Book I Opened the Gate, Laughing by Mayumi Oda

 I Opened the Gate, Laughing

A tribute to the power of spiritual practice, creative expression, and true self-acceptance.

In this tender and visually rich memoir, Mayumi Oda—acclaimed artist and activist—invites readers on a deeply personal journey of healing, creativity, and spiritual reawakening.

I Opened the Gate, Laughing tells the story of Mayumi’s return to Buddhism at Green Gulch Farm, a Zen retreat center in Northern California. Amidst the beauty of the garden and the stillness of Zen practice, she rediscovers peace, joy, and purpose following the pain of a traditional upbringing and the end of a marriage.

With luminous prints, watercolors, and poetic reflections throughout, this book is a gentle meditation on transformation, sacred simplicity, and the profound connection between inner and outer landscapes.

Details:

• Publisher: New Village Press

• Distributor: NYU Press

• Format: Softcover

• Pages: 96

• Illustrations: Full color throughout

Perfect for lovers of mindfulness, art, nature, and personal renewal—I Opened the Gate, Laughing is a sanctuary in book form.