Cross Books

This is a long awaited addition to the collecting militaria, and specifically 3R Knights Cross literature...long awaited as it deals with the topic in a fresh light and with a purely objective approach.
Armed with this book the novice will be equipped to recongnise and understand the minute features to look for in originals of this unique award and its higher grades. By a similar token the experienced collector will be equally happy to have a ready source of reference, and a to benchmark pieces.
But best of all, its written in a clear and comfortable style, that makes it a "good read" and certainly not a cold reference work.
The author is to be congratulated, and I look forward to his future works that I understand are underway !

I highly recommend this book! It is informative and enjoyable to lifelong collectors, hobbyists, and anyone who wants to learn more about an award earned by some of the bravest to fight in WWII.

The information is presented in a logical manner that affords understanding to novices and expert collectors alike. Dietrich Maerz's extensive research is conveyed through the detailed writing and extensive close-up photographs (many never before published) throughout the book. For anyone contemplating collecting the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, this work is a must-have reference.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to future works by Mr. Maerz. He has distinguished himself as an expert in this field and is willing to share his knowledge with others for the advancement of the collection of militaria.

With the publication of his book on the Knight Cross, Dietrich Maerz has "raised the bar" and set a new high standard in reference books that will be very hard for anyone to match, let alone beat. It is magnificent work which deserves to be an absolute smash hit. In creating this book Dietrich has not only firmly established his credentials with the collecting community as an author and researcher, but as a skilled craftsman capable of putting together a book which not only provides all the information one could wish for - and then some, but in doing so has produced one of the most visually attractive works yet to appear in this field.
I look forward with great anticipation to those future books from B&D Publishing and wish him great success!

Dietrich Maerz has written the ultimate reference on the highest awards for bravery given by Germany in World War 2. He covers the various grades of the Ritterkreuz, including the Knights Cross, Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds. He had amazing access to unique items as well, and displays the Star of the Grand Cross and even Hartmann's awards.

But it is the depth of scientific study that sets this guide apart from all others. Maerz uses die characteristics and timelines to show even the novice collector how to determine an authentic award from a post-war fake. He also covers manufacturing techniques and history. This is NOT just a picture book, but rather a deep analytical guide to aid the collector. It is a must have for anyone remotely interested in these awards. Finally, the QUALITY of paper and binding is top notch!

Well, I have been a fan of the Mab's Cross Legend for a long time. I even read the on-line version of "The Betrothed" by Sir Walter Scott, which is actually pretty bad! Scott loosely adapted the Mab's Cross story into his 1825 novel, but that work bears little resemblance to the actual story of Sir William Bradshaw and Lady Mab. This is a real shame because the true story has all the appeal of "Rob Roy" or "Braveheart". I have always wondered why no one turned this stirring legend into full-scale historical novel. After all, they have had 700 years! Well, the wait is over. Jon Norris not only found the makings of a book in Mab's Cross, but an entire trilogy! And this is the real McCoy - a historical fiction with as much history as fiction. The research behind this book is impressive. All the major historical events are as accurate as they are astounding. In short, the spectacular madness of 14th century England comes alive in these pages. If Volumes II & III are as splendid as Volume I, this work will give the people of Wigan Lancashire something relish for another 700 years!

Oh, and I have to mention the introduction to this book. What a surprise? I was expecting the usual scholarly cross-references or struggling artist bio, but I was delighted to find an insightful essay on the parallels between medieval government and religion, and the appalling state of current world politics! This author makes a strong argument that the abuses of the great barons of the Middle Ages continue unabated into the present. They have just been cleverly disguised by the myth makers of corporate empire and justified by the hollow promise of advanced technology! Suddenly, "progress" we take for granted in the 21st century begin to look quite suspicious. For instance, I will never look at a dollar bill the same way again. (If you read page 10, you will understand this comment!) Let's just say that the Introduction is worth the price of the whole book! Get this book. You will be entertained and you will learn some troubling truths about our past that will have you re-thinking the prospects for our collective future. You might even be moved to follow in Mab's footsteps!

A very readable novel - it reminded me of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles trilogy, but set 800 years later. In addition to writing an entertaining action story, Norris displays surprising historical accuracy. I assumed the passage about Archimedes' "Method of Mechanical Theorems" palimpsest was a fictional account, until I picked up the March '07 Smithsonian magazine and found an article covering the palimpsest exactly as Norris described it. I'm looking forward to reading Volume II.

