Product Details
Pavement: Reflections on Mercy, Activism, and Doing "Nothing" for Peace

Pavement: Reflections on Mercy, Activism, and Doing "Nothing" for Peace
By Lin Jensen

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Product Description

Every day, Lin Jensen has plops down a meditation cushion on the streets of Chico, California, and sits "peace vigils" to protest the U.S. invasion of Iraq — his honest effort to change the world. From his knee-level spot on the pavement, Jensen encounters a bracing array of what he calls "uprights": a heartbreakingly generous homeless man; hostile passersby who scream "Fuck you, Peace Wimp!"; "White Wolf," who punctuates every shouted comment with a sharp poke to Lin's chest; compassionate soldiers — all amid rain and bright sun, exhaust, and the scent of azaleas. Jensen — whose previous memoir, Bad Dog! A Memoir of Love, Beauty, and Redemption in Dark Places, received wide acclaim — here shares his struggles and helps us all learn more about humility, generosity, and what it really means to love our neighbors. This is an inspiring, good-humored book — especially for anyone who might work or wish for change but doesn’t want to be just spitting in the wind.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #149121 in Books
  • Published on: 2007-03-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Beautiful and inspiring.5
Lin Jensen is a gifted writer who shares his experience of open-heartedly taking action for peace. I feel inspired and comforted to know he is out there, every day, opening his heart, sitting on his cushion, and promoting peace in the best way he can. His willingness to share his struggles and challenges makes his efforts even more impressive, while also making them seem accessible and possible for the rest of us, despite all of our own challenges. Reading this book gave me a sense of lightness, at the same time that it highlighted the seriousness of our current world and the challenges we face. I recommend it highly and plan to buy it for the people in my life who matter most to me. Thank you Lin Jensen, for your efforts, and for your willingness to share them with all of us.

Zazen Never Looked So Brave5
You don't have to be a Buddhist to applaud Lin and his courage in "doing nothing" on the streets of Chico, CA. Short, warm hearted and sometimes frightening; this is a quick read that stays with you. Why would anyone would tell a 75 year old meditator to "f*** off" for just sitting on the sidewalk with his meditation cushion with a little sign that says "peace vigil"? Lin's little book doesn't give you an answer but it gets you thinking. And that's what his peace vigel is all about.

Will you do nothing for peace?4
What will you do for peace? Will you march? Will you make people face the death and pain caused by war? Will you sit down on the sidewalk and be insulted, stared at, questioned and, in general, show love towards all things? Well, try to show love. Will, try to show love.
Anyway, this is a small, nice book to read when you are in the need for some good old fashion philosophy and Buddhist wisdom. Great for the bus or for those crowded trains, when you need something to help you relax and question reality.
Get out of the trenches people. Let down the shields. Open up and just try not too get so worked up. Remember, don't be sure about anything. And remember to bow.