Reviews
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Publications are saying…
Spirituality comes in many forms and fills many roles. Three new books look at the topic from various perspectives…
Life in tough times means new challenges, and Edward G. Kardos offers insights in Zen Master Next Door: Parables for Enlightened Everyday Living (235 pages, Humanics Publishing Group, $29.95).
Kardos, who lives in Richmond with his wife and four children, says the inspiration for these short stories comes from his view of spirituality, friendship and our connection to one another and our world.
Kardos is director of development for the Virginia Commonwealth University…
– Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch — Books & Authors – July 12, 2009
Edward G. Kardos… puts Eastern thought to Western narrative in more than a dozen short stories in the collection, “Zen Master Next Door: Parables for Enlightened Everyday Living” (Humanics Publishing Group, $29.95).
Kurt and Jenny become everything they once despised in an upper-crust housing community. To rediscover themselves, they decide to paint their house purple. Judd is so self-absorbed he doesn’t appreciate the teachings of his neighbor until he’s already packed up and left. Each story concludes with a moral, if it’s too difficult to draw your own.
– Valley Haggard, STYLE Weekly — May 20, 2009
Edward Kardos has a simple but profound prescription for improving our lives: be where you are, not in the past or in the future. Just live in the present moment and you’ll pretty much be OK.
In Zen Master Next Door, he writes small parables demonstrating his idea. In each, a person who has wandered off the track encounters someone in his daily life who has stayed on the path. By learning a life lesson from the person on the path, the strayer is able to correct his own misstep.
A cynical fundraiser for a major university learns to love life again by befriending a man he believes is going to make only a small donation to the school. By changing his emphasis from his career to his daily life, he becomes a better man and learns that people are more important than donations. After he learns that lesson, the man he thought was poor leaves a small fortune to the school in his will.
That story illustrates Kardos’s major premise, which, as he phrases it, is that our collective humanity, or wisdom, teaches us like any priest, rabbi, preacher or Zen master. His book amply demonstrates his thesis and also shows the importance of stories as an organizing and learning device in our lives. All of his characters learn from stories as do we when we read his.
A man learns to overthrow his and his family’s dependence on electronic devices after an encounter with an Amish teacher. Another man takes to stopping by a bar for happy hour where another drinker convinces him that living in the now is what counts. Like all good teachers, Kardos aims to teach by parables, and that is both the strength and the weakness of his book. He never preaches or judges — in fact, he counsels against judgment over and over — but two things quickly become apparent: one, while the author does not lecture us, his teacher characters lecture the learners in the stories. People don’t discover; they are told and then they get it. And two, the stories all have the same basic formula so that after a while a sameness seeps in.
Still, if you’re new to this sort of material, Kardos makes the journey painless. If you are familiar with it, it’s nice to have it related in fictional form for a different perspective.
– Michael Scott Cain, RAMBLES.NET — February, 2010
Positive yet simple messages in modern-day Zen parables and short stories fill this book. Based in the truth, they are an insightful means to exploreour many relationships and how they touch our soul. Using an array of tenets and mores common in most religions and belief systems, the book aims to connect readers with their spirit – encouraging them to stop, listen and capture the sacred in the ordinary. Kardos wanted to show man’s similarities, regardless of religion, upbringing or class. The parables depict basic events or activities that can happen to anyone; each story concludes with a moral. These parables are gentle but strong. They embrace but let go. They are simple and complex, just like our own lives. Another theme represented is the importance of maintaining a balance in all aspects of life – mentally, physically and spiritually. Relevant and timely, these stories underscore our yearningto live an inspired life. They show that deep-rooted and ancient ideals are as main stream as our exchanges with our neighbor next door.
– Natural Awakenings Magazine — Richmond May/June 2010
People are saying…
The perfect book to “curl up with”, November 29, 2009
By Susan M. Tate “Love great fiction!” (Virginia)
Two words: powerful, quiet. What a powerhouse combination! Combined, these two words, describe the content and tone of “The Zen Master Next Door”.
Edward Kardos, the author, quotes William Faulkner …. “He (man) is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.” This sentiment expresses, for me, the essence of the parables in this book. Mr. Kardos beautifully captures the complexities of his characters lives, all the while, shining a light on the subtleties and simplicities of the lessons to be learned.
The quotations used throughout add a richness to the storytelling. These quotes also speak to Mr. Kardos’ desire to give us a book so well thought out that it touches our lives. I know it touched mine. The final section of the book, “Listening to Others – Quotations” is remarkable. You’ll just have to buy the book to see for yourself the treasure contained within!
“The Zen Master Next Door” is a book to “curl up with”, it is an indulgence. Powerful, yet quiet; it’s just what we need amidst all the noise of everyday life. Shhh … who know what you may learn from the Zen Master next door …..
Zen Master Next Door, November 28, 2009
By D. Morhardt (Richmond, VA)
This is a great book. Zen Master Next Door is a collection of thoughtful and meditative stories. They are great for commuting or nightstand reading at the end of the day. When I read these stories I recalled episodes in my life where I had little epiphanies and didn’t really have time to record that feeling. Kardos’s thoughtful and accessible writing captures then enhances that missed sentiment is small installments.
We all have a Zen Master Nextdoor, November 14, 2009
By Janet Gordon (NY)
A wonderful collection that makes anyone who reads it think about those Zen Masters who have influenced their life. I am looking forward to Edward Kardos’ next offering.
