I have learned to notice the splendour of life even in the slimiest of creatures. I have found beauty in what I used to perceive as ugly. Slowly I have learned to love that which is difficult to love, both in myself and in others. Florencia Clifford is a zen cook. In this evocative and powerful book, we move seamlessly from Buddhist retreats in an isolated farmhouse in mid-Wales, to the hills of Florencia's childhood in Argentina, and back again. She describes her experiences in sensual detail: the subtle and magical shifts in herself, the seasons, and the people around her. Along the way, she shares her insights and many delicious vegetarian recipes. This is a journey of cooking and healing, taking us into a deep and luminous understanding of the food she prepares, and of the world around us. It tells of the growth of love, as the author learns to care for all beings, including the slugs in the title. This book features twenty original illustrations by artist Michaela Meadow.

"An invaluable book for anyone following a plant-based diet." Ching He Huang, TV Chef and cookery author The first vegan cookbook to merge the science of flavour with the art of cooking, Cooking for the Senses explains how understanding sight, smell, touch, taste and sound can help you make flavourful, healthy food in your own kitchen. With over 100 simple plant-based recipes, this cookbook shows how the rich variety of flavours available to the vegan chef can be combined to make delicious plates of food from exotic carrot and lime leaf kebabs to comforting butternut squash and spinach curry. An extensive flavour encyclopaedia, drawing on the latest research into flavour and world cuisine, and a helpful guide to the science behind our senses means the home cook will never be stuck for ideas on what to make with vegetables. Whether you are a committed vegan, looking to eat less meat and dairy, or want to enjoy tasty vegetarian meals this first book on neurogastronomy will transform your cooking.

Zen tales are a unique and powerful form of storytelling that originated in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Typically short and straightforward, the Zen tales convey complex philosophical and spiritual messages in a way that is accessible and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. One of the most distinctive features of Zen tales is their use of paradox and humour. Many of these stories involve unexpected twists and turns that challenge people's assumptions and invite them to see things differently. Another principal theme in Zen tales is the idea of non-dualism, which is the belief that all things are interconnected and interdependent. Many of these stories emphasise the importance of seeing beyond surface appearances and recognising the fundamental unity of all things. Overall, Zen tales are a powerful tool for spiritual and philosophical exploration and offer valuable insights into the nature of reality and the human experience. Whether read as a form of entertainment or serving as a guide for spiritual growth, the Zen tales inspire and challenge people around the world. In this book, the readers will discover 101 famous Zen tales of all time that will ignite their souls with enlightenment.

A lively collection of folk tales and Buddhist teaching stories from four noted premodern Japanese Zen masters: Taigu Sôchiku (1584–1669), Sengai Gibon (1750-1831), Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769), and Taigu Ryôkan (1758-1831). Zen Master Tales collects never before translated stories of four prominent Zen masters from the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868). Drawn from an era that saw the “democratization” of Japanese Zen, these stories paint a picture of robust, funny, and poignant engagement between Zen luminaries and the emergent chоnin or “townsperson” culture of early modern Japan. Here we find Zen monks engaging with samurai, merchants, housewives, entertainers, and farmers. These masters affirmed that the essentials of Zen practice—zazen, koan study, even enlightenment—could be conveyed to all members of Japanese society in ordinary speech, including even comic verse and work songs. Against the backdrop of this rich tableau, Zen Master Tales serves not only as a text for Zen students but also as a wide-ranging window onto the fascinating literary, material, and social history of Edo Japan. In his introduction, translator Peter Haskel explains the history of Zen “stories” from the tradition’s Golden Age in China through the compilation of the classic koan collections and on to the era from which the stories in Zen Master Tales are drawn. What was true of the Chinese tradition, he writes—“its focus on the individual’s ordinary activity as the function, the manifestation of the absolute”—continued in the Japanese context. “Most of these Japanese stories, however unabashedly humorous and at times crude, impart something of the character of the Zen masters involved, whose attainment must be plainly manifest in even the most humble and unlikely of situations.”

In the midst of our busy activity, people often feel fragmented. We experience conflicting demands from our work, our personal relationships, our families, and our spiritual practice. In this book, the author, a practicing psychotherapist, explores the challenges and joys of making our life into a coherent whole. Psychotherapy addresses a sense of fragmentation in an effort to help us be uniquely ourselves. Zen Buddhist practice insists we find ourselves on every moment of our lives; it speaks to the basic connectedness of all things. This book attempts to integrate the two. Each chapter examines some aspect of sewing together the practice of Zen with the realization of psychotherapy, and its implications for daily life. Though there is a logical progression to the chapters, each chapter can be read on its own if the reader is interested in how a particular text might inform their psychotherapy or life circumstances. Through the stories of his clients' and his own difficulties and discoveries, the author invites each reader to actualize the fundamental point: to realize the joy and compassion that comes when we touch the basic ground of life, and put it into play in our everyday activity.

