Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Easy read, clarifies many things, reads current
My introduction to Buddhism came through the Eckhard Tolle books. I looked at this free book to better understand what Tolle talks about and I ended up submerged in an wealth of explanations (understandings) such as, where did the name Zen come from, what are the basic tenets, how is it different from others. The book reads as if written today except for the occasional dated grammar.

The book goes much beyond the roots of Zen. I spent the last hour reading the discussion on the nature of man. Is man fundamentally good, fundamentally bad? The book explores four options and then moves to explore the relationship of man to nature (the universe in my terminology). Wonderful and easy to read.

Where are the words in a Kindle before its turned on?
This is a delightful book on the history of Zen in Japan. The author starts from the beginngs of zen philosophy in China and brings you right to the Kamakura period where zen became the fashion with the warrior class. I say fashion, but it was/is more than that. It is indeed a study of how a particular philosophy ( zen ) can take hold and flurish in a specific culture, in this case Japan. This was my first kindle book and I simply could not put in down ( rather turn it off!) If you are interested in Zen at all, you will enjoy this book! Highly recommended-and it's FREE to boot!! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

A gentle, lovely tale makes this a year-round winner!
Jon J. Muth's ZEN GHOSTS is a fine Halloween pick and tells of colorful trees, children's costumes, and fun and mystery. When Addy. Michael and Karl finish trick-or-treating, their good panda friend has still another surprise - he draws them a story that will remain in their hearts and minds. A gentle, lovely tale makes this a year-round winner!

beautiful pictures, interesting storyline
Muth's watercolors are more vivid and detailed in this one than his previous efforts.The story is not quite as thought-provoking as the ones in Zen Shorts, but it's still great!

Beautiful illustrations, flat story
I loved Zen Ties but was not as thrilled with Zen Ghosts. The story is flat and plodding which is a shame because the illustrations are gorgeous.

It couldn't capture my daughter's attention and I got bored reading it. The story structure is not ideal and it lacked some of the charming language used in Zen Ties.

A thumbs down from us.

M

Doubly Frightful and Beautiful
Muth's audience should expand to include adults as they are the ready audience to be spooked spiritually by this exquisite ZEN GHOSTS. Three books after (ZEN TIES, SHORTS & GHOSTS). STILLWATER the panda has become our family friend, a master storyteller who opens this book with a visit in his eerie Halloween mask to his young friends and through their discussion of costumes, Stillwater is inspired to tell a ghost story - the Japanese style. The enthralling illustrations make us feel present from the beginning to the end and the trick-or-treating street scene is extremely fascinating. The choice of the ghost story is a bold one for though the theme is common in the east, it could seem very stunning here. And since I never heard of this particular tale, it does did the trick of scaring the breath out of me for a few seconds as the page reveals the ghostly twist. But rest assured, there is no bloody, violent or gruesome scene involved, it is a sophisticated ghost story successfully revealed. The artwork in ZEN GHOSTS is comparableto Muth's Caldecott Honor winning ZEN SHORTS, except everyone is in costume for the mysterious Halloween and in the end Karl in his monster suit, Michael as a owl pirate, and Addie in ethereal white contemplate the theme of duality together as Panda's own bamboo-hanged round Lantern make the moon shines like two.

Zen Ties
Zen Shorts (Collector's Edition) (Zen)

Zen Ghosts
Gorgeous illustrations, as always from Jon Muth. We always await his next book and were surprised and excited to see one for Halloween. As kids really love the spooky and mystical nature of this holiday, I found that this story drew my daughter in by touching on those elements but also brought out the intriguing and wonderful zen teaching. It stimulated conversation even with my 3 year old. It will be interesting to see how her perception changes reading it as she grows. We loved it! ... Read more

Product Description

"The real cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself.'"

In his autobiographical first novel,Pirsig wrestles both with the ghost of his past and with the mostimportant philosophical questions of the 20th century--why hastechnology alienated us from our world? what are the limits ofrational analysis? if we can't define the good, how can we live it?Unfortunately, while exploring the defects of our philosophicalheritage from Socrates and the Sophists to Hume and Kant, Pirsiginexplicably stops at the middle of the 19th century. With theexception of Poincaré, he ignores the more recent philosopherswho have tackled his most urgent questions, thinkers such as Peirce,Nietzsche (to whom Phaedrus bears a passing resemblance), Heidegger,Whitehead, Dewey, Sartre, Wittgenstein, and Kuhn. In the end, thenarrator's claims to originality turn out to be overstated, hisreasoning questionable, and his understanding of the history ofWestern thought sketchy. His solution to a synthesis of the rationaland creative by elevating Quality to a metaphysical level simplyrepeats the mistakes of the premodern philosophers. But in contrast tomost other philosophers, Pirsig writes a compelling story. And he is atrue innovator in his attempt to popularize a reconciliation ofEastern mindfulness and nonrationalism with Western subject/objectdualism. The magic of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenanceturns out to lie not in the answers it gives, but in the questions itraises and the way it raises them. Like a cross between The Razor's Edge andSophie's World,Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance takes us into "thehigh country of the mind" and opens our eyes to vistas ofpossibility. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (590)

Take It For What It Is
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance arouses strong feelings in readers, for better or worse. The details and themes of the book have been discussed at length, so I'll simply try to add a little perspective to the ambient buzz. I hope we all dial it down a bit. A work of art can have great value even while having real flaws, and even more unquestionably, the artist's hang-ups can be separated from the artist's talent. Pirsig's views on philosophy, life, meaning, etc do not, by themselves, warrant acerbic responses. On the other hand, even if Pirsig has cracked the code of the universe, we're stilling just dealing with a novel here. The book should be judged on its own merit, not whether the writer is overwrought or melodramatic in his critiques of the current state of the philosophy academy. I happen to have found the book very impactful and intriguing, while simultaneously finding his views on the current state philosophy to be wrong (or at least misguided).

