This Side of Nirvana: Memoirs of a Spiritually Challenged Buddhist by Sara Jenkins

by Sara Jenkins

A personal account of one woman's spiritual journey, this memoir examines what happens when a talented female teacher takes the masculine assumptions of Zen practice and turns them inside out. Setting out as a young woman to learn from Asian teachers, the author met with formidable masters and struggled diligently to learn meditation. Only after meeting Cheri Huber did she begin to understand and internalize the tenets of Zen Buddhism. Discussion of belief and practice blends with an unflinching frankness about personal difficulties, the honest search for growth, and revealing interactions between student and teacher.

Genres: Spirituality

Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[John Fredrickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenkins does a terrific job in this book of detailing the multitude of ways in which she engages with (i.e., resists) her spiritual teachers as she pursues psychological/religious clarity through a variety of therapy sessions and retreats. Her search for peace and enlightenment is refreshing because on most pages one can recognize the evasions and struggles that we all engage in.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The favorite memoir I've read: was enthralled with Sara's pilgrimage. A good read for anyone, of any wisdom path, who feels 'challenged' therein.

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once the light goes on and we begin to see things the way they truly are, we are struck with the inevitability of following through on the spiritual quest, no matter what it may bring. Like Sara I found myself drawn into the practice of meditation and Dharma studies in the Thervada tradition of Thailand and Laos where I have lived for the last 14 years. The how and why of that commencement are part of a long story. Suffice it to say that the level and intensity of suffering that was my life, simply shattered the structures that had been in place directing my life, the conditioning and I found myself in a place where I simple had no alternative, but the direction I now find myself engaged in.

Notwithstanding, the path is often difficult and fraught at times as the sense of self seeks to reassert itself as the predominant force in life. Interestingly, my perception of my own struggles was for some time that I experienced them because I was somehow deficient; special i a negative way! It took a long time and a great deal of work (and reading) for me to come to an understanding that the path may be particular for all of us but at the same time it seems to be consistent in its challenges, especially in the way our minds respond to them.

That is the value of books like this which describe in some detail the personal journey of another on the path. It underlines all that we will learn upon the way and increases our willingness to accept what arises as just part of the path. It is simply reassuring to have another tell me that they too have experienced what I experience and that for them as it will be for me; "This too shall pass!"

I enjoyed this read.

[Brandon Kurtich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely boring book. It took me forever to read this memoir because I just couldn't possibly get into it. I love reading about spirituality and the path that people take to find it, but Ms. Jenkins didn't have one new perspective to bring to the table. She seemed whiny and flaky throughout and brought no inspiration to the reader in my opinion. Boring, boring, boring.

[Rick Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't care for her writing style at all. Seemed stuttered and random. The information provided in the book would have been highly entertaining, had it been written differently.