The Truth of This Life: Zen Teachings on Loving the World as It Is

When this book arrived in the mail from Amazon, I immediately tore off the package and sat on a bench at thecorner of my front room. Reading the foreword, preface, and introduction, a strong urge to devour it all in one sitting welled up. But this book is meant to be savored, each morsel relished. Edited by Natalie Goldberg and Bill Anelli, it is a posthumous book. An abbot of Santa Cruz Zen Center for twenty-something years, Katherine Thanas passed away in June 2012. She allegedly fell, hit her head, was in coma for a few days and never woke up. She was 85. This book is a collection of her dharma talks. Divided into five sections with six or seven short chapters, each chapter can be read independently. Simple and clear, her teachings point directly to the heart and truth of being human. Though again and again I read a chapter each day, something fresh always comes up. Written with luminosity, this book easily serves as poignant pointer to certain truths encountered in your practice that makes your head nod in deeper understanding of your own human-ness (and others). This slim and elegant book is a gift from a teacher whose life was dedicated fully to Zen. She stayed on the ground, to the root of practice. If our work for peace begins with being at peace with ourselves, this book is a wise companion in our daily practice, be at work during lunch break or at home.

Why are we at war? Why do so many starve still today? Why did my best friend get cancer? How can I love the world as it is, yet strive to improve it? And if I accept the way things are, aren't I giving up? It's big questions like these that The Truth of This Life offers insights to.By reading it one can examine the mind of a seasoned practitioner, Katherine Thanas. Her advice, her stories, her confessions and her erudite amalgamations of Eastern and Western wisdom is especially captivating for the Westerner interested in Zen.Thanas' academic beginning, a BA in journalism, pierces through her work. As many of us do, Thanas contends with her deep desire to improve the world and her need to love it as it is — not just in spite of its heartbreaking realities but perhaps because of them.The grace with which Thanas communicates, to me, only seems possible through years of humble reflection. Any wise person not already traveling on a meditation path will be inspired by the depth it seems to have brought to Thanas' life. You will be inspired to begin your own journey. Start today. Or start when you finish this book. It's a treasure.

I was looking forward to this book. When I received this tonight I realized there’s this “autographed copy” sticker on the book cover and got really excited. However, as I opened the book, the autographs are signed by the 2 editors and not the author plus the 2 autographs have the exact same writing styles so this is a cheating autographed copy. I’m 100% sure whoever signed this book simply opened the book and only looked at the 2 names on the bottom without reading their titles and just signed their names in this. This totally ruins the book. I’m returning this!

A concise and well-organized collection of approachable zen wisdom, perfect for someone new to Zen without a lot of time. Each talk is designed to be a teaching in itself; something to turn over in your mind, ways to think about this life. I was moved by the words of Katharine Thanas, well-loved as an individual and respected as a pioneer in the zen world.

This is a simple and beautiful book. I read it over several weeks a chapter at a time. As I go about my days, I think about the teaching I have read. There are some profound insights here written in simple language.

The Truth of this Life has become my steadfast companion and teacher. Katherine Thanas's wisdom is shared with honesty and precision. I love this book and would recommend it any one trying to make sense of what it means to be human. I feel deeply grateful to the editors—Natalie Golberg and Bill Anelli—for bringing this treasure into the world.

This is an important collection, especially in these times. Each chapter demands a kind of relaxation, and between each a pause. Reading this is like having a slow trek with a friend who gently tugs at our sleeves and points out what we see but don't notice.

The Best

brilliant, just opened up my mind.

This is THE book.Profound in a subtle way. It is having a surprising impact on me.

Love the book it is beautiful and arrived quicker than advised.