The critiques (that Pirsig goes off on rants, his narration is too self-consumed, etc) have a kernel of truth to them. Then again, so do the countless examples of fawning praise (the book is wonderfully multi-layered, Pirsig's writing is penetrating and insightful, etc). I lean toward the latter, but the former have enough going to warrant taking one star away.

What I like best about the book is how it strikes at the very core (of insecurities, philosophy, meaning. etc). One could call it an "axiomatic exploration," and such a thing is not new to philosophy or literature. Not being new is no crime; I find the idea that this book should be criticized because it hasn't presented anything wholly revolutionary or new to be a bit amusing. I mean, is this the standard we usually apply? So what if countless fans have reoriented their world view around Pirsig's ideas, or if Pirsig is a true believer of every assertion in the book? Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a work of art, and should be judged that way. Now, not all critiques have been this unfair or unfocused. If one finds the philosophy presented in the book unimpressive, or the prose inauthentic, or the plot too thin, OK fair enough (I should warn you that I tend to care more for characters and their experiences, than for plots. And I can't judge how good or bad the arc of the book is, because I tend not to need or desire very much of that). But the value of the ideas presented in the book, and the prose therein, are in their ability to provoke empathy, thought, wonder, and perhaps even a little existential angst. If the book does a poor job of that, so be it, but it sparked all these emotional responses in me and in many others.

One gets a feel for how heavy life is for the narrator, how hard he takes things, and the challenges present in his dealings with himself and others (but mostly with himself). Affection and blame fly in all directions in the book. Whether either is warranted is not the point. If the book catches you at the right time, it may change your life, at the wrong time, it may annoy the piss out of you. While evoking all sorts of feelings, good and bad, it neither single handedly changed my life or caused me to want to pull my hair out. But it definitely had me hooked as I was reading it, and after I finished, it left quite an impact. That says a lot about a book, in my view.

shabby
althought I am enjoying the book, the pages have been cut poorly and unevenly, 5 out of every 20 pages are torn as opposed to cut, giving the book a half assed shabby appearance.

Fast Delivery, Perfect Condition
It's a great book that arrived 2 days earlier than I thought it would. It was also in perfect condition. I would definitely recommend the book and the seller.

Didn't recieve the book
Actually I never received this book.I need to follow up with Amazon to see why.This is a big thumbs down for Amazon.

"the world of words" vs. "the world as animals see it" and the fundamental duality of consciousness
I think the following passage captures Pirsig's theme:
>"A screw sticks, for example, on a side cover assembly...
>
>"If you're experienced you'd probably apply a penetrating liquid and an
>impact driver at this point. But suppose you're inexperienced and you attach a
>self-locking plier wrench to the shank of your screwdriver and really twist it
>hard, a procedure you've had success with in the past, but which this time
>succeeds only in tearing the slot of the screw.
>
>"Your mind was already thinking ahead to what you would do when the cover
>plate was off, and so it takes a little time to realize that this irritating minor
>annoyance of a torn screw slot isn't just irritating and minor. You're stuck...
>
>"It's a miserable experience emotionally. You're losing time. You're incompetent.
>You don't know what you're doing. You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take the machine to a real mechanic who >knows how to figure these things out."- Ch. 24, pg. 271 [out of 402]

Pirsig builds of this common feeling of stuckness--lost keys, test questions that we can't quite remember, computers that don't do what we are telling it, etc. The book opens on a road trip that the author is making with his son Chris, and John and Sylvia, a likable couple who are friends of Pirsig. Chris is riding on the back of his father's motorcycle, John and Sylvia on their BMW. Pirsig knows his bike inside and out, observant of every mechanical nuance that might be a clue toward keeping the motor in top condition. John and Sylvia, however, both are "stuck" when it comes to technology (BMW cylces are known for having few mechanical problems on the road), and leave even the smallest jobs to a paid mechanic. Finally Pirsig comprehends why: "To get away from technology out into the country in the fresh air and sunshine is why they are on the motorcycle in the first place. For me to bring it back to them just at the point and place where they think they have finally escaped it just frosts both of them, tremendously." (Ch. 1, pg. 8)

Pirsig's book presents a theory about the source of John's and Sylvia's exasperation with technology and outlines the foundations for a solution. At this point I feel it necessary to issue a disclaimer. You may be thinking this book sounds like both an enjoyable and illuminating read. And for the first 100 pages you'd be right! The core of the book shifts in style, though it's not necessarily a change for the worse. My disclaimer: "This book was written for people who like to struggle with ideas." Pirsig, who also spent four years teaching rhetoric in the Montana and Illinois university systems, admits as much at this point within the book--"I suppose if I were a novelist rather than a Chautauqua orator I'd try to 'develop the characters' of John and Sylvia and Chris... That would be quite a novel, but for some reason I don't feel quite up to it." (Ch. 12, pg. 129)

Webster's defines a Chautauqua as: "a traveling show or local assembly that flourished in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that provided popular education combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, [among other activities]." This book was written precisely for those individuals who feel excited by the idea of a Chautauqua.

The rest of the book is more an autobiography of the author's journey through Western thought than a novel, although it retains many literary elements. Pirsig's insights continued to surprise me through the whole 373 pages. His main concern is the question "What values does scientific thinking teach us?" He comes to doubt society's commonly-accepted viewpoint that science teaches only morally-neutral, objective analysis.

