Zen and the Art of Running: The Path to Making Peace with Your Pace

by Larry Shapiro

Book Overview

All that I am, I am because of my mind. --Paavo Nurmi, Olympic runner with nine gold medals in track & field

All runners strive to get in the "zone," but here they'll learn to enter the ZEN "zone" By adopting Buddha's mindful approach, you will discover you can run longer, faster, and harder. This book shows how to align body and mind for success on - and off - the track Iron Man triathlete and philosophy professor Larry Shapiro...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598699601
• ISBN13: 9781598699609
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Zen and the Art of Running: The Path to Making Peace with Your Pace

//Zen and the Art of Running// is for new and veteran runners who embrace running as more than a hobby or fitness mechanism. Shapiro focuses on gradual changes in thinking rather than reliance on willpower alone. He encourages the identification of attachments people often apply to their beliefs and desires. For instance, rain and cold are not bad or evil, yet many runners attach the idea that rain and cold are bad and should always be avoided. Attachments should not run your life, pardon the pun. Shapiro applies Zen philosophy to help us see negative emotions we tend to blame on external events. The stress that running can place on relationships is examined with balanced perspectives. This reviewer found the most beneficial teaching to be that of finding the Middle Way, which is avoiding extremes because the mind and body do not perform at their best in extremes. Shapiro applies Zen to the various training regimens runners use to prepare for races. His expertise in running culture is evident. Shapiro does not claim that Zen offers miracles and he approaches injuries and aging from a pragmatic perspective. A little dry at times, but a worthy read. Reviewed by Grady Jones

Run Out and Grab a Copy!

The author's discussion of mindfulness is one of the clearest explanations I've ever seen in any yoga or philosophy book I've encountered. I am not actually a runner, but his thoughts on dealing with adverse conditions such as rain apply to any adversity in life (try the new approach that rain is just rain, not good, not bad, just rain). Runners, of course, will find this book most useful, but readers who practice any sport or hobby will benefit greatly from the author's well written, clearcut advice.

Insightful and fun to read

If you are contemplating adding running to your life or if you are an experienced runner, this book has a lot to offer to provide motivation and enrich the experience. The insights and suggested activities apply directly to running and carry over to life. This isn't a book about "easy" paths to running or ways to make life less complicated, rather it explains the value of training and discipline from a refreshing Zen perspective. Larry Shapiro's writing style is light, humorous and direct. The examples are practical and easy to follow. Your approach to running will likely change after running this book. It's a great gift for runners of all levels, and those that meditate or practice yoga and have an interest in running.