Publishers Weekly
03/28/2022
Dillo, a teacher at the Boulder Zen Center, debuts with an excellent introduction to a modern practice of Zen Buddhism. “I understand aliveness as a special kind of presence, as a radical openness to all forms of experiencing,” Dillo writes, centering his exploration around the concept and offering guidance on how to achieve it. The author posits the path to aliveness lies in Zentatsu Roshi’s four tenets of Zen: transformation, freedom, wisdom, and compassion. To “transform” one’s “participation in experience,” for example, Dillo recommends becoming attuned to one’s attention, sensation, intention, and cognition. One way to practice compassion is through such rituals as chanting religious texts, which fosters “mutual embodiment” through coordinated collective action. The author also covers key components of Buddhism, including the four noble truths, the four foundations of mindfulness, and the proper posture for meditation. Dillo emphasizes the principles of Buddhism over specific pointers for practice, and as a consequence some readers might wish for more detailed instruction, but others will appreciate Dillo’s DIY approach: “A buddha mind cannot be found by following other people’s ideas of what a buddha is.” This is an informative primer, instructive for the newcomer and thought-provoking for the longtime practitioner. (May)
From the Publisher
The Path of Aliveness is a daring and breathtaking book! Deconstructing and reconstructing Buddhism based on his own experience, his training with Buddhist teachers, and his background in Western phenomenology and psychology, Christian Dillo astutely provides intelligent explanations and detailed practical examples to show us how Zen Buddhism can be, and perhaps always has been, a path to a luminously embodied sense of being alive.”—Norman Fischer, author of When You Greet Me I Bow and The Museum of Capitalism
“The Path of Aliveness is a walk with a friend for anyone who wants to use awareness to transform their life in the direction of ever greater embodied freedom. Drawing from his decades of struggles and joys, Christian Dillo offers us a precise path for how to practice with our experience. He brings the energy of Zen into our daily lives in an accessible, practical, and courageous way.”—Kōshin Paley Ellison, author of Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up
“Christian Dillo is a wonderful teacher: he digs in deep. For this book he chose some essential Buddhist topics and brought them to life in an authentic and personal way. A beautifully written and thoughtful book.”—Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, author of The Logic of Faith and The Power of an Open Question
“How can we become more fully alive? How does Buddhist practice transform and liberate us? How might the meaning of our lives embody wisdom and compassion? This down-to-earth book offers a harvest of insights, gleaned from Christian Dillo’s many years of practice and teaching. It brings the path to life for us today.”—David Loy, author of Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis
“This beautifully written book guides the reader into fully embodied Zen practice. This book can serve as a handbook toward ‘undivided intimacy,’ which is our true relationship with each other and all beings in our world. Beginners as well as seasoned practitioners will find nourishment and deep wisdom here.”— Konjin Gaelyn Godwin, Abbot of Houston Zen Center and Auspicious Cloud West; Director of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center, North America
“An excellent introduction to a modern practice of Zen Buddhism.”—Publishers Weekly
“Dillo offers what the title promises: the opening of a path of aliveness for people today.”—Spirituality & Practice
