Zen Writing

"Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a land mine. The land mine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces back together. Now, it's your turn. Jump!" Zest. Gusto. Curiosity. These are the qualities every writer must have, as well as a spirit of adventure. In this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing. Here are practical tips on the art of writing from a master of the craft - everything from finding original ideas to developing your own voice and style.

This is the first book to offer the great master's incisive wisdom in short selections taken from the whole range of his voluminous works. The pithy and powerful readings, arranged according to theme, provide a perfect introduction to Dogen - and inspire spiritual practice in people of all traditions.

Written by the 17th-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573-1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi.

In this collection of inspirational writings, novice and experienced practitioners are treated to four key works that rank high in the Zen canon: 101 Zen Stories recounts actual experiences with Zen that span five centuries. The Gateless Gate is a 13th-century collection of mind problems used in the practice of Zen. Ten Bulls is a 12th-century commentary on the stages of awareness that lead to enlightenment. Centering is a 4,000-year-old teaching from India that may have been the source of Zen.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your inability to write? Struggling with anxiety about meeting up with your daily writing goals? Or would you like to stop worrying but rather do something about it? Or do you want to learn how to write like a pro? The truth is...We all experience the occasional negative thought when we can’t seem to put our words down like we want to. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine your writing techniques. The solution is to practice specific writing techniques that help you be more creative. With these techniques and habits, you'll have ...

Over a decade ago, when Writing Down the Bones first appeared, Natalie Goldberg started a revolution in the way we practice writing. Now, for the first time, Goldberg reads her classic work, while offering new commentary about the creative, spiritual, and practical dimensions of writing. This collector's edition also includes an exclusive interview with the author.

Why practice Zen? What sets Zen apart from religion? What are its different practices? These questions, and more, are examined and answered by Zen Master Koun Yamada, whose Dharma heirs include Robert Aitken, Ruben Habito, and David Loy. Through compelling stories and a systematic approach, he guides the listener through creating and sustaining a lifelong practice. Warm and ecumenical in tone, Koun uses the insights of Zen to bring a deeper understanding of faith.

What does it take to have a long writing life? Drawing on her years of writing, teaching, and practicing Zen, Natalie Goldberg shares the experiences that have opened her to new ways of being alive - experiences that point the way forward in our lives and our writing. The "great spring" of this book title refers to the great rush of energy that arrives when you think no life will ever come again - the early yellow flowering forsythia, for example.

Many people hear the word "Buddhism", and they think it is a religion. However, a person of any religion can bring Buddhist principles into their life without giving up their religious beliefs. Buddhism is a simple and practical philosophy, practiced by more than 300 million people worldwide, that can make your life better and help you find inner peace and happiness.

Whether it's a speedy note-to-self, a simple shopping list or a carefully penned thank-you note, putting words on paper is a daily habit - and can also bring us great joy and calm. In this book you'll discover practical ways to turn the ordinary ritual of jotting things down into a remarkable source of peace, focus and confidence. Learn to take pleasure in your correspondence, find fresh delight in your diary writing and put renewed heart in your humble to-do list.

Leading Buddhist scholar Sam van Schaik explores the history and essence of Zen, based on a new translation of one of the earliest surviving collections of teachings by Zen masters. These teachings, titled The Masters and Students of the Lanka, were discovered in a sealed cave on the old Silk Road, in modern Gansu, China, in the early twentieth century. All more than a thousand years old, the manuscripts have sometimes been called the Buddhist Dead Sea Scrolls, and their translation has opened a new window onto the history of Buddhism.

More than just another how-to manual relating to the independent film industry, in this book, Zen Filmmaker Scott Shaw, guides the reader towards understanding the deeper philosophical, psychological, and metaphysical realms of filmmaking via piercing articles and essays that detail not only his own experiences in the film industry but the interactions he has encountered via the actions and understandings of others. From this, the reader who desires to gain a deeper understanding of what the filmmaking process truly entails will be presented with facts known only to someone who has been an ...

Created by Scott Shaw, the primary premise of Zen Filmmaking is that no script should be used in the creation of a film. There are no rules and no definitions. But, there is much more to it than that. In this second book on Zen Filmmaking Scott Shaw leads the reader to deeper understandings of how to make the filmmaking process more rewarding, less complicated, and ultimately more enlightening.

Discover the ancient secrets of Zen Buddhism in this amazing book. When you download Zen: The Essential Guide Book, you'll discover what zen is, and what it isn't. You'll learn the ancient story of the Buddha and find out how zen is practiced in our modern world. As many of you know from my other books, this has been a passion of mine for more than 20 years. Zen is becoming more and more popular as the undeniable results are being noticed throughout our western society.

Frustrated by another incomplete book? Learn new ways to escape the hamster wheel and fill the shelves with brilliant best-sellers. Has your dream of authorship turned into a collection of half-finished manuscripts? Inspired by a great idea only to face burnout in the messy middle? Are you terrified by the evils of editing? With over a decade of experience in indie publishing, best-selling author and specialist in process streamlining Christy Nicholas has real-world expertise in transforming the practices of both novices and seasoned pros. And now she’s here to share eye-opening ...

Join author and Japanologist Beth Kempton on a sacred journey to uncover the secrets of fearless writing which have lain buried in Eastern philosophy for two thousand years. In a radical departure from standard advice and widely held assumptions about the effort and suffering required for creative success, The Way of the Fearless Writer will show you there is another way to thrive—a path of trust, ease, freedom and joy.

Tired of staring at a blank page, unsure where your story is headed? Break free from the frustration and discover the secrets to crafting compelling narratives that captivate readers from start to finish. In "Extreme Planning for Authors: Part Two – Writing," seasoned indie publishing expert Christy Nicholas continues her transformative series with a focus on the essential art of writing. If your dream of authorship has been hindered by the fear of the blank page or the uncertainty of plot development, this guide is your key to unlocking the creative flow. Nicholas, with over a decade of ...

More than just another how-to manual relating to the independent film industry, in this book, Zen Filmmaker Scott Shaw, guides the reader towards understanding the deeper philosophical, psychological, and metaphysical realms of filmmaking via piercing articles and essays that detail not only his own experiences in the film industry but the interactions he has encountered via the actions and understandings of others. From this, the reader who desires to gain a deeper understanding of what the filmmaking process truly entails will be presented with facts known only to someone who has been an ...

Drowning in the daunting sea of revisions and edits? Break free from the shackles of unfinished manuscripts and conquer the art of refining your work into a polished masterpiece that captivates readers. In "Extreme Planning for Authors: Part Three – Editing," seasoned indie publishing expert Christy Nicholas continues her transformative series, addressing the often-feared editing stage of the writing process. If your dream of authorship has been hindered by the challenges of editing or the overwhelming task of turning drafts into polished gems, this guide is your beacon in the editorial ...

Zen Dogs, sequel to the best-selling Zen Cats, offers the timeless teachings of Buddhism along with key lessons our canine companions are here to remind us of - such as how to live in the now. Every dog is a living example of loving kindness, a central tenet of the Buddha, which they reteach us with every affectionate lick and joy-filled wag of the tail. Filled with meditations and eternal truths, Zen Dogs offers insight into every aspect of life for both two-leggers and four-leggers.