The Intimate Way of Zen: Effort, Surrender, and Awakening on the Spiritual Journey

James Ishmael Ford's The Intimate Way of Zen is a wonderful exploration of the spiritual journey, capturing both its sublime moments and the challenges that arise during dark nights of the soul. Ford's compassionate, accessible and personal writing makes Zen practice approachable for those at any stage of their spiritual path, offering wisdom that resonates deeply with this human experience. This book is especially valuable for people in recovery who may be wrestling with the concept of a "higher power" or seeking a place to start on their spiritual journey. Ford’s insights provide a gentle yet powerful guide to embracing spirituality on one's own terms, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of a real spiritual practice.

I loved James's new book and read it as if he were sitting in front of me telling his story. The structure of his telling his history laid over the ox-herding pictures worked for me. His deep scholarship and experiencer are evident, but he shares them gently, with an open hand. We are buried in Zen books and scarcely need more. We need this one.

James Ford (Roshi) is one of the most senior Zen teachers in the west. Beyond his nearly six decades of ordained experience on the Zen path, James is also an eminent Unitarian Universalist minister, who has deeply traversed many of the world’s wisdom traditions- his deep learning and realization shines throughout this manuscript. Reflecting on his life of practice, this text stands out among James’ many books as something a magnum opus. Freely weaving organic insights with interpathic observations, “The Intimate Way of Zen” is sure to offer meaningful takeaways for committed Zen practitioners, casual explorers, the spiritual but not religious, and even devotees of contemplative religion beyond the formal strictures of the Zen way. Highly recommended.

As a Daoist with Buddhist and Unitarian sympathies, I really appreciated this new book by James Ford. While a book can’t always lay out the path for you, this one can certainly help you find your Way.-Gregory Ripley, author of The Hundred Remedies of the Tao

This is a wonderful book. James Ford uses the classic Zen text, The Ten Oxherding Pictures, to explain Zen . I would suggest it be required reading for those new to the practice and a good reminder for those of us who have been at it for a while. I particularly appreciate his use of quotations from other sources to help explain each chapter.

Such a joy to follow a wise teacher’s process in effort, surrender, and awakening. Makes me feel that there is hope for me and the world. Still working on “emptiness,” but just a little more comfortable with that after reading this book. Thank you James

I will start by saying what this book is not. It is not the same old “How to study Zen” book that gets published 100 times a year. It is not one of those “Zen is the Only Answer” books. And it is not the “Here is the same old Zen-y stuff, but made cool by the use of modern secular language” pitch. In fact you could eliminate "Zen" from the title and still have a good description of the contents.So what is it? It’s a lot of things; it is part memoir, part confession and part guidebook. Mostly it’s a reflection on taking a spiritual path, which Ford sees as no less than “...an ongoing investigation into the matter of life and death.” His own experiences are primarily as a Minister in the Unitarian Church and as a Zen Buddhist priest (an interesting and unique combination.) As such his own path relies on many traditional scriptures and commentaries, both Christian and Buddhist.However he quickly opens the discussion to a wide range of philosophies and thinkers, including Alan Watts, Marcel Proust, Thomas Merton, Albert Camus, Anne Lamott, Jungian Psychiatrist James Hillman, John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, AA’s Twelve Steps and even Margery Williams’ classic children’s book, the Velveteen Rabbit. Tarot cards and psychedelic drugs get a mention as well. Nothing is off the table.This book looks closely at the need for a spiritual element in one’s life. It arises, according to Ford, with a sense that something is wrong (in our life, in the world), followed by the discovery of hope that there is good to be found, and finally, becomes an intention to live in such a way that the good is discovered and nurtured. That path Is the intimacy of the book's title...intimacy with ourselves, with others and eventually with the whole of the world.Ford acknowledges “...there is no perfect map of the [spiritually] awakened life.” He suggests that rather than clinging to a religion or path simply because we were born to it, or because it is most familiar, we instead “...cobble something together from the wrecks of the world’s traditions - finding a path between.” He is less concerned that the reader follows his chosen discipline, but more that they realize the need for some structure in their own path. This book is a guide to such possible structures.Personally I have longed for this type of approach to Zen… a truly universal point of view that does not limit Zen (or any Buddhist practice) to the cultural handcuffs of any particular time, place or tradition. I hope this book, and this way of looking at “the Path” receives the attention it deserves.

Intimate is the key word in this book, reflecting the heart of the insight it offers into Zen practice and the style of the writing. What makes this book different is that it offers gifts to both the experienced practitioner and the curious spiritual seeker. It is as accessible as a catch-up call with an old friend. Those who have followed James Ford’s writing over the years will find the same ancient and familiar wisdom wrapped in stories old and new, tied together with a chatty autobiographical ribbon. Those exploring Zen wisdom for the first time and open to beginning their journey will find a road map for the intimate way that can be referenced over and over again.