Zen Mind, Strong Body


Book Description

In Zen Mind, Strong Body, acclaimed bodyweight exercise expert Al Kavadlo presents his "philosophy of fitness"--a philosophy that has allowed him to endure injury-free, while achieving some of the world's most challenging movements, be it the One-arm Pull-up, the Human Flag, the Stand-to-stand Bridge, or the Front Lever. It's also a philosophy that's allowed Al to sculpt a magnificent physique--while maintaining an ever-burning passion to further develop his calisthenic excellence.Al's "secret sauce"? A Zen-like attitude to physical cultivation--which marries intense focus with a light-hearted "joy-in-the-journey." Zen-like too, is Al's insistence on intuitive simplicity and his celebration of personal, direct experience as the most trustworthy teacher.Zen Mind, Strong Body culls 26 of Al's favorite articles, elaborating his position on a wide spectrum of fitness subjects from diet and supplements, to machines and free weights, to cardio options, to mental training. For Al, though, all roads finally lead to Bodyweight Exercise--as the supreme path for all-around, everyday athleticism and practical functionality.Want what Al Kavadlo has? Absorb the hard-earned, earthy training wisdom in Zen Mind, Strong Body--and you will be on your way.




Mind Body Zen


Book Description

In Mind Body Zen, long-time Zen student, world-renowned Rolfer, and former philosophy professor Jeffrey Maitland combines his expertise across the mind-body-zen spectrum to help bridge the East-West gap in spiritual practice. Tackling the prevailing misconception that Zen is a philosophy, Maitland provides an in-depth explanation of why Zen is an eminently practical, grounded discipline. He emphasizes the power of simple, direct experience that lies at the heart of Zen. Maitland’s training in philosophy as well as bodywork distinguishes Mind Body Zen from many other books on the market. Drawing on his Rolfing expertise and years of applied meditation practice, he also offers techniques for healers across many systems and disciplines to more effectively work with their clients. Threaded throughout these discussions are the insights of Joshu Sasaki Roshi, founder of Mt. Baldy Zen Center, best known by some as Leonard Cohen’s teacher, still actively teaching at age 102 but whose work has rarely been published. Mind Body Zen will appeal to the growing number of Western Buddhists and spiritual seekers interested in Zen or meditation. Somatic therapists, psychotherapists, and healers of every persuasion will also find the connection between Zen and healing to be of great interest.




Zen Body-Being


Book Description

A Zen-inspired “physical education” program for martial arts practitioners and anyone interested in mind-body transformation Using simple, clear language to demystify the Zen mindset, Ralston draws on more than three decades of experience teaching students and apprentices worldwide who have applied his body-being approach. More of a transformative guide than a specific list of exercises devoted to any particular physical approach, Zen Body-Being explains how to create a state of mental control, enhanced feeling-awareness, correct structural alignment, increased spatial acuity, and even a greater interactive presence. Exercises are simple, often involving feeling-imagery and meditative awareness, which have a profound and sometimes instant effect. Areas of exploration include: • Beginner’s Body-Being • Three aspects of body awareness • Five principles for an effortlessly effective body • Opening a door--five steps to transformation • Fourteen points on structural alignment Where similar guides teach readers what to do, this book teaches readers how to be.







Zen Meditation in Plain English


Book Description

An excellent, practical introduction to Zen meditation. Written in a warm and easily accessible style, the book appeals to anyone with an interest in meditation, Zen, or, as is often the case today, a combination of the two. The book emphasizes the importance of receiving good instruction and of finding groups to practice with, yet it lays out the necessary steps to practice Zen meditation on your own. The book includes easily followed exercises to help the reader along. For anyone looking to uncover a clear and insightful path into the philosophy and practice of Zen meditation, this book represents the culmination of that search




Zen Training


Book Description

This pioneering guide to zazen—Zen-style seated meditation—provides practical instructions on how to begin or elevate your practice and progress along the Zen path Zen Training is a comprehensive handbook for zazen, seated meditation practice, and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path. The book marked a turning point in Zen literature in its critical reevaluation of the enlightenment experience, which the author believes has often been emphasized at the expense of other important aspects of Zen training. In addition, Zen Training goes beyond the first flashes of enlightenment to explore how one lives as well as trains in Zen. The author also draws many significant parallels between Zen and Western philosophy and psychology, comparing traditional Zen concepts with the theories of being and cognition of such thinkers as Heidegger and Husserl.




Raising the Bar


Book Description

Master the art of bar calisthenics and forge the upper body of your dreams without the need for weights, machines, or gym memberships! Kavadlo breaks down every type of exercise you can do with a pull-up bar. From basic two arm hangs to a one arm pull-up, the "bar master" takes you step by step through everything you need to do to build the chiseled frame you've always wanted.




The Strong Mind: The Art of Building the Inner Strength to Overcome Life’s Difficulties


Book Description

In The Strong Mind, author Ryuho Okawa presents a self-transformative perspective on life’s hardships and chal-lenges as precious opportunities for our inner growth. No matter what your circumstances or how slow your prog-ress may seem, you will develop the strength of character to rise above the limitations that each stage of life can bring. With this book as your guide, life’s challenges will become treasures that bring lasting and continuous enrichment for your soul. This book will introduce you to the five mental attitudes you need to achieve a strong mind: 1. RESILIENCE: the mental toughness that empowers you to bounce back from adversity 2. STOUTNESS: the courage to stand up for and strive to realize what you believe in your heart 3. INNER MATURITY: a heart that acknowledges the diverse views and perspectives of people 4. INNER RICHNESS: a noble spirit founded on a strong sense of duty, responsibility, fairness, and generosity 5. INNER STRENGTH: an unwavering spirit that lets you remain calm and staunch Author Ryuho Okawa’s approach to true inner strength shows us that while we hold the potential to achieve material accomplishments in this world, we can also cultivate inner strength, achieve personal growth, and develop our souls, no matter what difficulties, misfortunes, or sorrows may come our way. The key to this transfomation is to face each new challenge with a spiritual mindset: we must approach both our negative and our positive life experiences as precious training for our eternal souls. Let Okawa’s positive and constructive view of life’s tragedies and hardships help you open your path to lasting and meaningful triumph for your life and your purpose in this world.




Zen Mind, Zen Horse


Book Description

Eastern philosophy enters the stables in this unique guide to horsemanship. Allan Hamilton describes how horses understand and respond to the flow of vital energy around them. They use this energy, called chi, to communicate with their herd, express dominance, and sense predators. Hamilton shares safe, simple techniques to make you more receptive to your animal’s chi, so you can develop a calm and effective training style that will not only help your horse follow commands, but strengthen the spiritual bond between horse and rider.




Mental Muscle


Book Description