The Wisdom of Solitude : A Zen Retreat in the Woods

Rating:
Summary: The heart of meditation practice
Review: A clear, lucid and honest account of what it is like to do serious meditation practice. No bull, no pretense. With no fuss and utter simplicity, Dobisz points directly to the heart of meditation practice. It is going on my very short list (only 4 other titles) of books I recommend to people interested in or just beginning Buddhist meditation practice. But it is also a useful reminder to experienced practitioners of the basic and elemental nature of what we are doing.

Rating:
Summary: A real gem!
Review: Every day is a good day. That's the feeling I came away with after reading this book. Dobisz weaves together her own experiences in the woods with the teachings that brought her there for a solo hundred day retreat. Her language is simple and clear and is as refreshing as a swim in a pond on a very hot day. This is a book to dip into again and again. The best "Zen" I've read in a long, long time.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful!!!
Review: I could not put this book down!!!! Even though I am not a "Zen student" I learned so much from Ms. Dobisz's solitary journey. Fuuny, down to earth, and at times quite profound, The Wisdom of Solitude brought home to me the importance of spirituality in my everyday life. Thank you for this jewel of a book.

Rating:
Summary: The Source of Joy
Review: In the spirit of Emerson, the example of Thoreau, Jane Dobisz offers thoroughly remarkable and instructive impressions of a 100 days solo retreat in the Maine woods. The spare quality of her writing is invested with the ineffable substance of experience itself. So much of this writing remains imprinted in my consciousness. From the naive excitement of setting up her tiny cabin for the retreat, to the moments of despair about fatigue, uncertainty, loneliness, hunger, yearning, and fear; from the ecstasy of feeding a bird, splitting a log, taking a bath, wrestling with a chamber pot, to the indelible image that follows a night of rain when the world was "dripping peacefully." Brutally and tenderly honest, I wept as Ms. Dobisz recalled her father's untimely death in Viet Nam when she was a child of six. This infinitely expressive work reveals the human condition as refracted through the lens of Zen meditation, the insights of Jane Dobisz' Zen teacher, and the literature of this ancient and modern spiritual tradition. The "Wisdom of Solitude" gives a new meaning to the genre of inspirational literature.

Rating:
Summary: The Source of Joy
Review: In the spirit of Emerson, the example of Thoreau, Jane Dobisz offers thoroughly remarkable and instructive impressions of a 100 days solo retreat in the Maine woods. The spare quality of her writing is invested with the ineffable substance of experience itself. So much of this writing remains imprinted in my consciousness. From the naive excitement of setting up her tiny cabin for the retreat, to the moments of despair about fatigue, uncertainty, loneliness, hunger, yearning, and fear; from the ecstasy of feeding a bird, splitting a log, taking a bath, wrestling with a chamber pot, to the indelible image that follows a night of rain when the world was "dripping peacefully." Brutally and tenderly honest, I wept as Ms. Dobisz recalled her father's untimely death in Viet Nam when she was a child of six. This infinitely expressive work reveals the human condition as refracted through the lens of Zen meditation, the insights of Jane Dobisz' Zen teacher, and the literature of this ancient and modern spiritual tradition. The "Wisdom of Solitude" gives a new meaning to the genre of inspirational literature.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Joy
Review: In this book, Jane invites us to share her compelling journey of courage and contemplation, and ultimately lessons of life along the way. Her story is captivating as she tackles both inner and outer gremlins and emerges with the power of joyfulness and a vision for a better world. Jane's 100 days alone illustrate the potential offerings of the spirit. Her humor and her humanity light up the pages as she humbly chops wood and does her daily practice. A must read for the stressed out and souls on the spiritual and creative journey.

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Joy
Review: In this book, Jane invites us to share her compelling journey of courage and contemplation, and ultimately lessons of life along the way. Her story is captivating as she tackles both inner and outer gremlins and emerges with the power of joyfulness and a vision for a better world. Jane's 100 days alone illustrate the potential offerings of the spirit. Her humor and her humanity light up the pages as she humbly chops wood and does her daily practice. A must read for the stressed out and souls on the spiritual and creative journey.

Rating:
Summary: Brain Food
Review: In this world of materialism and the quick fix, it is refreshing to read of a young woman who has the courage to seek what matters in life, at some great cost of time and hardship. That she could accomplish this retreat is the most remarkable thing, still to relate it to others in a way that is enjoyable and provides good food for thought for any thinking person is also wonderful. I read many types of books, and can recommend this book as well worth buying and reading, very enjoyable and enlightening at the same time. Well done.

Rating:
Summary: the real thing
Review: Not many people have actually gone off and done this kind of arduous Zen retreat. What I appreciated most about this account was the author's honesty about what it is like to sit for days on end doing zen meditation. Clearly she has synthesized ancient techniques into her own practice. Excellent quotes at the chapter headings from great masters of days gone by. Poetic and funny at the same time -- this is good "zen" stuff!

Rating:
Summary: Waste of time and money
Review: Sorry, but I did not like the book. Once you remove the numerous quotes, the explications of their meanings and the daily life routine, there is very little else left of value. It does get very funny though when she completely misses the teachings of some stories and quotes, like the Nasrudin one or "the utmost master" one! The quest for oneself comes from within and the fact that she needs to rely on other sources to convey her experience is suspiscious.
She also does not see that when she decides to fast, it is a trick of her mind that distracts her for 3 weeks and keeps her away from herself.
My favorite bedside books are Rumi's, Idries Shah's, Anthony De Mello's, talks with Sri Nisargadata Maharaj (I am THAT), "Zen mind beginner's mind", "The Way to Life" by Benjamin Hoff, "Great Fool" by Zen Master Ryokan, "Teachings of the buddha", "The Buddha speaks" and the "Bhagavad Gita". "The wisdom of solitude" pales in comparison just because it is not the real thing. It is mostly mind oriented and has some hidden motives.