"After a Zen student has had a first awakening experience, the most important phase of training begins. In the Rinzai tradition, that training includes mastery of a series of 'miscellaneous' koans, which vary according to the lineage. With grace and deep insight, Elaine MacInnes has presented pointers to the beginning koans of her teacher Koun Yamada Roshi. Zen students everywhere are grateful for her profound and skillful contribution to our practice."
– Gerry Shishin Wick, author of The Book of Equanimity, and co-author of The Great Heart Way