Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice

Kosho Uchiyama was a preeminent Japanese Zen master, instrumental in bringing Zen to America. The author of over twenty books, including Refining Your Life, he died in 1999.

Sean Runnette, a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award winner, has also produced several Audie Award-winning audiobooks. His film and television appearances include Two If by Sea, Copland, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Third Watch, and lots and lots of commercials.

Daitsu Tom Wright, born and raised in Wisconsin, lived in Japan for over forty years. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he taught as a professor in the English Language and Culture Program at Ryukoku University in Kyoto. Retiring from the university in 2010, he now lives with his wife in Hilo, Hawaii.

Jisho Warner is a Soto Zen priest and guiding teacher of Stone Creek Zen Center, which she founded. A former president of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, Warner trained both in Japan and the United States. Having graduated from Harvard University in 1965, she was also a longtime student of Dainin Katagiri.

Shohaku Okumura is a Soto Zen priest and Dharma successor of Kosho Uchiyama Roshi. He is the former director of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco. He is the founding teacher of the Sanshin Zen Community, based in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives with his family.