Jack Kornfield, author of Bringing Home the Dharma "This book offers much hard-earned and valuable wisdom. His love of Zen and his maturity has transformed Zen into a practice of the heart." Jack Canfield, Motivational speaker and trainer, coauthor of "The Success Principles": "A vivid and inspiring reminder that growth and transformation on a large-scale or global level are inseparable from honest and sometimes painful reckoning of our flaws and failings on a personal level." Ken Wilber, author of Integral Spirituality: "A terrific book!  I can't think of a more important challenge the world faces right now than how to bring the wisdom of the great spiritual traditions into the modern and post-modern world.  It's one of the most urgent and far-reaching things we have to do, and this is a major step in that direction." Zen Master Nicolee Jikyo McMahon, Marriage and Family Therapist: "A very important contribution to the convergence of deep spiritual practice and contemporary Western psychology, and a deeply honest, self-revealing account of a Western Zen teacher's journey.  As both a therapist and a Zen teacher, I highly recommend this book to anyone on the spiritual path, to therapists, and to all those interested in expanding their understanding of themselves and their lives." Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within: "There's a lot of meat and marrow here, as well as things which might stick in one's throat.

  Ruination can be a true friend with benefits, as this candid story reveals. We who are imperfect can certainly sympathize and even identify with Genpo Roshi's story and inner journey. If you want a deep slice of American Zen life, from a teacher's point of view, with all its ups and downs, twists and turns -- beyond over-idealized images -- read this book." Hal & Sidra Stone, Creators of Voice Dialogue (from the Foreword): "Absolutely riveting!  Genpo Roshi is a master storyteller and a master teacher and this book is alive with his vitality.  Its message, and his journey, are both timely and universal.  Traditional religions, and their leaders, must now learn to help people go through their own personal transformational processes.  Many new paths are opening -- many different journeys are becoming possible.  Dennis Genpo Roshi has shown us his journey.

  Those who read this book can use his story to help them find their own paths.".