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by Richard Ponton (Author)
Discover life's adventures and lessons through Benny, a curious chipmunk with Zen wisdom, and his friends: Ripley the sea turtle, Mellonie the gull, and Elliot the wise horseshoe crab. Explore mindfulness, meditation and the power of nature.
Join the journey of Benny, or Ben Zen, an inquisitive chipmunk with a penchant for Zen wisdom. His dual nature of mischief and tranquility make him the heart of our tale. His Zen sayings and proverbs, shared from a lotus position on the beach, breathe life into the book, encapsulating the essence of each chapter.
Venture alongside Ripley, the Kemp-Ridley Sea turtle, whose adventurous spirit is infectious. She embodies exploration and the desire to understand life's mysteries. Mellonie, the Laughing Gull, mirrors the beach's gulls in her behavior but unveils a compassionate nature as the story unfolds. Elliot, the ancient horseshoe crab, is a fountain of wisdom, sharing knowledge inherited from his long-lived ancestors.
The BEN ZEN Way of Life weaves its tale through four distinct lenses. Firstly, it shares life lessons from a refreshing angle, seen through the eyes of its four diverse characters. Secondly, it peppers the narrative with thrilling adventures - from the life-threatening hawk attack on Benny to his near-death experience in the ocean. The story also takes us on a quest with Mellonie and Benny in search of fresh water.
Science lovers will appreciate the third lens, where intriguing facts about the characters are woven into the narrative. Discover how gulls can drink both fresh and saltwater, learn about the horseshoe crab's spider lineage, and marvel at their medical contributions to humanity.
Lastly, the narrative integrates Ben Zen's outlook on life, with each chapter rounded off with a Zen proverb. The book concludes with a summary of Benny's thoughts, reinforcing the Zen lessons imparted.
The BEN ZEN Way of Life is not just a story, but a guide that shows us how life, while an adventure, can be navigated using meditation, mindfulness, and Zen lessons. This heartwarming tale reminds us to take the road less traveled and embrace life's challenges with serenity and courage.