Pirsig is not satisfied with this answer because for him, science is a means to Truth rather than a means to utilitarian application. Utilitarian application may satisfy most, but Pirsig invested too much in the pursuit of deeper Truth to stop there. To him, the near universal acceptance of utilitarian application as a validation of science, at the expense of the pursuit of a single absolute truth, becomes a ghost that haunts his whole way of thinking. "Great minds struggle to cure diseases so that people may live longer, but only madmen ask why. One lives longer in order that he may live longer. There is no other purpose. That is what the ghost says." (Ch. 7, pg. 85)

The problem, as he sees it, is that there are infinite possible applications of science, and indeed an infinite number of truths that experimentation can prove.We treat scientific knowledge as an end worthy in itself, but there is no ultimate completeness to be found there. "It is science itself that is leading mankind from single absolute truths to multiple, indeterminate, relative ones... Science itself is producing the indeterminacy of thought and values that rational knowledge is supposed to eliminate." (Ch. 10, pg. 108)

In this way, science and technology become every bit as subjective as musical taste or religious belief. We use science to extend lifespans and rearrange the elements of the earth into any number of products for physical comfort or electronically-produced amusement in the same way that one prefers Beethoven over Mozart, or Catholicism over Baptists.

To avoid facing this inconsistency, Western thought has petrified, insisting that Classicism and Romanticism are mutually exclusive spheres rather than two approaches toward the same end.There's the "hard" sectors of science and business, which are ruled by objectivity, and then everything else--the arts, volunteer work, religion.In fact these spheres are different, but it is wrong to think think they have nothing to do with each other, and that the "hard" sphere should be controlled only by objective analysis.Classicism develops out of our social predisposition to use language--to learn the accepted name everything and conform to one's cultural grouping.Romanticism comes from humanity's evolutionary, biological need to experiment and experience until arriving at the behavior that feels most right.It is the interaction of these competing worlds that created and has the ability to expand humanity's consciousness.Pirsig explores this fundamental duality of consciousness through the lens of Western philosophical thought, using motorcycle maintenance to explain the Classical mode of dividing and classifying knowledge, and Zen, the Romantic holistic approach.

This book is for those who enjoy wrestling with these sort of ideas. In one of the more revealing autobiographical segments, Pirsig employs a quote from Albert Einstein describing an angel who expels the egoists and utilitarians from the Temple of Science. All that remain, "those who have found favor with the angel," are those whose "finely tempered nature longs to escape from his noisy cramped surroundings into the silence of the mountains where the eye ranges freely through the still pure air and fondly traces out the restful contours apparently built for eternity." (Ch. 10, pg. 104) For these, I could not recommend ZAMM highly enough.
... Read more

Product Description

Presentation designer and internationally acclaimed communications expert Garr Reynolds, creator of the most popular Web site on presentation design and delivery on the net — presentationzen.com — shares his experience in a provocative mix of illumination, inspiration, education, and guidance that will change the way you think about making presentations with PowerPoint or Keynote. Presentation Zen challenges the conventional wisdom of making "slide presentations" in today’s world and encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations. Garr shares lessons and perspectives that draw upon practical advice from the fields of communication and business. Combining solid principles of design with the tenets of Zen simplicity, this book will help you along the path to simpler, more effective presentations.

Customer Reviews (172)

too many words - needs more pictures
I was very excited when I got the "Presentation Zen" book, I'd heard great things about the blog and I was pleased to see so many pictures and examples in the book. There are also a lot of words and this is where the book falls down, there's too many words.

The text is conversational and incredibly repetitive, it is a style that could work well as a blog or a speech, in fact, while reading I could imagine it being given as a speech, it just doesn't work as a book. What also struck me was that in his presentation of "Presentation Zen" he seemed to break all the rules and guidelines that he recommended we use when giving presentations.

This was especially highlighted where printed articles by strong writers like Seth Godin were used, the difference in the quality of the writing was apparent.

There are some good ideas in this book but they get hidden by the chattiness of the author and bludgeoned to death by needless repetition, for maximum value simply read chapter 6 and 7 - this is where the book is at its strongest.

Exceeds expectations, gives a sense of outstanding presentation
The book gives understanding on what is clear presentation to audience, why some presentations are prominent and others just bother. Even strict corporate standards can be stretched using this book in order to raise clarity and refine presentation purpose.

Eye opener
I was positive surprised about the easy to understand concepts in the book. Even if I knew that the current PowerPoint presentations were awful, I didn't know how to communicate better. I completely agree that presentations nowadays serve as documentation with the corresponding result: the presentations are awful documentation.

I look forward when these concepts will be applied in our company.

I can fully recommend this book.

Simple cognitive psychology concept
People cannot read AND listen at the same time.

Rather than presenting slides that are too full of words, show an interesting picture that is (or is not) somehow related to what you're talking about. When your audience gazes at the slide they are still listening to your voice rather than reading the words on your slide! This presentation style is unintimidating and entertaining for the audience; and although it is more work for the speaker, the presentations are more interesting and memorable.

Other reviewers gave the book low star ratings, one reviewer saying that she is a scientist and that scientists need presentations that convey scientific data better than PresentationZen allows. I am a scientist too, and she is correct: your slides will not convey the scientific data. That reviewer missed something, however: the SPEAKER conveys the scientific data and the audience listens to the speaker.

Garr Reynolds doesn't say to never put words or tables into your slides - the idea is to stop with the persistent (and dull) slides full of the same words that are coming out of your mouth. Doing a hybrid PresentationZen presentation isn't the antithesis to some dogmatic principle of "Zen" presentations, and you probably won't go to prison if you don't follow this style to the letter.

