Abstract

Bringing the body-mind insights of Rinzai Zen from the mountains of Japan to the Western world, Zen master Julian Daizan Skinner and Sarah Bladen present simple meditation techniques to help achieve health, wellbeing and success.

Taking the reader through the first 100 days of practice, the book then shows how to adapt the new learned techniques to the rest of your life.

Including case studies at the end of each chapter to show how people's lives have been transformed through their meditation journeys, this is an accessible and practical guide to adapting Eastern meditation into busy Western lives.

As always, Daizan writes with clarity and assurance and from a place of huge compassion. The contents of this book are the foundations upon which all of the teaching at Serenity Retreat happens. I'm pretty sure it's the groundedness of the teachings that ensures that people keep coming back! This book is accessible, kind and real. I particularly liked the section on wealth which can often be a very confusing subject for spiritual seekers. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking to start a meditation practice or anyone who is confused about what meditation is all about, or how it can be.
Kim Bennett, entrepreneur and founder of Serenity Retreat
We all want to be the best version of who we are, but not many of us get to be that. If by some chance you do get there, it's fleeting, giving a glimpse of what we can achieve, then the focus disappears. But it doesn't have to be that way. Daizan is the most amazing example of a human being who has found the best version of himself that I have ever encountered... but make no mistake, it didn't happen by accident, he worked at it. My meeting with him was no accident, and neither is the fact that you have picked up this book and are reading these words. This book will help you become who you really were supposed to be, and ARE!
Joe Pasquale, comedian
Beginning full-time monastic Zen in 1989, Julian Daizan Skinner has practiced and received Dharma transmission in the Soto and Rinzai traditions and been named successor of Zen Master Miyamae Shinzan, founder of The Zendo Kyodan Lineage. For more information, visit zenways.org. Sarah Bladen is a journalist and Zen meditation teacher active primarily in London and the Middle East.
This is a brilliant little book. Unpretentious, clear and inspiring.
Amelia Bullmore, actor and writer
People sometimes think of Zen as a little ethereal and not something they can easily apply to their lives. This book entirely dispels such myths. It is a grounded, practical guide to how Zen can make a profound difference to your life in the here and now. I, like many around the world today, can personally attest to this, and indeed to Daizan's unique ability to teach and convey it. His clarity of voice, wisdom and dedication to the welfare of others shines clearly through the whole book, and I have no doubt that it will make a lasting impact on all who are fortunate enough to read it.
Professor Russell Razzaque, psychiatrist and writer
I have practiced with Daizan and Zenways and experienced dramatic benefits in my life. Read this book; do the practices; get the results. It's that simple.
Pumeza Matshikiza, opera singer