Zen - The Zen of Being: Insights into Mindful Living and Awakening

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• Explore the unique aspects of Soto Zen, focusing on its approach to meditation as a constant practice rather than a progression of stages
• Understand the importance of embodying mindfulness in everyday activities, emphasizing the integration of practice into all aspects of life
• Examine the relationship between Prajna (wisdom) and Karuna (compassion) in Zen practice and how they interconnect to form a holistic path
• Learn about the role of a teacher in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the mutual trust and learning in the teacher-student relationship
• Discover how artistic expressions like poetry and calligraphy serve as mediums to convey and practice the teachings of Zen

Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a poet and Zen Buddhist priest. For many years he has taught at the San Francisco Zen Center, the oldest and largest of the new Buddhist organizations in the West, where he served as co-abbot from 1995-2000. Presently, he is the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture.

Roshi Fischer’s Zen teaching is celebrated for its eclecticism, warmth, and practicality, and extends into various fields including business, law, conflict resolution, and care for the dying. He has significantly contributed to the Zen Hospice Project and actively engages with different religious communities, particularly in Jewish meditation and Catholic intermonastic dialogue.

Roshi Fischer has authored influential Zen and Dharma books, including Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms, Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up, and Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong. His book Experience: Thinking, Writing, Language & Religion encapsulates his thoughts on experimental writing as a spiritual practice. His notable poetry collections include Magnolias All At Once and Conflict, among others. His website is normanfischer.org