This new edition contains even more useful material: new prefaces, an index, and extended end notes are here, in addition to the book's revised glossary and main sections. But then, the book's utility was never in question. As Jisho Warner writes in the book's opening, 'The Story of This Book and Its Author,' OPENING THE HAND OF THOUGHT "goes directly to the heart of Zen practice [. . . ], showing how Zen Buddhism can be a deep and life-sustaining activity." She goes on to say, "Uchiyama looks at what a person is, what a self is, how to develop a true self not separate from all things, one that can settle in peace in the midst of life."

By turns humorous, philosophical, and personal, OPENING THE HAND OF THOUGHT is above all a great book for the Buddhist practitioner. It's a perfect follow-up for the reader who has read Zen Meditation in Plain English , and is specially useful for those who have not yet encountered a Zen teacher.

Praise & Reviews "Few books have spoken with such clarity to the essence of Zen ."—John Daishin Buksbazen, author of Zen Meditation in Plain English "Uchiyama [was] one of the most contemplative of Zen Buddhist teachers, and until his death in 1999, was also one of the most influentia. Now, through this new edition of his most famous book, he continues to enlighten our lives. His book is important for its clarity, its rejection of jargon, and its refusal to make illumination a drama."—The Japan Times "Uchiyama Roshi's words have long been my inspiration, and I am delighted that this collection of his teachings is now available in a revised and expanded edition."—Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen "If you read one book on Zen this year, this should be that book."—James Ishmael Ford, head teacher of Boundless Way Zen and author of Zen Master Who? "Not since DT Suzuki has the evasive quality of Zen been explained so well to the Western reader. This book was Uchiyama's gift to his monks-in-training as well as laypeople following the path of Zen. This welcome re-release has been refined with further introductory material."— Kyoto Journal Waking Up Together

Kosho Uchiyama, Author Kosho Uchiyama was a preeminent Japanese Zen master, instrumental in bringing Zen to America. The author of over twenty books, including Refining Your Life, he died in 1999. Shohaku Okumura, Foreword Shohaku Okumura is a Soto Zen priest and Dharma successor of Kosho Uchiyama Roshi. He is a graduate of Komazawa University and has practiced in Japan at Antaiji, Zuioji, and the Kyoto Soto Zen Center, and in in Massachusetts at the Pioneer Valley Zendo. He is the former director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco. His previously published books of translation include Shobogenzo Zuimonki; Dogen Zen; Zen Teachings of Homeless Kodo; and Opening the Hand of Thought. Okumura is also editor of Dogen Zen and Its Relevance for Our Time; and SotoZen. He is the founding teacher of the Sanshin Zen Community, based in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives with his family.