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Zen Judaism: For You, a Little Enlightenment
by David M. Bader

Review by: Roza M.

Acknowledging the appeal and attraction of Zen and other Eastern philosophies for Jewish men and women, David Bader "pearls of wisdom" entertain his readers by bringing Zen to Judaism, or at least to the American Jewish Culture. Jews who seek to incorporate elements of Buddhist practice into their spirituality Jews who seek to incorporate elements of Buddhist practice into their spirituality.

Bader writes: "Few spiritual practices are more intriguing or elusive than those of Zen Judaism. A growing movement, it offers a unique way to follow in the footsteps of Buddha, ideally without gaining quite so much weight."

This book will find fans among many Jews who seek to incorporate elements of Buddhist practice into their spirituality. But more importantly, though it may not have been the author's intention, this silly and playful handbook reinforces the notion that to gain spiritual heights, Jews may be better off journeying into their own pasts, and delving into their own cultural and intellectual legacy.

Learn of the pine from the pine
Learn of the bamboo from the bamboo
Learn of the kugel from the kugel

(Reviewer's interpretation: Why seek far away religions when Judaism is right here. Have you looked at Judaism lately? Learn from the Kugel!)

The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.
The eternal name of the Tao is actually Taostein, but no one talks about it.

(Reviewer's interpretation: Judaism, the eternal, is not taught or talked about in many households.)

And a final word of advice from the author (Buddha?):

The journey of a thousand miles begins with an oy.
 

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