zen

one of the great fortunes of my life has been the opportunity to receive zen training and to practice with a teacher and several supportive communities, including burning house zendo, my sangha (community) in baltimore, and wild goose zendo, my teacher's sangha in massachusetts.

unfortunately, zen is still widely misunderstood in america, and much of the information available from a google search on it is not very helpful. luckily, we're living among the first generation of american zen teachers, and, at least in metropolitan areas, it's becoming easier to find authentic communities and instruction.

there are also useful books by certified teachers available in english now if you would like to have a taste of what zen practice is like but don't live near a zendo or aren't ready to visit a zen center and jump in. three of the best and best-known are:

• taking the path of zen by robert aitken
• the three pillars of zen by philip kapleau
• zen mind, beginner's mind by shunryu suzuki

if you have a sincere interest in zen, i hope you'll read one of these books and, more importantly, find a good teacher and sangha. practice well!