illustrated with two hundred photographs of Morihei in action and filled with revealing anecdotes about his life and times, Invincible Warrior also offers valuable discussion of the Founder's conception of Aikido as a path of harmony and love, unifying body and mind, self and others, humans and the universe.
Musashi (A Graphic Novel)
by Sean Michael WilsonA stunning graphic novel biography of the famous samurai warrior who wrote the classic text on Japanese martial arts, The Book of Five Rings Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai, is known throughout the world as a master swordsman, a spiritual seeker, and the author of the classic Book of Five Rings. This graphic novel treatment of his amazing life is both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess. Over 350 years after his death, Musashi still intrigues us—and his Book of Five Rings is essential reading for students of all martial arts and those interested in cultivating strategic mind.
A Brief Fantasy History of a Himalayan
by Thinley NorbuPersonal reminiscences of an esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, ranging from touching memoir to humorous storytelling, from sharp cultural commentary to deeply felt verse--illustrated with rare photos in full color. Illustrated with color photos published for the first time, this collage of reminiscences affords a rare glimpse into the life of an esteemed Tibetan Buddhist teacher. The author sets a magical mood as he describes his early years in "Snowland" (Tibet) as one of seven children of a renowned Nyingma master. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche's storytelling alternates earthy humor with poetic sensitivity and tender sensuality. Describing his travels in Asia, Europe, and America, he presents thumbnail sketches of people and places, as well as sharp-sighted commentary on Western cultural trends and Dharma students' positive and negative qualities. More than just an autobiography, this written offering is an expression of Rinpoche's wisdom, compassion, and personal realization.
Remembering O-Sensei: Living and Training with Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
by Susan PerryMorihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, is one of the greatest and most beloved martial artists in history. Remembering O-Sensei is a portrait of Ueshiba as told by his uchi-deshi, the students who lived and trained with him as his disciples. This collection of memories--gathered here for the first time--captures the essence of this extraordinary martial arts master and visionary, revealing Ueshiba's teaching style, his daily habits, his philosophy of life, the lovably human aspects of his personality, and his deep belief that Aikido could be used as a means to creating peace and harmony in the world. The book also provides a snapshot of a fascinating time in Japanese history when a student would apprentice with his master by essentially moving in with him and receiving instruction through rigorous training sessions, and also by serving him and observing his actions in daily life. Most of the students whose remembrances are included in this book went on to spread the teaching of Aikido throughout the world and became masters in their own right.
Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk
by Leonard Cohen Shozan Jack HaubnerThese hilarious essays on life inside and outside a Zen monastery make up the spiritual memoir of Shozan Jack Haubner, a Zen monk who didn't really start out to be one. Raised in a conservative Catholic family, Shozan went on to study philosophy (becoming de-Catholicized in the process) and to pursue a career as a screenwriter and stand-up comic in the clubs of L.A. How he went from life in the fast lane to life on the stationary meditation cushion is the subject of this laugh-out-loud funny account of his experiences. Whether he's dealing with the pranks of a juvenile delinquent assistant in the monastery kitchen or defending himself against claims that he appeared in a porno movie under the name "Daniel Reed" (he didn't, really) or being surprised in the midst of it all by the compassion he experiences in the presence of his teacher, Haubner's voice is one you'll be compelled to listen to. Not only because it's highly entertaining, but because of its remarkable insight into the human condition.
Daddy Long Legs: The Natural Education of a Father
by John PriceJohn Price appears to have thrown in the towel. He has spent the last year struggling to support his family, neglecting to spend time with his wife and children, and becoming increasingly cynical about the degraded state of the natural world around him. After a heart-attack scare, however, his wife demands that he start appreciating all the "good things" in his life: their mouse-infested old house, their hopelessly overgrown yard, and most of all, the joys and humiliations of parenthood. In his quest to become a better father, Price faces many unexpected challenges--like understanding his grandmother's decision to die, and supporting his nature-loving sons' decision to make their home a "no-kill zone" for all living creatures. Still he finds the second chance he was looking for--to save himself and, perhaps, his small corner of an imperfect yet still beautiful world.
