Zen Gifts to Christians - by Robert Kennedy (Paperback)

About the Book

Robert Kennedy is one of three Jesuits in the world who answer to both the titles "Father" and "Roshi," or venerable Zen teacher. In 1991, after ten years of practicing Zen meditation, he was installed as a Zen teacher at the recommendation of his teacher, Glassman Roshi, and of Glassman Roshi's teacher, Maezumi Roshi. Today, he directs a dozen groups of people from many religious persuasions--even atheists and agnostics--who sit weekly in Zen meditation throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. This book is specifically addressed to the Christian practitioners of Zen meditation or those who are curious about it. It is structured around ten well-known ox-herding pictures that have been a consistent source of inspiration to Zen students for centuries.

Book Synopsis

Robert Kennedy is one of three Jesuits in the world who answer to both the titles "Father" and "Roshi," or venerable Zen teacher. In 1991, after ten years of practicing Zen meditation, he was installed as a Zen teacher at the recommendation of his teacher, Glassman Roshi, and of Glassman Roshi's teacher, Maezumi Roshi. Today, he directs a dozen groups of people from many religious persuasions--even atheists and agnostics--who sit weekly in Zen meditation throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. This book is specifically addressed to the Christian practitioners of Zen meditation or those who are curious about it. It is structured around ten well-known ox-herding pictures that have been a consistent source of inspiration to Zen students for centuries.

Each picture represents a specific Zen insight to life, and these insights, says Kennedy, are not only fully compatible with Christianity but can help Christians achieve the spiritual goals enshrined in a Christian classic. For example, "The Cloud of Unknowing: " to be silent and attentive, to be wholly present to life, to be able to separate one's true self from one's false self, the self-seeking part of the personality that so often brings on pain.

Review Quotes

"Has much to offer those seeking a deeper awareness of God's presence rich fare. In these days when we can be helped so much in our spirituality from other religious traditions, this book is highly recommended." Fr. Patrick, Monos, 2001

This illuminating work is designed for those who might be interested in enhancing their own devotional orientation with Zen practice The gifts of Zen for Christians include daily practice, self-reliance, impermanence, emptiness, no-self, and compassionate service. Spirituality & Health

"Kennedy's approach is theologically sophisticated and deceptively simple, the work of a Christian who is spiritually mature and a Zen practitioner of advanced training...Zen provides a meeting place where the Buddhist tradition offers gifts to Christians and Christians can wake up to the fact that what is being offered is truly a gift...."

About the Author

Robert J. Kennedy teaches theology at St. Peter's College, is a psychotherapist in private practice, and conducts Zen retreats at various centers in the United States and Mexico. He is the author of Zen Spirit/Christian Spirit.