Zen koans are ancient stories of encounters between people that call to us across the centuries.

Everyday life is filled with our own encounters with family, friends, and the greater world. Each is evocative of a range of emotions, from despair over the state of things, to the joy of seeing a bee loaded with pollen. Each is an invitation.

In Weaving Wind and Stone, Leland Shields uses stories from Zen koans to help you connect everyday relationships with the mysteries that are right here and right now. Whether you are already practicing sitting Zen or are new to it, this book invites you to explore ancient Zen koans. At moments when your heart or mind might be closed, Weaving Wind and Stone asks simple and sometimes demanding questions from koans that can guide us on the Way.

Leland E. Shields studies under the traditions of the Diamond Sangha and has been authorized to serve as a teacher in his Zen sangha for over ten years. He is also a mental health counselor, working for over two decades.