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Pagan Portal-Zen Druidry: Living a Natural Life, With Full Awareness
Taking both Zen and Druidry and embracing them into your life can be a wonderful and ongoing process of discovery, not only of the self but of the entire world around you. Looking at ourselves and at the natural world around us, we realise that everything is in constant change and flux - like waves on the ocean, they are all part of one thing that is made up of everything. Even after the wave has crashed upon the shore, the ocean is still there, the wave is still there - it has merely changed its form. The aim of this text is to show how Zen teachings and Druidry can combine to create a peaceful life path that is completely and utterly dedicated to the here and now, to the earth and her rhythms, and to the flow that is life itself.
74 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2013
About the author
Joanna van der Hoeven
31 books119 followersJoanna van der Hoeven was born in Quebec, Canada. She moved to the UK in 1998, where she now lives with her husband in a small village near the coast of the North Sea.
Joanna is a former Trustee of The Druid Network. She has studied with Emma Restall Orr and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She has a BA Hons English Language and Literature degree.
She is currently enjoying writing fiction, and her Witches of the New Forest series has been wonderfully received.
Joanna is a former Trustee of The Druid Network. She has studied with Emma Restall Orr and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She has a BA Hons English Language and Literature degree.
She is currently enjoying writing fiction, and her Witches of the New Forest series has been wonderfully received.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 18, 2020
The book does connect Zen and Druidry at the very basic level, so I guess it fulfilled its mission. I agree with the author's foundational argument about living in the moment and not letting emotions rule you.
However, the writing is very repetitive, weak, and surface level. Zen's tenants, as portrayed, can be contradictory, which the author addresses with the written equivalent of a shrug and says that we should just accept it. The author's continual assertion that everyone should be kind and compassionate to others, no matter what, is to varying degrees condescending, judgmental, and detached from societal reality. Attempts to recognize that people have to deal with injustice in the world are overly simplistic in order to maintain the author's argument about kindness.
The meditation section, while nothing other books don't have, was fairly decent.
However, the writing is very repetitive, weak, and surface level. Zen's tenants, as portrayed, can be contradictory, which the author addresses with the written equivalent of a shrug and says that we should just accept it. The author's continual assertion that everyone should be kind and compassionate to others, no matter what, is to varying degrees condescending, judgmental, and detached from societal reality. Attempts to recognize that people have to deal with injustice in the world are overly simplistic in order to maintain the author's argument about kindness.
The meditation section, while nothing other books don't have, was fairly decent.
April 18, 2013
An excellent book! The premise of this Pagan Portals volume is that "Zen teachings and Druidry can combine to create a peaceful life path that is completely and utterly dedicated to the here and now, to the earth and her rhythms, and to the flow that is life itself."
To begin, the author gives a brief yet comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism (while pointing out that the precepts of Zen need not be associated with a particular religious tradition) and Druidry. Her simple and eloquent writing style is well-suited to her topic, and gave me a more holistic view of the basic tenets of each system.
She goes on to illustrate how Zen practices such as meditation fit well with living a life attuned to the seasons of the earth. Rather than going through the motions of ritual at particular times of the year, Druids (and other Pagans) can learn to listen deeply to what is happening at each moment. Van der Hoeven describes how celebrating the eight Sabbats of the Druid year can be enhanced with the ethical practices of the Eightfold Path of Zen.
She also details how the practice of Druidry, or I would add, any earth-based spiritual path, can be enriched through the use of mindfulness meditation and present-moment awareness. Being a Druid is all about relationship, and when you are living in the moment, aware of all that is going on around you, you're much more able to be open to authentic relationships of all types: with nature, with other people, and with yourself.
After reading this book, I realized what a perfect and harmonious union these two systems create. It's common sense, really. In my own eclectic Pagan practice, and thanks to my yoga teachers, I've embraced much Buddhist philosophy. I have frequently used the practice of mindfulness as part of my regular spiritual practice. Yet seeing the two laid out side by side in this book has helped me see the bigger picture of how they intertwine, one supporting the other. I highly recommend reading this short yet profound homage to the blending of Druidry and Zen, and implementing it in your own spiritual practice.
To begin, the author gives a brief yet comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism (while pointing out that the precepts of Zen need not be associated with a particular religious tradition) and Druidry. Her simple and eloquent writing style is well-suited to her topic, and gave me a more holistic view of the basic tenets of each system.
She goes on to illustrate how Zen practices such as meditation fit well with living a life attuned to the seasons of the earth. Rather than going through the motions of ritual at particular times of the year, Druids (and other Pagans) can learn to listen deeply to what is happening at each moment. Van der Hoeven describes how celebrating the eight Sabbats of the Druid year can be enhanced with the ethical practices of the Eightfold Path of Zen.