This modern-day commentary on Dogen’s Instructions for a Zen Cook reveals how everyday activities—like cooking—can be incorporated into our spiritual practice In the thirteenth century, Zen master Dogen—perhaps the most significant of all Japanese philosophers, and the founder of the Japanese Soto Zen sect—wrote a practical manual of Instructions for the Zen Cook. In drawing parallels between preparing meals for the Zen monastery and spiritual training, he reveals far more than simply the rules and manners of the Zen kitchen; he teaches us how to "cook," or refine our lives. In this volume Kosho Uchiyama Roshi undertakes the task of elucidating Dogen's text for the benefit of modern-day readers of Zen. Taken together, his translation and commentary truly constitute a "cookbook for life," one that shows us how to live with an unbiased mind in the midst of our workaday world.

A.K. Turner's Tales of Imperfection series includes The New York Times bestsellers This Little Piggy Went to the Liquor Store and Hair of the Corn Dog and the IPPY award winner Mommy Had a Little Flask. The self-deprecating and brutally blunt mother of two delivers the mayhem and adventures of family life in what Publishers Weekly calls "reliably honest and zany storytelling" and a "hilarious account of parenthood". “It’s rare for a writer to actually make me laugh out loud, but A.K. Turner does just that.” —Robin O'Bryant, New York Times bestselling author of Ketchup Is a Vegetable and Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves “I laughed out loud at Mommy Had a Little Flask, but make no mistake, this book is equally heartfelt and humorous as A.K. Turner delves into all the wonders, challenges and horrifying playground moments of parenting – the most extreme sport there is.” —Cameron Morfit, Sports Illustrated “A.K. Turner is always hilarious, and she doesn’t disappoint.” —Jen Mann, New York Times bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat “The thing that I can’t get over with A.K. Turner is that she is endlessly fresh. Funny, always, but fresh, sweet funny that keeps me coming back again and again...and craving more. Always can’t wait to read her latest.” —Meredith Spidel, The Mom of the Year “A.K. Turner can turn even the simplest family story into a rollicking, outrageous, hilarious adventure. Buckle up!” —Michelle Newman, You’re My Favorite Today, contributor to the bestselling humor anthologies I Just Want to Pee Alone and I Just Want to Be Alone, and Community Contributor at Entertainment Weekly “A.K. Turner is the best friend that we dream of having: someone who is smart and eloquent and doesn’t take herself or her life too seriously. That is what makes all of her books so fabulous, you can’t help but envision yourself right alongside of her, cheering her on, laughing out loud and thanking your lucky stars that you have her in your life.” —Lynn Morrison, The Nomad Mom Diary, Circle of Moms Top 25 Funny Bloggers, Circle of Moms Top 25 European Bloggers, and contributor to BLUNTmoms and The Huffington Post “A.K. Turner’s writing manages to be both hilarious and heartfelt at the same time. When I read her words, I find myself laughing to the point of tears one minute and then crying real tears the next. It’s writing that makes you feel something. Something real and deep and honest. Which is how writing should be.” —Deva Dalporto, My Life Suckers

D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966) reached global fame for his writings on Zen Buddhism. In this introduction to his theories of self, knowledge, and the world, Suzuki is presented as a Buddhist philosopher in his own right. Beginning with a biography of his life providing the historical context to his thought and discussing Suzuki's influences, chapters cover the Zen notion of the non-self and Suzuki's Zen view of consciousness, language, and religious truths. His ideas about philosophy and radical views on rationality and faith come to life in two new complete translations of The Place of Peace in our Heart (1894) and Religion and Science (1949), which helps us to understand why Suzuki's description of Zen attracted the attention of many leading intellectuals and helped it become a household name in the English-speaking world. Offering the first complete overview of Suzuki's approach, reputation, and legacy as a philosopher, this is for anyone interested in the philosophical relevance and development of Mahayana Buddhism today.

Eleven engaging Zen-inspired stories and fifty activities to help kids (ages 4–8) learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness. Dive into 11 engaging stories drawn from different cultures, each concluding with short reflections, questions, and fun, thought-provoking activities that teach children how to integrate the theme of the story into their lives. There are 53 activities, including: Writing haiku Sitting zazen Observing, making, and appreciating food Growing plants Spreading kindness and performing secret good deeds Learning and writing about family history and more!

This is a 3-book bundle, which addresses various subtopics, including but not limited to these: Book 1: Is Zen meditation something you have been looking into? Are you mindful of your surroundings? Do you want to enjoy the present better? These are things you can enjoy with the help of Zen, which refers to peace of mind and relaxation, in most cases. When you are at work, when you are trying to be more forgiving in an intense relationship, or when you are stressed out too much… Zen can be the principle of living that can pull you through. Book 2: Many people perceive Zen to be something that is only practices by Buddhist monks, but did you know that many people apply the techniques of Zen at their job, in their relationships, and in many aspects of life? With Zen, you can change your mindset and your brain. You can begin to understand why meditation and mindful, subconscious thoughts will have a positive impact on your life. If you ask the right questions and if you are open to the answers, it can help you discover so much more about yourself! Book 3: Most people who practice Zen techniques, are calmer and more satisfied in their lives. It’s one of those things you have to experience to understand it. A pure Zen perspective on life can carry many benefits. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, alter the neurochemicals in your cerebrum, and make you feel more powerful and capable of things because of a more balanced outlook on the many challenges you face every day. Take the time to learn about the ancient art of Zen. You won’t regret it.