I sat down to start this book on a short trip and could not put it down. It simply mirrored too many of my own experiences for me to stop before I found where this would all go. Yet, for those who might wish to read an inspiring Zen tale of endeavor, insight and enlightenment, be forewarned: this is not a "feel good" account, but rather an honest reckoning with the foibles of Zen masters and students.
Greg Shephard has written a memorable tale of his journey with Zen practice stretching over decades. Not since "After Zen" by van de Wetering has there been as honest an account on this austere spiritual practice as this one.
One teacher I respect once said that Zen practice, in spite of its darling status with media and trend, would never be big in America. Why? "Perhaps someone would sign up for a practice that was very hard if it was very short with a big payoff. Or maybe one that was easy, but long? But what about a practice that is very hard, very long and with an uncertain result. No promises, no promises at all. Who wants to go to that party?"
Nevertheless, Greg Shepard takes us on his own personal journey where a student's verified insight, kensho, or the "the Big K" was all important. We find that the real thing may not be recognized, or that solving a koan, instead, may actually be a dry exercise with little utility for daily life. Even with years of study and disillusionment might we see at last that "the Big K" may not be all that important anyway. What is then?
Shunryu Suzuki once related that enlightenment is not an experience or a mental state. He also said that we have just enough problems-- a maddening statement. Do we need all those curves in the straight road? But without spoiling your read, when Greg Shepard at last reaches the other shore he finds it nothing as advertised. Yet, it is real and comfortable. As the great Zen teacher, Ikkyu once pronounced to doubters: "It's good enough for me." And that in itself, is wonderful enough.
A spiritual aspirant? Treat yourself to this book
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![A Straight Road with 99 Curves: Coming of Age on the Path of Zen by [Gregory Shepherd, Ruben Habito]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZMxjuXUPL._SY346_.jpg)
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spiritual righteousness into a reality where the by-products of Zen discipline yield a satisfying maturity at one’s beck and cal
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