Writings of Rev. Master Meiten

Reverend Meiten's writings resonate with the rich experience of many years of spiritual practice. As a result, the teachings have taken on her own particular flavour, while at the same time respecting the deep roots of Soto Zen. Soto Zen was founded in Japan by Great Master Dogen over 800 years ago, and continues through the lineage of Reverend Master Jiyu-Kennett, founder of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. In these writings, Rev. Meiten shares the distilled essence of her spiritual training and commitment to find a solution to suffering.

The heart of Soto Zen is to "simply sit with awareness." Buddhism teaches that meditation is the path that shows us the way to return to our "natural state." Rev. Meiten's books are wonderful inspirations to help us take the next steps on our journey, whether we have traveled far and wide in our spiritual pursuits or are just beginning the adventure. The way is open to all, without exception: "All of us can return to our True Home."



Reverend Master Meiten's first book, Reflections on the Path, is a precious offering of profound, and at times deceptively simple, reflections on the meaning and purpose of life. Read this book with your heart.

In her opening chapter to Reflections on the Path, Rev. Meiten writes: "The first discipline enters with dignity and simplicity: we must be willing to stop, pause, and look at our priorities as they are expressed in how we occupy ourselves in our daily lives...." This down-to-earth, practical approach is the hallmark of her teaching. So many of us, especially in the Western world of the 21st century, take the time to "stop, pause, and look at our priorities" only within the context of an endless "to do" list, never pausing to reflect upon the broader purpose of life. Each chapter in her book encourages deeper contemplation, helping us to "seek the Kingdom within."

Reflections on the Path is available to download in the following formats:



Reminders on the Way opens with Reverend Master Meiten's reflections on the challenges that all of us face sooner or later in life, especially if we choose to follow a spiritual path: impermanence, dissatisfaction, and confusion. Through a series of deep reflections, grounded in the Buddhist tradition, Reverend Meiten shares her insights, encouragement and experience on finding the way to inner peace and outer stability. The book ends with thoughts on gratitude, a natural flowering of the awakened mind.

In Reminders on the Way Reverend Meiten continues her exploration of key themes that began in her first book. She often reminds us that we can choose to practice our spiritual training within the challenges of life, taking the very situations which otherwise would trigger old ways of reacting as opportunities to train and grow.

Reminders on the Way is available to download in the following formats:



Returning to Stillness is Reverend Meiten's third book, following on Reflections on the Path (2008), and Reminders on the Way (2012). Returning to Stillness begins with an invitation to enter into That which embraces and tenderly holds us all, beyond the pairs of opposites. As long as we are looking outside ourselves for security, acceptance, and love, we will never find true peace. The invitation is to go beyond our conditioned limitations, and to discover the Great Wisdom, Nirvana, which is right here, right now, within every one of us.

Through a series of deep reflections, grounded in the Buddhist tradition, Reverend Meiten shares her insights, encouragement and experience on finding the way to inner peace and outer stability. Returning to Stillness closes with a beautiful reminder to keep going, allowing life to flow "beyond the doubt, beyond the dust".

Returning to Stillness is available to download in the following formats:



Book Cover for Coming Home - Taking Refuge Within

Coming Home - Taking Refuge Within is a compilation of the three books previously published by the Vancouver Island Zen Sangha: Reflections on the Path (2008), Reminders on the Way (2012), and Returning to Stillness (2014), with the addition of 25 previously unpublished writings. The journey of bringing this book to fruition has been a 'labour of love', and an expression of gratitude to our founder and teacher, Rev. Master Meiten. It is being offered as part of her legacy, and in celebration of her life and work on the fifth anniversary of her death on January 2nd 2018. This new book offers much inspiration to help us to return to our True Home, and find refuge within.

Coming Home - Taking Refuge Within is available to download in the following formats:



We offer downloads at no charge. However, donations are gratefully accepted and may be mailed to the address below or made through PayPal. There is a donation button below. Tax receipts are available on request.



Our mailing address (which is not our meeting place) is:

Vancouver Island Zen Sangha
2678 Winster Road, Unit 104
Victoria, BC, CANADA
V9B 6V9