In frightening times, we wish the world could be otherwise. With a touch of imagination, it can be. Imagination helps us see what's hidden, and it shape-shifts reality's roiling, twisting waves. In this inspiring reframe of a classic Buddhist teaching, Zen teacher Norman Fischer writes that the paramitas, or six perfections generosity, ethical conduct, patience, joyful effort, meditation, and understanding can help us reconfigure the world we live in. Ranging from our everyday concerns about relationships, ethics, and consumption to our artistic inspirations and broadest human yearnings, Fischer depicts imaginative spiritual practice as a necessary resource for our troubled times.
The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path, Norman Fischer, Shambala, paperback, 2019,

Norman Fischer is a Zen priest, poet, translator, and director of the Everyday Zen Foundation. His numerous books include What Is Zen? Plain Talk for a Beginner's Mind, Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong, and Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms.

CONTENTS: The World Could Be Otherwise
1.	Imagination	1
2.	The Perfection of Generosity	27
	Practices	51
3.	The Perfection of Ethical Conduct	55
	Practices	80
4.	The Perfection of Patience	83
	Practices	109
5.	The Perfection of Joyful Effort	113
	Practices	139
6.	The Perfection of Meditation	141
	Practices	169
7.	The Perfection of Understanding	171
	Practices	199
Acknowledgements		201
Notes		205
About the Author		209