Description

'A gentle introduction to Zen wisdom that feels like a breath of fresh air in a bamboo forest.' – Hector Garcia, author of lkigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

By dipping into this little book of simple Zen Buddhist sayings, you can calm your anxiety and return serenity to your soul.

Are you feeling stress and anxiety from the demands of daily life? Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list and the constant deluge of information from all quarters? Are you unhappy with your life and envious of those around you? At times like these it's important to step back and take a breath.

Zen meditation may conjure up images of sitting in silence for long hours, but according to Buddhist monk and author Shinsuke Hosokawa, Zen can be summed up as 'the knowledge needed for a person to live life with a positive outlook.' With this in mind, he has produced this charmingly illustrated volume of sayings to introduce you to the world of Zen, which you can dip into when feeling stressed.

The sayings include:

Pay attention to what is right in front of your eyes
Nothing happens by chance. Every encounter has its meaning
Be careful not to confuse the means and the purpose
Keep flowing just like water
Nothing will control you
Even a bad day is a good day
Check the ground beneath your feet when you're in trouble
You'll never walk alone

These 52 mindful sayings mirror the 52 steps that are traditionally taken to achieve enlightenment, and also the 52 weeks of the yea – passing through the seasons, both of the natural world and of our lives. Each saying has an illustration and a simple, meditative reflection to help you look into your own heart, accept your current state of being, reduce anxiety and find calmness.

'…a book that makes
you feel happier just by holding it. Flip to a page at random, and you will
pull out a pearl of wisdom. Whether you need encouragement, direction or simply
some friendly advice, it's a book you can return to again and again." -The
Japan Times

'Shinsuke Hosokawa has distilled centuries
of Zen wisdom into 52 accessible aphorisms. They serve as guideposts, not only
for Zen students, but for anyone who wants to lead a fuller life.' – Ken
Kushner, author of One Arrow, One Life: Zen, Archery, Enlightenment

'The wisdom of Zen is practical and
intimate, opening our hearts and revealing a new life right where we stand. The
52 Zen sayings presented by Shinsuke Hosokawa in this charming book…directly
point to this wisdom, and will help you to know it for yourself.' – Meido
Moore, author of The Rinzai Zen Way: A Guide to Practice

'This beautifully crafted book conveys Zen
philosophy in a poetic and sensitive way, gently guiding the reader along
wisdom's path…If we gaze within our hearts while letting go, we will release
our concerns and find happiness.' – C. Alexander Simpkins,
co-author of Simple Buddhism: A Guide To Enlightened Living