Waking Up to What You Do

Full Title: Waking Up to What You Do: A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion
Author / Editor: Diane Eshin Rizzetto
Publisher: Shambhala, 2005

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Review © Metapsychology Vol. 10, No. 33
Reviewer: Patricia Ball

This book
is about the effective practice for meeting every moment of our lives with
mindfulness, using the Zen precepts as tools to develop a keen awareness of the
motivations behind every aspect of our behavior — to "wake up to what we
do" — from moment to moment.

As we
train in mindfulness of our actions, every situation of our lives becomes our
teacher, offering priceless insight into what it really means to be happy. It’s
a simple practice with transforming potential, enabling us to break through our
habitual reactions and to see clearly how our own happiness and well-being are
intimately, inevitably connected to the happiness and well-being of everyone
around us.

Observing
ourselves as we speak, engaging the power of awareness and alerting ourselves
to how we fuel our actions.  Buddhists believe that all life arises out
of and continues forth through a vast and fathomless, pure, clear mind.  How we
look at others is how we look at ourselves.

The eight out of ten precepts that
are taught in this book explain how we can liberate ourselves from our
thoughts, feelings and sensations.  It shows us how to break down the walls
that separate us from a happy existence and how our reactive behavior alienates
us from others.

This book
is a liberating invitation for anyone wanting to break open their usual
"reactive thinking" and instead "find real freedom to engage
life."  A must read!

 

© 2006 Patricia
Ball

Patricia Ball, B.A., applies the
following descriptions to herself:

  • Research Chemist for 23 years
  • BA degree in Biology, Elms College
  • Recent graduate of Institute of Children’s Literature
  • Wife and Mother of two
  • Published Poet/Writer
  • Enjoy composing music, art, writing,
    reading
  • Interested in Metaphysics, Psychology
    and Science
  • Enjoy traveling:  USA, Canada and Europe

Categories: General, SelfHelp