Joanna van der HoevenReseñas

Like the rest of the Pagan Portals series, it’s pretty brief, but I did learn about Zen Buddhism, Druidry, and how they can reinforce each other by staying in the moment/the real, and staying in nature/magic. I would say that both paths are pretty philosophical, so I think it’s a good fit. Again, it’s a discount price because of the length, but I think it’s a good thesis, and also, unlike with a long story like in some myth or tale, sometimes with philosophy more length/details isn’t as necessary as a suggestive hint for you to chew on, really.

…. Aversion to change causes suffering.

The classic Buddhist example of this is chasing youth, and it is true, all that stuff about clinging. It’s great when it’s here, but it doesn’t last. But also, I really feel like it’s just as good an explanation of money: aversion to change causes suffering…. You’d think there’d be an attachment to change if you wanted something, but in practice I don’t think this is the usual thing. The poor guy is worried that his benefits will be jiggled around and he’ll be pinched; he doesn’t usually spend a lot of time attached to positive financial change. Attachment in the literal sense of clinging can be bad—it’s bound up in aversion. But really I think the problem is aversion, and the most fundamental aversion is maybe to change, you know. And that’s what money is, that’s what all the psycho-physical energies of the Universe are: change. There’s never actually like a guarantee that ~you are now rich, and will always be rich (at least $X!) forever, you know. Money does require you to let go of things. It’s just not for the purposes of diminishment, you know—diminishment for the sake of diminishment. I’ve heard the Christian saying that Jesus must increase and I must decrease quoted in a style of diminishment for the sake of diminishment, you know. In one sense, that demands pretty much nothing of you; it can be comfortable, and gives a sense of false spiritual satisfaction, of course. But it also demands everything of you—everything. I’m not talking about that.

But nobody’s equally rich every day, no matter how they manage their money. I think a lot of what keeps people in survival mode, which is basically what poverty often is, is wanting that—equally rich (poor) every day. Can’t risk my entry-level job. Can’t risk my government benefits. Can’t risk leaving the mental hospital. Can’t risk change. Can’t diminish—can’t increase.

I think it’s clear that you can read both Druidry/cycles of nature and Buddhism/impermanence into this money thing.

…. It’s not that money is (inherently) against nature—the people trying to protect nature need money to do it, and green choices very often (although not always) cost something more—but somehow we have let it become counter-intuitive, in this age where we have wonderful things that we never had before, that the ~most, wonderful things are what we always had…. And yet…. And yet I wonder how well we ever appreciated it, you know, the wonder of life…. A few see the wonder all around them, and the rest, well….

…. It’s not that dreaming is wrong; what’s “wrong” is not knowing it’s a dream. What’s unhelpful is reacting blindly either because we think we are stuck in a dangerous dream, or angry that a dream is taking place. It is really a matter of simply observing or giving attention to, these strange children within us, our thoughts and dreams.

But that doesn’t mean regretting that we’re not living on a plane of consciousness where only buddhas live, you know—some Great Void.

Things happen; that’s what they do. When you just let them happen and start to give them clear attention, you can actually start to enjoy it.

…. She’s right that magic and ritual clearly involve a certain amount of awareness, intent, not being not present. Obviously the Buddhists’ practice involves this same element, in their own way.

…. Incidentally, I’ve never understood the kind of bibliography where you don’t give the author’s first name, you know. “Bob doesn’t have a first name. He just writes books. (beat) It’s been years since he had a first name…. Come on. Let’s go.” 😷

A beautifully written guide for a solo practitioner of Druidic traditions.

[ETA: Upping to 3.5 stars because I had an epiphany about being present in the moment not in small part due to this book.]

2.5 stars. Much of the book sounded overly idealistic. The writing was pretty bad and often repetitive, if not outright confusing to follow. I don't think I'll ever be able to wrap my head around "ancestors of the future."

I did appreciate the way the author talked throughout the book about mindfulness and being present in the moment. I really liked the discussion of seasons, festivals, and different activities that could be done to connect to nature accordingly.½

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.

This book read as half philosophy, half personal journal. While some parts were interesting or thought-provoking, there was little of practical use. The author provided sample rituals to perform, but she wasn't clear about what types of information the practitioner should be seeking or, when found, how to incorporate such information into daily life or grow your own practice. I also don't feel like I have a clear idea of the differences between Wicca, Druidry, and witchcraft; after a very brief description of each, the book goes into how the author practices/thinks without specifying how the different approaches work together.

The author's passion and anecdotes were quite enjoyable to read.

Really nice overview from beliefs down to practice. This book offers a number of sample rituals (about a third of the book) for daily, monthly and Sabbat use.

I wish this had spent more time going over the specific topic of the concept of Awen. The author spent a little too much time covering the Wheel of the Year, but overall this was a really good intro to solitary druidry.

This meshing of zen buddhist and druidic principles is both intuitive and beautiful. An amazing and well written book.

Received for a fair and honest review

This book inspired me. Joanna van der Hoeven writes beautifully and her book shows the importance of honouring all living creatures, our ancestors. and the planet we are part of.

**This book was reviewed via Netgalley**

Van der Hoeven’s Zen for Druids is her second book focuses on combining the nature spiritualism of Druidry with the teachings and tenets of Buddhism. She makes a note that the reader should have read the previous Zen Druidry before reading this one. I would disagree, and say that a familiarity with either Druidry or Zen is sufficient. I have passing knowledge of Zen, and a strong knowledge of Druidry, and had no difficulty in understanding and integrating the text material.

There are five different parts, with various subheadings. Each subheading has questions for the reader to consider, and some have exercises. The first covers the basic precepts of Zen Buddhism. The second looks at the pagan Wheel of the Year, tying one aspect of the Eightfold Path to each of the eight High Days (Solstices, Equinoxes, and the four Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain, Involved, Beltane, and Lughnasadh). The third and fourth parts focus on meditation and mindfulness practices, and how Zen aspects of these can tie to Druidry. The fifth, and last, looks to fully integrating all of these teaching into a whole practise.

I found this book fascinating. van der Hoeven explained the Zen teachings in such a way that I understood them better than any other books on the subject I've read this far, making it seem more obtainable a goal than its ever seemed before. I may take the Wheel of the Year challenge, adapting as needed to my circumstances. I've been wanting to rekindle my Druid practise, and integrate it with my Rokkatru beliefs.

📚📚📚📚📚 Highly recommended for any with an interest in adding Zen practise to their Druidry. Also, for a good, concise overview of Zen teachings.