Zen in Touch
The Seven Factors of Living Happiness

By Rev. Khai Thien

Book description:

Not a philosophical odyssey into the realm of what we can imagine about the kingdom of God or the realm of Nirvana, Zen in Touch, rather, is a spiritual journey that directs us individually to penetrate deeply into the miraculous world of self-realization by applying the techniques of Zen. As an essential handbook for practitioners covering both the theory and practice of Buddhist meditation, Zen in Touch, with its seven thought-provoking topics and seven factors of living happiness, offers the clearest guidance regarding how readers may reach the state of Nirvana—true happiness—in one’s daily life by liberating the great potentials of the Buddha nature from inner bondage and the hindrances of the impure mind. This comprehensive guide is for everyone who wishes to get in touch with the base of Nirvana, not in the life after death but in the present moment, the flowing current of reality in which no concept of time such as yesterday or tomorrow can be found, only the true current of the here and now.

Synopsis:

Zen in Touch is a simple and clear map that shows us how we live in happiness and how to live better in the chaos of both the good and the bad, both the negative and the positive of each personal reality. The first part of the book gives us an intensive review of various aspects of human life, either internal or external; those aspects are the background through which readers can get in touch with the true happiness they long for. The second part, the essential core of the book, presents the seven factors of living happiness that were taught directly by the Buddha more than 2,600 years ago. These seven factors [teachings]are the essential characters in the Buddhist history of Enlightenment. On the path to Nirvana—eternal happiness—Zen in Touch could be your best companion by showing you who you are, how to live better, and how to realize eternal happiness now.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part One: REFLECTION

Introduction to Part One

  1. Time and Mind
  2. Alpha and Omega
  3. The Unsleeping Heart
  4. The Invisible War
  5. Your Real Store
  6. Feeling and Reasoning
  7. The Conventional Truth and the Absolute Truth

Part Two: SEVEN FACTORS OF LIVING HAPPINESS

Introduction to Part Two

  1. Mindfulness
  2. Investigation of Dharma
  3. Persevering Effort
  4. Rapture
  5. Calmness
  6. Concentration
  7. Equanimity
Conclusion

Preface

In spring 2004, while participating in a Zen Buddhist retreat, I was questioned by a group of students about ways of dealing with hindrances that often prevent a Zen student from touching the reality of his mind, especially when he is in meditation. How can a Zen student overcome his inner fear and hope? Is it something strange or alien when he feels that his mind and body are falling apart slowly during a long period of sitting? How can he eliminate the doubts about his own ability to end suffering that usually arise in the mind? What should he do to purify his mind and create for his life a real sense of peace and happiness? How should he deal with hindrances such as sensual desire, hatred, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and doubt, and so on. Mostly, how can a Zen student touch the ground of Nirvana—true happiness— which is often spoken of in Zen Buddhism as a living reality? Such questions are, of course, always related to those hindrances of Zen practice that mainly come from, not the life outside, but the life within, the inner current of mind. External factors, however, can also have a negative impact on everyday practice. These questions inspired me to title this book Zen in Touch as I will focus on how anyone can touch the ground of Nirvana in his or her everyday life. The main purpose of the book then is to offer the simplest and clearest map for those who are looking for the true life of peace and happiness. The key to achieving this goal is based upon the seven factors of living happiness, the most essential teachings of Zen Buddhism, directly taught by the Buddha himself. The structure of the book is, therefore, divided into two parts; Part one involves the seven essential topics on various aspects of human life, and Part two the seven factors of living happiness; both theory and practice are discussed. This handbook of living happiness is not only for Zen students and practitioners but for everyone who wishes to create true happiness in his or her own life. The author is grateful to Liliane McCarthy for her kindness in editing and handling this project with great interest.

Khai Thien
Los Angeles, Summer 2004

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