Kyogen Carlson's Zen in the American Grain show us how the full integration of Zen practice with everyday American life is not only possible but inevitable.

"I think most Americans think of Zen as being some highly weird and esoteric pagan cult practiced by pretentious people with attitude problems. Actually, when you get right down to it there is probably nothing more practical, and even mundane, then Zen approached as an everyday way-to-live-your-life practice. This excellent book provides a series of short essays on the topic of Zen and real life problems of living in American society. Nothing particularly weird or startling about it - just some thought provoking guidance on incorporating buddhist practice in everyday life. Charlotte Beck's books (Everyday Zen and Nothing Special) are similar - both are excellent and concentrate on Zen as a guide to living a fulfilling and useful everyday life. Highly recommended." - "Buckeye," Harvard, MA