James has written or edited seven books on Zen and the spiritual life
His most recent book, Zen at the End of Religion: An Introduction for the Curious, the Skeptical, and the Spiritual but not Religious was published by Monkfish Books on May 27th, 2025. (https://www.monkfishpublishing.com/product/zen-at-the-end-of-religion/)
Jessica Littla at Lion's Roar writes "In Zen at the End of Religion: An Introduction for the Curious, the Skeptical, and the Spiritual but not Religious (Monkfish), author James Ishmael Ford, a Zen practitioner and retired Unitarian Universalist minister, discusses 'naturalistic perennialism,' that is, heart wisdom that’s common to all of humankind, but that no organized religion has gotten exactly right.
"Seekers who are looking for universal spiritual truth generally choose a specific path, and Ford recommends Zen. In Zen there is a directness, an intimacy, and a panoply of modern adaptations to choose from.
"His book explores the teachings, techniques, and koans that are at the heart of a Zen practice, all from the perspective of a seeker of naturalistic perennialism in a post-religious world. 'Our Zen at its best manifests not as any kind of certainty, but as curiosity,' says Ford. 'It shows hesitance in all things. It doesn’t claim to have all the answers. It is open—wildly open.'”
Psychologist and Zen teacher Gesshin Claire Greenwood, author of Bow First, Ask Questions Later writes, “When I hear James Ford’s words, something in me wakes up. He has the rare ability to communicate something that is much larger than himself. We are all lucky to be in contact with this gift.”
Zen priest and Unitarian Universalist minister Zenshin Florence Caplow, co-author of The Hidden Lamp: Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women says “James Ishmael Ford has given us the perfect introduction—or re-introduction—to living and practicing Zen Buddhism in twenty-first century America. In turns accessible, direct, and erudite, he plays in the deep waters of Zen with obvious love and delight, born of decades of practice and teaching. This delight is contagious!”
Zen writer, journalist, and historian Barbara O’Brien, author of The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World says “James Ford has long been an honest and thoughtful voice on matters spiritual and religious. In Zen at the End of Religion he shines a light on Zen as a path for those who are alienated from religious institutions but are still seeking—something. Something deep, boundless, intimate. Zen at the End of Religion is a clear and authentic introduction to Zen.”
Like with his other books, Zen at the End of Religion is available from your local bookstore, the publisher, and all the online sources including Amazon.
In addition to his own books James has contributed chapters or sections to nearly a dozen books as well as several pamphlets for the Unitarian Universalist Association. He has written for the Unitarian Universalist magazine, the UU World, including for several years as an online columnist, in addition to articles at the Huffington Post, as well as the Buddhist magazines Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and Lion’s Roar.
This Very Moment: A Brief Introduction to Buddhism and Zen for Unitarian Universalists, his first book, was published by Skinner House Books. It was lightly edited and reissued as In This Very Moment: A Simple Guide to Zen Buddhism. It's now out of print.
When it went out of print it inspired James to consider what he now thought what would be the right introduction to Zen for our moment. Zen at the End of Religion is that book.
His other books are all currently in print.
His second book was a study of Zen teachers and communities in North America, “Zen Master Who? A Guide to the People and Stories of Zen.” It has been called one of the most important references to the formation of modern convert Zen in North America.
He calls his third a "sort of memoir," If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life.
James is also the co-editor of The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen’s Most Important Koan.His fifth book is Introduction to the Zen Koan: Learning the Language of Dragons. He wishes it was a bit more accurately title "An Introduction to Zen Meditation and Koans," thinking it more accurate and might have sold a bit better...