Elaine MacInnes

Koans--such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"--have penetrated deeply into popular consciousness. Yet, those who encounter koans in the traditional literature or in the context of exploring Zen practice themselves can often find them utterly baffling.The Flowing Bridge is the first-ever book to address all of the first koans that Zen students encounter in practice--"What is Mu?" "What is the sound of the single hand?" and the so-called "miscellaneous" koans--that have historically been closely guarded by master and disciple as esoteric treasures.Elaine MacIness, a Catholic nun and a Zen teacher in the lineage of the renowned master Koun Yamada (author of Wisdom's The Gateless Gate ), offers exceptionally valuable guidance to beginners on how to work with koans-and reveals an uncommon depth of insight and an easy technical mastery of Zen's most misunderstood and most powerful tools. This book is sure to become a classic, standing alongside The Gateless Gate and The Blue Cliff Record as a must-read for anyone seeking Zen's subtlest teachings and deepest power.

How and why did a Catholic nun become an accomplished Zen Master? Sister Elaine MacInnes shares her fascinating story and invites us into the compelling and slightly exotic world of Buddhist spiritual practice. As she details her lifelong journey of learning about Zen meditative practices, Sister MacInnes explains how they continue to enrich and inform her experience of Christianity. Replete with the wisdom of deep and contemplative insight and imbued with the profound knowledge of a seasoned spiritual teacher and guide, this spiritual autobiography is also a practical guidebook for those who, like her, want to discover how Zen can be a complementary and rewarding part of the Christian Life.

A user-friendly introduction to Zen practice explains how to use Zen meditation as a means of enriching the faith journey and provides practical advice on exercise, sitting positions, the art of silence, and prayers. Original.

Two children learn about the life cycle of monarch butterflies in their grandmother's garden

Sister Elaine MacInnes shares her journey into Zen Buddhism and the way it enriches her understanding and experience of Christianity. A young Canadian destined for a career in literature or music, her religious calling led her to join Our Lady's Missionaries. Intent on learning more about other religious traditions, MacInnes travelled to Japan where she encountered a completely different spiritual path. After decades of rigorous, disciplined study, MacInnes became the first ever Canadian-born roshi, joining an elite group of world-recognized Zen Masters. In Zen Contemplation, MacInnes shares a lifetime of learning about Buddhist practice and perspective and how these continue to enrich and inform her understanding and experience of Christianity.

Two children learn about spider's in Mema's Garden. Part of the Tales from Mema's Garden series by Elaine MacInnes and Robin Nieto.