Ambivalent Zen

Lawrence Shainberg's memoir chronicles his lifelong pursuit of Zen, beginning at age fifteen. He grapples with the practical application of Buddhist principles in everyday life, from basketball to writing, often finding clarity followed by disappointment. His journey involves studying various spiritual texts and practices, leading him to encounters with self-proclaimed Zen masters and, eventually, a Japanese master in Jerusalem who offers a grounded and demystified understanding of Zen.