Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms

by Norman Fischer

Other authorsNorman Fischer (Translator)
Paperback, 2003

Status

Available

Tags

Interfaith, American Zen Teachers

Collection

Zen Buddhism

Publication

Penguin Books (2003), 208 pages

Description

"In Norman Fischer's translation, the words of the Psalms are clothed in renewed beauty - clear, uncompromising, shining with devotion."-Jack Kornfield, author of After the Ecstasy, the Laundry   A week with the Trappist monks of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky left Norman Fischer feeling inspired by the uplifting, soaring verses chanted each day, but also astonished by the violence, passion, and bitterness expressed. This experience started him on a journey through Eastern and Western spirituality and his own Jewish roots toward these moving and intimate translations of the Psalms.   In ninety-three poems of praise, celebration, suffering, and lamentation, Opening to You brings the Psalms alive, conveying their beauty and power in accessible English for today's readers of every spiritual path or religious background and transforming the sacred songs into the timeless music of enlightenment.… (more)

Language

English

ISBN

9780142196137

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Library's review

A week at the Gethsemani Abbey left Zen priest and poet Norman Fischer inspired by the soaring beauty of the Psalms chanted each day, but shocked by their violence, passion, and bitterness. Thus he began a journey through Eastern and Western spirituality and his own Jewish roots toward these moving
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 and intimate translations, designed to "make these towering and perplexing poems accessible and beautiful in English for contemporary readers" of every spiritual path or religious background. These ninety-three poems of praise, celebration, suffering, and lamentation are exquisitely rendered in modern and intimate language. In the tradition of Stephen Mitchell's Tao Te Ching and Coleman Barks's Essential Rumi, Opening to You brings the Psalms alive-and creates an inspirational bridge between different religious and cultural roots.
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Rating

(5 ratings; 4.1)

Pages

208

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