One Blade of Grass

Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir

By: Henry Shukman

Narrated by: Henry Shukman

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of how a meditation practice gave Henry Shukman a context for integrating a sudden spiritual awakening into his life and how his depression and anxiety were gradually healed through this practice. In sharing how he grew into a Zen teacher, Shukman demystifies Zen training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language. Along the way, One Blade of Grass guides listeners on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us.

One Blade of Grass recounts Shukman's journey from academia to life as a wandering poet and writer, until he finally settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he now runs Mountain Cloud Zen Center. A child of professors at Oxford University, he received a classical humanist education and threw himself onto the path to academia in order to cope with the pain of his parents' divorce and the chronic eczema that had plagued him since childhood - until one day as a young man he encountered a spontaneous, powerful awakening experience.

By turns humorous and moving, this beautiful memoir takes listeners on the journey of a lifetime - into the depths of humanity, following an ancient path to freedom and love.

©2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2019 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Recommend

Listened all the way through in 3 days and was fully immersed thank you so much

How the Old Road was Found and Lost

This autobiography shares the deep pain and joyous freedom of Henry Shukmam's life. It also points a finger at the Old Road that waits for any who wish to look for it.

Read by the author in his pleasing, open style familiar to listeners of the Mountain Cloud podcast, the book unfolds. It can be very revealing not just of the author's personal journey, but of the journey we all are on.

Thank you

i can hear you, Thank you for showing us Beginners step .! This audiobook you will teach you all the Hard work and most important information

Great zen memoir

I read a lot of zen books and this was one of the best in recent memory. Very personal and personable.

Fantastic

A great book on Buddhism from a westerners experience. 10/10 would recommend this to anyone interested in the subject. Henry is a fantastic narrator as well.

Now I’m really in trouble

I heard of this title on the “Tim Ferriss show. I’m not even sure what to say. I fell like it will be wrong or right or at the very least inadequate. It’s pretty good! The authors voice is relaxing, the cadence is perfect and the writing is excellent.

Brilliant writing and deeply inspiring

I loved this book. The depth of describing the illusive ‘there that is here’ confirms its existence and is an inspiration for continuing the work and trust deep practice calls for. His concise choice of words paint vivid, unforgettable pictures. For me this book is a rare and precious gift.

A pretty good book

"A Zen Memoir" is spot on as a description -- it's an autobiography, in some ways, but very focused on the author's experiences with Zen. I enjoyed it. It didn't particularly make me want to study Zen, but there was a lot of food for thought in it.

Five stars is a little high, four stars would be a little low. It's a book I can imagine I might read again, and that gives me things to think about -- so at least 4 stars. But it's not a book I'm *certain* I will read again, so not 5 stars, either. Somewhere in-between.

The author's humanity and personal generosity (most of the time) comes through, and that helps make it enjoyable.

Incredible story. Beautifully written.

Loved every bit of this. Inspiring and engaging beyond words. The audio book was particularly powerful hearing henry's emotions inside every moment. Master writer, master of zen, fantastic human. Can not recommend this book enough.

Must read if you are on a journey towards inner peace

Can’t say enough good things about this book. The author descriptively walks you through his life and challenges to awaken. I have read many books on Buddhism and this one ranks at the very top. So interesting and provides plenty of real life tips on how to calm your mind and settle in to the present