The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi
by William Scott WilsonMiyamoto Musashi (1584?1645) was the legendary samurai known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of the classic book on strategy, the Book of Five Rings. Over 350 years after his death, Musashi and his legacy still fascinate us and continue to inspire artists, authors, and filmmakers. Here, respected translator and expert on samurai culture William Scott Wilson has created both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of the courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess--and it is this path to mastery that is the core teaching in his Book of Five Rings. This volume includes supplemental material on Musashi's legacy as a martial arts icon, his impact on literature and film, and the influence of his Book of Five Rings.
What the Stones Remember: A Life Rediscovered
by Patrick LaneIn this exquisitely written memoir, poet Patrick Lane describes his raw and tender emergence at age sixty from a lifetime of alcohol and drug addiction. He spent the first year of his sobriety close to home, tending his garden, where he cast his mind back over his life, searching for the memories he'd tried to drown in vodka. Lane has gardened for as long as he can remember, and his garden's life has become inseparable from his own. A new bloom on a plant, a skirmish among the birds, the way a tree bends in the wind, and the slow, measured change of seasons invariably bring to his mind an episode from his eventful past. What the Stones Remember is the emerging chronicle of Lane's attempt to face those memories, as well as his new self--to rediscover his life. In this powerful and beautifully written book, Lane offers readers an unflinching and unsentimental account of coming to one's senses in the presence of nature.
A Jewish Mother in Shangri-la
by Rosie RosenzweigAn old joke tells of a Jewish woman who treks to the Himalayas to seek an audience with a guru sitting in seclusion on a mountaintop. When at last she comes before him, she implores: "Sheldon, come home!" Rosie Rosenzweig became that Jewish mother--but in real life, the story has a different ending. Instead of asking her Buddhist son, Ben, to come home, Rosie accepts his invitation to find out about Buddhism firsthand. Together they visit retreat centers in Europe and Asia and meet leading meditation masters who are Ben's gurus: Vietnamese teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and Tibetan lamas Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. While struggling to come to terms with Ben's choice of a spiritual path so different from everything that she cherishes, Rosie finds that she is learning more about herself than she anticipated. The adventures of Rosie recounts take her from her Boston suburb to a Zen hermitage in France, an enclave of Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal, and finally to her own spiritual home in Jerusalem. Whether she is practicing mindfulness meditation, sharing a cup of tea with a Zen master, or worrying about bowing down to idols, Rosie is intent in her quest to find common ground between two ancient traditions, to deepen her understanding of her son, and to find a way to her own authentic experience of truth. Hers is a mission of peace that seeks to build a bridge of understanding between cultures and faiths while remaining true to her own Jewish identity.
Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy: On Being an American Citizen
by Susan GriffinWhat does is it mean to be a citizen of the United States? Susan Griffin's provocative investigation of that question takes us from the Declaration of Independence to the Iraq War, with many stops in between. Her conclusion: democracy is nothing less than a revolution of consciousness, and the revolution has just begun.
Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings
by Sherab Chodzin Kohn Kenji TokitsuMiyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashi's life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth. Musashi's best-known work, The Book of Five Rings, provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short texts on strategy that were written before it, and a longer, later work entitled "The Way to Be Followed Alone." Tokitsu is a thoughtful and informed guide, putting the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context, and illuminating the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. As a modern martial artist and a scholar, Tokitsu provides a view of Musashi's life and ideas that is accessible and relevant to today's readers and martial arts students.
Living with Kundalini: The Autobiography of Gopi Krishna (Shambhala Dragon Editions Ser.)
by Gopi KrishnaThis classic first-person account of spiritual awakening was first published under the title Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man—here expanded with two-thirds new material drawn from the author's writing to make a complete autobiography.