I can understand that PresentationZen is a difficult concept for some. It goes against all the established ideas about PowerPoint presentations, and it is (at first) a lot of work for the speaker. But if you see one or give one, you'll be hooked, especially after all the compliments.

Presentation Zen
This is an amazing book and highly recommended for any educator, presenter, public speaker who is serious about making outstanding presentations that the audience will related well to. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description
"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard."This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good andbad.And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration.With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (103)

Lovely reminders for both of us

I ordered this book for my daughter who is not quite three. When it arrived I flipped through and thought it might be a little advanced for her. It turns out she loves it and requests it every night. I also found that the stories continue to be important reminders to me as well. I enjoy reading this book to her because it feels like both of us are learning and remembering important lessons together instead of just reciting words. I'll be ordering more for other dear children we know.

A MUST read!
Jon J Muth's illustration's grab your attention from the very start.
In this particular book Zen Shorts, the illustrations are done in watercolor.
In my opinion illustrations that are done in watercolor give a more softer tone to the
pictures, which makes it easier for children to read. Zen is a Japanese word that means
meditation, and the word meditation goes along quite well with paintings that are done
in watercolors. When I think of watercolor these words come to mind: soft, peaceful,calm
and passive; the same words come to mind when I think of meditation. Zen comes from the
teachings of Buddha, which have been passed down from generation to generation.
Zen stories are like fables,they are told to teach a lesson.The lessons being taught
in this book come to life with the illustration done by Jon J. Muth. I love how the
illustrations that are teaching a lesson are painted differently from the rest of paintings
in the book. He distinguishes them by taking away color when he is teaching a lesson and
adding more color to the plot of the story. This is an easy ready that will teach children
valuable lessons of being thankful and forgiveness.

Philosophy, art and story telling, all in one package
We bought Zen Shorts last year when our son was only 3 years old and were delighted that he enjoyed it as much as he did even though he was so young. It provides for good story telling and make me feel good about reading him literature that will enable him to become a better person as he grows up.The illustrations are fantastic but that just seems to be a bonus. The story is about a panda who befriends 3 siblings and develops a friendship with them. As the story unfolds, the wise but absolutely adorable panda spends time with each of the three siblings and shares stories or makes observations that are steeped in Buddhist philosophy. The characters are appealing to all ages and the narrative is just right for little kids to wrap their little heads around these concepts. The book has important lessons to teach and imparts valuable Buddhist philosophy in a way that is entertaining, subtle and not preachy. We love Stillwater and after enjoying the fun story, we almost feel the sense of well-being settling on us as we sit to talk about the stories and what Stillwater shared with the kids in the book.We subsequently bought Zen Ties and Zen Ghosts as well, both of which are really good books, but I think Zen Shorts is our favorite.

Beautiful Book.
What a sweet book and with such wisdom.Great for kids AND their parents.

A Flavor of Buddhist & Taoist Literature
Themes: friendship, community, perspective, differences, forgiveness
Content areas: Early reading to upper elementary, Art - visual expression, Guidance- perspective/forgiveness

"Zen Shorts" introduces Slillwater the giant panda, who becomes the wise supportive neighbor of three siblings, Michael, Abby, and Karl. Stillwater uses allegory through Zen and Taoist stories to alleviate each child's angst or worry, especially with regards to each other. The watercolor artistry of Muth shows a whimsical world children will love. NOTE: make sure you read the author's note at the back of the book for insight on the three stories told within the tale. ... Read more

Product Description
In his internationally acclaimed, best-selling book Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, presentation master Garr Reynolds gave readers the framework for planning, putting together, and delivering successful presentations. Now, he takes us further into the design realm and shows how we can apply time-honored design principles to presentation layouts.

Throughout Presentation Zen Design, Garr shares his lessons on designing effective presentations that contain text, graphs, color, images, and video. After establishing guidelines for each of the various elements, he explains how to achieve an overall harmony and balance using the tenets of Zen simplicity. Not only will you discover how to design your slides for more professional-looking presentations, you’ll learn to communicate more clearly and will accomplish the goal of making a stronger, more lasting connection with your audience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Great book by a presentation expert
Garr Reynolds wrote the book on presenting with Presentation Zen, a book based on principles he has been blogging about for years. If you're not a blog reader you should know that Reynolds writes the most popular presentation blog on the internet, bar none. This book takes Prezentation Zen to the next level with lots more practical examples and design advice. An excellent book.

The Sound of One Design Capping
Garr Reynolds has succeeded in making a complex concept of presentation design attainable for the uninitiated.What makes the process of learning and using his ideas easy is the modeling the book provides.Each section and chapter is filled with meaningful examples which make acquiring the new knowledge more accessible.With good models comes meaning making and that is at the heart of learning any new.I found I could transfer his ideas to several new Keynote and Power Point presentations as I read each section.This is a great companion book for his Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery.Both books have helped me sharpen my presentation skills and hopefully avoid, "Death by PowerPoint."I recommend it for anyone who uses presentation software of any kind.
Frank Champine

Required Reading in your Entrepreneur Toolkit
While every presentation needs a facelift, entrepreneurs in particular should take this book to heart. Most of the startups I work with have a compelling need to create 60 page powerpoint documents full of words and bullets. Their only hope is to have investors ask "If I write you a check, will you stop your 3 hour presentation now?" Garr Reynolds simplifies the approach to developing "knock your socks off" presentations that get results. The techniques are very helpful, but the real value in the book is that you will approach developing and presentations in a very, very different way than you do now -- and set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd.

