ThisnuancedcommentaryonthefamousZenoxherdingpicturesexplorestheparadoxofwelcomingourtruenatureanewateachstageofspiritualunfolding.Renownedforcenturies,theclassicZenoxherdingpicturesvividlyillustratethestagesofthespiritualjourney--fromseekingandfindingtoultimatelyforgettingtheillusoryselfandawakeningtoourtruenature.Inhiscommentaryontheseimages,GaylonFergusonguidesusonanexperientialpathintotheseseemingcontradictionsthroughwelcoming--thesimple,challenging,andalwaysnewpossibilityofopeningtoexactlywhat’soccurringinourexperience.Distinctfrommeditationandmindfulness,thiscontemplativeexerciseleadsusbeyondspiritualbypassing(usingspiritualpracticestorepressoravoidpartsofourselves)andspiritualmaterialism(practicingwithaheavysenseofego).RichwithteachingsfromthegreatZenteacherandauthorofZenMind,Beginner’sMindShunryuSuzukiRoshi,aswellasextensivecommentaryfromTibetanmeditationmasterCh繹gyamTrungpaRinpocheandotherswhohaveilluminatedtheoxherdingpictures,thisbookinvitesyouintoaprocessofspiritualmaturationthatneveroccurselsewherethanhereorotherthannow.FeaturingaforewordbyDavidChadwick,authorofCrookedCucumber:TheLifeandZenTeachingofShunryuSuzuki.
