Chan Master Guo Jun is currently abbot of Mahabodhi Monastery in Singapore and teaches internationally. He served as abbot of his Pine Bush, New York, retreat center from 2005 to 2008. This is Guo Jun's first book, and it is based on talks he gave at a 14-day retreat near Jakarta in 2010 along with subsequent conversations with his editor Kenneth Wagner. These teachings demonstrate the elegance, simplicity, and wisdom of the Zen tradition in China.

Chan Master Guo Jun begins this impressive and creative series of talks with a lyrical piece on "Breath" and its major role in our bodies, our meditation, our loves and our lives:

"The breath is our treasure. It gives us courage and support. The breath is our refuge. Keep returning and returning and returning to the breath."

Master Jun states that relaxation is the goal and main purpose of Chan practice. It is about connecting with the world and the wisdom of returning to the present moment. Quite a combination!

Master Jun also gives his views on the student-teacher relationship, courage as a sense of being grounded, mindfulness that takes everything within its embrace, respect for ancestors which entails being like them, soft kindness, letting go, prostration, and being fully engaged. We look forward to Chan Master Guo Jun's next book for in this one he has made the spirit and character of Chinese Zen palpable and glorious.