What Is Zen?

Much to my delight, I am receiving inspiring questions about the essence of my new book. Since Zen Master Next Door: Parables for Enlightened Everyday Living will be available in February, I’m thrilled to see this genuine interest.

My Zen parables reflect a spirit of Zen centered in experiences and introspection or meditation. The word “introspection” is something that everyone should understand but, conversely, the word “meditation” may be misunderstood.

But Zen can be, and is, interpreted as so much more. The stories, or parables, in my book emphasize our experiences and how they are integrated in our very being. The themes are not about the teaching of theory or religious doctrine. My interpretation of Zen stems from its most basic origin.

But we are more than our experiences. To live life means to experience the world and each other in many ways, but we generally do not spend time engaged in introspection, and only a few spend time in meditation. My hope is that a reader may, first, enjoy a vast array of themes that we as a caring global community find important. Secondly, I must believe that the reader will identify with numerous well developed characters who, from their experiences, recognize a personal awakening and become more enlightened individuals. Perhaps not with a capital E, but kind of enlightenment that crystallizes a moment and renders further understanding.

These parables are fiction but are based in truth. The truth? What truths? One truth I believe is important is that we should treat others as we would want to be treated. Like many, I believe we all want peace and that we must be, and have to be, a compassionate people. And shouldn’t we take the time to be present in our own lives? After all, it is our life. This is something that we struggle with in our multi-tasking existence. Moreover, the innocence of children, to use the broadest definition possible, should be our ultimate concern. When we see life like a child, we may actually see life.

I claim to be anything but an expert, and claim, only, to be a writer of fiction

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 at 8:12 pm.