A Way of Life

A Way of Life - ZEN MONASTICS AT WORK AND PLAY
Paul Davis
'A smile is the most basic kind of peace work.' -- Thich Nhat Hanh
In these times of fanaticism and terror, intolerance and disruption, Paul Davis's A Way of Life: Zen Monastics at Work and Play takes the reader to a far-away world of joy and peace. The author is a documentary photographer who came in contact with the Zen preacher Thich Nhat Hanh soon after a personal tragedy. In his own words he found in the Zen teaching no 'canned answers' but 'a life path that made sense to me'. The present book is a photographic record of Davis's journey into that world of reflection.
A Way of Life is a book of luminous photographs that touch a deep chord in the heart. The splendid images, in black-and-white and colour, exude peace and joy. You'll be hard put to find a picture without smiling faces. In other photos with no human presence, nature is smiling. Words of wisdom of the Zen teacher are sprinkled all over the book.
The beautiful photographs, taken in Vietnam, France and the USA, paint the monks and nuns in a variety of activities that make up their mindful living: meditation, gardening, sweeping, cooking, sports, music. The monks are often silently ecstatic, sometimes there is just a hint of a smile on their lips. But almost always their faces are illuminated by a sense of inner joy and peace. These photographs will have a soothing effect on the minds of the viewers. The world they portray is serene and unruffled. This reviewer hopes that they would also prompt a modern soul to reflect on whether it is worthwhile to have a life of 'sick hurry and divided aims'.
This is a coffee table book, a book of photographs with the introductory words by the author the only piece of continuous text. Paul Davis's A Way of Life is a nice book to keep on your bedside table and leaf through in good times and bad. It will also be an ideal addition to the tables and bookshelves in places usually visited by anguished and troubled minds. Highly recommended.
The reviewer is obligated to let the readers know that he received a free electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A way of life shows the beautiful photography taken by a Vietnam veteran, who lost his son in a car accident and was searching for meaning. He discovered Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen teachings which led him back to Vietnam. The photographs, showing the Vietnamese monastery way of life, transports the reader to the country with bliss and joy of a more simple existence.

While there isn't that much text to read, the beginning tells author, Paul Davis' story of the Vietnam war to his son, Nathan's death which led him on the journey to search of meaning. The book does include quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh to go along with the photographs.

Overall, I found this book to be very enjoyable because it made me think about the different lifestyles around the world.

The book is a personal experience. The author opens his heart and mind so that we get a glimpse of a very private part of his life. The photographs are amazing; some in color and some in black and white. A restful collection of images not to be missed.

Photographs of a Vietnamese monastery through the eyes of an American.
The shots are often grainy, which lends itself well to the documentary aspect of the book. One of the first shots shows two women in profile walking past a lake, a red bridge before them. The background is foggy. It’s beautiful.
But mostly it’s about the monks. There’s a bald one with glasses, smiling as he/she paddle a rowboat. The masked monk on a riding lawn mower seems a little incongruous. There’s shots of them playing basketball, volleyball, badminton, hopscotch, and some sort of hackey-sack in a parking lot. Not what is expected from a monastery. There’s also a music section, the highlight of which is the little girl watching the cello player.
Some of the photos are complimented by sayings or poems, which does serve to make them a little more special, but even though there’s some beautiful images here, most of the photography looks like stuff taken at a backyard family party. Not all that interesting, unless the point was somewhere in the vein of, “Look, they’re just like us!”