In this book, Janet Jiryu Abels traces the life stories of twelve Chinese Zen masters who, together, shaped what was to become known as Zen's Golden Age. She presents their biographies, describes their teachings, and shows how their lives and teachings can inspire those who practice Zen today. The book is a presentation of ancient Zen insight vividly relevant for the twenty-first century, addressing both the needs of both new and longtime Zen practitioners. Its singular distinction is in bringing Zen history, ancestral teachings, and present-day application of those teachings into one work. Although the book is based on scholarly sources and historical records, Abels stresses the humanity of these Zen ancestors, showing that they were not formed from a generic mold but were individuals with quirks, senses of humor, heartfelt enlightenment experiences, varied ways of living, and unique ways of expressing Zen. She tells their stories in a lively, accessible manner, shedding light on their paradoxical teachings with clarity and simplicity. She also shows that they all faced the same challenges that Zen practitioners face today. Interwoven among the stories and teachings are Abels' own insights into the dharma of Zen, as well as practical applications and encouragements that readers can bring to their individual practice of the Way. These insights are based on her more than ten years as a Zen teacher. She is the founder and co-resident teacher of Still Mind Zendo in New York City.

As an adult who leads a busy life, you have to deal with the stresses of home, work, and family. The Buddhist idea of Zen seeks to help you reduce stress so that you can remain calm when conflicts arise. This book begins with the basics, telling you what Zen is and how you can use it to deal with the situations that come up in your fast-paced life.

For career consultant Laurence G. Boldt, everyone is the artist of his or her own life. In this comprehensive, useful, and potentially life-changing book, he guides readers on how to widen possible horizons--and then focus in to make the ideal real. Illustrations and worksheets throughout.

The James Beard Award-winning visionary behind the iconic East coast bakery Bread Alone shares decades of wisdom and techniques for soul-fulfilling baking, with 60+ bread and pastry recipes Decades before sourdough took over Instagram, Daniel Leader was making his first celebrated loaves at Bread Alone, his pioneering upstate New York bakery. From revolutionizing artisan breadmaking in the eighties to operating the country’s first carbon-neutral bakery today, Bread Alone has existed at the cutting edge of bread and pastry for over forty years. A Slow Rise charts its legendary history and showcases its most beloved recipes. The heart of Dan’s baking philosophy is his embrace of soft-skill baking—seeing, feeling, smelling, and even listening to your dough—over science-based techniques promising the perfect loaf. As Leader says, in baking, there is always an element of the unknown, and even a bit of magic. No two bakes are exactly the same, and it’s the idiosyncrasies of each loaf, cake, or crust that make baking such a thrill. Here, across more than sixty recipes, Leader will teach you to bake with your senses, have patience, and form an almost meditative practice in the kitchen. Nostalgic, simple classics like Whole Wheat Bread and Hearty Seeded Sandwich Loaf live alongside more complex concoctions like Baltic Dark Rye and Fermented Wheat Bran and Barley Epis with Beet. For desserts everyone will love, Leader shares his recipes for treats like Lemon-Currant Einkorn Scones, Pistachio-Brown Butter Financiers, Blood Orange-Lemon Tart, and Mocha-Filled Brioche Buns. A celebration of baking with heart and soul, A Slow Rise is a must-have for serious and novice home bakers alike.

In this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing.

This novel text engages future teachers in the processes of creativity to encourage creative growth and participation in their classrooms. It emphasizes process, rather than product, so teachers learn that once they tap into their own creativity they are better equipped to help children participate in the creative process. New and expanded content in the fourth edition includes: National standards for drama, visual arts, dance, and music and examples of how teachers can address them A new Families feature in each chapter explaining how families can support children's creative activities at home Expanded and deepened multicultural content in the prose and in exploring the arts through a multicultural context Children's literature and recommended books in each chapter for integrating literature and the arts

Zen Without Zen Master is the first-and still the best-collection of truly contemporary Zen parables. For the novice, Zen Without Zen Masters is an outstanding introduction to the baffling world of meditation, Eastern thought and the galaxy of philosophies that make up the expanding horizon of human awareness. For the veteran, Benares integrates the "inner quest" with the experience of daily life. And if that wasn't enough, the section on Meditations and Exercises focuses the inner experience into an accessible form. Marked by clarity and simplicity, they demystify the growth process through practical application.