Non-Fiction Books
Dr. Shoshanna's non-fiction work integrates psychology and spirituality in handling life's crucial questions.
Marianne Williamson
"Brenda's words are wonderful."
-For Journey Through Illness and Beyond
"Brenda's words are wonderful."
-For Journey Through Illness and Beyond
ZEN MIRACLES
Wiley Publishers
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This book has less to do with the mechanics of sitting and more to do with the realities of integrating Zen practice into real life. Shoshanna extends an empty and richly filled hand, offering both the sublime and the practical, which are one and the same in the Zen world. This is a highly recommended volume for beginners and new practitioners who are coming to the truth that "to find the answers to your life questions, you must look within. Nothing less will do. Nothing more is needed.
-About Zen Miracles
Wiley Publishers
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This book has less to do with the mechanics of sitting and more to do with the realities of integrating Zen practice into real life. Shoshanna extends an empty and richly filled hand, offering both the sublime and the practical, which are one and the same in the Zen world. This is a highly recommended volume for beginners and new practitioners who are coming to the truth that "to find the answers to your life questions, you must look within. Nothing less will do. Nothing more is needed.
-About Zen Miracles
THE ANGER DIET
Andrews McMeel Publishers
SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH
Dr. Shoshanna has some insightful things to say about anger in the family, in the workplace, at God and at destiny. The Anger Diet is a resource that can change the way you view yourself and others. It will enable you to assess the role of this emotion in your life and help you to give up grudges, blaming others and playing the victim.
BOOKIDEAS.COM (MARIE JONES)
Stress is crippling our society and anger is right there at the top of so much of our emotional stress nowadays, and until we treat the cause, we cannot ever hope to rid ourselves of the symptoms. The Anger Diet is highly recommended for anyone who wants to lose the weight of emotional negativity, disharmony and distress."
FEARLESS
The Seven Principles of Peace of Mind
Sterling Publishers
TCM REVIEWS
For myself, going through a period of change in my life, I found this book particularly helpful. It explained to me the importance of not only embracing change, but enjoying it in all of it's chaotic glory. I strongly suggest this book for anyone who's going through a divorce, lonely, looking for love, looking for enlightenment, or simply wanting to know themself and their surroundings better.
Dr. Shoshanna challenges us to let go of fantasies, expectations, fears and anticipation so we can be fully present to life. Her wisdom is genuine and deeply considered. Her book is well worth reading.
The Seven Principles of Peace of Mind
Sterling Publishers
TCM REVIEWS
For myself, going through a period of change in my life, I found this book particularly helpful. It explained to me the importance of not only embracing change, but enjoying it in all of it's chaotic glory. I strongly suggest this book for anyone who's going through a divorce, lonely, looking for love, looking for enlightenment, or simply wanting to know themself and their surroundings better.
Dr. Shoshanna challenges us to let go of fantasies, expectations, fears and anticipation so we can be fully present to life. Her wisdom is genuine and deeply considered. Her book is well worth reading.
ZEN AND THE ART OF FALLING IN LOVE
Simon and Shuster Publishers
CHICAGO SUN TIMES
Falling in love doesn't mean being blind or entering into fantasy," says Brenda Shoshanna, author of Zen and the Art of Falling in Love. "It means waking up out of darkened dreams to finally see the beauty that surrounds us." Sounds good!"
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Readers searching for broader meaning will revel in her ability to weave together the basic tenets of relationship psychology with theself-realization techniques of Zen practice. Nor is Shoshanna's advice limited to affairs of the heart; much of her counsel-to be loving and relevant to all aspects of life."
Simon and Shuster Publishers
CHICAGO SUN TIMES
Falling in love doesn't mean being blind or entering into fantasy," says Brenda Shoshanna, author of Zen and the Art of Falling in Love. "It means waking up out of darkened dreams to finally see the beauty that surrounds us." Sounds good!"
