Koans are an indispensable tool on the path to enlightenment. They reveal Truth through presenting the reader with a paradox that can only be solved by changing one's attitudes. The venerable Koans of the past, those that have been handed down through the generations are written in the language of the past. The reader needs to be able to fully enter into that archaic language if they are to benefit. This book re-represents the Koans in modern language, accessible to all. It will not please the traditionalists, but it will make the wisdom contained therein accessible to a whole new generation...

Australian Military Slang is a window into the rank and file culture of the Australian Army and to some extent the Navy and Air Force. It is an honest, confronting and often humorous look into a culture that most civilians never experience. Australian military culture has its origins in the traditions of the British military, though over more than a century it has evolved into its own distinct culture. The Australian military has the fundamental values of courage, initiative, respect and comradeship. There is an ethos of courage and toughness built on a foundation of loyalty and fairness....

The colloquialisms of the British soldier on the Western Front were colourful and often irreverent. Many come from Indian and Arabic words acquired during earlier military actions in India and Egypt. Other colloquialisms are Anglicised words, phrases and place names learned from the French allies and German foes. The military phonetic alphabet, known as Signalese, also contributed. The term 'Ack-Ack' for example means 'Anti-Aircraft' fire and comes from the phonetic alphabet. The British forces on the Western Front was a diverse group. It comprised not just soldiers from Great Britain. It...

Surfing has grown from a pastime enjoyed in old Polynesia to a global pursuit with a legion of devoted practitioners. For many, surfing is a state-of-mind, a life-style that has become a consuming passion. For others, it is a highly enjoyable weekend pastime. This concise collection of surfing terms gives the outsider or beginner a window into the culture and language of surfing. Seasoned surfers already know these terms.