Preview
  • One Blade of Grass

  • A Zen Memoir
  • By: Henry Shukman
  • Narrated by: Henry Shukman
  • Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (41 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

One Blade of Grass

By: Henry Shukman
Narrated by: Henry Shukman
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.80

Buy for $21.80

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A memoir of author and poet Henry Shukman's lifelong journey through Zen Buddhism and the experiences in his life - both positive and painful - that fuelled his quest.

One Blade of Grass is award-winning novelist and poet Henry Shukman's account of his journey through the world of Zen Buddhism.

Raised in a rationalist household in Oxford during the spiritual heyday of the '60s and '70s, an unexpected spiritual awakening would prompt a lifelong quest to integrate the experience into his life, leading him eventually to Zen Buddhism. As Shukman gets to grips with meditative practice and struggles with anxiety, depression and the chronic eczema he had had since childhood, he discovers in surprising ways the emotional, spiritual and even physical healing that he has been searching for all along.

By turns humorous and moving, this beautifully written memoir demystifies Zen training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language, and takes the listener on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures of life that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us.

©2021 Henry Shukman (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Captivating." (Times Literary Supplement)

"The book Shukman was born to write." (Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones)

"A wonderful and generous book." (David Hinton, author of The Wilds of Poetry)

What listeners say about One Blade of Grass

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A gem

An inspiring story of healing and redemption through the practice of zen Buddhism. Very well written and narrated. Highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating & touching

I enjoyed this book a lot. It transports a vividness, which I guess, can only be transported if and when the author speaks himself.
Fascinating journey to the basement of human experience, really down to earth without lofty promises.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A worthy entry into the world of Zen

Loved this recording! A valuable service to all on the Dharma path! Bravo to the author!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing man

I met Henry Shukman on a tour in Ireland before I ever knew he was a Zen master. He was so warm and caring and humble and curious. I loved listening to this book and seeing how he became the person that he is today.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautifully written exploration of Zen

I loved this book, beginning to end. Firstly, Henry is blessed with an amazing speaking voice. I could listen to him read the phone book. Beyond that, his command of prose makes the story, and his deep exploration of Zen, beautiful and enlivening. Lastly, I learned so much about Zen, what the experience of awakening is, and what it can mean for a human life. Thank you, Henry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really inspiring

What a fascinating story. I am inspired to learn more after listening to this. I am curious explore the teachings of the Koans. Thank you Henry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!