David Fontana – Discover Zen: A Practical Guide to Personal Serenity
Summary: „Discover Zen“ is a beautifully illustrated introductory guide to Zen Buddhism that combines clear, accessible text with over 30 practical exercises. The book guides readers through classic Zen practices including meditation, understanding koans (puzzling parables) and sensuous rituals like creating rock gardens, writing haiku poetry and performing tea ceremonies. Written by psychologist David Fontana, the 160-page book features delicate illustrations and quotations from great Zen masters that encourage contemplation. While Zen is rooted in Buddhism, Fontana emphasizes that its principles complement any belief system and offer practical techniques for finding respite from daily stress, providing healthy emotional outlets and promoting spiritual growth. The book teaches readers how to live in the moment and infuse serenity into every aspect of life.
Why we like it: This book stands out among Zen introductions for its perfect balance of substance and accessibility — it avoids being either overly simplistic or intimidatingly complex. The combination of stunning visual artwork, hands-on exercises at the end of each chapter and Fontana’s calm, jargon-free teaching style makes Zen philosophy genuinely understandable and immediately applicable, transforming what can be a frustrating subject to learn from books into an engaging, practical journey of self-discovery.