Upside-Down Zen

RRP: $29.99

Description
Zen Buddhism is a direct path into reality - the self and the hard and exhilarating questions of being alive. UPSIDE-DOWN ZEN is an invitation to walk the path of crooked wisdom, exploring the vivid spirit of Zen Buddhism and how it is taking root in the West. Originally recorded as oral teachings, these essays were written for anyone with an interest in meditation, self-knowledge and the opening of insight and compassion in ordinary life. Susan Murphy's writing conveys the richness and depth of Zen. By concentrating her gaze on the particular - the lived moment - she is able to explore the timeless wisdom of traditional Zen teachings in a contemporary setting. Drawing on modern cinema, Australian Aboriginal spirituality, Australian literature, traditional Japanese poetry and Jewish folklore to illuminate the old Zen koans. These lyrical commentaries resonate with the poetry of life and art. Her insights are rooted in those seemingly insignificant moments that are suffused with poignancy and truth. A feast of Zen wisdom, culture and philosophy, Upside-Down Zen will broaden and intensify our understanding of Buddhist teachings in the West.

Author Bio
Susan Murphy is a Roshi (Zen teacher) in the lineage that comes through Robert Aitken and Ross Bolleter in the Diamond Sangha branch of the Harada-Yasutani line, and John Tarrant, who has established an independent Zen school, the Pacific Zen Institute. She lives in Sydney where she regularly conducts Sesshin (Zen retreats) with the Zen Open Circle. She also travels to Melbourne and the US to teach. Susan is a writer and feature film director, with a special interest in place, dream and the affinity of Dharma with Aboriginal spirituality. She is a widely published author on subjects as varied as cinema and Zen. Author Location: Sydney * Preface by John Tarrant Roshi, author of the acclaimed The Light Inside the Dark, and recommendations by best-selling writers.