Iyengar: The Yoga Master
by Kofi BusiaWell-known contributors from the world of yoga celebrate the life and work of the great yoga pioneer B. K. S. Iyengar in this collection. Iyengar, who celebrates seventy years as a yoga teacher this year, is an Indian yoga master, revered as the single most influential person in spreading the teachings of yoga throughout the world. Iyengar was recognized in Time magazine's 2004 list of the one hundred most powerful and influential people in the world.This collection of essays, stories, and interviews celebrates the life and great influence of renowned yoga teacher B. K. S. Iyengar and features an international and diverse group of well-known contributors. These writings offer a deep understanding of the man, as well as his unique approach to yoga and the human mind and body.Contributors include: * Baron Baptiste * Beryl Bender Birch * T. K. V. Desikachar * Alan Finger * Lilias Folan * Richard Freeman * John Friend * Sharon Gannon * Dona Holleman * Gary Kraftsow * Judith Hanson Lasater * David Life * Manouso Manos * Chuck Miller * Aadil Palkhivala * Shiva Rea * Erich Schiffmann * John Schumacher * Patricia Walden * Joan White * Rodney Yee
Wild Comfort: The Solace of Nature
by Kathleen Dean MooreIn an effort to make sense of the deaths in quick succession of several loved ones, Kathleen Dean Moore turned to the comfort of the wild, making a series of solitary excursions into ancient forests, wild rivers, remote deserts, and windswept islands to learn what the environment could teach her in her time of pain. This book is the record of her experiences. It's a stunning collection of carefully observed accounts of her life--tracking otters on the beach, cooking breakfast in the desert, canoeing in a snow squall, wading among migrating salmon in the dark--but it is also a profound meditation on the healing power of nature. To learn more about the author, visit her website at www.riverwalking.com.
This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity
by Susan MoonIn this intimate and funny collection of essays on the sometimes confusing, sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious condition of being a woman over sixty, Susan Moon keeps her sense of humor and she keeps her reader fully engaged. Among the pieces she has included here are an essay on the gratitude she feels for her weakening bones; observations on finding herself both an orphan and a matriarch following the death of her mother; musings on her tendency to regret the past; thoughts on how not to be afraid of loneliness; appreciation for the inner tomboy; and celebratory advice on how to regard "senior moments" as opportunities to be in the here and now.
The Natural Laws of Good Luck: A Memoir of an Unlikely Marriage
by Ellen GrafEllen is forty-six, divorced, and having no luck with personal ads when her Chinese girlfriend comes up with a plan: she has a brother in China, Zhong-hua, who's lonely too. Maybe they'd like each other? Taking a leap of faith that most of us wouldn't dare, Ellen travels to China to meet him. Though they speak only a few words of each other's language, there's an unspoken connection between them and they decide to marry.What follows is a remarkably touching and humorous story of two people from completely different worlds trying to make a marriage work. Settling in at Ellen's ramshackle farmhouse in upstate New York, they quickly discover the cultural chasm that lies between them. Ellen and her teenage daughter decide to adopt a policy of nonjudgment as Zhong-hua lobbies to sell their refrigerator ("Just three people, no need"), serves them giant sea slugs for dinner, and brusquely nudges Ellen aside without an "excuse me" ("Family no need these kind of words").Zhong-hua is not the type to offer his wife impromptu smiles or hugs, but in bed at night he holds her tightly like she's "something long lost and precious that might not live until morning." The Natural Laws of Good Luck is an unusual and exquisitely written love story--one that will resonate with anyone who has ever contemplated with wonder the spaces that exist between us and those we care about.
Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings
by A. G. MohanHere is a personal tribute to "the father of modern yoga" Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), written by one of his longtime disciples. Krishnamacharya was a renowned Indian yoga master, Ayurvedic healer, and scholar who modernized yoga practice and whose students--including B. K. S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, T. K. V. Desikachar, and Indra Devi--dramatically popularized yoga in the West In this book, the author, A. G. Mohan, a well-respected yoga teacher and yoga therapist, draws on his own memories and notes, and Krishnamacharya's diaries and recorded material, to present a detailed and fascinating view of the man and his teachings, and his own warm and inspiring relationship with the master. This portrait of the great teacher will be a compelling and informative read for yoga teachers and students who truly want to understand the source of their tradition and practice.
Born in Tibet
by Chogyam TrungpaChögyam Trungpa--meditation master, scholar, and artist--was identified at the age of only thirteen months as a major tulku, or reincarnation of an enlightened teacher. As the eleventh in the teaching lineage known as the Trungpa tulkus, he underwent a period of intensive training in mediation, philosophy, and fine arts, receiving full ordination as a monk in 1958 at the age of eighteen. The following year, the Chinese Communists invaded Tibet, and the young Trungpa spent many harrowing months trekking over the Himalayas, narrowly escaping capture. Trungpa's account of his experiences as a young monk, his duties as the abbot and spiritual head of a great monastery, and his moving relationships with his teachers offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a Tibetan lama. The memoir concludes with his daring escape from Tibet to India. In an epilogue, he describes his emigration to the West, where he encountered many people eager to learn about the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism.