Slight disappointment. The book suffers from sequel syndrome
I was slightly disappointed by this book. Unlike the huge impact that "Presentation Zen" (the first book in this series), "Presentation Zen Design" is a little bit pale. I would have been very happy if it contained more (much more) real-life examples.

I wrote a more elaborate review on this book in my blog: [...]

Nice nuggets
Great book if you want to polish your presentation skills. The main takeaways are to rehearse and to remove all unnecessary information. ... Read more

Product Description
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” 

So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it’s all about. An instant teaching on the first page. And that’s just the beginning.

In the forty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics, much beloved, much reread, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics—from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality—in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page. It’s a book to come back to time and time again as an inspiration to practice, and it is now available to a new generation of seekers in this fortieth anniversary edition, with a new afterword by Shunryu Suzuki’s biographer, David Chadwick.Amazon.com Review
A respected Zen master in Japan and founder of the SanFrancisco Zen Center, Shunryu Suzuki has blazed a path in AmericanBuddhism like few others. He is the master who climbs down from thepages of the koan books and answers your questions face toface. If not face to face, you can at least find the answers asrecorded in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, a transcription of juicyexcerpts from his lectures. From diverse topics such as transience ofthe world, sudden enlightenment, and the nuts and bolts of meditation,Suzuki always returns to the idea of beginner's mind, a recognitionthat our original nature is our true nature. With beginner's mind, wededicate ourselves to sincere practice, without the thought of gaininganything special. Day to day life becomes our Zen training, and wediscover that "to study Buddhism is to study ourselves." And to knowour true selves is to be enlightened. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (165)

Zen Practice
I thoroughly enjoy listening to a book that I had read over 20 years ago.I have listened to it several times since it has arrived and find something new every time I listen.Peter Coyote's rendition is perfect for this selection."Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" truly captures the essence of Zen.Highly recommended!

A Desert Island Book
I am new to Suzuki and his simplicity of discourse on the spirituality of Zen. A remarkable teacher who deserves careful attention when reading. I would take this book with me everywhere as it is so valuable I would not want to take the chance I may lose it.

Introduction to Soto Zen, not Rinzai
This book is, in fact, probably the very best introduction to Zen Buddhism for Americans. It is short, informal, yet well written. Shunryu Suzuki, the author of this book, is not of the same school of Zen as D.T. Suzuki, who wrote many more books and is probably better known. Shunryu was of the Soto school of Zen, while D.T. belonged to the Rinzai school.

To the beginner, the differences might seem small. Both schools practice sitting meditation, called zazen. But Rinzai puts more emphasis on the experience of Satori, which I will not explain here (and is hardly explainable, anyhow). Soto Zen, and Shunryu in this book, emphasizes just sitting and practicing zazen. He does not dwell on Satori, in fact, I don't even think he mentions it.

In any event, I highly recommend this book as an introduction to Zen. Shunryu tells you about real Soto Zen practice -- not history, or theoretical concepts. It can be read in an evening, and can be re-read for years.

You can later proceed to other books on Zen; by D.T. Suzuki, Philip Kapleau, Christmas Humphreys, or others, including John C. H. Wu. Thich Nhat Hanh is very popular too, and has written many books. He is Vietnamese, while both of the Suzukis were Japanese. I believe that Nhat Hanh is of the Soto school, but I could be wrong. Certainly other authors are worthy, but the reader should be careful until you are more familiar with the basics of Zen. (Beware especially of the shallow, even flippant, Zen books which often begin with the words "Zen and the Art of..." They have little value.) Just remember that Zen Buddism has two main schools: Soto and Rinzai. Also, Zen is a special form of Buddhism -- kind of like Quakers being a special form of Christianity -- and is not necessarily representative of Buddishm as a whole.

Zen was heavily influenced by Taoism. So if you really want to go deeper, consider getting a translation of the Tao Te Ching -- I highly recommend the version by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, but the translation by John C. H. Wu is good and very popular, plus he is Chinese by birth. Stephen Mitchell's version is very popular and accessible to modern Americans.

Finally, both Shunryu Suzuki and D.T. Suzuki definitely agree on one thing; Zen is understood through practice, not through books or ideas. Zen is not a philosophy. If you really want to understand Zen, then you will need to find a Zendo (meditation center or temple) and a teacher. And meditate!

Meditation On The Inevitable
I did sort of a half-a$$ed zazen practice for quite a while, and this book more than any other, or any teacher I personally knew for that matter, helped me stick with things as much as I did. This is not some kind of formal sutra or even a good introduction to Buddhism. Truthfully, critics who say that Suzuki was just a regular unenlightened Joe teaching a practice that isn't really even Buddhist may have a point; for various historical reasons, the different practices of Daoism, Neo-Confuscianism, and several Buddhist schools have intertwined in East Asia to an almost inseparable mess, and what Suzuki says here seems more like Neo-Confucianism by an old Japanese guy who never claims to be anything special than a Buddhist monk talking about ultimate truth or scriptural authority. Soto Zen in general, while certainly a religion and subject to the same difficulties as other religions, jettisons speculation for the here and now in a way unthinkable in "Western" traditions, and what Suzuki says can be valuable even outside the Soto context. He talks from experience of a lifetime of meditation and has some really deep and abiding things to say, both about the goal of practice (or lack thereof) and what we mean when we talk about certain terms. It gives us hints on how to practice but reminds us that only we ourselves can do it. Nowadays I do Vippasana but I've found that many of his insights still hold true when practicing separate but similar forms of meditation. Some of his general philosophical points don't do much for me; regardless, I appreciate the calm, humanistic, down to earth tone that permeates them all. If you want to read the best beginners' books on Buddhism, I'd start with Walpola and/or Schumann. If you want to read a book that can inspire your practice regardless of your religious orientation, and give you access to some fairly profound insights, this is a really good choice.

