Backwater Reeds: Zen Buddhist Dharma Talks for the 21st Century (Hermitage Books, 19 Oct. 2024).
During 2022-2023, a number of Jeff’s students from around the world worked tirelessly to transcribe a series of dharma talks and shape them into a book. These dharma talks were delivered online and face to face during the covid pandemic, when many were grappling with fear and uncertainty. There was a shared sense that shaping these talks into a book would be a valuable effort. ‘Backwater Reeds’ is the outcome of that effort. The book provides guidance for genuine Zen meditation, how to confront the pitfalls that arise, and how to finally cast off the burden of the self. Burning issues raised by the talks are explored in a unique series of question-and-answer exchanges. This is a living Zen for ordinary women and men active in the world today. Moving accounts from long-term students illuminate deeply individual quests for realization. It can be purchased as an ebook or paperback at Amazon.
“Backwater Reeds is a wonderful gift to the world. I have had the pleasure of reading it twice now. At times, I like to open it at random and pick a paragraph to contemplate. It is always very satisfying. This is a book that should be on the bedside table of anyone who regards themselves as a student of Zen. As for those who style themselves as teachers of Zen, they should measure their practice against this offering.”
– Paul Maloney, Zen teacher, Sydney Zen Centre, Australia.
“Backwater Reeds is an essential book for those already on the path of Zen. Jeff Shore’s clarity, wisdom, and kindness come through every page. There are nuggets of teachings on death and grief, joy and freedom, self and others that will penetrate deeply and call you to them again and again. Savor this book.”
– Guo Gu, author of ‘Passing through the Gateless Barrier.’
Great Doubt: Practicing Zen in the World (Wisdom Publications, July 26, 2016).
Great Doubt: Practicing Zen in the World – translated and introduced by Jeff Shore. Wisdom Publications have published a book of Jeff’s translations and comments on Boshan’s great doubt, including exhortations for those who don’t arouse it, and for those who do. The transcribed lectures have been made more readable and easily understandable for a general audience. Please share with those who may be interested. The book may be ordered on Amazon. For more reviews, see here.
Zen Classics for the Modern World: Translations of Chinese Zen Poems & Prose with Contemporary Commentary (Diane Press, Philadelphia, 2011).
Zen Classics for the Modern World, containing three different Chinese Zen texts and accompanied by authoritative, contemporary commentary developed in conjunction with retreats held in Europe and the United States, reveals the depth and diversity of Zen Buddhism as a living tradition (more information on the book may be found here). The book is now out of print. (If/when it is republished, we’ll mention it here).
Being Without Self: Zen for the Modern World (Asoka, Rotterdam, 2008).
Being Without Self: Zen for the Modern World goes to the heart of the matter of Zen, taking the reader on a clear and straightforward exploration set in the context of contemporary situations and problems. This book is now out of print. (If/when it is republished, we’ll mention it here).
Translations:
Zonder Zelf: de kern van zen (Asoka, Rotterdam, 2008).
A Dutch edition of Jeff’s book, Being Without Self: Zen for the Modern World (Asoka, 2008). (The English edition contains some chapters not available in this edition).
Update: This book is now out of print.
A Spanish-language translation of the original English version of Jeff’s book, Being Without Self: Zen for the Modern World is now available under the title, Ser sin yo: Entonces… ¿Quién soy? (Editorial Pax-México, 2014). Jeff’s book goes to the heart of the matter of Zen, taking the reader on a straightforward exploration set in the context of contemporary situations and problems. The book may be ordered on Amazon.
A Spanish-language translation of the original English version of Jeff’s book, Great Doubt is now available under the title, La Gran Duda (Herder, 2023). The book may be ordered here.
A limited edition Hungarian translation of Jeff’s book was published in March, 2010. A second book is now available in Hungarian (see photo). This book compiles Jeff’s works on koan Zen and the Great Doubt. For details on both books in Hungarian, contact Attila.
Based on Jeff’s teachings in ‘Being Without Self’ but extensively revised and with new material, this book in German presents both a comprehensive and refreshing view on Zen practice; from basic meditation instructions to the controversial topic of Dharma transmission, with a special focus on integrating Zen in everyday life. For details on Der Weg beginnt unter deinen Füßen: Zen für das moderne Leben, please see the publisher’s website here.
Jeff also contributed a chapter to Awakening and Insight: Zen Buddhism and Psychotherapy (Brunner-Routledge, 2002), a foreword to What Is Self? A Study of the Spiritual Journey in Terms of Consciousness (by Bernadette Roberts, Sentient Publications, 2005), and an introduction to The Sayings of Layman P’ang: A Zen Classic of China (Shambhala, March 2009), a foreword to Crossroads in Psychoanalysis, Buddhism, and Mindfulness (Jason Aronson, 2014), and a chapter on Koan Practice for The Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Practice (Oxford Handbooks, June 2022). A revised version of the chapter on koan practice can be found online here in English and here in German (or on the Inspirations page). Jeff’s autobiographical essay from a few decades ago can be found here.
For Fukushima’s biography, see The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keidô Fukushima (by Ishwar Harris; World Wisdom). For the teaching of Fukushima’s master Zenkei Shibayama, see Gateless Barrier (Shambhala), formerly published as Zen Comments on the Mumonkan (Harper & Row). An In Memoriam for Zenkei Shibayama by Kudo Sumiko can be found here (pdf file).
Being Without Self 