Journey to Enlightenment: The Life of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
by Matthieu RicardAn inspiring portrait of one of the great spiritual leaders of the twentieth century, this book follows Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in his travels to Tibet, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, revisiting important places from his past. His birthplace in eastern Tibet, the monastery of Shechen that he entered at age eleven, the retreat grounds where he spent years in meditation and study--these are some of the stops along the way. Told in intimate detail by his personal assistant, Matthieu Ricard, this condensed biographical narrative integrates extensive passages from the writings and teachings of the master himself to impart a rare view of his journey to enlightenment.Note: This edition, excerpted from the first volume of The Collected Works of Dilgo Khyentse, is an abridged adaptation of the heavily photographed, full-color Aperture edition from 1996. It contains 36 black-and-white photographs.
Nothing Holy about It: The Zen of Being Just Who You Are
by Norman Fischer Tim BurkettAccording to legend, when the founder of Zen Buddhism was asked about the main principle of his holy teaching, he replied that there was "nothing holy about it!" Now, a millennium and a half later, Tim Burkett reveals how and why the wisdom of nonholiness is the key to a joyful heart. You don't need to go looking for something sacred--the happiness you seek is right where you are. In this book, a concise summary of Zen teachings unfolds within the ordinary comedies and tragedies of everyday life, beginning with the delightful nonholiness Burkett experienced in the presence of his original teacher, Shunyru Suzuki.
Mango Elephants in the Sun: How Life in an African Village Let Me Be in My Skin
by Susana HerreraWhen the Peace Corps sends Susana Herrera to teach English in northern Cameroon, she yearns to embrace her adopted village and its people, to drink deep from the spirit of Mother Africa--and to forget a bitter childhood and painful past. To the villagers, however, she's a rich American tourist, a nasara (white person) who has never known pain or want. They stare at her in silence. The children giggle and run away. At first her only confidant is a miraculously communicative lizard. Susana fights back with every ounce of heart and humor she possesses, and slowly begins to make a difference. She ventures out to the village well and learns to carry water on her head. In a classroom crowded to suffocation she finds a way to discipline her students without resorting to the beatings they are used to. She makes ice cream in the scorching heat, and learns how to plant millet and kill chickens. She laughs with the villagers, cries with them, works and prays with them, heals and is helped by them. Village life is hard but magical. Poverty is rampant--yet people sing and share what little they have. The termites that chew up her bed like morning cereal are fried and eaten in their turn ("bite-sized and crunchy like Doritos"). Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring, but even the morning greetings impart a purer sense of being in the moment. Gradually, Susana and the village become part of each other. They will never be the same again.
A Theology Of Love: The Dynamic Of Wesleyanism, Second Edition
by Mildred Bangs WynkoopIn this seminal work on holiness Mildred Wynkoop brought to the forefront the understanding that holiness is relational. Here she explains that loving God and loving neighbor find articulate expression in the holy life--a life oriented in dynamic and loving relationship toward God that in turn reaches out and embraces others. A Theology of Love reinvigorated for new generations the meaning of John Wesley's concept of perfect love.Since its publication, A Theology of Love has influenced countless scholars, pastors, teachers, and students. Now in this new edition of the monumental work is included the original text plus a previously unpublished chapter. This enhanced version is the ideal addition to anyone desiring a deeper grasp of the theological insights and contributions of this exceptional scholar, and a provocative exercise in rethinking John Wesley's concept of holiness.In addition to the previously unpublished portion of A Theology of Love, this new edition features additional commentary by Tom Noble, Scott Daniels, Ray Dunning, Diane Leclerc, and David McEwan.
A Story Unfinished: 99 Days With Eliot
by Matt MooneyEliot wasn't supposed to make it to full term. At thirty weeks into the pregnancy, Matt and Ginny Mooney were told their child had a genetic disease that made his birth unlikely. If their baby lived, it would be for only hours or perhaps a few days. But Eliot was born and lived 99 days. And every one of those days was a gift that would change his family forever. At Eliot's funeral, 99 balloons were released, one for each day of his life on earth. That simple act of remembrance stirred the community and received national attention. Eliot's story has been featured on Oprah and the TODAY show, and a video about his life has been seen by millions on YouTube. And now, Eliot's father, Matt, recounts his family's remarkable journey in A Story Unfinished, a chronicle of pain, redemption, and God's goodness even in the darkest days. Book jacket.