I've been practicing Buddhism for almost forty years. I participated in a big Hike for Hunger in the north shore suburbs of Chicago - we were supposed to walk 30 miles, but I heard the route got screwed up and it was closer to 40. I think that was May of 1971. Anyway, walking and meditating are things I do. There wasn't much new in this book for me, but that wasn't too surprising given my background. But it was a fun read for me, anyway. And I suspect for many people, they'll get more out of it. I was at a meditation retreat recently that was probably based in part on this book, though I don't recall hearing it referenced. And the retreat really didn't come up to the level of this book. We were in a beautiful remote place. Does one need such places in order to have profound experiences? Ives goes out of his way to emphasize that we don't. We carry in our hearts all the wild nature there could be. Of course, beautiful remote places are very nice, all the same. Moose! ( )