12 Basic Books

The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh is a commentary by the renowned Zen monk on the five powers that Buddhists see as the foundation of real happiness: faith, diligence, mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

Bearing Witness by Bernie Glassman is a pathbreaking book on a brand of Buddhist social action based upon a life of unknowing, bearing witness to suffering and joy, and healing self and others.

Being with Dying by Joan Halifax shares Buddhist teachings, personal stories, meditations, spiritual practices, and wise counsel from a Zen roshi's work with people at the end of their lives.

The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura is a new edition of the classic printed in 1906 that conveys the elegance, simplicity, and intimacy of the tea ceremony as practiced by Zen Buddhists.

The Light Inside Dark by John Tarrant offers a description of the various descents into darkness that are part and parcel of our spiritual development and reveal our shared lot with all of humanity.

Sweeping Changes by Gary Thorp is a masterwork of everyday spirituality showing how mindfulness transforms chores into meaningful maintenance of our homes.

Upside-Down Zen by Susan Murphy pays tribute to the upside-down wisdom of Zen, where reason and predictability
are set spinning in the face of life's many surprises.

When You're Falling, Dive! by Cheri Huber provides down-to-earth wisdom about the various ways our conditioning and our need for control put roadblocks in the way of our full potential as human beings.

Work As a Spiritual Practiceby Lewis Richmond offers a treasure trove of spiritual practices to do on the job in the midst of conflict, stagnation, inspiration, and accomplishment.

Zen 24/7 by Philip Toshio Sudo is a work of great spiritual maturity in which the author delivers one marvel after another through astute readings of work, exercise, eating, laughter, and sleep.

Zen Heart by Ezra Bayda provides a practical and accessible presentation of some of the spiritual practices which go
into living a life of aw areness, appreciation, and kindness.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki is a classic text that emphasizes practice as a way of living and the importance of a "regular housekeeping of the mind."

More Books on Buddhism - Zen