Publication Announcement
Becoming Literate in the Process of Awakening
by Dale Verkuilen

Becoming Literate in the Process of Awakening is the prequel/sequel to the previous offering of Tending the Fire: An Introspective Guide to Zen Awakening. It presents the underlying thinking that Tending the Fire used in combining synergetic Yogacara Buddhism with Metaphor Awareness, an adaptation of David Grove’s groundbreaking psycho-linguistic Metaphor Therapy.

In Becoming Literate, a series of symbols are created that encapsulate Yogacara and Metaphor Awareness teachings. The symbols are based on Shakyamuni Buddha’s “how to gain Noble Wisdom” teaching of the Lankavatara Sutra. In the Lankavatara Sutra, Buddha explains the steps leading to realization, incorporating Mahayana and Yogacara teachings. Quotations from the sutra are placed in chapter headings and other locations as the guiding concepts for creation of the symbols.

 Both Yogacara and Metaphor Awareness teach a means of transformation of consciousness based on accessing and employing intuitive information uncontaminated by interpretation by either the teacher/therapist or their disciple/client. The blended model offers creative means of understanding and fulfilling the process of awakening.

Dokusan with Dogen: Timeless Lessons in Negotiating the Way
by Barbara Verkuilen
Each of the ten essays in Dokusan with Dogen skillfully employs an aspect of Master Dogen’s teaching that clarifies oftentimes misunderstood tenets of Zen philosophy, such as non-attachment, selflessness, emptiness, and requisites for authentic practice.

Unfolding the Eightfold Path: A Contemporary Zen Perspective
by Dale Verkuilen
Unfolding the Eightfold Path offers a retrospective view of the Buddha’s Fourth Noble Truth from a practitioner who tread the path from youth to elderhood. This work presents a unique interpretation of the dynamic nature of the “right” elements of right view, thought, effort, concentration, mindfulness, speech, action, and livelihood. Nine distinctive explanations for each of the categories explore an evolutionary view of their dynamic change from conceptual knowledge to liberating insight.

 Tending the Fire: An Introspective Guide to Zen Awakening by Dale and Barbara Verkuilen is offered as a skillful means for studying the constituents of self before and after transformative experiences. The application of this method assists practitioners in learning to trust their deepest intuition and the autonomous nature of the healing process.

The Tale of Zen Master Bho Li  by Barbara Verkuilen won the Eric Hoffer Award for Small Press publication excellence in the Spiritual category. It also was a finalist for front cover art. Many Zen Centers are using “Bho Li” in their childhood educational programs. Although the story was originally written for adults, teens and preteens grasp and and enjoy the fable’s messages on their own, and reading the tale to younger children opens their appreciation of the illustrations. An unabridged reading by the author is also available. 

“The well-told, fast-paced story is a dramatic one with many sympathetic characters. The book is successful on several levels. As pure entertainment, it is fun to read and enjoyable. It functions as a gentle introduction to Buddhist philosophy for children and has inspiring words for readers of any age …”       –U. S. Review of Books

Words within Silence and Lost Time, two books each 108 Poems of Zen Awakening by Joe Kyugen Michaud, an Iowa City, Iowa writer and Zen Buddhist who in his later years has tapped the creative source, producing this engaging and instructive collection of contemporary Zen poetry. Take a moment and click over to sample his encompassing insights.

 Where the Dragon Gains the Water: The Founding of Ryumonji Zen Monastery “Dragon” is a written and audio compilation that describe the efforts that were made to bring about the construction of the Ryumonji, the first monastery built in the West following the four building model used in China and Japan.
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Information, excerpts, and ordering details can be found in our Catalog.