The Best
This is the best book I have found on the practice and the mind of Zen. It is easy to read. Each talk is about 2 pages. I have probably read it over 50 times throughout the years and have given many copies away. This is the book to help you practice, not a philosophical or analytical discourse. ... Read more

Product Description
Summer has arrived -- and so has Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.

Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Zen Children
I first fell in love with Jon J. Muth's painting,but these stories are amazing. If you wnat your children to hear wonderful stories of peace and awesome life lessons, get all of his books. We have been reading these to my son since we brought him home and he just loves the pictures. Muth has a gift for teaching Zen to children. Buy these books!!!

More Stillwater Lessons
Themes: friendship, community, perspective, connections, forgiveness
Content areas: Early reading to upper elementary, Writing- metaphor, haiku, Art- visual expression, Guidance- perspective/forgiveness

Excellent story (even better than the first) filled with word play, and metaphor that challenge upper elementary students to find meaning beyond the first reading. Muth's beautiful watercolors add a quiet reflective air to the story.

The author's note at the back of the book is a must read. Memorable line: "It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean".

Wonderful bedtime reading
I have a 2.5 year old daughter.She loves this book, but I think I love it as much as she does.A good lesson in non-judgment and acceptance.

Sweet story
I learned a fewthings from reading this book.Things that seem to pop out at me now.
My daughter notices things now too.
This story really hits home with me as to how my impulse to pull away from rough edges is really not serving me.A message I want my children to hear often.
The characters playfulness with words and understanding of needs is refreshing and just plain yummy stuff.

Zen Ties
Nice story, but I would have been happier if the "haikus" followed the 17 syllable rule. I don't think my nephew cared though! ... Read more

Product Description
Presentation Zen Way is a beautiful Japanese Bento Box-inspired package featuring: a 50-minute DVD video; 168-page, spiral-bound sketchbook for storyboarding your presentations; two pads of Post-it® Notes; two red pencils; and an iStockphoto coupon valued at $300. All of the components of this package are designed to correlate with the concepts Garr Reynolds, the authority on presentation design and delivery, teaches in his popular video, books, and blog.

In the DVD, Garr invites viewers to create provocative presentations with solid designs and Zen simplicity. In this personal, one-on-one video, Garr delivers his ideas from his popular book, Presentation Zen, and blog, presentationzen.com, and challenges viewers to go beyond the conventional slide presentation style and think more creatively to achieve simpler, more effective presentations. Within an hour viewers will learn to:

• plan and prepare their presentations, and craft their story with storyboarding techniques
• utilize design principles that show viewers to communicate messages more effectively
• deliver more meaningful presentations by successfully connecting with audiences.

Product Description
Cutting-edge science and spirituality tell us that what we believe, think, and feel actually determine the makeup of our body at the cellular level. In Zen and the Art of Happiness, you will learn how to think and feel so that what you think and feel creates happiness and vibrancy in your life rather than gloominess or depression. You ll learn how to adapt to life s inevitable changes, how to deal with stress in a healthy way, and how to nurture a mindful happiness in your daily life. Most importantly, the gentle wisdom of Zen and the Art of Happiness will show you how to invite magnificent experiences into your life and create a personal philosophy that will sustain you through anything. A timeless work about the art of happiness, the way of happiness, the inner game of happiness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

An OK book for the price
This book is pretty small. I was hoping for a book chock full of zen saying and thoughts to ponder, but really this book is a self-help book. Might be good for someone that might be depressed about something or simply going through a tough time...

In Darkness This Book Will Show You The Light
I truly enjoyed this book and it did not take me long to read it. It was recomended to me by a girl I met online and I am so thankful that she recommended it to me. I was going through a Job Loss and didn't know what to do. I did not know how hard it would be to find a new job and I was scared due to the fact that media and people all over kept saying how bad the economy was and how hard it has been for people to find jobs. I read this book in one day and it changed the way that I see trouble or problems. I embrace it now and anticipate the better outcome. This book taught me that out of darkness there is a light. I was out of a job for maybe a month or so, but the whole time It felt like a vacation my spirit was just happy, I felt so good during this time. I felt happier than I have ever felt in life! Than I have knowing that I have a job. This book is a true GEM!! it was very up lifting, when I was done reading it , I truly wanted all of my family to read this book because it made me feel that good! read this book you will not be dissappointed. I am not generally a reader of this kind of material, but again, I am truly glad that I stepped outside of my box and read this book!

A lesson on self-delusion, based purely on pseudoscience and speculation.
Wow, what a mess, where do I begin? I was willing to give this book a shot, even after reading the crazy assumptions at the beginning, but eventually I couldn't deal with it anymore and had to write this review to warn others.

The book starts off with the not-so-preposterous claim that happiness is based on simply "being happy." Ok, you said it, now prove it. Nowhere in the book is this ever proved or even justified. The author centers his entire text on the assumption that by believing that "Every event that befalls me is absolutely the best possible event that could occur," it will be so. What? Why? The eventual "metaphysical" explanation for why this is because "all the laws of the Universe are in favor of the continuation of the Universe," and that since we are "one with the universe" (according to the author, enlightenment proves this), everything that ever happens to us favors our continuation within the universe. What a load of BS. Which laws are in favor of the continuation of the universe? I don't think the author has ever heard of, oh say, the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states that the quality of matter and energy in the universe is decaying over time, and that the logical conclusion is that universe is not eternal ([...]). It's only one of the most important laws we learn in high school chemistry. This is the author's flawed "Personal Philosophy;" that the sole reason that the universe continues to exist is because it designed to do so... and he expects us to adopt a similar belief system to feel better about the things that happen to us on a daily basis.