This book is so much more than I expected. In addition to the traditional legend of Mab's Cross, it is chockablock full of sub-themes. First, there is a story of forbidden love between a Norman heiress and a Saxon lord. Then, there is the mystery surrounding the murder of Sir William Bradshaw that I suspect will not be solved until Volume III of the trilogy. The chapter on the Battle of Bannockburn contains one of the most vivid and gut-wrenching descriptions of medieval warfare that I have ever read. On top of all of that, there is a side-story following the scribe who writes Lady Mab's memoir. He is a Cistercian scholar, who has access to the archives of the Roman Church, and the more he delves into those dark secrets, the more his faith in Christianity is shaken to its core.

This book is quite an achievement. It doesn't have the mythical quality of your typical Robin Hood romance; rather it makes you feel like you are right there in 14th century Lancashire! Longshanks, Edward II, Queen Isabella, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, Robert the Bruce, Pembroke; they are all here as real human beings. And what a character we have in Lady Mab of Haigh Hall! At one point during Banastre's Rebellion, she leads the women of Haigh to join a battle against Sir Robert Holland. I was sweating one minute, then crying, then cheering--incredible! If you are a fan of historical fiction, this book is for you. I can't wait for Volume II to see what happens next.

The Lost Rebellion is the first volume of a trilogy set in Lancashire England in the 14th Century. For those who don't know, Mab's Cross is an actual landmark on the Standishgate in the Borough of Wigan. This cross has long been celebrated as part of a local legend revolving around Sir William Bradshaw and Lady Mab of Haigh Hall. Lady Mab was given a penance to walk barefoot and bare-legged to this cross once a week. She performed this labor for over twenty-five years until her death in 1347. The cross has been known ever since as Mab's Cross.

I have just finished reading Volume I, and I must say it is incredible - much more than just another re-hash of the legend. This is true historical fiction in the tradition of Paul Doherty or Patrick O'Brian or Bernard Cornwell's stellar series on Capt. Richard Sharpe. There is even a hint of Umberto Eco in the sub-plot of the Cistercian scribe, Alain Houard, as he delves dangerously into the secrets of the corrupt Roman Church.

It is a rare thing to find a book with historical accuracy, splendid character development, and an intriguing plot to boot. There is much to enjoy here. In addition to the love story between Sir William and Lady Mab, there is a disturbing portrait of medieval Christianity, Plantagenet oppression, the Little Ice Age, and an intriguing murder mystery. Scottish readers take note: there is also the most amazing description of the Battle of Bannockburn as experienced by a defeated Englishman! The book closes with a chapter on Banastre's Rebellion. This little known civil war between Sir Adam Banastre and Sir Robert Holland is one of the unsung tragedies in the march toward English freedom that followed Magna Carta. It is this rebellion that gives the book its name.

Author Jon Norris is a tour de force. Try this book - you won't regret it. And the best part is we still have the rest of the trilogy to look forward to. As Bogie said in Casablanca, "This may be the beginning of a beautiful thing!"

I found the novel, A Matter of Support, to be a wonderful portrayal of life on the Maine coast. The characters are very strong and the story is interesting, informative and romantic. I particularly enjoyed the wide-range of references and tight, focused writing. I look forward to more from this author.

Tom Direnzo has captured Portland Maine in a unique and realistic manner. His characters are delightful, eccentric yet realistic. Frank Mangino takes us into the inner workings of the Maine Child Support Enforcement Office through his own eyes and experiences. Whether it's the tart tongued clerk Madeline or Wild Bill, the renagade enforcement agent, the characters are charming if a little rough around the edges. I hope to see Frank Mangino as the central character in a series of books!
A quick read, I read it in a day!

I was initially drawn to this book by my interest in learning more about the support enforcement system. "A Matter Of Support" delvered that and a whole lot more. A cast of colorful, comical (and imminently realistic) characters are centered by Direnzo's grey collar "hero" Frank Mangino. Great story line that also offers a good cross class snapshot of life in southern Maine. Direnzo's stlye compares favorably to that that of Wally Lamb.

Funny, sad, and at times, un-nerving, this book is an eye-opener to the world of child support. A disturbing look into the world of "dead beat dads" and some "not-so-nice mothers" and the shenanigans they pull to pay or receive support for their children. A must read for those going through the misery of child support. A Matter of Support takes a look at just how lackadaisical the system really is and the extent someone will go to help others while going through challenging times of his own.

