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When You’re Falling, Dive:
Acceptance, Freedom and Possibility
“I could write a lot about how this book has made an impact on my life, and what seems most relevant at this moment is how it changed forever my ability to view resistance, acceptance and dissatisfaction in a way that takes them out of egocentric karmic conditioning’s control. When I see resistance and dissatisfaction come up, I can now see them for what they are and drop whatever story is built up around them. And I now see acceptance in a radically different way: when I can accept (and embrace) all, taking the next step is simple--no separation, no resistance, no need to change anything or anyone.”
Gassho, Bob - Information Technologist
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The Zen Monastery
Cookbook
“One of the biggest impacts this practice has had on my life is the way I cook and eat - with much more compassion and consciousness. Every dish in this cookbook is delicious, but here are a few of the recipes not to be missed: Deep, Dark Chocolate Cake (of course!), Tofu-Artichoke Spread, Bountiful Lasagna, and Tomato and Avocado Salad. The Zen Monastery Cookbook makes a great gift for every occasion!”
Gassho, Rebecca - Board Member
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“Transform Your Life” by Cheri Huber is one of my favorite practices. I read the quote and Cheri’s guidance every morning. I write it on a small piece of paper and put it in my pocket. Then as I go through the day, I’ll occasionally put my hand in my pocket, pull out the paper, and be delighted with Cheri’s “instant guidance” all over again. I really love it. It makes my day.”
Gassho, Phil - Board member
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Bike-Blended Soap Gift Set
“I must confess that when I first bought the Just Soap offered by Keep It Simple, I did so more because of how it is made than for the soap itself. When I learned that a biking enthusiast had a special bicycle designed so that he could mix the all-natural ingredients of his hand-made soap by pedaling a bicycle, I just had to support it. I found out that he stirs natural and essential oils, herbs and spices in a large stainless steel vat with a big wooden paddle on a belt powered by peddling his special made bicycle. The consistency of the mixture is much like oil and water in the beginning stages of the process. It gets thicker and therefore more difficult to pedal as the mixing proceeds. It usually takes about two hours of pedaling to thicken up the soap for pouring. By the end, the last 20 minutes or so, the pedaling gets quite difficult and hard to maintain, and that’s how he knows it is done. It then gets poured into wooden frames to set. A few days later, it is cut into bars with a wooden press, and then cured for over two months to ensure a long-lasting bar. I loved that someone would go to such lengths to make an eco-friendly soap, but when I discovered that the soap itself is lovely, and gentle in all respects, I was sold. There are four beautiful bars in a simple box that makes for a very interesting, novel, and ecologically responsible gift.”
Gassho, Cameron - Monastery Grounds Manager
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“I love to write and I especially love to write on great paper from sustainable sources. There aren’t many places in rural Calaveras County where I can buy such a product, so it is wonderful that I can just send in an order to Keep It Simple for these elegant little journals made from tree-free kenaf paper. They come in such pleasing colors. Black is perfect to take to the Monastery on retreat, and the other subtle yet colorful covers are perfect for so many uses - journaling, homework for email classes, taking notes at meetings and workshops, creating personal memory books to give as gifts. I can never buy just one!”
Gassho, Mickey - Board member
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Unconditional Self-Acceptance - 6-CD Set
“I brought this CD-set with me on a family visit many years back. It turned out to be my little-life-raft-of-practice for the week. Every day I would spend some time listening to a section of one of the CDs, doing the exercises and guided imageries, making the focus of my day the topic of each section. By the end of the visit, I was blown away with the magnitude of material packed on those CDs. It was truly a “retreat-in-a-box.” I got to explore emotions, beliefs and assumptions, subpersonalities, mentoring, reflective listening practice, meditation, and -- of course – unconditional self-acceptance. I think this is by far my favorite product she’s ever produced.”
Gassho, Alex - Monk, Cartoonist, Cook, and more
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“For reasons unknown to me, I walked into the bookstore of the Deepak Chopra Center in posh La Jolla, CA. And then, again, for reasons unknown to me, I pulled “The Key” off the shelf. And as I read through it, right there in the bookstore, I found myself nodding and thinking, “yes, that’s true” and “yup, I know that one.” And for several years after that, I would sit in my car overlooking the beautiful beach at La Jolla Shores, and read “The Key” and breathe and relax. And that is how I came to spiritual practice.”
Gassho, Michael - Radio Show Host
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The Secret Is There Are No Secrets:
An Introduction to Zen Meditation
“One of my favorite practice support items is the DVD, There Are No Secrets: An Introduction to Zen Meditation with Cheri Huber. It had been filed away on my bookshelf for a few years--being an introduction, I thought that it was no longer that useful to me. Over the last 3 years, I have shared the DVD with people new to practice and watched it along with them. Each time i watch, it energizes my enthusiasm for practice and meditation and brings me back to the basics. It has clear and powerful guidance directly from the Guide, Cheri Huber, on the basics of having a meditation practice. I wholeheartedly recommend this DVD for anyone at any stage in practice. It is a powerful introduction and a continued deep source of support for meditation practice.”
Gassho, Marie - Graphic Designer
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“Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline” is a multi-faceted diamond. To explore an aspect of your life where a change may be helpful, this is a great book. There is a “30-day guided retreat” at the end of the book that, in my experience, provides a map for adventures into self-discovery. I have done this guided adventure many times and have always seen something new about myself. I have particularly enjoyed becoming more aware of what gets in the way of my heart’s desire. I make a commitment to do something aligned with my heart, and then I watch what supports me, or stops me, from keeping that commitment. In my life, I want to live from kindness for the good of myself and all who share this world. This book helps me make compassionate changes for good, for the good of all.”
Gassho, Claire - Board member
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