Then the book completely fell apart for me - the author explains how he got hit on the head with a rock, and tells how it "opened the channels" in his brain and helped him understand and translate the I Ching. He also mentions how his son was addicted to drugs, and devotes 3 pages to the tragedy but absolutely no explanation of how his son persevered through it all and changed his ways. Apparently he just magically did. He continues to blather on about how all religions are basically the same, that there is only one universal truth and includes various other tidbits of typical new-age drivel disguised as revolutionary and unique revelation. You've probably heard it all before if you have read any New-Age book.

A very important consideration before you buy: other than having a smattering of quotes from various Zen/Buddhist/Eastern monks, teachers and authors, "Zen and the Art of Happiness" has nothing to do with Zen. It barely even talks about meditation - the principle practice in Zen Buddhism. It devotes a whopping 3 pages to it. This book is not even about the psychology of positive thinking, because aside for a few vague references and endnotes, it provides no experimental evidence for any of its claims. This book is about the author's personal belief system, which is based on superficial understanding of Zen Buddhism, science and a very personal interpretation of Eastern religion - and a sense that somehow Eastern mysticism is better or more "true" than other thought systems because it is "ancient." These are all big fat warning signs that indicate you should stay away.

Although there are some thoughts here that I somewhat agree with, namely that positive thinking, simplicity and contentment with what we have generally make us "happier," I couldn't even give this book 2 stars because the author bases all of his argument on pseudoscience and his own blind assumptions of how the universe works. He erroneously asserts that we should consider all of our bad experiences as good experiences - merely re-labeling our thoughts and beliefs. Zen is about being mindful, understanding and escaping labels, both good and bad - not blindly changing one to the other based on the desire to be happy. It honestly sounds like the author is convinced of his own beliefs; however, that doesn't make this book or any of its baseless theories any more credible.

All in all, if you are looking for a good book on deluding yourself, look no further. If you know nearly anything about science, philosophy or Eastern thought, this little book will irritate you to no end. Instead, if you want a good book on actually understanding depression, happiness and Buddhism, I suggest you check out many fine books such as "Buddhism without Beliefs" by Stephen Bachelor or any of the writings by John Kabat-Zinn.

Excellent Book, a Few Arguable Points
Upon the appearance of this book in my mailbox and my opening the package, I almost regretted purchasing it: the book was very small, the font was large and "non serious book"-like, and generally it looked like one of those cheap newsstand reads.

However, the book proved to be well written and valuable. It is saturated with great ideas on how to handle one's life, and, most importantly, how to approach the challenges and all the misfortunes of various degrees of importance that inevitably pepper the life of every person. The main idea of the book, derived by the author from various sources of Chinese and Buddhist philosophy and his own life experience, is that there is no such thing as misfortune, that everything that happens to us actually happens to our outmost benefit, even if we don't see how that could be possible when we find ourselves in pain - whether it's moral/emotional or physical, or both. It sounds clichéd, but the way the author presents the idea and the contexts he employs to buttress it, it actually makes a lot of sense.

Generally I felt that the author found a nice balance of keeping the commercial, sales-generating nature of the book, on one hand, and enduing it with some practically and philosophically valuable content, on the other. Another great aspect of the book is that the author references numerous ancient and contemporary thinkers and scientists and their works - from Dogen to a fascinating research of a 20th century scientist titled the Molecules of Emotion - something that can prove useful if a reader becomes interested in going further in the pursuit of the ideas presented or outlined by the author.

I personally am not convinced that everything happens for the better as there are simply too many horrible things that happen in the world at any second. While giving several examples of how the most "seemingly" utterly unfortunate occurrences actually benefited those who had suffered them (such as the author's head injury, which resulted in subsequentrevelation-like understanding of the secrets of I Ching). The author, however, blissfully chooses to ignore such occurrences as natural disasters, wars, diseases, murders, etc.; he completely forsakesmaking an attempt to explain how any of them could be beneficial. He only "gets to them" toward the very end of the book, brushing upon them extremely briefly, more out of the sense of obligation and not wanting to be accused of selective approach to choosing his examples. I feel that there are way too many things that are simply too disturbing and unjust for us to even get the nerve to label them as "beneficial". If only in a cosmic scheme of things, but one would have to be really detached and "philosophical" about everything in this life to consider that scheme when observing an instance of an extreme human or natural injustice. Of course, the is an eternal question of if there is even such a thing as good or bad, and many philosophical schools refuse to label an event as good or bad outside of our perception of it, no matter how disturbing and unjust the event might be, maintaining the "cognitive" approach whose essense is that initially any event lacks any kind of connotation and characteristic (as good or bad), and that it's our perception that makes it such. If you think about this approach objectively and "philosophically", it makes perfect sense. To illustrate the idea, the author of the book being reviewed gives an example of a sports event: whichever team wins/loses makes their fans/"haters" very happy/very sad respectively, so it's not the event itself that is "happy" or "unhappy" in itself, but how a human mind perceives it. But really, how do you go about wars and diseases? It's probably comprehendible that even those events are neither good nor bad as they are, but who on earth would want to interpret them as lacking any type of characteristic if in our emotional/spiritual and physical perception they are pure evil and tragedy?
However, it is a very good point that to a great extent, happiness, just like beauty, is "in the eye and the hands of the beholder" and it comes from within. This definition of happiness is the pillar around which many philosophical schools are built. Again and again I find this to be true. One can't depend his happiness largely upon the external, simply because most things external (wealth, fame, passions, etc.) are fickle in nature and are "subject to change" (often "without notice"); thus, if one has entrusted the external with their emotional consortium, he automatically becomes its dependant and subscribes to risking his happiness when the external changes. I do believe, however, that there is a great extent to which the external influences our happiness, and stating otherwise would border on demagoguery, devoid of any empirical and emotional content, and a lot of things (the well-being of those we love, for one) naturally are a part of our happiness; but the idea that we should have a good grip on our emotions and thoughts is invaluable. Our thoughts and emotions - our inner life - is the smallest kingdom, if set against the backdrop of the government, social groups, or any other molecule that involves the participation of the human element; yet nothing can empower a person as much and give a person as much freedom and balance as obtaining the dominion over this seemingly smallest of kingdoms. To a great extent, this is the summum bonum of human existence.

