Composting our karma Turning confusion into lessons for awakening our innate wisdom

Zen teacher Rhodes explains in her openhearted debut how asking "deep questions about life" can foster self-knowledge. She contends that readers can use kong-ans--questions like "What am I?" and "How is it just now?"--to tap into a "mind before thinking" that lacks "prejudgments, opinions, desires, anger, and ignorance," and makes space for wisdom and compassion to emerge. She then shows how to use this mindset to grapple with such challenges as climate change (readers should "focus on trusting ourselves to walk into this unfolding universe with open eyes, courage, and a sense of how we can help") and finding one's vocation. While those seeking a systematic program for Buddhist practice will have to look elsewhere, the author's refreshingly playful outlook produces many approachable and charming bits of wisdom ("We have everything we need to become completely awake and realized. Then we can be fulfilled selling insurance or being a saint, or being a saint who sells insurance. The only thing that matters is that our direction" is "woven into our existence"). Spiritual seekers looking to refresh their practice will be energized. (Dec.)