I am long overdue in reviewing this book. While I have not finished it yet, I feel I have sufficient information to give a review. This is a book that is comprised of the authors writings over the years. Therefore, it can be picked up and read for brief periods of time without losing the thread of continuity. Sometimes I find it very personal to his experience and not relatable. There’s too much interweaving of the circumstances regarding the philosophy he’s trying to impart. Just when I get ready to say I’m not going to finish the book, I find some thing of value . I guess that’s why it’s taking me so long to finish the book. It is not a mesmerizing book but has useful components. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Zen priest, poet, interfaith leader, founder of Everyday Zen, and co-founder of Makor Or (and so much more!) Norman Fischer’s When You Greet Me I Bow: Notes and Reflections on a Life in Zen spans over 30+ years of his insightful, contemplative essays and musings. Hunted and gathered by intensive “treasure hunts” and internet sleuthing and banker boxes of magazines of yore, editor Cynthia Schrager’s collaboration was integral.

This is the first title I have read by Fischer, though my kalyana mitta (spiritual friends) group is reading The World Could Be Otherwise next. As a ruminative, questioning meditator and mindfulness practitioner, my most pleasant surprises while reading When You Greet Me were Fischer’s humility and humor. For example, in his “Notes on Looking Backward While Looking Forward” he aptly and happily discusses his impression on not being particularly “stable, sensible, or coherent” having lived his life in “flux, shift, and burble.” I appreciated his ability to question himself, lay it all on the table (or page). Even with his decades of experience Fischer notes that stability and sensibility may not quite be part of the package: even a beloved Zen package. As someone who reads a lot of meditation, psychology, and Buddhism titles, this was rather refreshing and kept me reading, continually intrigued, and headed to his Everyday Zen site.

Although I selected this title due to my interest in meditation and Buddhism, I believe that readers interested in community engagement/activism, minimalism and the environment (I am still rolling “Wash Your Bowl” around in my mind), aging and the lifespan, would consider this well worth the read!

Thank you to Norman Fischer, Cynthia Schrager, Net Galley, and Shambhala for the advance copy.

This is niche title, but contains lots of wisdom and perspectives. I saw a doc on the author but haven't read his work before now. This will be enjoyed most by those interested in Buddhist philosophy and practice, and Zen. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

I have only read a bit of Norman Fischer’s previous work (which I found very meaningful.). This is a great read from this well-respected teacher