Painting Peace: Art in a Time of Global Crisis [Paperback]

A revered modern artist and Zen teacher offers an inspirational account of how his art has been the expression of a life of social activism.

“Awakening,” says Kazuaki Tanahashi,  “is to realize the infinite value of each moment of your own life as well as of other beings, then to continue to act accordingly.” This book is the record of a life spent acting accordingly:  Through his prose, poetry, letters, lyrics, and art, Tanahashi provides an inspirational account of a what it’s been like to work for peace and justice, from his childhood in Japan to the present day. Included are fascinating vignettes of the seminal figures who refined his views--among them Daniel Ellsberg, Gary Snyder, Mayumi Oda, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido--as well as striking examples of the art he has so famously used to bear witness to the infinite value of life.“Is the human race condemned to destroy itself with its own weapons of mass destruction? Kazuaki Tanahashi’s persuasive answer is no, but to go from a death-driven society to a society that protects life requires re-envisioning the future so that we can learn to live peacefully in the present moment. Using stories, poems and his own calligraphy, Tanahashi’sPainting Peacecontributes to that conversion.”—Jim Forest, author ofThe Root of War Is Fear: Thomas Merton's Advice to PeacemakersandAll Is Grace: A Biography of Dorothy Day

“This gorgeous book reflects a miraculous life of courage, humor, compassion, and wisdom. It is about peace, art, and a weave of remarkable relationships and endeavors that have shaped my good friend Kaz Tanahashi's life and vision.”—Joan Halifax, author ofBeing with Dying 
 
“Kaz Tanahashi recounts adventures from a lifetime of activism and art. A maker of monumental works of calligraphy that incorporate but far transcend tradition andl³$