Zen Cards

Rating:
Summary: how to use the zen cards . . . .
Review: find a card. put it in a place that catches your eye throughout the day. each time you see the card, mentally practice the quality on it.

give one to a friend. have them do the same. send one in every card or letter you write. making your note a bit more personal.

have fun, be creative. some people close their eyes and ask a question, then pick a card. using it as an oracle. this is not the way i wrote them, but that is not important. what is important is that you make them your own. find the way . . . .they speak to you. and use them.

the only way not to use them, is, not to use them.

be compassion,

daniel b. levin

Rating:
Summary: how to use the zen cards . . . .
Review: find a card. put it in a place that catches your eye throughout the day. each time you see the card, mentally practice the quality on it.

give one to a friend. have them do the same. send one in every card or letter you write. making your note a bit more personal.

have fun, be creative. some people close their eyes and ask a question, then pick a card. using it as an oracle. this is not the way i wrote them, but that is not important. what is important is that you make them your own. find the way . . . .they speak to you. and use them.

the only way not to use them, is, not to use them.

be compassion,

daniel b. levin

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Cards But No Instructions Leads to Confusion
Review: I got a set of these cards and they are beautifully done but the lack of directions leaves me stymied.

To Daniel Levin: I don't know if my cards were just lacking the instructions or not, but any help would be appreciated. I read your review and you are not very specific about how to use these cards -- please help!

Rating:
Summary: A little wisdom to relax by
Review: I saw these cards while vacationing in Hawaii, and bought them with the idea of using them at work to ease stress. I read a couple each day, trying to absorb their meaning. Also, the cards are well-designed, and the calligraphy is very attractive.

Rating:
Summary: Be Compassion
Review: I wrote these cards as an exercise in compassion. Our world moves very fast. Years ago, the promise of technology was that this quicker way of life would allow us to accomplish more in less time, giving us more time to be with our family and friends, more time for introspection, more time to be in enjoyment of the fruits of our labors. But, in fact, it has done the opposite.

Now it's common to wake up in the morning and check our e-mail first thing. We collect voice mails from three, four, or even five places. Documents are now received the same day they're sent. Online shopping has now made it possible to never leave the house.

So I asked myself, What's the way of compassion in this situation? I found that the way of compassion is to embrace the speed of life, to accept and work with it to give us what we need. I thought the best way to do that was to create short, quick messages that would remind us of the things that are really important to us.

One side of each Zen card contains a one-word quality for people to think or meditate on. For instance, sometimes I look at the compassion card, and just seeing the word reminds me of the promise I made to myself to "Be Compassion."

I hope these cards will be helpful for others as well.

Rating:
Summary: Zen Cards are a beautiful way to add some peace to your day!
Review: Zen Cards by Daniel Levin is a beautifully simple and calming deck. There are 50 individual cards in 5 colors: purple, brick red, olive green, teal, and lime green. The first thing that struck me about this deck, however, was the delightful box in which the cards sit: the top of the box flips up, so the cards are easily accessible. The box is of Asian design with a sturdy construction.

Zen has become a popular topic in the modern world, largely for its simplicity and profound wisdsom. These 50 cards have a lovely Oriental-like font, and each card has a topic written on one side, and a saying on the other. For example, one card is called Zen Mind which says "Experience all things with the enthusiasm of a child, as if you were seeing it for the first time. This is the Zen mind. Always new, always aware, always that of a beginner." Another is Harmony which says "Restore harmony. Create peace in all situations. Rather than pushing the river, flow with it." Yet another card is called Harmlessness which says "All beings fear violence. All beings fear pain. When you see yourself in all your brothers and sisters, then how can you bring harm to them?" Other topics include Balance, Sincerity, Joy, and Stillness.

I have the box of Zen Cards sitting on my desk. Every night before I go to bed, I shuffle the deck and pick a card. I find the words very calming and centering--almost as if the simple and profound message on each card serves as a light breeze that blows away any tension, confusion, or anxiety.

You could use this deck as an oracle when seeking guidance or for meditation and encouragment. Perhaps when picking a card a day, you could tape it to your bathroom mirror or computer monitor--reminding you everytime you look at it of the profound simplicity and peace that is Zen.

This deck would be a wonderful gift for people of all faiths, as well as a great way to treat yourself to some daily inspiration, stillness, and clarity.