Silence and Noise: Growing Up Zen in America

Rating:
Summary: No stone unturned
Review: I loved this book. If you want to understand what zen is
about, this is the book. Who better to enlighten us than
someone born into a zen family?

I felt the author was too hard on himself. I hope he's reading
this. He's is ok. But I get the impression he thinks there
is something wrong with being different. I think many enlightened people feel this way because those seeking "enlightenment" generally aren't showy people; so
you don't often meet them.

Ivan you are not alone. I understand your message. And I'm
closer than you think. Just stay on the path. The truth will
set you free.

Lovely book and looking forward to many more to come

Rating:
Summary: A very human struggle
Review: This very readable, human book takes you into the world and mind of someone who has led an unusual life and destroys the myth that all Americans are somehow "coming from the same place" and can use the same experiences and references. Wrong! And this author is only one of many.
Mr. Richmond serves as a translator, so to speak, a bridge between divergent world views and his descriptions of trying to understand "Pop Culture" ( and sometimes getting it wrong) are fascinating. He writes with humanity and humor, never taking the stand that his upbringing and ideals are "better" just because they are different. This is a white, middle class individual who speaks English, one can only guess at how hard American culture ( and the idea we are a "Christian Nation") is for some people coming from "outside" to grasp. I read it in one or two sittings, I found it touching and eye opening, with a refreshing simplicity.
The message I got: No world view, or lifestyle, is ever perfect. There is good and bad in all lifestyles and religions, and a compassionate person needs to see that we are *not* all alike, not all coming from a common reference. As we stretch toward empathy, our spirit grows. Mr. Richmond's struggle to unite "silence" with "noise" has given him a unique perspective, one I really enjoyed sharing.