Rating: 
Summary: Restful and illuminating
Review: Using techniques taught in Writing Down the Bones, Goldberg describes her discovery of writing as a Zen practice. Vivid descriptions of her various homes and her emotions through the events of her life, including the death of her Zen teacher - Katagiri Roshi.
Rating: 
Summary: Zen in the art of writing . . .
Review: Waking up in America. Natalie Goldberg weaves a wonderful book based on the details of her life and times. At the same time, this book is perhaps the most interesting explanation of Zen practice that I've read in a long time. By weaving her own story of Zen practice with the principles of writing and giving vision to how each is connected to the other, Goldberg draws the reader into an appreciation of both disciplines. I found myself mourning just as she described herself to be at the loss of Kitigari Roshi. Somehow, Goldberg had gotten me to be as much in love with Roshi as she, and so the loss was real when she described the events leading up to and then his actual death. But that is exactly what she tries to explain in the Long Quiet Highway, that we have to experience now, and be open to the present fully, unconditionally. The beauty of this book is that it not only explains in mere words the principles she espouses, but it elicits those feelings directly through the very words we are reading. Easy insight comes also from her teaching experiences. That is not to imply that the lessons learned were easy for Ms. Goldberg, but rather that her word pictures make it easy for the reader to understand and visualize what actually happened, what lights went on with the students, and how she managed to make that happen. I thought that I would perhaps be a bit bored with this, her fourth book for me, but I could not have been more incorrect. This book has inspired me to go back and re-read some of the Zen texts I've collected. At the same time, it has encouraged me to make time for my own writing practice - no excuses, no postponing, just do it.
Rating:
Summary: I got so absorbed, I missed a deadline!
Review: When this book first came out, I remember reading it straight through three times. And I sent it to nearly every writer or spiritual seeker I knew.
Today, I was looking on my bookshelf hoping for inspiration on a book to send a new friend who is in the midst of a spiritual struggle (though I see it as an awakening). I picked up Ms. Goldberg's book and started thumbing through it. Before I knew it, the time had flown by and I'd completely forgotten about my work... yikes-my deadline! I just ordered a copy for my friend, and am going to reread the book myself.
This is what makes it so great: it is honest and authentic. It is like sitting in a room with someone and having them decribe a fascinating and compelling journey. It is the complications of zen practice made simple to understand. Reading it is exactly the experience the title suggests... it is a journey.
For anyone who understands the struggle to "wake up." This is a beautiful book to keep by your side.
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