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Readers searching for broader meaning will revel in her ability to weave together the basic tenets of relationship psychology with theself-realization techniques of Zen practice. Nor is Shoshanna's advice limited to affairs of the heart; much of her counsel-to be loving and relevant to all aspects of life."
JEWISH DHARMA
A GUIDE TO THE PRACTICE OF JUDAISM AND ZEN
Da Capo, Perseus Book Group
Roger Kamenetz, author of The Jew in the Lotus and The History of Last Night’s Dream
"An extraordinary book that vividly demonstrates the rich cross-fertilization that can take place when your spiritual practice stems from two traditions…Shoshana uses many colorful anecdotes…A rich and practical book. The living encounter between Jewish and Buddhist practice. Shoshanna’s book appears a first to compare and integrate two very different traditions, Zen Buddhism and Judaism. Her personal anecdotes with Japanese Zen teachers are captivating. She is creating a unique path. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a foot in more than one world.”
Robert Kennedy, S.J., Roshi, author of Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit and Zen Gifts to Christians
“Dr. Brenda Shoshanna flies on two wings: A deep love of orthodox Jewish faith and her Zen practice of 36 years. Her vision embraces both traditions with fidelity and beauty.”
Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha, and founder of Dzogchen Meditation Centers
“Like so many Jewish Buddhists from Brooklyn, including myself, Brenda Shoshanna strives to be both a mensch and a Bodhisattva. Delightful, interesting, psychologically astute, and practical book. Anyone interested in finding deeper understanding and meaningful purpose in life will be rewarded by reading any one of Jewish Dharma’s pages.”
Rabbi Marcia Prager, author of The Path of Blessing
“I couldn’t put Jewish Dharma down. With wisdom, humor, depth and dedication, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna guides us into the heart of Jewish and Zen practice, which enrich one another in ways that will enhance your practice of both, or either. A must read for anyone who wishes to explore Zen meditation and Jewish life.”
A GUIDE TO THE PRACTICE OF JUDAISM AND ZEN
Da Capo, Perseus Book Group
Roger Kamenetz, author of The Jew in the Lotus and The History of Last Night’s Dream
"An extraordinary book that vividly demonstrates the rich cross-fertilization that can take place when your spiritual practice stems from two traditions…Shoshana uses many colorful anecdotes…A rich and practical book. The living encounter between Jewish and Buddhist practice. Shoshanna’s book appears a first to compare and integrate two very different traditions, Zen Buddhism and Judaism. Her personal anecdotes with Japanese Zen teachers are captivating. She is creating a unique path. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a foot in more than one world.”
Robert Kennedy, S.J., Roshi, author of Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit and Zen Gifts to Christians
“Dr. Brenda Shoshanna flies on two wings: A deep love of orthodox Jewish faith and her Zen practice of 36 years. Her vision embraces both traditions with fidelity and beauty.”
Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha, and founder of Dzogchen Meditation Centers
“Like so many Jewish Buddhists from Brooklyn, including myself, Brenda Shoshanna strives to be both a mensch and a Bodhisattva. Delightful, interesting, psychologically astute, and practical book. Anyone interested in finding deeper understanding and meaningful purpose in life will be rewarded by reading any one of Jewish Dharma’s pages.”
Rabbi Marcia Prager, author of The Path of Blessing
“I couldn’t put Jewish Dharma down. With wisdom, humor, depth and dedication, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna guides us into the heart of Jewish and Zen practice, which enrich one another in ways that will enhance your practice of both, or either. A must read for anyone who wishes to explore Zen meditation and Jewish life.”
Fr. Robert Kennedy, Roshi, Founder, Morningstar Zen.
"Brenda's Zen work is a good place to begin, to begin again and to never finish. Those searching for the "Way" will find there is no such thing. But much more, Brenda's book is delightful. Those suffering from "frozen attention" will laugh at ourselves.
Michiko J. Roken, Author, Life Coach and Great granddaughter of Sokei-an Shigestsu Sassaki, First Zen Patriarch in the West.