An absolutely wonderful read…., November 11, 2009
By B. MacIver (Richmond, VA)
This book is far more than just the words written on the page. It is a spiritual guide and constant reminder of how life should be lived. Each of the stories tell a different, but related, story about our journey on this earth. Teaching us not only how to live but reminding us what is truly important. Kardos has a wonderful ability to portray these messages in a manner that is both defined and muted. Allowing the reader to receive the message without feeling forced. As you travel through the book, you can feel your spirit grow as you wonder where the next story will take you. Still, he leads you down paths never expected and teaches lessons hardly anticipated. Kardos reminds us of our spirit, of our passion, of our love for life. Zen Master brings us back to these roots and allows us to once again dwell in the comfort they bring. You reluctantly leave the book at the end of each story, still wanting more, still needing more. In the end, Zen Master reminds us of the heart in all of us, something we too often push aside for the “busy” lives we claim to lead. Zen Master Next Door is not only a wonderful read, it is a powerful guide (and necessary reminder) for how we should all live.
Keep this book because you will reread it often, November 8, 2009
By Donna Stewart Sharits (Richmond, VA)
The Zen Master Next Door is one of those books you’ll want to read and then read again. I picked up a copy several months ago and enjoyed reading the parables during an early summer vacation. Changing seasons, the upcoming holidays and an anticipation of spending time with family and friend reminded me I wanted to reread The Zen Master Next Door. The characters in the book are so rich and familiar I wanted to visit them again. I especially like the way this book is organized – acquaintances, family and children. The last chapter, “Listening to Others” offers a surprising bonus to those of us who love quotations. Clearly the author poured hours or research and reflection into this publication. He poured a lot of perspective into the pages, too. The chapter simply titled “kin” is profound and beautiful. The next time my grandchildren visit, I plan to read this story to them. Actually every parable would lend itself nicely to being read out loud and discussed among friends and family members. A perfect activity to warm the long cold winter nights to come.
Inspirational and thought-provoking!, November 8, 2009
By Kelly Lockeman (Williamsburg, VA)
The stories in this collection are well-written and filled with characters and situations that anyone can relate to. When I bought the book, I planned to read one story a week, but I found myself reading every night. The author’s messages are a gentle reminder about what’s really important in life, and they have inspired me to think differently about my own priorities!
Wow, a refreshing look at everyday life!, November 7, 2009
By A. Jolly (San Diego, CA)
What a great book! I really enjoyed this series of short stories. The characters in this book spoke to me, often times giving me pause to check my own moral compass. Mr. Kardos has provided me with some great outlooks on everyday life while entertaining me with clever, enjoyable tales. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. A book with a unique set of messages- I highly recommend it!
Positively uplifting!, August 19, 2009
By Benjamin Demeter (Richmond, VA)
“Zen Master Next Door” achieves something that few books in this genre even attempt. It is profoundly uplifting without being excessively preachy. A lot of the credit for this goes to the absolute moral messages communicated in each story (as well as to the author, Edward Kardos, of course). Every story contains an everyman quality that makes each relatable to the reader. And even though the stories are usually no more than 10 pages long, each one is expertly crafted- colorful, well rounded characters populate vividly detailed locations, which ultimately combine with the positive messages to create wonderful allegories to live a better life by.
The book urges the reader to open one’s mind and heart to new people, new experiences, and living a life free of the fear and indecision that comes with an increasingly technologically isolated world. Sometimes we find ourselves closed off to the possibility of being positively affected by the people around us. The shared wisdom of mankind is in the people around us as well as ourselves, and it is in the best interest of everyone to go out and seek this wisdom. “Zen Master…” jump-starts this yearning for wisdom by showing the way, by igniting in the reader a desire to seek out the knowledge in the people around them.
On the technical side, Edward Kardos’ writing style is very approachable. Each story is equally strong which invites repeated readings. I can easily see picking this book up, flipping to any story and getting an affirmative lift. I would recommend this book to everyone- for people who are already seeking to find the truth in the people around them, and especially for people who are not yet as enlightened.
Just What the Doctor Ordered!, June 7, 2009
By Dawn Elway “Island Girl” (Chester, MD)
A very good read and just what I was hoping it would be. If you are tired of “30 Days” experts trying to lead you down the path of righteousness then you will enjoy this book immensely. The different parables are thought provoking and refreshing. I found myself “thinking” about the book hours after I put it down, something that is difficult to achieve in today’s hurried and hectic world. Mr. Kardos must have something to feel good about.
By Leslie Karnitschnig Rosegger, (Florida) April 2009
… Its funny how these parables have become so “personal” –so many times I am thinking “yes, yes, yes!!!
By Jon Runger, (Springfield, VA) April 2009
…Zen Master Next Door, awakened me to more that is happening everyday. Being aware of all of life’s fragile realities and how I intertwine with them is not an easy task. Your book gave me further insight into my own path of enlightenment. I believe that any preconceived notion about how something is or isn’t, can prevent me from hearing, seeing, feeling the real truth’s that lie on the path. Thanks for you own informative take on how we all make impressions on others (and vice versa) that come into our lives. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the world.
By Vicki Babcock, (Richmond, VA) April 2009
Thank you so much for writing Zen Master Next Door…I did not know what to expect upon buying the book but WOW. I had so many different emotions while reading it. Happy, sad, guilty (thanks for that)and peace. The book made me re-evaluate myself and how I am and should be with others. Thank you for opening my eyes again to see what has been there the whole time but some things I took for granted.
Everyone one should read this book. It will give them a whole new outlook on the simplest things and what matters most. I cannot wait to see what he will write next. Keep up the wonderful work that God has given you.
