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Summary: Zen In America
Review: "It's virtually axiomatic now that America has its own brand of Zen Buddhism, and the author of this skilled volume proves the point. Shoshanna is a Hasidic Jew who has been both practicing zazen and maintaining a psychotherapy practice for more than 25 years. Here she weaves a fine tapestry out of these splendid, assorted threads. Five sections ("Getting Started," "Cravings and Compulsions," "Letting Go," Dissolving the False Self" and "Zen, God and Enlightenment") use traditional Buddhist and contemporary American stories and quotes and lucid prose to invite anyone and everyone down Zen's calming, clarifying garden path. These forms are supplemented by both provocative koans and "Zen in Action" exercises at the conclusion of each of the 18 short chapters. The last chapter, "Zen and God," might well have been placed first, since it elucidates the neutrality of Zen that can make it completely compatible with other institutionalized or personalized beliefs. This book has less to do with the mechanics of sitting and more to do with the realities of integrating Zen practice into real life. Shoshanna extends an empty and richly filled hand, offering both the sublime and the practical, which are one and the same in the Zen world. This is a highly recommended volume for beginners and new practitioners who are coming to the truth that "to find the answers to your life questions, you must look within. Nothing less will do. Nothing more is needed."'(Apr.) Forecast: Shoshanna is the "relationships expert" on [internet site], which should help with the strategic marketing of this title."
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Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air in the Zen World
Review: Among the many, many books on zen, i found ZEN MIRACLES by far to be the best. It is clear, concise, filled with great zen anecdotes, and is also practical, giving me exercises to grapple with myself, which have already helped me greatly in finding peace. It also gives a nice, simple introduction to zen, which seems to be hard to find in the crowded zen market. I also really liked the fact that Dr. Shoshanna is a Ph.D. psychologist with over 20 years experience, which lent the book a feeling of expertise and a nice counterbalance. If I had to recommend one book on Zen, this would be it.
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Summary: wonderful Zen primer
Review: I sought out this book after reading an excerpt from the Relationships chapter about false expectations. I still think that chapter was particularly well-written.It was a delightfully easy-to-read introduction to concepts of Zen so you get the gist of it. The Zen in Action at the end of each chapter contain helpful hints to add some zen to your daily life. The koans, on the other hand, didn't do much for me. It could just be me.
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Summary: Review from Tricycle Magazine
Review: I was turned onto this book by a review I read in Tricycle magazine. Since I love the book so much, I wanted to pass on the review to others (I can't review it any better). "This is relationship, samurai-style, as we are systematically led along the path from "becoming available" to "meeting the beloved." At each stage of Zen training, we receive an analogous lesson on love"...."the rigor of traditional monastic training shines through the spare language and format."....Aspects of Zen practice that can be controversial or confounding are presented matter-of-factly. A few of the love lessons may even raise eyebrows..." "Zen love, like Zen practice, is not for the timid. If the path at times seems too steep, the reader can just follow the Stepping Stones To Love in each chapter, small actions that lead to awareness." ..."Shoshanna holds out the redemptive possibilities of practice: "By simply paying attention to each step we take, by becoming that attentive and present, we can turn around our relationships."
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Summary: Zen In America
Review: This wonderful, funny, life giving book, includes many stories, anecdotes and exercises so that the reader can bring it right into her life. I was so grateful for the simple and clear way Zen was communicated here. It allowed me to see it as part of my real life, not something to be done far away in another world. The instructions are so clear and helpful that it becomes simple to see how Zen practice is for everyone, no matter what their background, and also to see different ways it can be done.
Thank you for helping me turn my life around.
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