Zen Miracles: Finding Peace in an Insane World

by Brenda Shoshanna

Book Overview

This wonderful book brings East and West--and ancient and modern worlds--together and provides profound wisdom and guidance for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, anger, fear, or loneliness. Beautifully written, funny, warm, and filled with unusual, wonderful exercises. A real miracle.--Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, Director of the Institute for Violence Prevention

""A healing journey into the inner conflicts and contradictions that separate spirit...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471414816
• ISBN13: 9780471414810
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Wiley (TP)
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding primer on Zen from an outstanding author

I had previously read several books on Zen prior to coming across this particular book from Brenda Shoshanna. Unlike many of the other books I read, which tended to be bland and sometimes diffficult to follow and apply to one's own life, Dr. Shoshanna takes an entirely different approach in helping us to understand the common concepts of Zen. Her book is very well written. It is clear and concise, even for someone not entirely familiar with Zen, enjoyable to read, and most importantly, she conveys her own experiences with Zen, some of which are quite humorous, to assist the reader in understanding and applying Zen principles to his or her own life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of Zen.

Zen In America

This wonderful, funny, life giving book, includes many stories, anecdotes and exercises so that the reader can bring it right into her life. I was so grateful for the simple and clear way Zen was communicated here. It allowed me to see it as part of my real life, not something to be done far away in another world. The instructions are so clear and helpful that it becomes simple to see how Zen practice is for everyone, no matter what their background, and also to see different ways it can be done.Thank you for helping me turn my life around.

A Breath of Fresh Air in the Zen World

Among the many, many books on zen, i found ZEN MIRACLES by far to be the best. It is clear, concise, filled with great zen anecdotes, and is also practical, giving me exercises to grapple with myself, which have already helped me greatly in finding peace. It also gives a nice, simple introduction to zen, which seems to be hard to find in the crowded zen market. I also really liked the fact that Dr. Shoshanna is a Ph.D. psychologist with over 20 years experience, which lent the book a feeling of expertise and a nice counterbalance. If I had to recommend one book on Zen, this would be it.

Publishers Weekly Review: March 2002

"It's virtually axiomatic now that America has its own brand of Zen Buddhism, and the author of this skilled volume proves the point. Shoshanna is a Hasidic Jew who has been both practicing zazen and maintaining a psychotherapy practice for more than 25 years. Here she weaves a fine tapestry out of these splendid, assorted threads. Five sections ("Getting Started," "Cravings and Compulsions," "Letting Go," Dissolving the False Self" and "Zen, God and Enlightenment") use traditional Buddhist and contemporary American stories and quotes and lucid prose to invite anyone and everyone down Zen's calming, clarifying garden path. These forms are supplemented by both provocative koans and "Zen in Action" exercises at the conclusion of each of the 18 short chapters. The last chapter, "Zen and God," might well have been placed first, since it elucidates the neutrality of Zen that can make it completely compatible with other institutionalized or personalized beliefs. This book has less to do with the mechanics of sitting and more to do with the realities of integrating Zen practice into real life. Shoshanna extends an empty and richly filled hand, offering both the sublime and the practical, which are one and the same in the Zen world. This is a highly recommended volume for beginners and new practitioners who are coming to the truth that "to find the answers to your life questions, you must look within. Nothing less will do. Nothing more is needed."'(Apr.) Forecast: Shoshanna is the "relationships expert" on [internet site], which should help with the strategic marketing of this title."

Zen Miracles

For anyone looking for a soothing change in lifestyle, read this book. The author takes you through an accessible introduction to Zen and shows you how to incorporate peace and mindfulness in your daily life. I've using this book as a guide and ever since, my stress is better managed.