SILVER WINNER OF THE 2026 NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS!

On May 27, 2026, I received an announcement, “Congratulations! We are honored and delighted to share that your book, Zen and the Mystic Impulse, has been selected as a Silver Winner in the 24A—Religion/Spirituality of Eastern Thought category of the 2026 Nautilus Book Awards. This recognition comes from a truly outstanding and competitive field of submissions from around the world. Your work stood out for its depth, vision, and meaningful contribution, and we are proud to welcome you into the Nautilus family of award-winning authors.”

The Nautilus Book Awards states that their core mission is to celebrate and honor books that support conscious living and green values, wellness, social change, social justice, and spiritual growth. Their motto is  Better Books for a Better World.

https://www.nautilusbookawards.com/2026-nautilus-winners

This book is both a memoir and a tribute to Arnie’s Zen teacher, Willigis Jäger (1925-2020), a distinguished Benedictine monk, priest, and Zen master, renowned for his significant contributions to Zen and Christian contemplation. In this book, Arnie shares his personal journey with Zen and the profound teachings of Willigis Jäger, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of Zen and Christian contemplation.  The reader will unearth a treasure trove of spiritual insights that can illuminate your path to transformation, renewal, and the discovery of your true self. Whether one is already on a spiritual journey or just embarking on one, this book will expand one’s horizons. As stated in the introduction, “Mysticism is the path of transformation that leads to fulfillment, renewed meaning, and the realization of an authentic, whole person. This journey is achieved through the rediscovery and connection to the foundation of one’s being and by finding true belonging in life to something greater than oneself.”