Wonder of Presence (eBook)

Inthis compelling collection of talks, interviews, and letters, Toni Packerprovides a comprehensive overview of the path of meditative inquiry—anondenominational approach to spiritual growth that emphasizes the directexperience of the present moment. 'The immense challenge for each one ofus,' Packer writes, 'is can we live our lives, at least for momentsat a time, in the wonder of presence that is the creative source ofeverything?' She shows how we can transform fear, anger, guilt, andattachment to our self-image through simple, direct awareness. Having recentlylost her husband of fifty years, Packer also speaks with candor and tendernessabout the convulsions of a grieving heart and the peace that undividedawareness can bring.
ToniPacker began studying Zen in 1967 with Roshi Philip Kapleau (author of TheThree Pillars of Zen)at the Rochester Zen Center and was eventually named his successor. Seeing thepotentially destructive effects of relying too much on tradition, however, shedid not accept the position. Packer is strongly influenced by the teachings ofKrishnamurti and has turned away from the traditional forms and hierarchiesthat are prevalent in many Buddhist schools. Her approach is appealing to manyWesterners who find institutionalized practices such as chanting, bowing, andburning incense to be alien and unnecessary.

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In this compelling collection of talks, interviews, and letters, Toni Packer provides a comprehensive overview of the path of meditative inquiry—a nondenominational approach to spiritual growth that emphasizes the direct experience of the present moment. "e;The immense challenge for each one of us,"e; Packer writes, "e;is can we live our lives, at least for moments at a time, in the wonder of presence that is the creative source of everything?"e; She shows how we can transform fear, anger, guilt, and attachment to our self-image through simple, direct awareness. Having recently lost her husband of fifty years, Packer also speaks with candor and tenderness about the convulsions of a grieving heart and the peace that undivided awareness can bring. Toni Packer began studying Zen in 1967 with Roshi Philip Kapleau (author of The Three Pillars of Zen ) at the Rochester Zen Center and was eventually named his successor. Seeing the potentially destructive effects of relying too much on tradition, however, she did not accept the position. Packer is strongly influenced by the teachings of Krishnamurti and has turned away from the traditional forms and hierarchies that are prevalent in many Buddhist schools. Her approach is appealing to many Westerners who find institutionalized practices such as chanting, bowing, and burning incense to be alien and unnecessary.