Being Zen

“Bayda writes with exceptional clarity and simplicity about the awakened life. He has a gift for describing ‘ordinary mind,’ or the customary thoughts, feelings, and experiences of everyday life. His style is as plainspoken as Pema Chödrön’s. He deserves membership in the ranks of respected meditation teacher-authors.” —Publishers Weekly “With clarity and compassion, Bayda applies Zen Buddhist principles to everyday life. He explains how all experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, help us to discover our ‘path’ to wisdom and an open heart. Presented here are realistic suggestions to help us survive the journey.” —Library Journal “Ezra Bayda wisely translates the Eastern spiritual belief into an extremely useful handbook for practice. Being Zen is humble and direct, which reminds me most of Shunryu Suzuki’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. It is what its title states—not an explanation of Buddhism or Zen, but an essential guide to its daily practice. Bayda’s is a gentle, sharing voice that evenly embraces humor and sincerity, bringing reason and heart-sense to our most irrational behaviors.” —Parabola “A skillful wedding of mindfulness and Zen—straightforward, simple, and wise.” —Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart and After the Ecstasy, the Laundry

Ezra Bayda teaches at Zen Center San Diego. He is also the author of Being Zen, At Home in the Muddy Water, Saying Yes to Life (Even the Hard Parts), and Zen Heart.