NORMAN FISCHER

El atractivo imperecedero de La Odisea de Homero estriba en su descripción de la lucha de un hombre, Ulises, que, cansado de la guerra, anhela volver a su hogar, con su amada y su familia.Sus esfuerzos por superar los obstaculos divinos y terrestres, y por controlar su propia naturaleza impulsiva, son fuente de enseñanza para aquellas personas que se enfrentan a sus propias batallas metafisicas y a sus conflictos cotidianos; personas que, como Ulises, se sienten desanimadas en mar abierto, sea por el hastio de las escaramuzas diarias en la oficina o por la lucha en una guerra internacional. Navegar hacia el hogar infunde una nueva frescura a un clasico que creiamos conocer, al revelarnos sus profundas lecciones para la navegacion entre los escollos, peligros y desafios espirituales que dan forma a vida.Navegar hacia el hogar muestra el camino hacia un proposito vital de mayor envergadura, asi como las vias de obtencion del coraje necesario para la realizacion de tan personalisimo viaje.

Lojong is the Tibetan Buddhist practice that involves working with short phrases (called "slogans") as a way of generating bodhichitta, the heart and mind of enlightened compassion. Though the practice is more than a millennium old, it has become popular in the West only in the last twenty years or soand it has become very popular indeed, because it''s a practice that one can fit very well into an ordinary life, and because it works.Through the influence of Pema Chodron, who was one of the first American Buddhist teachers to teach it extensively, the practice has moved out of its Buddhist context to affect the lives of non-Buddhists too. It''s in this spirit that Norman Fischer offers his commentary on the lojong slogans. He applies Zen wisdom to them, showing how well they fit in that related tradition, but he also sets the slogans in the context of resonant practices throughout the spiritual traditions. He shows lojong to be a wonderful method for everyone, including those who aren''t otherwise interested in Buddhism, who don''t have the time or inclination to meditate, or who''d just like to morph into the kind of person who''s focused rather than scattered, generous rather than stingy, and kind rather

Homers Odyssey has a timeless allure. It is an ancient story that is significant for every generation: the struggle of a homesick, battle-weary man longing to return to love and family. Odysseuss strivings to overcome divine and earthly obstacles and to control his own impulsive nature hold valuable lessons for people facing their own metaphorical battles and everyday conflicts -- people who are, like Odysseus, "heartsick on the open sea," whether from dealing with daily skirmishes at the office or from fighting in an international war. Sailing Home breathes fresh air into a classic we thought we knew, revealing its profound guidance for navigating lifes pitfalls, perils, and spiritual challenges. Norman Fischer deftly incorporates Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, and popular thought, as well as his own unique and sympathetic understanding of life, in his reinterpretation of Odysseuss familiar wanderings as lessons that everyone can use. We see how to resist the seduction of the Sirens song to stop sailing and give up; how to bide our time in a situation and wait for the right opportunity -- as Odysseus does when faced with the murderous, one-eyed Cyclops; and how to reassess our story and rediscover our purpose and identity if, like the Lotus-Eaters, we have forgotten the past. With meditations that yield personal revelations, illuminating anecdotes from Fischers and his students lives, and stories from many wisdom traditions, Sailing Home shows the way to greater purpose in your own life.You will learn a new way to view your path, when to wait and when to act, when to speak your mind and when to exercise discretion, how to draw on your innate strength and distinguish between truth and deception, and how to deal with aging and changing relationships. Sailing Home provides the courage you need for your journey, to renew bonds with your loved ones, and to make the latter portion of life a heartfelt time of spirit and love, so that -- just as Odysseus does -- you can defeat the forces of entropy and death.

From beloved Zen teacher Norman Fischer, a collection of essays spanning a life of inquiry into Zen practice, relationship, social engagement, and spiritual creativity. "Looking backwards at a life lived, walking forward into more life to live built on all that, trying not to be too much influenced by whats already been said and done, not to be held to a point of view or an identity previously expressed, trying to be surprised and undone and maybe even dismayed by what lies ahead."--Norman FischerNorman Fischer is a Zen priest, poet, and translator whose writings, teachings, and commitment to interfaith dialogue have supported and inspired Buddhist, Jewish, and other spiritual practitioners for decades. When You Greet Me I Bow spans the entirety of Norman Fischers career and is the first collection of his writings on Buddhist philosophy and practice. Broken into four sections--the joy and catastrophe of relationship; thinking, writing, and emptiness; cultural encounters; and social engagement--this book allows us to see the fascinating development of the mind and interests of a gifted writer and profoundly committed practitioner.

An imaginative approach to spiritual practice in difficult times, through the Buddhist teaching of the six paramitas or "perfections"qualities that lead to kindness, wisdom, and an awakened life.In frightening times, we wish the world could be otherwise. With a touch of imagination, it can be. Imagination helps us see whats hidden, and it shape-shifts realitys roiling twisting waves. In this inspiring reframe of a classic Buddhist teaching, Zen teacher Norman Fischer writes that the paramitas, or six perfectionsgenerosity, ethical conduct, patience, joyful effort, meditation, and understandingcan help us reconfigure the world we live in. Ranging from our everyday concerns about relationships, ethics, and consumption to our artistic inspirations and broadest human yearnings, Fischer depicts imaginative spiritual practice as a necessary resource for our troubled times.

A prominent Zen teacher offers a direct, penetrating, and powerful perspective on a popular mind training practice of Tibetan Buddhism (Rick Hanson, author of Buddhas Brain)Lojong is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of working with short phrases (called "slogans") to generate bodhichitta, the heart and mind of enlightened compassion. With roots tracing back to the 900 A.D., the practice has gained more Western adherents over the past two decades, partly due to the influence of American Buddhist teachers like Pema Chodron. Its effectiveness and accessibility have moved the practice out of its Buddhist context and into the lives of non-Buddhists across the world.Its in this spirit that Norman Fischer offers his unique, Zen-based commentary on the Lojong. Though traditionally a practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the power of the Lojong extends to other Buddhist traditionsand even to other spiritual traditions as well. As Fischer explores the 59 slogans through a Zen lens, he shows how people from a range of faiths and backgrounds can use Lojong to generate the insight, resilience, and compassion they seek.

Suffering and Possibility is part of the Parallax Press Moments series of short ebooks. It is a stand alone chapter from Solid Ground: Buddhist Wisdom for Difficult Times.

An thorough introduction to Zen Buddhist practicein a reader-friendly question-and-answer formatby two highly regarded teacher-writersThis unique introduction to Zen teaching and practice is structured as a Q&A, making it a most useful reference for new and seasoned practitioners to look things up. The questioner (Susan Moon) and the answerer (Norman Fischer) are Buddhist teachers and old friends, each with a unique gift for articulation. Their friendly conversation covers not only the basics of Zen Buddhism but a range of issues unique to Zen in America in the twenty-first century, including: What is zazen and how do you do it? Where did Zen start and where did it come from? Will I have an enlightenment experience? What is the law of karma in a nutshell? What do Zen Buddhists say about rebirth? How do you recognize a good, solid Zen teacher? Moon and Fischers conversations are both humorous and informative, providing a good basic education in Zennot only the history, theory, and practice but also contemporary issues such as gender inequality, sexual ethics, and the tension between Asian traditions and the modern American reality.