Like Joseph Campbell, Michael Meade understands the mythic meanings of our human story and illuminates our sometimes shadowy roles as men in modern society. Michael doesn't pander to anyone and his insights go beyond the touchy, feely, washed out views of masculinity of the latter 20th century. This book is a treatise on the core of true masculinity, which honors and nurtures all of life. It is a book I am proud to have grace my book shelves.

Through myths and ancient stories, Meade takes readers through the stages in a man's lfe. The initiatory events as detailed in the stories allow for a re-examination of childhood issues from a different perspective. Meade's writing is clear and concise, as is his obvious commitment to men and their healing. This book is a must read for anyone (not just men) wishing to gain deeper insights into our collective and individual psyches.

This book literally jumped out at me while I was in a very difficult place. I can only say I was astounded to find such clarity in a story - I finally got it! Story is a backdoor into revealing the parts of me I could not see and certainly could not intellectualize. Michael Meade has an intoxicating passion and a way with the business of storytelling that gets to the core of issues and gently opens the psyche for expoloration and in my case, navigation. His audio products are also a gift, shame they haven't fouind their way to CD yet!

....if you want to understand men. Celtic storyteller Michael Meade has put together a remarkable blend of ancient stories and modern insight into the psychology of the development of men from boys. Can't recommend this one enough.

Buruma has the key to a door I, a newbie Nipponophile, use: cinema. His own personality leaks tastefully into his blend of experience and academics. Just the levels I like! Some of the articles are a little outside my area of interest, but he managed to hook me into finishing them.

I found Buruma's collection very absorbing, especially helpful to someone living out East (Hong Kong and Singapore), as I was in the late 90's. The Singapore essay, "The Nanny State of Asia," is an extremely perceptive look behind the official facade of Harry Lee Kuan Yew's police state. If you plan to visit/live in S'pore, the things the locals won't dare discuss with you (out of fear) are dealt with here. Even if you're just travelling from the armchair, this is a well-written and (again) extremely absorbing read.

As someone who lived out East I rank this up with Christopher Lingle's Singapore's Authoritarian Capitalism and Stan Sesser's The Land of Charm and Cruelty (another great essay collection on various Asian countries) as books helpful to the Westerner trying to learn about the region. Buruma's God's Dust has more essays on Asia, including S'pore. For Singapore, I also recomend Francis Seow's A Prisoner in Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore, and Paul Theroux's Saint Jack (a Singapore novel set in the Seventies but (I found) remarkably up to date in the attitudes it records of both locals and expats).

Very well documented essays about the East, although most of the articles are treating already out-of-date items. Still they will continue to be essential reading for historians.

In his ironic style, he unveils the lies and double-talk of political and industrial leaders. E.g. Sony's Akio Morita's statement that 'today's Japanese do not think in terms of privilege', while he almost disowned his son, when he wanted to marry a popular singer.
Other targets are Benazir Bhutto, Cory Aquino, Imelda Marcos and most of all the imperious leader of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew.

I recommend nevertheless the autobiography of Yew 'From first world to third', because it is an essential read in order to understand what's happening in China today. Lee Kuan Yew is Jiang Zeming's best friend.

Buruma is a very perceptive observer and reader. His analyses of writers like Yuhio Moshima, Mircea Eliade or Junichiro Tanizaki, or movie directors like Nagisa Oshima or Sayajit Ray are brilliant.
This book is to be put on the same high level as the works of Simon Leys on China.

Sceptical of all talk of "asian values" (profound "culture differences" used to justify the denial of human rights), Buruma is a clear-sighted observer of the East. Buruma describes the phases that Western visitors to Japan tend to go through; an initial phase of delight oft succeeded by rage, and ultimately leading to a sort of near manic-depressing rapidly-alternating hatred/love of the East. Buruma, while obviously retaining a great love and respect for Eastern culture combined with a deep scepticism about "asian values", is unseduced by either extreme. The book opens with essays on individual figures, such as Yukio Mishima (it is impossible to take Paul Schrader's 'Mishima' seriously after Buruma's curt dismissal of its portentious bombast) and Wilfred Thesiger (again, one sees this oft-romanticised figure anew, as a misogynistic, rather sinister worshipper of racially pure noble savages) It closes with a section of essays devoted to Japan, on topics as diverse as Michael Crichton's Black Rain, the Hiroshima peace industry, the treatment of black American baseball players in Japan and the continuing echoes of Pearl Harbor.