She also details how the practice of Druidry, or I would add, any earth-based spiritual path, can be enriched through the use of mindfulness meditation and present-moment awareness. Being a Druid is all about relationship, and when you are living in the moment, aware of all that is going on around you, you're much more able to be open to authentic relationships of all types: with nature, with other people, and with yourself.
After reading this book, I realized what a perfect and harmonious union these two systems create. It's common sense, really. In my own eclectic Pagan practice, and thanks to my yoga teachers, I've embraced much Buddhist philosophy. I have frequently used the practice of mindfulness as part of my regular spiritual practice. Yet seeing the two laid out side by side in this book has helped me see the bigger picture of how they intertwine, one supporting the other. I highly recommend reading this short yet profound homage to the blending of Druidry and Zen, and implementing it in your own spiritual practice.
November 4, 2023
A good book on basic concepts
This is a good book and I enjoyed it. The author provides basic overviews of both Zen Buddhism and Druidry, though more on Zen. The author compares Zen and Druidry at a high-level but it seemed to me the author struggled to actually define what a Zen Druid is for the reader. I thought the idea expressed near the end, of combining the Buddha's Eightfold Path with the Pagan Wheel of the Year festivals, was indeed a brilliant concept. Unfortunately, when written up the concept seemed forced and lacking substance in the way it was presented. To achieve a more thorough idea of the intersection of Zen and Druidry I would recommend combining some good books on Druidry with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's "Love Letter to the Earth" and his "Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet."
This is a good book and I enjoyed it. The author provides basic overviews of both Zen Buddhism and Druidry, though more on Zen. The author compares Zen and Druidry at a high-level but it seemed to me the author struggled to actually define what a Zen Druid is for the reader. I thought the idea expressed near the end, of combining the Buddha's Eightfold Path with the Pagan Wheel of the Year festivals, was indeed a brilliant concept. Unfortunately, when written up the concept seemed forced and lacking substance in the way it was presented. To achieve a more thorough idea of the intersection of Zen and Druidry I would recommend combining some good books on Druidry with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's "Love Letter to the Earth" and his "Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet."
February 1, 2014
I picked this up from Amazon's Kindle bookstore, thinking that the small 74-page size, and the relatively low-cost of the book would make it something close to a pamphlet rather than a book. Was I ever wrong. While the 74-page size made for some really quick reading, the material is extremely deep and powerfully full of meaning. The start of the book steps into the concepts of Zen and then walks the reader through the concepts of Druidry. Neither are extremely detailed, but rather very well thought out introduction into the concepts. Once past this point, Joanna spends time showing how Zen and Druidry integrate quite well, mapping out how the five Noble Precepts can be utilized within the framework of Druidry.
One of the most powerful parts that I came away with from this book was the idea of "living in the moment" - embracing that each moment in life is unique within the ever-changing, ever-shifting environment that we live in. Many of the meditation techniques that she detailed here, I had already been utilizing in my own personal belief structure and druidry exercises in my Bardic Grade for the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. While the terminology was a little strange to me, the concepts were the same familiar ones that I have been embracing and utilizing for years.
Not only am I happy to have this particular book in my library, I whole heartedly recommend it to others looking for new Paths to explore in their own personal spirituality. It may be 74 pages in length (and as such is the only qualm I have with the book), but it will certainly open up new ways to view your spirituality, yourself, and the world around you.
One of the most powerful parts that I came away with from this book was the idea of "living in the moment" - embracing that each moment in life is unique within the ever-changing, ever-shifting environment that we live in. Many of the meditation techniques that she detailed here, I had already been utilizing in my own personal belief structure and druidry exercises in my Bardic Grade for the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. While the terminology was a little strange to me, the concepts were the same familiar ones that I have been embracing and utilizing for years.
Not only am I happy to have this particular book in my library, I whole heartedly recommend it to others looking for new Paths to explore in their own personal spirituality. It may be 74 pages in length (and as such is the only qualm I have with the book), but it will certainly open up new ways to view your spirituality, yourself, and the world around you.
March 10, 2013
This is a fascinating book that lays out the core concepts of both Zen and Druidry, exploring the points of overlap and the ways in which these two traditions compliment each other. The writing is precise, lucid and beautifully accessible whilst managing to put across a vast amount of information in a very small space. I would say that even if you aren’t attracted to the idea of Zen, this book is still well worth your time, because of what it shows through the contrast between the two traditions. Joanna draws attention to the importance of being as present in the moment as we can be, and as open to life as possible. That’s an issue for Druids of all flavours to consider. Druidry is very much about here and now, and what we do from moment to moment, after all.
