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One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir — Mysticism

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One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir

Name: One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir
Price: 17.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781640092624

✍️ Shukman, Henry

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$17.95 ~~$21.00~~ Save $3.05 (14%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This compelling memoir chronicles Henry Shukman's transformative journey, detailing his lifelong struggle with debilitating anxiety, depression, and chronic illness. Through the unexpected embrace of Zen Buddhist practice, Shukman uncovers deep spiritual wisdom that not only alleviates his suffering but also integrates a sudden, profound awakening into his daily existence. With candid humor and touching honesty, he makes the esoteric accessible, demonstrating how contemplative disciplines can reveal life's hidden truths and foster genuine well-being for anyone willing to look within.

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Mysticism

Praise for this book

“Instead of depicting any dark night of the soul, One Blade of Grass focuses on describing how an ill-at-ease young man is gradually made calmer and kinder by Zen's central insight: the self is an illusion, and beyond the deceptive veil of thinking, reality is but an infinite, loving void . . . There is plenty to admire here.”

— M. M. Owen, The Times Literary Supplement

“There's no two ways about it. Henry Shukman has a seductively natural style of writing. And the story he tells is both informative and inspiring. Shukman grew up in a culturally rich but physically and emotionally painful situation. Upon encountering the writings of Zen Master Dogen, he was fortunate to have an early experience of the reality that mountains dance.”

— Shinzen Young, author of The Science of Enlightenment

“This is the book Shukman was born to write--I've been waiting a long time for someone to write this--a record of how we evolve, from ignorance and suffering as a young boy, tracking his accidental awakening, discovering in fits and starts his way-seeking mind to peace and the ground of being. So beautifully written, the reader immerses along with the author on his stumbling path to wholeness. In parts hilariously funny, I cannot say enough--I love this book.”

— Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones and The Great Failure

🏛 Counterpoint LLC 📅 2019 📖 352 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781640092624

Fun Fact

Shukman's memoir is a remarkable testament to Zen's capacity for profound healing, presented with disarming wit and heartfelt vulnerability. While not a prescriptive guide, it powerfully conveys the essence of spiritual practice for psychological well-being. Readers seeking a rigid instructional text might be disappointed, but those open to a deeply personal, often humorous, and inspiring narrative of transformation will find it an indispensable addition to the literature on Eastern spirituality and mental health.

📝 Description: One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir

One man's "beautifully written . . . hilariously funny" memoir of how the wisdom of Zen Buddhism helped him recover from longtime mental health struggles (Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones) One Blade of Grass tells the story of how a Zen meditation practice helped Henry Shukman to recover from the depression, anxiety, and chronic eczema he had since childhood and to integrate a sudden spiritual awakening into his life. By turns humorous and moving, this beautifully written memoir demystifies Zen Buddhist training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language, and takes the reader on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures of life that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us. "One of the most insightful, informative, and honest accounts of Zen practice yet to appear in English." --Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism without Beliefs

💎 Expert review

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Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Shukman successfully demystifies Zen by grounding it in the messy reality of chronic illness and mental health struggles. His candid humor prevents the text from becoming overly academic or pretentious, making esoteric concepts tangible for the layperson. However, readers seeking rigorous philosophical analysis or detached scholarly critique may find the memoir format too personal or subjective. It is not suited for those who prefer strict doctrinal instruction over experiential narrative. Ultimately, it serves best as a companion for those ready to explore their own interior landscapes with warmth and patience.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers grappling with anxiety, depression, or chronic illness will find profound comfort in Shukman’s candid journey toward healing through Zen practice. This book is ideal for those seeking to understand how spiritual disciplines can be woven into daily life without requiring dogmatic adherence. It offers a gentle, humorous, and honest guide for anyone willing to look within, demonstrating that profound inner peace is accessible through simple contemplation. Whether you are new to esoteric traditions or a seasoned seeker, Shukman makes the path to well-being feel attainable and deeply human.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're seeking a deeply personal account of Zen's practical applications for mental and spiritual well-being, or if you've faced similar life struggles, this memoir offers a compassionate, often humorous, and ultimately hopeful companion on your own path to self-discovery and inner peace.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Shukman successfully demystifies Zen by grounding it in the messy reality of chronic illness and mental health struggles. His candid humor prevents the text from becoming overly academic or pretentious, making esoteric concepts tangible for the layperson. However, readers seeking rigorous philosophical analysis or detached scholarly critique may find the memoir format too personal or subjective. It is not suited for those who prefer strict doctrinal instruction over experiential narrative. Ultimately, it serves best as a companion for those ready to explore their own interior landscapes with warmth and patience.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. Shukman masterfully demystifies Zen, making its core tenets and practices clear and relatable even for those completely new to contemplative traditions or Buddhist philosophy.

While not a how-to guide, the author vividly describes his personal practice and insights gained, indirectly illustrating the profound impact of meditation and encouraging readers to explore these practices for themselves.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Zen as a Healing Path

Shukman's personal narrative showcases how Zen meditation offers a practical framework for overcoming chronic mental and physical ailments. It moves beyond mere coping mechanisms, illustrating a journey towards genuine recovery and the holistic integration of mind, body, and spirit through mindful practice.

Integrating Spiritual Awakening

The book explores the experience of sudden, transformative spiritual insight, often termed 'satori,' and the subsequent process of grounding such profound moments into the fabric of everyday life. It offers a unique perspective on blending the sacred and the mundane after a deep awakening.

Humor in Self-Discovery

The narrative's use of wit and levity stands out, approaching challenging personal struggles and complex spiritual concepts with an engaging, relatable tone. This humor underscores the very human element of enlightenment, making the journey accessible and deeply resonant for readers.

📜 Historical context

Shukman's work contributes to a growing body of contemporary Western Zen literature, bridging traditional Eastern teachings with modern psychological understanding. It joins authors who translate ancient wisdom for a secular audience, often through personal narrative, making the path of awakening relevant and accessible in the context of contemporary life's challenges.

📚 Glossary

Zen
Satori
Mindfulness

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a personal struggle you've faced. How might a contemplative practice shift your perspective on it?
Consider a moment of unexpected clarity or insight in your own life. How did you integrate that experience into your daily routine?
What does 'finding the old road of the heart' mean to you in your current life circumstances, and how might you begin to walk it?