I've been a lover of John Amen's work for several years.

His poems never fail to take me with him on wonderful journeys sharing his magical visions.

John's poetry is a gift I give myself.

Exquisite--just exquisite!!

If readers expect to find a title poem in this collection of 44 poems, they will be disappointed: The title comes from one of the closing lines in "Vacillations."

"Leaves are quaking on the branch.
Each day more of me disappears"

There's not much humanity left in that "me" any more, apparently.

(Reviewed for VLQ by C. E. Laine)

I loved John Amen's first book, Christening the Dancer (Uccelli Press, 2003). His second collection, More of Me Disappears (Cross-Cultural Communications, 2005), is an engaging encore, building on a strong poetic voice. More of Me Disappears feels familiar, yet pushes in new directions. The poet's voice is varied within its pages, sometimes an intimate whisper, other times a sandy growl, or a shout at the cosmic injustice that sometimes swallows things whole.

In these poems, it is as though the reader holds hands with the poet, exploring observations, insights, and a deeply personal history together. Amen makes clear how one can study the same pattern or object in different lighting; he shows us how the shadows tend to shift. He puts on the coat of a storyteller, giving us narrative that doesn't leave its imagery behind. In poems like "Verboten", we glimpse something of Amen's history, intertwined with events that marked the world forever, as we see the effects of the Holocaust in the unique cast of Amen's light. In other narrative pieces, we see his parents, skirt around missing segments of memory, visit streets both seedy and beautiful.

Opening the collection with unassuming candor and a touch of suspense, Amen writes (The Consummation):


"Without warning,
the river runs dry, its spine
as glutted and songless as any morgue."

This poet doesn't just observe life. Clearly, he's in it, living hip deep, embracing whatever gets tossed his way: (In the Making) "My name is a boa. I am the canary writhing in its throat."

Amen shakes out the rugs we sweep things under, inspects what is found there. His awareness of sound is compelling, and his imagery often unexpected. A cool stream for a warm day, this collection is both gritty and tender. My favorite aspect of this book is its tenacity and its unadulterated sense of hope:

(What I Said To Myself)

Choose the butterfly over the chrysalis.
Choose light, the ballroom, the well-lit restaurant.

You have for lifetimes strummed minor chords
on the coast of a dead sea. Think major, spindrift.

The sex between you and grief is becoming mechanical.

Despite your vestigial sentiments to the contrary,
a scab's story is much greater than that of a scar.

Your cock is not an umbilical cord, it is your
heart's mouthpiece. Choose sunrise, please.

It is time to do something that might cause
embarrassment. Let emptiness mother your child.

Put away the map, where we're going won't be on it.

There is nothing particularly inspiring about a death wish.

You have learned all there is to learn from the woman in black.

It is time to stop insulting ecstasy. Masochism
is an empty udder. What was is a cipher. Pick
the rose over the injured dove. Pick warm waters.

Attend a circus. Go for the comic. There is nothing
more mediocre than the association of dysfunction with genius.

Indulge in color. Believe me, there is not a problem.
Plumb bright places for new symbols.

Recommendation: study evergreens.
Find me. We have much to talk about.


More of Me Disappears is a frank and earthy collection, one that embraces life with the lights on, unashamed of whatever the mirror decides to reflect. Like it's predecessor, it is a book I am sure to revisit often.

The brilliant contrasts found in John Amen's poetry are enhanced by his abilities as artist and musician. His words colorfully express the surreal and bitter, the heartwarming and expansive, all with a distinctive twist. Memorable lines stayed with me after this book had been set aside:
"this garden of wilted grace"
"the poison ivy of hollow hours"
"the ash and ember of our days"
"dogwood blossoms throb in the twilight"

Amen shares the joy of love, the sorrow of rejection. His use of imagery ranges from humorous to haunting to delightful:
Cicadas swarm like tourists; frogs
conspire behind every blade of grass.

The music of the iris is hard to withstand;
its purple song claws at my heart;

Amen fans are sure to relish this latest book. Poetry lovers unfamiliar with his work are in for an intense experience.

