[X2N]≫ Libro Gratis Pure Heart Enlightened Mind The Zen Journal Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran Maura O'Halloran Elizabeth O'Halloran Ruth O'Halloran DaiEn Bennage 9781573225038 Books

Pure Heart Enlightened Mind The Zen Journal Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran Maura O'Halloran Elizabeth O'Halloran Ruth O'Halloran DaiEn Bennage 9781573225038 Books

Download As PDF : Pure Heart Enlightened Mind The Zen Journal Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran Maura O'Halloran Elizabeth O'Halloran Ruth O'Halloran DaiEn Bennage 9781573225038 Books

Pure Heart Enlightened Mind The Zen Journal Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran Maura O'Halloran Elizabeth O'Halloran Ruth O'Halloran DaiEn Bennage 9781573225038 Books

A marvelous book from beginning to end. The utter unpretentiousness of Maura O'Halloran's rich spiritual journuey is a miracle to encounter. It's so difficult, at book's end, to take leave of this shining young person, this quiet buddha , but she strengthens us for the inevitable by teaching so pure, so real, so necessary, that the natural world of our own lives is changed forever, charged with her abiding and beholden to her example. Others here have stated well the 'content' one finds in these pages; I wish only to say thank you to Maura's wise and devoted family for making the effort to provide us with these journals and family letters. Her mother's Introduction, with its simple and moving veneration of her daughter's life, sets a loving compass for the journey ahead; her sister Elizabeth's drawings are clearly pulled from her own heart, and her brother's afterword together give us an infinitely deep understanding of the means behind the meaning of this extraordinary young woman's life's journey. This is a book of great hope, abundant humor, and sure grace for anyone who reads it. Abundant recommendation without reserve; read it and walk anew the paths of love.


Tags : Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind: The Zen Journal & Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran [Maura O'Halloran, Elizabeth O'Halloran, Ruth O'Halloran, Dai-En Bennage] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In 1979, 24-year-old Maura O'Halloran left her waitressing job in Boston and began her study of Zen in Japan. Today she is revered as a Buddhist saint,Maura O'Halloran, Elizabeth O'Halloran, Ruth O'Halloran, Dai-En Bennage,Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind: The Zen Journal & Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran,Riverhead Trade,1573225037,0930-WS1601-A03010-1573225037,Buddhism - General,General,Inspirational,Spiritual life;Zen Buddhism.,1955-1982,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & Autobiography General,BiographyAutobiography,O®Halloran, Maura,,OʼHalloran, Maura,Religion Buddhism General,Religion Buddhism General (see also PHILOSOPHY Buddhist),Religion Inspirational,Spiritual life,Zen Buddhism,OHalloran, Maura,,Philosophy

Pure Heart Enlightened Mind The Zen Journal Letters of Maura Soshin O'Halloran Maura O'Halloran Elizabeth O'Halloran Ruth O'Halloran DaiEn Bennage 9781573225038 Books Reviews

Still reading this book and enjoying it and find it fascinating. You truly get a picture of the hard work and struggles this young women endured to find peace, justice and love in becoming a Zen monk.
An exceptional first person account of the authentic practice of Zen. Certainly the best book on Buddhist practice by a westerner I've come across, and I've been a mediator for 40 years.
I ordered a used copy of this book because I wanted to learn more about Zen Buddhism. It certainly provided me much more insight than I had before, even though I have read widely about Buddhism before buying this book.

Maura O'Halloran, raised Catholic, goes to Japan and becomes a Zen Buddhist monk, joining a group of men who do not speak her language (nor does she know theirs), and following the strict ascetic lifestyle for 3 years, seeking enlightenment. The book is a journal of her actions and thoughts over the three year period, which was illuminating for me. It is more than a description of the lifestyle of a Zen monk; it is a personal journey of a remarkable young woman. Tragically, she dies in an accident at the end, so we are left with some unanswered questions about the ultimate meanings she has found in Zen.

For those who want to learn about Zen Buddhism, I recommend reading about Buddhism first, as this book assumes a passing knowledge of its concepts (otherwise, I think a reader would be rather lost). It is quite descriptive about living conditions, division of work, and daily routine at a Zen monastery. It outlines the author's increasing understanding of Zen, as well as her determination and eventual mastery of meditative practice. What most people would consider torturous ordeal becomes her common way of live, without complaint - begging in freezing snow, going with little sleep for days on end, meditating for hours at a time, living in a building with little heat, having few personal conveniences, shaving her head, manual chores, all while living in close proximity to Tokyo, one of the world's most modern cities.

My chief complaint would be the lack of a Japanese glossary of terms in the back. The book makes the practice of defining a word once (the first use), then assuming the reader will remember the term through the rest of the book. This didn't happen for me - I kept forgetting! I recommend readers write down their own glossary of Japanese words and their English definitions as they encounter them. Otherwise, the book was rather amazing.

I highly recommend this book for any students of religion, particularly those who wish to better understand Zen Buddhism. I read it within a day and a half, mostly because I couldn't stop reading.
Some people dabble or just put a toe into the waters of spirituality but Maura O'Halloran dives right into the water and swims with amazing perseverance, stamina, and friend companions. Her learning curves are sharp and upward and not easy through the ordinary living of monastic life. As the only woman in a small monastery she deals well with and learns from the idiosyncrasies and manipulation of some monks. With refreshing honesty and directness she reflects on the challenges, discouragements, and enlightenment times of meditation. One could say that she is 'driven' to enlightenment. Her journey is an encouragement for any seeker on the spiritual path as well as an inspiring journal to read.
A marvelous book from beginning to end. The utter unpretentiousness of Maura O'Halloran's rich spiritual journuey is a miracle to encounter. It's so difficult, at book's end, to take leave of this shining young person, this quiet buddha , but she strengthens us for the inevitable by teaching so pure, so real, so necessary, that the natural world of our own lives is changed forever, charged with her abiding and beholden to her example. Others here have stated well the 'content' one finds in these pages; I wish only to say thank you to Maura's wise and devoted family for making the effort to provide us with these journals and family letters. Her mother's Introduction, with its simple and moving veneration of her daughter's life, sets a loving compass for the journey ahead; her sister Elizabeth's drawings are clearly pulled from her own heart, and her brother's afterword together give us an infinitely deep understanding of the means behind the meaning of this extraordinary young woman's life's journey. This is a book of great hope, abundant humor, and sure grace for anyone who reads it. Abundant recommendation without reserve; read it and walk anew the paths of love.