Book Outpost

Touching Ground: Devotion and Demons Along the Path to Enlightenment

The vivid story of a hippie, a carpenter, a Vietnam vet, an alcoholic, a marine engineer, and a great dad who battled his demons on the Buddhist path.

From October 16, 1973, to August 17, 1974, Tim Testu walked all the way from San Francisco to Seattle, bowing his head to the ground every three steps. And that’s not even the best part of his story.

Tim Testu was one of the very first Americans to take ordination in Chinese Zen Buddhism. His path—from getting kicked out of school to joyriding in stolen boats in the Navy to squatting in an anarchist commune to wholehearted spiritual engagement in a strict Buddhist monastery—is equal parts rollicking adventure and profound spiritual memoir.

Touching Ground is simultaneously larger than life and entirely relatable; even as Tim finds his spiritual home with his teacher, the legendary Chan master Hsuan Hua, he nonetheless continues to struggle to overcome his addictions and his very human shortcomings.

Tim never did anything halfway, including both drinking and striving for liberation. He died of leukemia in 1998 after packing ten lifetimes into fifty-two years.

Regular price $17.95 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Out of stock
Quantity :
Comfort Meets Design

Discover pieces that feel as good as they look—supportive seating, soft textures, and timeless silhouettes designed to bring effortless comfort and refined style to every room.

Small Space, Big Style

Discover space-savvy pieces—slim seating, nesting tables, wall shelving, and multifunctional storage—that open up your layout while adding warmth, texture, and modern character to every corner.

Touching Ground: Devotion and Demons Along the Path to Enlightenment

Regular price $17.95 USD

Product Detail & Specifications

Create a home that feels effortless yet intentional. From sculptural lighting to refined storage and cozy textiles, our curated pieces balance
form and function—so your rooms look beautiful, live comfortably, and age gracefully with your style.

Liquid error (sections/product-specification line 34): invalid url input

Find Your Perfect Match

We've handpicked our top models so you can compare features and pick the one that fits your lifestyle best.

Products
Vendor
Book Outpost
Type
Tim Testu, Jeanette Testu, Emma Varvaloucas, Jaimal Yogis
Product title
Touching Ground: Devotion and Demons Along the Path to Enlightenment
Description
The vivid story of a hippie, a carpenter, a Vietnam vet, an alcoholic, a marine engineer, and a great dad who battled his demons on the Buddhist path.From October 16, 1973, to August 17, 1974, Tim Testu walked all the way from San Francisco to Seattle, bowing his head to the ground every three steps. And that’s not even the best part of his story.Tim Testu was one of the very first Americans to take ordination in Chinese Zen Buddhism. His path—from getting kicked out of school to joyriding in stolen boats in the Navy to squatting in an anarchist commune to wholehearted spiritual engagement in a strict Buddhist monastery—is equal parts rollicking adventure and profound spiritual memoir.Touching Ground is simultaneously larger than life and entirely relatable; even as Tim finds his spiritual home with his teacher, the legendary Chan master Hsuan Hua, he nonetheless continues to struggle to overcome his addictions and his very human shortcomings.Tim never did anything halfway, including both drinking and striving for liberation. He died of leukemia in 1998 after packing ten lifetimes into fifty-two years.
Price
Regular price $17.95 USD
Product variants
Title :
Default Title
Weight
0.74 lb