The Great Failure

About this book

Two powerful fathers. Decades of devotion. One fearless reckoning with betrayal, grief, and the hard work of waking up.One of America's favorite teachers, Natalie Goldberg has inspired millions to write as a way to develop an intimate relationship with their minds and a greater understanding of the world in which they live.The memoir turns an unsparing eye on her Long Island upbringing, examining her bond with her father, a Brooklyn-born tavern owner whose fierce loyalty clashed with an overbearing streak.Goldberg also retraces twelve years of Zen training under Dainin Katagiri Roshi in Minnesota, exploring the disorientation that followed his death and the uncovering of his flaws.Moving between Florida kitchens and the New Mexico mesa, this account dismantles tidy assumptions about family patriarchs and spiritual guides. Now, through this honest and wry exploration of her own life, Goldberg puts her teachings to work. Zen Buddhism: Goldberg recounts silent retreats in the freezing Midwest and wrestling with the riddle of Te-shan's tea cakes. Raw Honesty: From outsmarting an armed mugger on a St. Paul street to walking away from a harrowing Colorado car wreck, she reflects on sudden shocks that stripped away all pretense. Personal Growth: Reckoning with her family history, she captures her father Ben's irreverent charm, whether ringing a meditation bell to belt out show tunes or betting on longshots at the racetrack. Overcoming Adversity: Faced with profound grief, she chronicles the arduous struggle to stand on her own feet and embrace life without illusions.