Der leere Spiegel

The author Janwillem van de Wetering, who became famous as a crime writer, spent a year and a half in the ascetic environment of a Zen monastery. His often physically painful experiences with Zen meditation, the sobering daily life in the monastery, which was also marked by mischievous behavior, and the conclusions that ultimately led to the end of his studies are described in a way that avoids any self-congratulatory sentiment. The book is an existential adventure for all readers who find the mindless routine of life insufficient.