Not Tiring of Defeat Leads to Victory

And in no particular order;

• Zen-Direct Pointing to Reality by Anne Bancroft. Published by Thames and Hudson.
• Dewdrops on a Lotusleaf-Zen Poems of Ryokan by John Stevens. Published by Shambhala.
• To Cherish All Life-A Buddhist Case for becoming Vegetarian by Roshi Philip Kapleu. Published by Harper & Row.
• Zen:Dawn in the West by Roshi Philip Kapleu. Publidhed by Doubleday Anchor Press.
• The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin by Norman Wadell. Published by Shambhala.
• Samurai Zen-the Warrior Koans by Trevor Leggett. Published by Routledge.
• Moon in a Dewdrop by Dogen. Published by North Point press.
• The Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori.
• Bortom Alla Begrepp by Sante Poroma Sensei. Published by Red Dot Publishing. (in Swedish)
• The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu by james Green. Published by Altamira Press.
• Eat,Sleep, Sit by Kaouro Nonomura. Published by Kodansha Europe.
• Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip kapleu. Published by bantam.
• Sword of No-Sword-Life of Master Warrior Tesshu by John Stevens. Published by Shambhala.
• Essence of Zen by Sekkei Harada. Published by Wisdom Publications.
• Simply Sitting by Philippe Coupey.
• Zen Brushwork by John Stevens. Published by Kodansha Europe.
• The Gateless Gate by Mumon. Published by Walking Lion Press.

To read about Zen is not to be confused with practising Zen, or even understanding anything really. Nevertheless, for us westerners, it seems more probable that we will take on the challenge of anything if we are intellectually informed and reassured before starting. It’s OK. My meditation cushion lives a dusty lonely life most of the time. I forget, I skip, I try to ignore what needs to be done. I am both the Hare and the Tortoise. I look funny that way, spiritually speaking.

However, reading about these matters can make you feel good and that is a good start. Some of you will go further and some will not. Either way is fine in my book. It’s Your life.