If you’ve been attracted to both traditions all along, this is, quite simply, the book you have been waiting for.
If you’ve been attracted to both traditions all along, this is, quite simply, the book you have been waiting for.
June 14, 2021
I have just finished reading Zen Druidry by Joanna van De Hoeven. She has also written another book, The Crane Bag, which sounds most interesting. On the subject of Zen Druidry, one of the key concepts is to exist in the moment rather than to worry about the past or the future, this is known as mindfulness. One is meant to feel emotions but not to be ruled by them, simply to experience them and then to consider and possibly to act upon one's reflections. Another key concept from this book is attachment. According to Joanna, in Buddhism attachment leads to suffering, all or most suffering appears to be caused by attachment, whether to emotions, feelings, events, desires, or possessions for example. By freeing oneself from attachment one reduces or eliminates suffering. Compassions is another key concept, to reduce the suffering which one finds within others. Also, there are principles including awareness of the consequences of one's actions and the avoidance of violence of any form. Zen is mentioned also in terms of koans or statements which cause one to pause, meditate and return with a new perspective. Druidry compliments this by being related more closely to experiencing the world; being in the moment and experiencing are key states of being.
July 8, 2022
This is a fantastic read that is very simplistic on the surface. The material is arguably basic, however if you're not a beginner it can truly allow you to dwell on these topics deeper in a way that is truly beneficial.
My favorite aspects were reaffirming the First Precept ("do no harm") in relation to the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and within Awen and animism. This concept is pretty much the core of my personal belief system and extends to nearly everything in life, so I greatly appreciated the author's repeated alignment with that concept and that it was done in a way which was not exhaustive.
When studying Druidry, I've found that guided or visualization meditation tends to be the most recommended. Additionally, to practice being aware of nature and to just sit out and observe. I find that dichotomy very interesting as someone more familiar with Zen Buddhism--in my mind zazen would be a better practice to focus on than visualization due to it arguably being a better way to become locked into the moment. I'm glad that JvdH took the time to outline just how valuable zazen is to Druidry in the final chapter.
Lastly, some of her paragraphs were just beautiful. The wording so poetic but relevant. I definitely copied down some quotes for my journal.
My favorite aspects were reaffirming the First Precept ("do no harm") in relation to the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and within Awen and animism. This concept is pretty much the core of my personal belief system and extends to nearly everything in life, so I greatly appreciated the author's repeated alignment with that concept and that it was done in a way which was not exhaustive.
When studying Druidry, I've found that guided or visualization meditation tends to be the most recommended. Additionally, to practice being aware of nature and to just sit out and observe. I find that dichotomy very interesting as someone more familiar with Zen Buddhism--in my mind zazen would be a better practice to focus on than visualization due to it arguably being a better way to become locked into the moment. I'm glad that JvdH took the time to outline just how valuable zazen is to Druidry in the final chapter.
Lastly, some of her paragraphs were just beautiful. The wording so poetic but relevant. I definitely copied down some quotes for my journal.
January 2, 2023
Definitely an introductory take on these two rich traditions. The discussions of both Buddhism and Druidry are narrow and simplified, but I suspect if you are familiar with one and interested in the other, this could be a helpful read. Although the discussions of Zen Buddhism were overly simplified, I found them more satisfying than the discussions of Druidry.
Towards the back of the book is a discussion of meditation which could be helpful to some. It describes zen meditation but not much on Druid meditation practices. Still, for folks blending their Druid and Buddhist practices, it does provide a model of how one person has done this in a way they find satisfactory.
Towards the back of the book is a discussion of meditation which could be helpful to some. It describes zen meditation but not much on Druid meditation practices. Still, for folks blending their Druid and Buddhist practices, it does provide a model of how one person has done this in a way they find satisfactory.
August 13, 2021
An enjoyable, easy and informative read. Lots of information and inspiring insights.
On my own path, both Buddhism and Druidry appealed to me in ways that almost seemed personal. The situation remains unchanged, to the extent that I don't know if I am a Buddhist Druid or a Druidic Buddhist. But in the end that is just labels, I am me.
Joanna captures much of this attraction beautifully. It seems that I am far from alone in my eclectic approach, so books such as this are extra welcome.
On my own path, both Buddhism and Druidry appealed to me in ways that almost seemed personal. The situation remains unchanged, to the extent that I don't know if I am a Buddhist Druid or a Druidic Buddhist. But in the end that is just labels, I am me.
Joanna captures much of this attraction beautifully. It seems that I am far from alone in my eclectic approach, so books such as this are extra welcome.
