If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break : Field Notes From a Zen Life

Drawing on sources as diverse as the Bible and stand-up comics, Ford reflects on his more than four decades walking the Path and the Big Questions asked and answered (in his words: sort of ). He examines the nature of Awakening and what it means to work toward it helping us see, in the words of one chapter title, Some of What Zen Practice Is, and a Little of What It Isn t ; he offers a wise perspective on the nature of spiritual directors and enormously helpful counsel on What to Look for When Looking for a Teacher; and give us a seasoned look at the core practices of Zen (shikantaza and koan study) within the key principles of not knowing and sitting down, shutting up, and paying attention . This book explores the always fascinating issues of karma and rebirth from the deconstructing perspective of Zen in a way that will find resonance with both conservatives and the vast audience of Stephen Batchelor s Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist. The book has a casually warm and friendly tone that will appeal to wide variety of readers. Drawing on sources as diverse as the Bible and comedian Emo Phillips, Ford reflects on his more than four decades walking the Pathand the Big Questions asked and answered (in his words: sort of). He examines the nature of Awakening and what it means to work toward ithelping us see, in the words of one chapter title, Some of What Zen Practice Is, and a Little of What It Isnt; he offers a wise perspective on the nature of spiritual directors and enormously helpful counsel on What to Look for When Looking for a Teacher; and give us a seasoned look at the core practices of Zen (shikantaza and koan study) within the key principles of not knowing and sitting down, shutting up, and paying attention. This book explores the always fascinating issues of karma and rebirth from the deconstructing perspective of Zenin a way that will find resonance with both conservatives and the vast audience of Stephen Batchelors Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist. And perhaps most significantly, the last section of the book takes a fresh and nuanced look at the Buddhist Ethical Preceptswhich Ford frames as Seven Suggestions. There are comparatively few books on this topic, and this one will find wide audience both within the Zen world and beyond. Using Vignettes And Anecdotes From His Own Life--as Well As Quotations Drawn From Sources As Varied As The Bible, Yiddish Aphorisms, And Stand-up Comedy--zen Teacher And Unitarian Universalist Minister James Ishmael Ford Shares The Gifts Won Over His Lifetime Of Full-hearted Engagement With The Zen Path. Machine Generated Contents Note: Pt. I What Is Awakening? -- The Answer, Sort Of -- Earthquakes -- Every Day Is A Good Day -- Pt. Ii Sit Down, Shut Up, And Pay Attention -- On Having A Spiritual Practice -- Beginning -- Shikantaza -- Koan Introspection -- Listening For The Sound Of The Single Hand: How To Let A Koan Work On You -- Some Of What Zen Practice Is, A Little Of What It Isn't -- Spiritual Directors -- What To Look For When Looking For A Zen Teacher -- Only Don't Know -- Pt. Iii Talking The Talk, Walking The Walk -- Putting It Together -- Karma, Rebirth, & Finding A Real Life -- Wrestling With Natural Law -- Seven Suggestions -- Do Not Cut Yourself Off From This World: Love Your Mother -- Do Not Kill: Reverence This Mysterious Life -- Do Not Lie: Speak Truthfully -- Do Not Steal: Respect The Integrity Of Things -- Do Not Misuse Sex: Respect Our Bodies -- Do Not Forget Your Family: Seek Justice -- Do Not Drink The Wine Of Delusions: Seek Clarity. James Ishmael Ford. Includes Index. Using vignettes and anecdotes from his own life - as well as quotations drawn from sources as varied as the Bible, Yiddish aphorisms, and stand-up comedy - Zen teacher and Unitarian Universalist minister James Ishmael Ford shares the gifts won over his lifetime of full-hearted engagement with the Zen path. "I've found myself broken open," Ford says, "and found in that opening my fundamental connection to the whole world." What's more, If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break breathes new life into the Buddhist ideas of karma and rebirth - as well as the Buddhist precepts of ethical action - and finds for them kinship in other spiritual endeavors. Even the most cynical of hearts will find resonance in Ford's compassionate presentation of basic human truths.