"Brenda Eshin Shoshanna's book is a brilliant gem, the grace and precision of turning problems into koans keeps us spellbound. Koans like, "Find Your Precious Jewel," remind us to stop looking outside for what we can only find within. And, "Drink A Cup of Green Tea," restores us to beautiful simplicity and clarity, which ignites our spirit of aliveness. I've read it from the first page to the last, love it and highly recommend it."
Michael Russo, Ph.d., Professor of Philosophy, Molloy College
"Brenda Shoshanna is one of the most innovative and provactive Buddhist thinkers in the United States today. In Zen Play, she provides a compelling new approach to traditional koan study, one that offers the reader the opportunity to turn his or her whole life into a koan. Written in a simple, yet evocative style and filled with timeless wisdom, Zen Play is a work that will appeal to both newcomers to Zen thought as well as those seeking to deep their understanding of koan practice."
"Brenda's Zen work is a good place to begin, to begin again and to never finish. Those searching for the "Way" will find there is no such thing. But much more, Brenda's book is delightful. Those suffering from "frozen attention" will laugh at ourselves.
Michiko J. Roken, Author, Life Coach and Great granddaughter of Sokei-an Shigestsu Sassaki, First Zen Patriarch in the West.
"Brenda Eshin Shoshanna's book is a brilliant gem, the grace and precision of turning problems into koans keeps us spellbound. Koans like, "Find Your Precious Jewel," remind us to stop looking outside for what we can only find within. And, "Drink A Cup of Green Tea," restores us to beautiful simplicity and clarity, which ignites our spirit of aliveness. I've read it from the first page to the last, love it and highly recommend it."
Michael Russo, Ph.d., Professor of Philosophy, Molloy College
"Brenda Shoshanna is one of the most innovative and provactive Buddhist thinkers in the United States today. In Zen Play, she provides a compelling new approach to traditional koan study, one that offers the reader the opportunity to turn his or her whole life into a koan. Written in a simple, yet evocative style and filled with timeless wisdom, Zen Play is a work that will appeal to both newcomers to Zen thought as well as those seeking to deep their understanding of koan practice."
Who is The Healer? How Does Healing Happen? What Is It That Needs To Be Healed?
So often we want to be of help, but find ourselves uncertain about how to proceed, especially during a time of need. What is really needed of us then? How can we offer it? Martin Buber tells us that what is needed most urgently during a crisis is "a Presence through which we know that nevertheless there is meaning."
A Time to Care is an updated version of Journey Through Illness and beyond. The book was written for caretakers of all kinds, as well as those in need of care. It is based upon years of working with patients, hospital staff, ministers and chaplains. It offers a different look at how healing happens, and what is required for true connection and conversation to take place.
Combing the principles and practices of Eastern and Western psychology and philosophy, the work provides unique insights on how to be truly present for both yourself and others during a time of need. Along with discussion of many issues, the book includes simple, creative exercises and practices which allow the reader to integrate the information and utilize it in their everyday lives.
As they do so, it becomes easy to see what is truly needed of us, and how to offer it.
SOME OF THE TOPICS EXPLORED INCLUDE:
The Nature of Real Kindness
True Giving and Receiving
The Gift of Presence
True Conversation and Connection
ENDORSEMENTS
"Dr. Shoshanna's words are wonderful,"
Marrianne Williamson,
Brenda's work is so simple and clear. You hear what she says, you know it is the truth and then there is no more commentary. It is all unpretentious, genuine and true. Thank you, Brenda, for making us feel so comfortable."
--Jon Mundy, Ph.d. Author, "Living a Course in Miracles," Executive Director, All Faiths Seminary, New York City
"Wisdom, tears, smiles, consoling hands and spiritual guidance. The most important work I have read in the last years. And the most beautiful one, too.
--Judge Amnon Carmi, Editor/Chief Medicine and Law, Haifa, Israel,