Weaving Wind and Stone

Talks on Zen and Relationships

Zen koans—ancient stories of encounters between people—call to us across the centuries.

Our everyday life is filled with encounters with family, friends, and the greater world. Each is evocative of a range of emotions, from despair over the state of things to the joy of seeing a bee loaded with pollen. Each is an invitation.

In Weaving Wind and Stone, Leland Shields uses stories from Zen koans that can help you connect everyday relationships with the mysteries that are right here and right now.

Whether you are already practicing Zen meditation or are new to it, this book invites you to explore ancient Zen koans. At moments when your heart or mind might be closed, Weaving Wind and Stone asks simple and sometimes demanding questions from koans that can guide us on the Way.

Leland E. Shields studies under the traditions of the Diamond Sangha and has been authorized to serve as a teacher in his Zen sangha for over ten years. He is also a mental health counselor, working for over two decades.

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Published by Jūgum Press
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Author Leland Shields

About the Author

Leland Shields has had a life rich in experiences with friends and family, several areas of work and study, and Zen training and teaching. His current book about Zen koans, Weaving Wind and Stone, rose from 10 years in his role as teacher for Three Treasures Sangha of the Pacific Northwest (Diamond Sangha lineage). He’s also served as a mental health counselor for more than 20 years and has published papers in that field in subjects related to koan as myths, and a book, Dreamwork, Around the World and Through Time.

Before, and sometimes during, his work in mental health, he was a mechanical engineering consultant in failure analysis. Consulting was stimulating work, including management of recall investigations for auto manufacturers. In this field he published many papers plus a book-scale online teaching tool through the University of Washington about vehicle fire investigation.

All his life endeavors and related interpersonal dynamics informed his book, Weaving Wind and Stone. Filled with ancient koans and personal stories, this book was written as an invitation to readers to make each story their own, so readers can find their own understandings.

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About Three Treasures Sangha of the Pacific Northwest

Three Treasures Sangha is a lay Zen group affiliated with the Diamond Sangha. Its’ practice helps us see and experience what is always right before us. We warmly welcome you to practice with us.

Our form is derived from Japanese Zen tradition, favoring simplicity. While we focus on individual sitting meditation (zazen), we also recite texts (sutras) together. Talks by teachers and private interviews with them provide a chance to ask questions and to refine our understanding. Our practice emphasizes paying attention in order to foster concentration and clarity of mind.

All aspects of Zen practice encourage us to experience the boundless totality available to us all—it is both personal and engaged with community and the world in which we live. We warmly invite you to join us.


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Another Book by Author

Dreamwork Around the World and Across Time

Dreamwork Around the World and Across Time brings together perspectives on dreams from pioneers of Western psychology and modern psychotherapists plus world religions, myths, great philosophers, scientists, poets, and more. These compelling selections can inform and inspire dream work for individuals and groups. For each selection, the author offers ways that readers can understand, engage with, and interpret their own dreams and dreaming.

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