Deepening Zen, book two
ISBN 978-1-998248-04-9 / 6.14" x 9.21" / 210 pages
Available December, 2024
From the Foreword, by Daishin Patrick Vigil
Around 2500 years ago a deeply troubled man sat down under a tree and vowed not to get up until he found the path to liberation. Through that realization, that man became known as the Buddha and his teachings have been passed down over the course of millennia.
Mitra Bishop, Roshi has for over 50 years incorporated and practiced those deep teachings in every aspect of her life. She lives each moment in true freedom. Roshi has crafted her messages and teachings with an eye to modern Americans, ordinary people like you and me.... In examining and putting into practice her teachings, offered both in this book and in her first volume...you will find a true path to ultimate liberation. As Roshi says, "You will become increasingly free, and there is no end to the depths of that freedom." This is her wonderful promise to each of us.
Contents
Foreword by Daishin Patrick Vigil
Introduction by Jan Chozen Bays
Preface
1. Foundations of the Deepest Zen Practice
2. When Anxiety Comes Up in Zen Practice
3. The Challenge of Letting Go
4. Escape Is Not a Solution
5. Jump into the 86 Hells
6. Zen Practice and Suppression of Feelings
7. Unweaving the Tapestry, Exploring the Mind
8. Benefits of Being Honed by Life and Zen Practice
9. A Story of Transformation: ACES and Zen
10. Struggle and Transformation in Spiritual Practice
11. Luminous Transparency and the Rapids of Life
12. Nirvana
13. A Featureless Map of Zen Practice
14. A Sufi Teaching Story
15. Fruits of Advanced Zen Practice
16. Post Sesshin Advice
17. Sensing Your Way Deeper Without a GPS
Glossary
Glossary of Kanji Translations
Recommended Reading
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diplomat's wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Mitra-roshi began Zen practice January 1, 1974, when she realized without a doubt that nothing outside her would provide lasting happiness and peace. What followed was-and is still ongoing-almost 50 years of concentrated Zen practice. She began teaching in the 1980's, established Mountain Gate in which concentrated Zen meditation practice is offered, in 1996 on her return from living and training at Sogen-ji Rinzai temple in Japan. That time was preceded by 20 years of intensive Zen practice at the Rochester Zen Center under Roshi Philip Kapleau, and was followed until COVID lockdown, with continuing training under Harada Shodo Roshi, Abbot of Sogen-ji and Tahoma Monastery on Whidbey Island, WA. She continues to teach full-time at Mountain Gate-Sanmonji (sanmonjizen.org) in New Mexico.
