Zazen, Dogen, and the Spirit of Creative Inquiry
By Taigen Dan Leighton
Zen is about questioning. Zen continuously questions. This does not necessarily involve finding answers, but finding a space in which to sustain uncertainty, being willing to remain present and upright in the middle of investigations. Zen Questions begins by exploring "The World of Zazen," — the foundational practice of the Zen school — presenting it as an attitude of sustained inquiry that offers us an entryway into true repose and joy. From there, Leighton draws deeply on his own experience as a Zen scholar and teacher to invite us into the creativity of Zen awareness and practice. He explores the poetic mind of Dogen with the poetry Rumi, Mary Oliver, Gary Snyder, and even "the American Dharma Bard" Bob Dylan. What’s more, Leighton uncovers surprising resonances between the writings of America’s Founding Fathers — including Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin — and the liberating ideals at the heart of Zen.