Zen Classics for the Modern World: Translations of Chinese Zen Poems & Prose with Contemporary Commentary
"Jeff Shore brings forty years of training and teaching experience in meditative practice and textual studies of Zen Buddhism to bear in his translations and interpretations of three valuable classics about pathways to awakening. Shore's commentaries on these works, combining profound knowledge of a thousand- year old literary tradition with contemporary cultural allusions and fresh insights, are consistently fascinating and illuminating, and in true Zen style, frequently humorous and disarming. Several short essays, included here by those who have trained under him, put in useful perspective just how intriguing and motivating Shore's teaching style is." -- Steven Heine, Professor and Director of Asian Studies, Florida International University, renowned author, translator, and editor of works on Zen Buddhism "A collection of old Zen stories far away from our own lives? Not at all! This book points directly to the core of our own lives and being. To recognize this, it's necessary to read it not just with mind but with heart. Then the words can turn into real guidelines on the Way, on the Way to ﬁnd out what we really are. You may have long been searching in theories, in books, to ﬁnd answers to your questions -- but have you really come to the end of your quest? No, this book won't offer pat answers or a quick "ﬁx" for personal problems. Answers can only be found inside yourself. This requires courage, to let the words settle into mind and body, and to let them unfold there. What happens then? Open the book and ﬁnd out!" -- Jeannette Stowasser, Munich, Germany "Zen Buddhism cannot be learned from a book. Direct personal contact with a genuine Zen teacher is at the heart of the tradition. After over 12 years of experience with Jeff Shore, I can conﬁrm without doubt that he is such a teacher. If you do not have the opportunity to join a retreat and have this personal encounter, the next best thing you can do is to digest this book. And in full accord with the Buddha's teaching, let me add: don't believe me -- see for yourself." -- Stefan van Weers, Zutphen, Netherlands "As a Zen practitioner, I am forever grateful to have encountered Jeff Shore along the Way. As a member of Jeff's family through marriage for over thirty years, I have had ample opportunities to observe him in innumerable situations. His commitment -- to his own Path as well as tirelessly being there for others -- has been unwavering. In this unique volume of translations and retreat lectures, Jeff goes right to the heart of our search for spiritual freedom." -- Tina Shore, Nurse Psychotherapist, Rockville, Maryland