My Wish Lists Login / Join

Zen Traces

Exploring American Zen with Twain and Thoreau

By: Kenneth Kraft

Write A Review

Paperback | 5 June 2018

At a Glance

Paperback
178 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
15.5 x 22.9 x 1.1

Paperback

$46.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $11.69 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

"Kraft rubs together these pithy thoughts and phrases from traditional and present-day Zen with the sayings of Henry-David Thoreau and Mark Twain to come up with fresh portals of spiritual openness."-Spirituality & Practice

As Zen takes root in the west, new forms arise. For centuries Zen masters have tested their students with "koans" and "capping phrases." A koan is a spiritual paradox that must be solved intuitively. A capping phrase is a trenchant comment. Both are meditative practices that reveal deeper truths about the self and, ideally, lead to enlightenment.

In Zen Traces, Buddhist scholar Kenneth Kraft plays off these practices in a new idiom. He selects passages from four sources: traditional Zen, present-day Zen, Henry David Thoreau, and Mark Twain. When a koan-like story about a contemporary Zen teacher is paired with a pithy comment by Mark Twain, something fresh emerges.

Industry Reviews

In this lovely book, Ken Kraft provides a unique opening for American Buddhism and American wisdom in general. The reader will come to fresh and spacious new insights and enjoyments . . . Cheers for Zen in America and a deep bow to Ken Kraft!Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D., author of The Present Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Discovery
I highly recommend this delightful book of East-West wisdomfull of surprise, insight, wit, and piercing beauty.Katy Butler, author of Knocking on Heaven's Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.