The Zen Time Traveler: A Pilgrim's Journey Through the Koans

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY EDITOR’S PICK [Full-Color Collector's Edition]“A single haiku is a portal to the past. But finding enlightenment might cost him his future.”For Zen student Stephen Maine, a simple poem is not just poetry—it is a gateway. In a breath, the walls of his modern life dissolve, hurling him across the centuries into the heart of thirteenth-century China. Here, the legendary Chan masters are not myths, and the ancient koans are not riddles—they are lived reality. But Stephen is not alone in this timeline. He shares his physical form and mind with Wùkōng, a wandering Japanese monk destined to shape the history of Zen.When both men fall for Yabaku, a beautiful and fiercely independent maker of mystical swords, the fabric of time begins to fray. Torn between his fractured present-day marriage and a growing, profound connection in the past, Stephen must navigate a maze of spiritual awakening and earthly desires. If he finds enlightenment, he may never find his way home…Praise for The Zen Time Traveler“A sweeping saga... at once a journey, a spiritual exploration, and a meditation on the ways time, perception, and devotion intersect. With immersive prose that paints vivid scenes of Song Dynasty monasteries, Billias delivers a seamless exploration of presence, awareness, and human longing.” —Publishers Weekly (Editor’s Pick)“In The Zen Time Traveler, Stephen Billias offers up a wild joyride through the temples of ancient China. This read is a romp that honors the great Zen masters while exploring the age-old universal ache of clinging, in this case to two different worlds. Forget about quiet sitting; this is a whirlwind tour of the 13th century masters, filled with classical koans, spiritual comedy, and fun.” —Chōbun Nenzen, Abiding Teacher, Jikoji Zen Center““In ‘The Zen Time Traveler,’ Stephen Billias offers a rare and imaginative doorway into the living heart of Zen. Through visionary journeys into the Song dynasty, he brings the great koans to life as direct, embodied experiences, creating a compelling bridge between timeless Zen wisdom and the day-to-day challenges of modern life.” —Roshi Fleet Maull, PhD, Author of Radical Responsibility“Definitely worth reading and rereading! The Zen Time Traveler tells an engrossing story that explores multiple dimensions of time, space, and personal identity, while at the same time providing a unique opportunity for beginners, and experienced practitioners as well, to contemplate Zen koans and their implications.” —Barbara McHugh, Teacher of Buddhism and meditation & author of the award-winning novel Bride of the Buddha“It’s an oft-repeated cliché that the journey is more important than the destination. But in Stephen Billias’s The Zen Time Traveler, the journey is the destination. For those familiar with Zen koans, it will be an uncommon and moving quest to find meaning in their purposeful ambiguity. For the rest of us, it’s an encouragement to continue seeking. Because even if we never get where we thought we were going, we’ll learn a lot about ourselves on the way.” —John Harrison, Writer, Director; Tales From The Darkside, Frank Herbert’s Dune, The Miniseries; Author of the novels Passing Through Veils and ResidueThe Publisher's Commitment to QualityAll Discovery Publisher releases undergo rigorous editorial and graphic design processes. The digital edition features interactive formatting, dynamic navigation, and typographic ergonomics specially designed to guarantee an uncompromising reading experience.Scroll up and click "Buy Now" to begin the journey! Read more