Multichannel marketing is an excellent resource to learn about how you can combine on and off line marketing integrating it and providing metrics to evaluate campaigns. This is great for seasoned professionals or for those starting out in their career. Highly recommended read to expand your knowledge.

This book is written with excellent real-life examples and specific information. And it's written in a tone that's easy to digest, with a voice that's marketer-to-marketer. It's good to take a step back and understand how online and offline campaigns affect each other, especially if you don't actively do both for your job. I'm not finished with the book yet, but I've already subscribed to Akin's Blog (www.multichannelmetrics.com) and sent the link to my team!

As the online and the offline worlds collide from a marketing perspective, practitioners need to be fully prepared to leverage the wealth of opportunities this creates. The Multichannel Maketing book is targeted to this exact cause.
As an online marketer myself, I found this book extremely engaging and useful as we delve into combining our online and offline marketing efforts.
Since the only way to prove that our marketing efforts are paying off is measure, measure, measure, the measurement and metrics section of this book gave me a good grounding on what I need to do in terms of metrics.
Overall, it's a great book, especially if you are looking at multiple channels to achieve your marketing goals.

As a consultant, I interact with marketers everyday. Everytime I begin a new engagement, I spend volumes of time creating a common language and understanding around what "multi-channel marketing" means in today's world...certainly not an efficient investment of my time or my client's dollars.

FINALLY, there is a book that meets MY standards on both the theory and practice of multichannel marketing. Akin's book "Multichannel Marketing: Metrics and Methods for On and Offline Success" provides unique insight and understanding to help marketers either begin the process of executing more complete multi-channel marketing efforts, or refine existing programs.

What I found especially compelling about Akin's book was the very natural and organic progression within each chapter. Chapters open with a quick summary of a business challenge/opportunity. His descriptions (often complimented by case studies) are direct and to-the-point...easily consumed by the multi-channel newbie. As he digs deeper into each topic he offers perspective that even the most seasoned CMOs will find actionable nuggets of wisdom in (I LOVED the Chapter 6 on Measuring Lift Between On-line and Offline).

In closing - is there value in Akin's first book? No matter what your currently level of expertise is...this book will make you a better marketer.

In this book, Akin Arikan walks us through the whole process of measuring online and offline activities using Web Analytics. He presents both theoretical advices and live examples of how his theories have been (can be) applied.

As a Web Analyst and an online marketer I look forward to adding the methods presented in the book to my repertoire. The jargon alerts alone are worth the read.

The book is very well written and should be required reading for marketers and analysts on the web. The interaction between online and offline is becoming more and more important, and companies must understand how to integrate all their marketing efforts.

I warmly recommend reading this book.

Beautiful and breathtaking designs. As a first time cross stitcher (now hooked)I found the instruction in this book very user friendly.

I wanted to make everything in the book and/or adapt some of the designs into my own creations.

I live in Cape Town, South Africa and my husband and I travelled to london for a holiday in July, 1999. I saw this book at Harrods while I was there and promptly bought two copies, one for my youngest sister, and one for a very good friend. It is amazing that an English designer of the stature of Julie Hasler, who has published many other fine cross stitch books, has been able to, so perfectly, portray the wonders of the Native Americans and their culture, both ancient and modern through this medium. The two people I have bought this book for have been stitching non stop from the more than 40 patterns featured in this high quality book. The picture of the Nes Pearce woman featured on the cover is but a small taste of the wonders to be found under it. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves the art of Cross Stitching and who loves the culture of the Native Americans. For cross stitchers who hate back-stitching, this book is ideal as Julie has managed to portray her subjects poignantly, using mainly whole cross stitches and using little or no back stitch. A fabulous buy. Stunningly easy patterns to follow, and the colours are amazing. I have found myself totally inspired by the contents of this book and have, as a result, started to read up as much as I can on the Native American culture. If you have the money and you like this type of work....buy it...you won't regret it! :)

I really liked this book - I did find the large designs rather "busy" but very striking never the less. A nice varity of design complexities and sizes. Well worth owning.

This book begins with information about the history of samplers, and each project has an introduction to explain its inspiration. There are a wide range of projects to choose from and lots of helpful advice on how to personalise each one. The colours are well selected and fabric recommendations really enhance each project. The patterns are clear and in colour and are of a good size, although some go over two pages which is always a pain. Some of the samplers have options for adding beads and charms, which gives great variety. The projects are on a range of topics, including seasons and celebrations. I have been delighted with it!

