He's on his way back home

He's on his way back home

Friday, February 27, 2009

Book Review - At Home in the Muddy water by Ezra Bayda


finished reading Being Zen a while back (4th time reading it haha) and started on At home in the muddy water... the 4th time reading it as well =)

this is the companion volume to Being Zen (see my book review on it) and it continues in the same style - of sharing the teachings of zen practice and its application to our everyday life in unfancy, simple to understand language.

the book is divided into 4 parts:
part one Ezra reminds us what spiritual life is really about - the willingness to open ourselves to whatever life presents - no matter how messy or complicated... and also discuss the basics of practice - to cultivate awareness by clarifying our mental process and experiencing the physical reality...
part two he moves on to practicing with attachments, addictions and money
part three he discuss on relationships, trust issues, sexuality, forgiveness, dealing with loss...
part four he offers advice on how to enrich and strengthen practice in the messiness of our everyday living...
what makes this book highly recommended, such a valuable practice manual that make mi reread and reread (together with Being Zen) is that Ezra clarifies what practice is in a way that is so easily to appreciate and to put to the test in everyday living and also how to practice in the midst of a wide range of everyday concerns...
there's a verse that is recited during zen meditation retreats...

May we exist like a lotus,
At home in the muddy water,
Thus we bow to life as it is

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