The Key: And the Name of the Key Is Willingness

by Cheri Huber, June Shiver (Illustrator)

These insights from many years of Zen meditation practice appeal to a wide range of spiritual traditions and explore topics such as the difference between process and content, notions of right and wrong, ending self-punishment, and taking responsibility for one's experiences. Perfect for beginning Zen students and for those interested in Buddhism in general or eastern religion, it features deep spiritual insights and playful illustrations that add warmth and approachability to the topic.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Zen, Self Help, Psychology, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Cheri Huber, author of 20 books, has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years. In 1983, Cheri founded the Mountain View Zen Center, and in 1987 she founded the Zen Monastery Peace Center near Murphys, California. She and the monks at the Monastery conduct workshops and retreats at these centers, other places around the U.S., and internationally.

In 1997, Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service. Living Compassion’s primary work is the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, based in Zambia, where for over a decade they have been working with the people of Kantolomba, beginning the process of turning a slum of 11,000 people into a self-sustaining community.

Cheri also has a weekly Internet based radio show.

Reviews

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many books on meditation, both simple and profound.

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this book was so helpful!! I'm really glad I went back to the beginning of the books and started to read them one by one!

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good fall back reference to just let things go. Cheri Huber uses a unique and easy to read style for her book that makes the pages fly by in an instant. Sometimes that is good, but other times it is not so as I feel like I am missing things here and there.

This book keeps your attention by giving you exercises to work through the points that Huber really wants to get across. Along with exercises she also restates points multiple times to show the importance of them.

I would definitely recommend this book as a companion to therapy or meditation, just maybe not as a stand alone as it does seem to only touch on certain aspects of self-help.

[Chris Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple but profound book that speaks to the Buddhist belief in total acceptance. It's about accepting "what is" in your life and having the willingness to take positive steps forward if you really want to change. But, true to Buddhism, it directs the reader to find the answers to life within. Get on your meditation cushion and look within...there you will find everything you desire in life.

This is one book of many in a series that Cheri Huber has written. I look forward to reading more in the series. I recommend this book!

[Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fav quotes
“Love as much as you can from where you are with what you’ve got”

“Our language misleads us because we say:
‘He is handsome.’
‘The sunset is beautiful.’
‘She is angry.’
rather than:
‘My experience of him is handsome.’
‘My experience of the sunset is beautiful.’
‘My experience of her is angry.’”
Had the earth shattering realization that there is no right way to be or think lmao wild. Could be dangerous because I may never explain myself again

[Joanne Rosentreter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Seek a starting point for inner cultivation? You will find it here. Enjoyed the handwritten format, essence in point form and examples greatly. No beginning or end, only a continuum. Very grateful. Rich material for self-reflection and practise.

[David Geschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book, easy read, great author. 4 stars only because there are a lot of areas where they ask you to write down lists and apply certain topics to your own life, etc - I am not a huge fan of that so I blew through those parts and just read the book, which is quite good and highly recommended.

[Alannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read - deceptively simple concepts are covered, but they are still things I (and others) need to be reminded of. I liked the format - it's almost like reading a letter from a friend.

[Ghinwa Ayoub · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I was passing anxious days and I left like loosing controle over myself. I finished it feeling better and relaxed. I got a lot of aha moments as well.

[Max Smirnoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read from Cheri Huber. Reading this book was my daily meditation. Helped me a lot with managing suffering caused by migraines. Not recommended for those who just start getting into meditation, mindfulness, spirituality though.
Thank you Cheri
All the best to all.

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deceptively simple little book, the format might give them impression that it is overly simple. It does however contain the esence of buddhist teachings about Right Thought. It is put in such a way that anyone can use it, it would be to my mind very usefl for young people who might start to correct the idiocy that our society presents to them as reality. A good little book for daily readings just to renmind oneself about the negative programming most of us carry and the point the way to an alternative that is far more useful.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty though-provoking book. It discusses wants, needs, shoulds, happiness, etc. It is a very easy read since it's pretty short but it's also kind of deep at the same time. It just seems like this is something everyone should read & put to good use. i really found it helpful & know that down the road I will pull this book out & read it again just so I can be reminded of how to really put the important things into perspective.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not the strongest Cheri Huber book as at times it feels abstract and hard to understand what she's talking about, but I always get something out of reading her books. It's like getting the best possible advice and reassurance from your best friend.

My critical eye for design wishes all her books weren't handwritten! I think she could really broaden her audience and distract less from the content by making it easier to read. But, I accept it for what it is!

[Renate Eveline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like a collections of quotes that are carefully grouped. The passages ring true and deserve further thought. Huber poses some relevant questions to her readers.
But as a whole, the book has the well meant feel of a sprituality glossy: looks ok (although I personally think the lay out is quite childish), but is rather superficial.

[Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple but good reminders. A quick read. Since reading it, I've been finding myself repeating the mantra that I took away from it: "Accept what is!" Lost a couple stars for me only because I enjoy more intense, deep, psychological and/or philisophical readings and Huber's style is more simplistic and fundamental.

[J]

This a good accompaniment to meditation, unless you are advanced in your practice, in which case you might already intuitively understand the book's contents. I see how the book could also benefit introspective non-meditators: it does well on the intellectual level, too.

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all Cheri Huber's books. Written in a friendly, handprinted font, with cute doodle pictures, this book (and others from her) is approachable, digestible, and accessible, even if you are closed down and struggling for equanimity. An ideal author to open up to.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never get enough of Cheri Huber's books. Every page is a gem. And I love the last page, where at the bottom, it is written: "( continued on page 1)". Like we are for ever learning this stuff....

[Betty Haugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Perfect

This book has the brilliance of taking something that seems so complex and showing us how simple it can be. I am going to buy a bunch of these books and give them to friends and family.

[Jen]

Nice book to pick up whenever you need an attitude adjustment or another way of thinking about something.

[charlotte Phillips]

amazing book. I’d like to give a copy to everyone I know. Small book that could really be a big first step in welcoming peacefulness in anyone’s life.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to "There is Nothing Wrong With You," I believe that the lessons of this book will be slow to sink in and that my rating will increase as I have more time to digest this text.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I need to read this book every day. Simple, yet profound.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheri Huber’s book is sort of a blend of Zen Lite and self-help. The subject here is acceptance as a road to happiness so if you’re looking for somebody to cheer you along that path, here’s Cheri.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Cheri Huber presents more instruction with Buddhism and being in the moment (mindfulness). Each book moves the reader along further in their journey.

[Tammy Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an easy read and takes so much life wisdom and makes it so simple to follow. Definitely a book to read every 6 months or so just to do the work and keep moving forward in life!

[Steve Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This light little book reminds us to be willing to accept life as it is.