The Arrows of Zen

By Ernest Cadorin

Think Zen is soft music and scented candles? This absolutely fantastic book turns up the lights and illuminates some of the most profound aspects of the ancient philosophy. Drawing on decades of experience in Zen and the martial arts, Ernest Cadorin explains the principles and practices of Zen through compelling stories and brilliant interpretations. Whether you are seeking to improve your mental focus, or just trying to experience more in life, this delightful book is a must-have item for your personal-development toolbox.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lilycom Inc
• Release date: Feb 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540197191

Ernest Cadorin

Ernest Cadorin has taught Zen and martial arts for over twenty years. With an extensive background in management, he complements his philosophical insights with real-world experience. Known for his passionate storytelling and dynamic teaching style, he has educated and entertained students from all walks of life. Cadorin studied philosophy and mathematics at the University of Waterloo, and has specialized training in management science and effective communication. He is also a chess instructor, and enjoys cycling and music.

Book preview

The Arrows of Zen

Ancient Tales for Modern Times

Ernest Cadorin

Copyright © 2018 by Ernest Cadorin. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. 

This book is partly a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

Ernest Cadorin

Visit my corporate website at www.lilycom.co 

Printed in the United States of America 

First Printing: Jan 2018

To Lily, Michelle, and Steven

CONTENTS

Preface

Zen by Accident

The Stories

The Test

The Stream

The Wooden Sword

The Two Arrows

The Farmer

The Woodsman

Practical Zen

The Power of Parables

Stay Active

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Cultivate Discipline

The Arrow of Time

Everything Zen?

Appendices

Glossary

Recommended Reading

References

Preface

I don’t think anyone just suddenly decides to write a book about Zen — which is why when I suddenly decided to write this book, I couldn’t help feeling that the whole idea was somewhat impulsive. In fact, it wasn’t until after I had started gathering the material I would use — the books that I had read, the handouts from courses I had taken, and enough of my own personal notes to fill a two-inch binder — that I realized that this book had been no fewer than thirty years in the making. Well, thirty-one years now