Ezra Bayda was ordained as a Zen monk in 1995, and is a teacher of the Ordinary Mind Zen School founded by Charlotte Joko Beck. In his first dharma book, he teaches us how to use whatever circumstance life presents us with to strengthen our practice. Topics include how to cultivate perseverance, stillness, clarity, and direct experience. Using his own life stories to illustrate these principles, Bayda creates a rich and personable guide to becoming free from self-imposed constrictions and suffering.