If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life

27 Pages·2013·0.9 MB·English

by  James Ishmael Ford

PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALITY • EASTERN RELIGION
“A sparklingly refreshing offering. “A must-read.”—Norman Fischer
Ford’s mature, playful, multifaceted Zen has been slow-cooking
for forty years and is now ready. Read and delight!”
—Dosho Port, author of Keep Me in Your Heart a While
USING VIGNETTES AND ANECDOTES FROM HIS OWN LIFE——
as well as quotations drawn from sources as varied as the Bible, Yiddish
aphorisms, and stand-up comedy—Zen teacher and Unitarian Universalist
minister James Ishmael Ford shares the gifts won over his lifetime of
full-hearted engagement with the Zen path. “I’ve found myself broken
open,” Ford says, “and found in that opening my fundamental connection
to the whole world.”
What’s more,If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Breakbreathes new
life into the Buddhist ideas of karma and rebirth—as well as the
Buddhistprecepts of ethical action—and finds for them kinship in
other spiritual endeavors. Even the most cynical of hearts will find
resonance in Ford’s compassionate presentation of basic human truths.
“This book shines with the complexities of humanity, ethical wisdom, and love.”
—Grace Schireson, author of Zen Women
“A wonderful blend of story, advice, perspective, history, and instruction.”
—Sumi Loundon, author of Blue Jean Buddha
“Ford offers us an honest, down-to-earth, and valuable companion.”
—Diane Eshin Rizzetto, author of Waking Up to What You Do
“A must-read addition to the growing literature on Western Zen—
with an engaging clarity and informed easygoing sophistication.”
—Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of Sailing Home
James Ishmael Ford
is one of the guiding teachers of
Boundless Way Zen, and the senior minister at the First Unitarian
Church of Providence. He’s the author of Zen Master WHO?and the
coeditor of The Book of Mu. He lives in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Wisdom Publications / Boston
ISBN 978-1-61429-039-1 US$16.95
wisdompubs.org
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if you’re lucky,
your heart will break
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
If You’re Lucky,
Your Heart Will Break
field notes from
a Zen life
James Ishmael Ford
Wisdom Publications • Boston
Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street
Somerville, MA 02144 USA
www.wisdompubs.org
© 2012 James Ishmael Ford
All rights reserved.
“What to Look for When Looking for a Zen Teacher”originally appeared in Zen Master
WHO?by James Ishmael Ford (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2006) and is used by
permission.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in
writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ford, James Ishmael.
If you’re lucky, your heart will break : field notes from a Zen life / James Ishmael Ford.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 1-61429-039-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Religious life—Zen Buddhism. I. Title.
BQ9286.2.F67 2012
294.3’927—dc23
2012006236
ISBN: 978-1-61429-039-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61429-043-8
16 15 14 13 12
5 4 3 2 1
Cover design by Phil Pascuzzo. The red seal on the cover appears courtesy of Boundless
Way Zen. Author photo on page 185 is by Richard Boober. Interior design by
Gopa&Ted2. Set in Sabon LT Std 10/14.2.
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Council on Library Resources.
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For Jan Seymour-Ford
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Acquired at wisdompubs.org
Let me respectfully remind you:
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken… awaken!
Take heed!
Do not squander your life.
traditional zen verse
▪ ▪
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Acquired at wisdompubs.org