This book begins with information about the history of samplers, and each project has an introduction to explain its inspiration. There are a wide range of projects to choose from and lots of helpful advice on how to personalise each one. The colours are well selected and fabric recommendations really enhance each project. The patterns are clear and in colour and are of a good size, although some go over two pages which is always a pain. Some of the samplers have options for adding beads and charms, which gives great variety. The projects are on a range of topics, including seasons and celebrations. I have been delighted with it!

I just received this book and can hardly wait to start stitching some of the samplers. Out of the 23 samplers there are probably at least 15 that I want to do. They are gorgeous and the charts are easy to read. They are colored and with symbols and are very clear. The threads used are DMC as well as a few variegated and overdyed ones. There are band samplers as well as bordered ones plus lots of suggestions for using smaller parts of each one. I am very happy with this book!

This book has simple, up-to-date designs that can be easily customized. It also offers many ideas for using parts of designs for other projects.
I'm ordering it to make a wedding sampler for my son and his fiancee, but will also use it for other gifts.
The samplers incorporate traditional motifs, but with modern color schemes.

This is a good book for every people who wish to make a true life.

It is a great book and very interesting. I recommended this book to be part of my library.

No River to Cross is a delightful gem of a book. As the backcover reads "It is disarmingly simple yet remarkable profound, pointing us again and again to our foundation, our "True Nature." I write this review based on reading the book a number of times and also being part of this book's discussion group in Seoul, Korea with the editor Chong Go Sunim.

Her essential message in this book is simple: Entrust whatever arises to your source, your true nature. Let go, entrust, and have faith that your source will take care of it. And then move forward. Moving forward is key, because we tend to like to hold onto insights that we had, which then become stale and create arrogance --or we beat ourselves up for things we'veunskillfully done .

For me personally the teaching has had the effect of lessening my ego-antics; my self-centered stories and struggles fall away more quickly. The teachings work on a number of levels. One level is that we can have faith that indeed there is that which is beyond us, which is sustaining the world, and has taken care of us from before day one. One may seem some resemblance to Pure Land teachings here, except for the fact that Amida Buddha is not a separate entity from you but rather it is part of the One Mind that we all are and we all share. On a more psycho-spiritual level the teachings work as antidote to our constant confusion and struggle with ourselves. We let go and we realize this brings us happiness and peace. Why? Because most of our "suffering" is nothing more than our brain spinning its wheels. Finally, on a wisdom level, the teachings point out the fact that we, our little selves, are not the true doers. By letting go and deferring to our true nature we can see the bigger Actor on the stage. One may see some similarites here with Advaita, Sufiism, and other nondual teachings.

Daehaeng's approach is gentle and direct. She tries to impart confidence to us to trust ourselves. She asks "What is outside yourself that you are trying so hard to find?" (p.5) This ordinary mind now as it is, is where we find Buddha. This is in line with the ancient, noble tradition of Zen. However, she brings this often times obscure tradition into our everyday lives: practice is always here, always now. "There are many people who ignore Juingong (their true nature) and wander around outside, trying to find a better teacher or a better place for praying. They don't know that within themselves they have their own Dharma Hall, which is always filled with light and where Buddha is always present."

I'd recommend this book for people who looking for a new angle on their spiritual practice; who are attracted to nondual (Advaita) teachings, but find them difficult to practice; beginners new to Buddhism; and people looking for an all-around, life-based practice which will help them navigate through the good times and the bad.

I leave you with this wonderful quote:

"Why do you think you have nothing? Spiritual practice means having faith that there is a great treasure within your mind, and then finding it. Learning to discover the treasure within you is the most worthwhile thing in the world. If you can put this into practice, you can live freshly, with a mind open like the sky, always overflowing with compassion. What could be better than this?" (p. 34)

I have been practicing Buddhism for over 20 years. Like most I have struggled to understand the concept of enlightenment. I never expected it to awaken to the non-duality from the words in this book. Daehaeng Kun Sunim opened my eyes to reality like no one has ever done before. Understanding Juingong as your True Self and letting go of all is the most valuable teaching I have ever received. Juingong is the presence-awareness of Advaita and the teaching of Dogen. After reading this book and letting go to my True Self, all began to become clear. This small book along with 'Opening the Hand of Thought' will open you to Life as it is. How simple, how profound.