March 6, 2019
A Nice Melding of Druidry and Zen
This book is exactly what the title suggests and is just whatnot was looking for. A little explanation of Zen, a little of druidry, and some discussion on how the two can fit together and also fit into a spiritual practice. I highly recommend it.
This book is exactly what the title suggests and is just whatnot was looking for. A little explanation of Zen, a little of druidry, and some discussion on how the two can fit together and also fit into a spiritual practice. I highly recommend it.
April 14, 2019
It was a nice read, though it could have used a editor. I think the book would have greater impact with tighter arguments. Generally, it focuses heavily on explaining zen. It spends very little time on druidry, and therefore left me a little confused. Why wasn't it just a book about mindfulness?
May 3, 2020
Loved this! Finally found something that puts my "spiritual but not religious" designation into perspective. This outlines my own belief system in a clear cut fashion.
September 6, 2015
3½ stars.
I had very mixed feelings about this little book. I enjoy the author's blog, and I find her writing style very approachable and easy to read. I appreciate her easy description of what Zen Druidry is to her, and how she lives it every day. I found most of the explanations of Zen Druidry easy to understand, and some of them I would like to incorporate into my own way of living. I think living more in the moment, instead of in the past or in the future, is incredibly important and something that would make a lot of people much happier and less stressed.
However, the concept of dukkha, suffering, is something I don't fully understand. I have tried wrapping my head around it in several ways, but the way it is presented in this book, I feel it encourages detachment from your daily experiences, just observing them instead of immersing yourself into them. Which seems contradictory to the rest of the book. I'm fairly certain there's something I'm not getting.
Aside from that point, though, I found the concept of mindfulness and the Eight-Fold Path really interesting points, and I will definitely be reading more about those. I also really, really liked her description of how she has integrated mindfulness into her Druidry, and how the Wheel of the Year corresponds with the Eight-Fold Path - that in particular was something that really made me think, and I really liked how she linked the two.
All in all a very clear, well-written little book.
I had very mixed feelings about this little book. I enjoy the author's blog, and I find her writing style very approachable and easy to read. I appreciate her easy description of what Zen Druidry is to her, and how she lives it every day. I found most of the explanations of Zen Druidry easy to understand, and some of them I would like to incorporate into my own way of living. I think living more in the moment, instead of in the past or in the future, is incredibly important and something that would make a lot of people much happier and less stressed.
However, the concept of dukkha, suffering, is something I don't fully understand. I have tried wrapping my head around it in several ways, but the way it is presented in this book, I feel it encourages detachment from your daily experiences, just observing them instead of immersing yourself into them. Which seems contradictory to the rest of the book. I'm fairly certain there's something I'm not getting.
Aside from that point, though, I found the concept of mindfulness and the Eight-Fold Path really interesting points, and I will definitely be reading more about those. I also really, really liked her description of how she has integrated mindfulness into her Druidry, and how the Wheel of the Year corresponds with the Eight-Fold Path - that in particular was something that really made me think, and I really liked how she linked the two.
All in all a very clear, well-written little book.
June 20, 2015
I admit, when I picked up the this book from the Kindle store, I was hoping for some profound realization, something that I hadn't run into before. I was hoping for something novel and exciting.
What I got was (as the Buddhist saying goes) "nothing special." That's not to say that this disappointed me, far from it in fact. The blending of Zen Buddhism and Druidry that van der Hoeven does is as simple as being totally present in this very moment.
Because, when you get down to it, this very moment is all that we have.
This book is simple and direct. My only complaint, like others have stated, is that the author is a little heavy-handed with the "Vegetarian, meat eating BAD" in one section.
What I got was (as the Buddhist saying goes) "nothing special." That's not to say that this disappointed me, far from it in fact. The blending of Zen Buddhism and Druidry that van der Hoeven does is as simple as being totally present in this very moment.
Because, when you get down to it, this very moment is all that we have.
This book is simple and direct. My only complaint, like others have stated, is that the author is a little heavy-handed with the "Vegetarian, meat eating BAD" in one section.
October 26, 2013
A small, heartfelt but frustratingly slight book. On the other hand, it sent impelled me to go off back to a couple of suspended, heavier reads and to look at new ways of incorporating my existing Yoga and Buddhist practice (the latter admittedly rather minimal!) into my ongoing exploration of paganism.
January 30, 2014
This little book gives an outline of druidry, what it is and how it works, followed by an introductory tour of Zen teachings and then shows you how to bring both 'traditions' together to form Zen Druidry. Very intriguing concept, well written and interesting for anyone on a spiritual path.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews