The Authentic Life (23 page)

There is a message that all of us need to hear over and over again: “Time is fleeting. Don't hold back. Appreciate this precious life.” The wish of every teacher is for all of us to be able to take these words to heart.

Also by Ezra Bayda

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At Home in the Muddy Water: A Guide to Finding Peace within Everyday Chaos
(2004)

In this book, Bayda applies the simple Zen teaching of being “at home in the muddy water” to a range of everyday concerns—including relationships, trust, sexuality, and money—showing that everything we need to practice is right here before us, and that peace and fulfillment is available to everyone, right here, right now, no matter what their circumstances.

Being Zen: Bringing Meditation to Life
(2002)

We can use whatever life presents, Ezra Bayda teaches, to strengthen our spiritual practice—including the turmoil of daily life. What we need is the willingness to just be with our experiences—whether they are painful or pleasing—opening ourselves to the reality of our lives without trying to fix or change anything. But doing this requires that we confront our most deeply rooted fears and assumptions in order to gradually become free
of the constrictions and suffering they create. Then we can awaken to the loving-kindness that is at the heart of our being.

Beyond Happiness: The Zen Way to True Contentment
(2010)

Happiness is available to all of us—right here, right now. All that's required is that we learn to let go of our expectation that life should go according the agenda we have in mind. Zen teacher Ezra Bayda provides the teachings and practices we need to learn to let go into true happiness—the kind that goes far deeper than the kind that's about getting what we think we want.

Zen Heart: Simple Advice for Living with Mindfulness and Compassion
(2008)

Ezra Bayda's gift for taking Zen teaching and relating it to every aspect of life has made his books popular even with people who aren't Buddhists. In
Zen Heart
, Ezra continues in the mode of his books like
Being Zen
to show how spiritual practice works in everyday life. He breaks spiritual practice down into three basic stages. The phases enrich each other to create a practice that works no matter what the complexities of your circumstances.

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