Told in blissfully simple language, the thoughts and messages in Saying Yes to Life (Even the Hard Parts) provide inspiration for each day. These nuggets of wisdom range from a page-long reflection to a simple aphorism and stress the importance of drawing meaning from life's paradoxes — opening to the unwanted, recognizing the happiness in difficulty, and living for now rather than later. Page after page reveals truths that can be put into action in the moment, yet also stand up to multiple interpretations and thorough examination. Insightful and never convoluted, Saying Yes to Life (Even the Hard Parts) is a great companion for life's long journey.
Ezra Bayda was born in 1944 in Atlantic City, New jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in philosophy, and after working for a while as a teacher and a computer programmer, became a carpenter and builder, an occupation he worked at for thirty years. His favorite activities include boogie boarding in the ocean, playing basketball and playing the conga drum.
He began practicing Zen meditation in 1970, receiving permission to teach in 1995. He now lives, writes and teaches at Zen Center San Diego with his wife and fellow teacher, Elizabeth Hamilton. He also leads a meditation group in Santa Rosa, Ca., and has been a hospice volunteer for over ten years. He is the author of five books, including his most recent, Beyond Happiness (Shambhala, 2010). For more information, go to www.zencentersandiego.org.
