The Fruitful Darkness: A Journey Through Buddhist Practice and Tribal Wisdom

There are books that change you, reach inside and pull you out of the mental mud. This is one. The chapter on nonduality will be reread numerous times. The only other book that has affected me in this manner is Matthiessen’s Snow Leopard. Doors open. Worlds open. Thank you.

Joan Halifax delivers to us a poetic exploration of life, death, and living. Through her stories in the fractured landscape of the crumbling modern world of commodities and dollar based values that are eating up the world... and our soul, she centers in the direness of today, the beauty and the wisdom available to us. Inside the lens of her experience we hear the insightful voices of compassionate luminaries, and indigenous wisdom from the the coast of California, to the climbs of Tibet.I highly recommend this book, it is precisely what my mind and heart needed in these times. It is so well written, and compactly printed to carry, I found myself reading in the small places where I could catch a page, paragraph, or chapter.Joan is a gifted writer and a modern day seer, peering past the plastic of a capitally wrapped world, into the living, fruitful darkness of today, asking us to look within, and about to find the soul we are searching for through the reality as it is present today.

I've been fascinated by Shamanism and Zen for a long time but I did not find this book as enlightening as I hoped. My criticism of her philosophy is offered solely in the interest of finding a true solution to our existential crisis. I would argue that you cannot identify with nature, the absolute, or the entire cosmos. You should not find comfort in an expanded sense of identity.For example, let's say you are working for a non-profit and you really love your job. It gives you a sense of being part of something larger than yourself. Then one day internal politics causes the non-profit to come to you and tell you that you are being let go. Now you are to lose your sense of being part of something larger than yourself. This can be devastating if you invested too much of your ego into the non-profit. I would argue that it is important to be self-contained and realize that you are only a part of a company, a part of nature, or a part of the cosmos. It is false consciousness to identify with the whole. It is simple logic to realize that the part is not identical with the whole. To identify with the whole is a form of spiritual self-aggrandizement.So when she says, "It is also clear that our identity is not limited to what is wrapped up in our skins." There is some truth to this but you can't submerge the individual into the collective or nature as completely as she suggests.Another interesting realization, "I know that the psyche yearns to give the world a soul." Unfortunately, the entire book attempts to ensoul the world without seeing this to be a mere fantasy.

The Zen Master reviewed her life experiences that brought her towards enlightenment. It was interesting to read. I think "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" provides more insight into life through the experiences of the author.

Absolutely incredible book. One of those books that just finds you when right when you need it. I actually found it because I listen to Trevor Hall and he mentioned it as being a big influence on him and his music.It's absolutely not what I was expecting based on the title, but it's exactly what I needed to read when I read it. I'll be looking forward to Joan's next book Standing at the Edge when it comes out.This book is just beautiful and finally gave me some conceptual understanding to go with my intuitive INNERstanding.

I was brought here as a fan of musician Trevor Hall and his recent release entitled "The Fruitful Darkness", inspired by Joan Halifax's book regarding spiritual self-discovery. An inspirational read that, for me, both helps me understand the concept behind Trevor Hall's album and see how an inspirational journey such as Joan's can reshape our bodies, minds and souls to embrace that which is known as the "Fruitful Darkness". Relive Joan's many journeys and discover the inspiration for yourself. Highly recommend!

Joan delivers a powerful book filled with honest accounts of her journey into self. The energy created by talking and meeting with other teachers and wise elders has shaped Joan's life thus far They say that travel broadens the mind..Joan has shared that journey with us.Her positive thoughts feelings and incredible intuitive soul has enabled Joan to become one of the most respected zen Buddhist teachers at the present time. I therefore recommend this book if you are a seeker of the way the truth and the spiritual life namaste

Joan Halifax is an amazing creature. The official bio reads something like ex-wife of LSD psychotherapist Stanislaf Grof, anthropologist and research assistant to Joseph Campbell, deep ecologist and present roshi of Upaya Zen Center. The real Joan Halifax is a true cosmic dancer, bruja / medicine woman who has mastered the art of weaving whatever physical or etheric garments are necessary for the next grand spiritual adventure (beyond shapeshifting) and omnilinguist fluent in the languages of animals and angels. The Fruitful Darkness is one of the most beautiful, sad and ecstatic travelogues you will ever read.

Meaning of life and death process

wonderful book, one to keep to refer back to, one to pass on.

So many words, so little knowledge.

This. Gonzo hype pseudospirituality. If you are a woman and would like a "strong woman" type to tell you about her experiences in the east, this is for you.If you to understand somehting apart from her subjective experiences though, you are out of luck.

Reading this book has been a delight. Through her experiences Joan shows us where traditions meet, where wholesomeness lies, that Truth is not confined. A good and wholesome read, thank you.