THE ENLIGHTENED HEART

Edited by Stephen Mitchell

Read by several readers including Peter Coyote

Published by Audio Literature

Two cassettes, 3 hrs.


Readers: Stephen Mitchell, Peter Coyote, Ram Dass, Dorothy Fadiman, Robert Hass, Jane Hirshfield, Coleman Barks and Jacob Needleman.

An extraordinary treasure chest of sacred poetry with selections from the world's most profound cultural and religious traditions read by outstanding figures in the contemporary spiritual landscape.

Peter Coyote reads from the following selections:

  • Han-Shan, translated by Gary Synder

  • Li Po, translated by Kenneth Roxroth

  • Layman P'ang, translated by Stephen Mitchell

  • Dogen, translated by Stephen Mitchell

  • Shakespeare

"Stephen Mitchell, poet and translator, has edited this collection of spiritual poetry. The selection includes sections of the Upanishads, the book of Psalms, and the 'Bhagavadgita' as well as the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, Dante, Blake and Yeats. The words presented in this sacred anthology have been chosen with fine taste and purpose. The interpretations by the readers are simple and inspired. There is a distinct sense of joy, wisdom and humor in this collection." ... The Listener's Guide to Audio Books"

"An elegant anthology of sacred poetry, chosen with fine taste and purpose." ...St. Louis Post-Dispatch"


On the book:
"The Enlightened Heart seems to be Mitchell's version of paradise. There is a sense of joy, of humor, and a depth of wisdom and peace that come through." ...
Parabola


About the author:
Stephen Mitchell attended Amherst, the Sorbonne and Yale, and in 1973 began training with Seung Sahn, the 78th Patriarch of Chogye Order of Korean Buddhism. He is best known for his translations of the poetry of Rilke, The Book of Job and the Tae Te Ching. He is considered one of literature's preeminent translators and enchants his audiences with his generous presence, giving them an inkling of everything from Zen practice to the mechanics of linguistics, offering the wealth that has enabled him to create his masterful translations.

 

[ The Official Peter Coyote Web Site ]