Kokoro - The Heart Within
Reflections on Zen Beyond Buddhism
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"When you don’t know who you are, when you have accepted the criticisms of others, as well as their social, religious, and political expectations as the sole authority of who and what you are supposed to be, you learn early on not to trust yourself, not to believe in yourself, and are left to rely on the authorities and dreams of others. You look everywhere outside of yourself for validation, approval, and any sense of power. This is not only a form of spiritual immaturity, but also the ignorance that Buddha, also called Shakyamuni, pointed to as the cause of suffering. I have never wanted to be anyone else but me as far back as I can remember. I have always held my dream for myself and the world to be as valid as and more necessary for me than anyone else’s.
What I teach is freedom, and what I call Authentic Spirituality. Zen beyond Buddhism has been my vehicle. I am convinced that the purpose of your life, of anyone’s life, is to live it and not someone else’s idea of it, to achieve your own full capacity for being wholly and completely who you truly are. As George Bernard Shaw once wrote, you have the potential for, “Being a force in nature, rather than a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” When you rely on authorities outside of yourself, you learn to expect the “world to devote itself to making you happy,” and never realize the one and only real source for true happiness..."
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About the Book
Reflections on Zen Beyond Buddhism
by Seijaku Roshi
This long awaited ambitious and profound collection of Seijaku's teachings, delivers the wisdom of ages past and speaks to all of our hearts no matter what one's religious or spiritual affiliation may be.
"Seijaku Roshi is an absolutely unique man, spiritual leader and friend. This book will become a very important part of your life..."
- William R. Forstchen, Ph.D.
New York Times Best Selling Author of
About the Author
Seijaku Roshi is the spiritual teacher and founder of The Zen Society. He is an American mystic and Zen master whose teachings are often compared to those of the ancient Zen masters and Western Contemplative Sages. He continues to be one of todays preeminent spiritual teachers and pioneers in the field of human potential and spirituality.
Seijaku challenges us to awaken to a new understanding of spirituality in the 21st Century, what he calls "Authentic Spirituality", and to redefine for ourselves and our world what it really means to - "be truly alive - to be a human being".
"For most of us the greatest mystery of all,
is Who We Truly Are. The single most important journey you will ever take is The Quest to Recognize Yourself.
The single most important contribution you
have to make is you." - Seijaku Roshi
With a mastery born of more than 30 years of teaching,
Seijaku Roshi has pioneered an innovative approach to the spiritual dimension of living one's life authentically.
the reques of his friends and students.