Welcome To The Tent

It is my joy to welcome you to Jewish Dharma (The Practice of Judaism and Zen), an on-going exploration of these two, magnificent, ancient practices. During the course of our time together, we will explore the ways in which these practices enrich, uplift and also challenge one another. We will look at the hope, struggles and wisdom they provide for our lives. I am delighted to have you with us on this exciting journey. Blessings and gassho, Eshin Brenda Shoshanna

Jewish Dharma (The Practice of Judaism and Zen)

There are 1 million estimated Jewish Buddhists (JuBus) in the United States today, a number which is rapidly growing. What is it that Buddhism is offering that Jews have not been able to find in their own religion? Do Jews need to leave their own religion to embrance Buddhism? Or, is Buddhism, and particularly, Zen able to make their own background come alive to them in a new and vital way?As a long term Zen student, and practicing Jew who has been unable to let go of either practice, I have devoted years to integrating both practices, and creating a space for others to do the same. This blog is devoted to those efforts. It is an exploration of the Zen eye and Jewish heart.

Jewish Dharma (Guide To The Practice of Judaism and Zen) will be published by Perseus Books in August, 2008.For Jews, Zen students, “JuBus,” and other open-minded seekers.Jewish Dharma is the first guide to the authentic practice of Judaism and Zen and the ways in which they can heal your life. We see how Jewish and Zen practice illuminate, challenge and enrich one another and how each tradition addresses the primal questions that drive our lives and provide keys to the personal struggles we face each day.Each chapter deals with different life issues, such as loneliness, relationships, marriage, conflict, family, and ways of healing suffering. The book includes personal narrative, parables, quotations from scripture, discussion and guidelines and specific exercises so that the reader can integrate the material into his/her daily life.A Jewish heart is warm, giving, devoted to family and friends; a Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous and in the mment. These practices are like two wings of a bird; both are needed to be able to fly.

http://www.brendashoshanna.com/
http://www.jewishdharma.com/

About Me

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New York, New York, United States
Psychologist,relationship expert and workshop leader, my work is dedicated to helping you release your fears, access your enormous inner resources and be all you are meant to me. The author of many books, including the latest, Fearless: The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind -(www.becomefearless.org) .

The Mishkan (Center for Jewish and Zen Practice.)

The MISHKAN is dedicated to both Jewish and Zen practice. We hold regular zazen meetings every Monday night and sit on some Sabbaths and in honor of Jewish holidays. We also hold simple sesshins, consisting mainly of zazen.

Schedule for The Mishkan (Center for Jewish and Zen Practice)

SCHEDULE MONDAY NIGHTS

Doors open 7 p.m. Zazen 7:10 pm. - 9 p.m.

444 East 82 Street 35B NY, NY 10028 Between First and York Avenue

(212) 288-0028
topspeaker@yahoo.com

(Introductory Zazen workshops are available. Contact us for more information). Eshin Brenda Shoshanna Posted by Dr. Brenda Shoshanna at 10:51 AM comments

Friday, September 19, 2008

Jewish Dharma - Spiritual Psychology

By: Bernard Starr, PhDVisit STARRONE's Profile
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:06pm

“Jewish Dharma”
Column: Spiritual Psychology

Last year I wrote a column about Dr. Brenda Shoshanna’s “Kosher Zendo," a spiritual center that melded Jewish and Zen Buddhist practices. Many readers wondered how her Zendo called “Mishkan” could partner two traditions that on the surface seem to have little in common. After all, Jews are “people of the book.” Judaism is all about the written word (Torah), traditions, rituals, 613 commandments (mitzvahs) of dos and don’ts along with endless Talmudic discussion and exegesis of the meaning of “the word.”

Zen Buddhists on the other hand just sit in silence (zazen) to connect with their “original nature.” To answer the conundrum of how these two practices can share common ground and work in tandem, Dr. Brenda Shoshanna just published Jewish Dharma (Da Capo Press/Perseus Books Group, Sept. 2008). Her inspiring book written with love and passion for both practices details not only how Jewish and Zen practices work seamlessly together but how each enriches the other for a deeper more meaningful spiritual experience.

Jewish Dharma is not just a descriptive or academic treatise “about” Zen and Jewish practices. It's an intimate first person account of Brenda Shoshanna‘s powerful personal experiences from childhood onward with Judaism, and later with Zen Buddhism, that speak with vibrant authenticity.

Brenda’s improbable journey begins in an orthodox Hassidic Jewish family and community in Brooklyn and eventually includes her Zen Buddhist spiritual community in New York and Japan. Unlike those who reject Judaism for another path, Brenda never abandoned Judaism. Her discovery of Zen Buddhism opened another rich spiritual world that posed no contradiction for her. On the contrary, she found meaning and beauty in both traditions, which expanded her spiritual awareness. She loved her Jewish family, Rabbi mentors and Jewish community; she also revered Zen practice and her Zen mentors and community (sangha).Her extraordinary spiritual journey was not without bumps, obstacles, challenges and soul searching tests of faith. I interviewed Brenda to explore further some of the questions and issues raised by her book.

To Read More - Go To: http://www.religionandspirituality.com/view/post/1221761134742/Jewish_Dharma
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great work.

November 11, 2008 at 11:14 PM

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