The May 2013 Shambhala Sun magazine
Featuring "The Dude & the Zen Master," Andrea Miller's profile of actor Jeff Bridges and Zen teacher Bernie Glassman,
as well as a teaching from Glassman and his analysis of some of the The
Big Lebowski's best-known lines as seen through the lens of Zen koans.Plus: Pico Iyer on the fires of art, passion, and Zen burning in Leonard Cohen's heart, Judy Lief's roadmap for the three-yana journey of Vajrayana Buddhism, and much more.feature section: the dude & the zen master
• The Dude & the Zen Master
Andrea Miller abides with "Buddhistly bent" actor Jeff Bridges and Zen teacher Bernie Glassman as they reflect on the friendship, spirituality, and shared sense of social responsibility documented in their new hit book.
• Bear Witness to All of Life
Roshi Bernie Glassman on the three pure precepts: cease from evil, do good, and do good for others.• The Zen of the Dude
Buddhism, or Dudeism? A look at some of The Big Lebowski's best-loved lines, through the lens of classic Zen koans.
• Leonard Cohen burns, and we burn with him
Art,
passion and Zen are fires—burning the self, leaving behind only ashes
and essence, They burn in Leonard Cohen's heart, says his admirer Pico Iyer, and light up the darkness for us. • Various Positions
In her new Leonard Cohen biography, I'm Your Man, Sylvie Simmons has excavated some choice pieces of wry wisdom from years of Cohen's conversations. Here are a few enduring Cohenisms.
• Journey to Awakening
The
spiritual path is like any journey we take into uncharted territory—we
need a map, a vehicle, and a guide to reach our destination. Judy Lief takes us on the three-yana journey of Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Living in the Age of Distraction
Are we so distracted that we can no longer pay attention to where we are and where we're going? Margaret Wheatley says we better unplug soon.
• 3 Heroes, 5 Powers
Look inside a new comic book celebrating nonviolent heroes Thich Nhat Hanh, Alfred Hassler, and Sister Chan Khong.
• Outside the Tent
Yes, Holy Ghost Girl author Donna Johnson
was raised under one of the world's biggest gospel tents. But the truth
of a story moves like water, she says. It's this, and this, and this
too. There is always something more.
• Are We Basically Good?
The question of human nature is the most important global issue that we face today, says Sakyong Mipham. If we conclude that humanity is not basically good, what hope does the future hold?
• Home Cooking
At New York's Reciprocity Foundation, homeless youth receive nourishment for body and mind alike. Founder Taz Tagore explains the program's recipe for success.• It Starts from Zero
Emptiness and interdependence—they're more than concepts; they're key to realizing real-world benefits in our lives. His Holiness the Karmapa helps us put our wisdom into practice.
• Americans in Paris
Though the climb was steep, the view was expansive. Rachel Neumann on being hot, hungry, thirsty, and tired, but still having a perfect day.
• Review: "Quite a Cup of Tea"
Bonnie Myotai Treace reviews The One Taste of Truth: Zen and the Art of Drinking Tea, by William Scott Wilson.
• Books in Brief
Andrea Miller reviews new books by Natalie Goldberg, Thich Nhat Hanh, Michael Carroll, and more.• About a Poem: Gary Geddes on Don McKay's "Waking at the Mouth of the Willow River"
Shambhala Sun, May 2013, Volume Twenty One, Number 5.
On the cover: Jeff Bridges and Roshi Bernie Glassman, photographed by Peter Cunningham.