The Zone - by Rob Wood (Paperback)

About the Book

A brief personal meditation on the healing power of living a life connected to the sublime beauty of the natural world.

Book Synopsis

A brief personal meditation on the healing power of living a life connected to the sublime beauty of the natural world.

Based on the core philosophy expressed in the forthcoming documentary film of the same name, The Zone is an autobiographical account that details the emotional and physical struggles of renowned mountaineer, naturalist, and architect Rob Wood as he deals with the ravages of Parkinson's disease on his body and mind.

With an unshakeable faith in the power of nature and our own need to reconnect with the natural world, Rob Wood takes the reader on a step-by-step journey documenting how -- through the author's deep connection to what he calls a "universal consciousness" -- even the most difficult physical limitations can be dealt with effectively and successfully, with limited medical or pharmaceutical support.

The Zone is an inspiring manifesto of resilience and a love song to the power of nature.

Review Quotes

"Mathematician Kurt Gödel published the incompleteness theorem in 1931. His study of mathematics had unearthed the notion that if a mathematical formula is comprised entirely of provable axioms, the formula will never be correct. For a formula to be correct there must be an element that is unprovable. Mathematics is beyond mechanistic. Rob Wood connects to this truth: the elements that are beyond being completely knowable are the pieces that make our connection to nature and ourselves whole. Furthermore, when we step into being present with this mystery, we have the opportunity to understand ourselves, others and the environment at a much higher level, so we can perform in ways we never thought possible." --Ken Wylie, author of Buried and founder of Archetypal: Mindfulness Applications for Risk Management

"Rob Wood has crafted an inspiring introduction to being 'in the zone' as an attunement to the intelligence and flow of nature. Through rich anecdotes from his decades of mountaineering, and lively treatment of selected scientists and Indigenous world views, Rob guides his readers along the path of letting go of cultural conditioning, paying attention to our surroundings, and opening up ways of experiencing nature that provide rewards for all of us, whether seeking spiritual freedom or coping with a challenging disease." --Christopher Ives, author of Zen on the Trail: Hiking as Pilgrimage and Meditations on the Trail: A Guidebook for Self-Discovery

About the Author

Rob Wood has been a professional architect, pioneering mountaineer, organizer of ocean-to-alpine expeditions, instructor of wilderness self-reliance at Strathcona Park Lodge, and a founding member of the Friends of Strathcona Park, a protest group that helped stop logging and mining in the park. He is also the author of At Home in Nature: A Life of Unknown Mountains and Deep Wilderness. Rob and his wife, Laurie, still live on Maurelle Island, British Columbia.