Zen Among the Magnolias
Zen Among the Magnolias explores the integration of some of the practices of Zen and of Christianity. Benjamin Lee Wren discusses the possibilities as people from different backgrounds seek a deeper meaning for their lives, without destroying their heritage, through experiences such as zazen, tai chi, ikebana, folk dancing, and the celebration of the liturgy. He focuses on living in the present rather than in the past or the future. Wren explains a merging of asceticism and aesthetics which leads to a philosophy and theology that appreciates less as more, asymmetry, simplicity, tranquillity, and the beauty of aging. He shows how through parallels between the Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path of the Buddha and the Eight Beatitudes of Jesus, people become more sensitive to the problems of social justice. The result of an understanding of Zen through the nonverbal and nonimage form of pure contemplation called zazen, Wren demonstrates, is an experience of depth and breadth into the root of one's own being. This practice does not discount a Christian background; instead, it leads to a deeper understanding of all aspects of life.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0761814256
ISBN13:9780761814252
Release Date:May 1999
Publisher:Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
Length:160 Pages
Weight:0.50 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Ben Wren at his best
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
The many books on the market about zen to often forget the amrecan audience that they attempt to address. Dr. Wren puts the subject in terms that the novice or long practicing student can understand. Our loss is that Dr. Wren is no longer with us to continue writing on this subject.
Book Leads To Deeper Understanding of all Aspects of Life
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Zen Among The Magnolias explores the integration of some of the practices of Zen and of Christianity. The author discusses the possibilities as people from different backgrounds seek a deeper meaning for their lives, without destroying their heritage, through such experiences as zazen, tai chi, ikebana,folk dancing, and the celebration of the litergy. He focuses on living in the present rather than in the past or the future. Wren explains a merging of asceticism and aesthetics which leads to a philosophy and theology that appreciates less as more, asymmetry, simplicity, tranquility, and the beauty of aging. He shows how through the parallels between the Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path of the Buddha and the Eight Beatitudes of Jesus, people become more sensitive to the problems of social justice. The result of an understanding of Zen through the nonverbal and nonimage form of pure contemplation called zzazen, Wren demonstrates, is an experience of depth and breadth into the root of one's own being. This practice does not discount a Christian background; instead, it leads to a deeper understanding of all aspects of life.
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