"An absolute pleasure for the soul."—Caroline Myss, author of Sacred Contracts

"Solitude is essential for health and happiness. Dobisz takes you right into the heart of the experience. I loved it."—Christiane Northrup MD, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom“

Splendidly candid and beautifully written… There have been plenty of other books about solitude and the refreshments emerging out of silence and communion with the natural world but this one is special because of its radiant glints of wisdom about Zen.”—Spirituality and Practice

Zen Master Bon Yeon received Inka in April 2000. She is a Guiding Teacher of Cambridge Zen Center, where she was Abbot for four years and where she lived for ten years. A student of Zen Master Seung Sahn since 1982, she has practiced extensively in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

"Good, level-headed stuff. Dobisz is a teacher and writer of strength and experience. With wit, seriousness, and freshness, she gives a powerful account of facing life and reality head-on."—Steve Hagen, author of Buddhism is Not What You Think

I have recommended her book for years because when you read it you really do find out what it’s like to sit a 100 day solo Zen retreat.

Even better, she makes it sound do-able — if you can’t find 100 days, maybe you can find 30, or 7, or 3… Reading Jane’s book, you come to believe that, whoever you are, you too can do serious spiritual practice for an extended period. She doesn’t set herself up as any different from anyone else. She is very practical and down to earth about the tribulations of chopping wood and hauling water and making do with a slop bucket in a cabin with only a wood stove during a cold Massachusetts winter while getting up at 3 a.m. every morning to do 300 prostrations.