Another fascinating thing about this book as well as other books on philosophy (such as the ones that deal with Stoic philosophy, for instance) is how the connection between philosophy and psychology becomes apparent. The author of the book, Chris Prentiss, sites the passage from The Dhammapada in the beginning of one of the chapters of the book, which (from what limited knowledge of the subject I possess) presents the essence of the commonly used in the field of psychology Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

Your worst enemy cannot harm you
As much as your own thoughts, unguarded,
But once mastered,
No one can help you as much.



This book is a great read. A lot of the ideas laid out in it make perfect sense. However, as the author points out, it's not enough to just read this book to actually benefit from it: one should make a conscious effort to actually employ the ideas in his life to see the benefits.

Excellent!
I love this book! I think I am going to buy everyone in my family one for Christmas! ... Read more

Product Description
Vijay Singh, Masters and PGA Champion, says, "ZEN GOLF is the bestbook there is for connecting golf and the mind together. It's foreveryone, and you're going to enjoy it. I keep it in my golf bag andtake it with me everywhere." Charles Howell III says, "The techniquesin ZEN GOLF for working with negative thoughts are better than anyother psychological approach." In chapters such as "Never Keep MoreThan a Hundred Thoughts in Your Mind During Your Swing", "Isn't WhereYou Have to Play It From Punishment Enough?" and "How to Enjoy a BadRound of Golf", the Dr. Joe Parent, a PGA TOUR Instructor, guidesgolfers with simple yet powerful techniques to prepare for, execute,and, equally important, respond to the results of any golf shot. Theauthor draws on his teaching experience and sense of humor to offerspecial methods that have led to amazing improvements in the games ofprofessionals and amateurs alike. By applying classic insights andstories from the Buddhist tradition to the challenges of golf, ZENGOLF shows you how to make your mind an ally instead of an enemy: howto stay calm, clear the interference that leads to poor shots, andeliminate bad habits and mental mistakes.Clear, concise, and enlightening, this book introduces a uniqueperspective combining modern psychology, Buddhist wisdom andprofessional golf instruction. Zen Golf shapes ancient philosophiesinto new teachings, leading golfers to the effortless focus andunconditional confidence of being in "the zone." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (62)

Zen Golf Book
This is a nice book to help get you focused on your golf swing and lesson distractions. It appears to me that there is nothing in the world that we put as much thought in as the golf swing. And, the funny thing is that we can't properly hit a golf ball until we get our minds out of the swing. Dr Parents book is a good read and very helpful. Dr Parent did a nice job writing this book. I have an always been interested in golf, and I am trying to teach my friends not to overthink the swing.

The best I have read
I have probably read a dozen books about the mental side of golf. Everything from Rotella to Prince's "Thought Free Gol" to Pia Nilsson's "Every shot must have purpose".All filled with great information. Zen Golf is the best.

In Depth
Dr Parent is not only a knowledgeable golfer, he understands the internal mental and emotional issues that make one successful.This book will help anyone's golf game that has any issues with stress or anxiety while on a golf course - especially during competition or moments of achieving a personal best.As a bonus, most all of his information applies equally well to other parts of a life.My advice is to read it with an open mind to self improvement.

A Really Good Golf Book
Dr Parent got it right.I have an outside the box golf company, Zoom Boom Golf, and I am trying to teach people to get their minds out of the swing.It appears to me that there is nothing in the world that we put as much thought in as the golf swing.And, the funny thing is that we can't properly hit a golf ball until we get our minds out of the swing.Dr Parents book is a good read and very helpful.

Customer Service
while the book was not in the condition represented in the offering, their customer service was very accomodating ... Read more

Product Description
Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki (Suzuki Daisetsu Teitarō, October 18, 1870 - July 12, 1966) was a Japanese author of books and essays on Buddhism, Zen and Shin that were instrumental in spreading interest in both Zen and Shin (and Far Eastern philosophy in general) to the West. Suzuki was also a prolific translator of Chinese, Japanese, and Sanskrit literature. Suzuki spent several lengthy stretches teaching or lecturing at Western universities, and devoted many years to a professorship at Otani University, a Japanese Buddhist school. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Place to Start
I actually had studied Zen off and on for many years, and read many texts. But, I wanted to read a book that I felt would give me some direction, a manual.So obviously the title caught my attention.D. T. Suzuki was very well known, honored and respected scholar and practitioner of the Zen way. But a quotation on the back of the book by Carl Jung cinched my decision to purchase, "Suzuki's works on Zen Buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living Buddhism...We cannot be sufficiently grateful to the author, first for the fact of his having brought Zen closed to the Western understanding, and secondly for the manner in which he has achieved his task."
This book is a must have for the library.

Table of Contents
For your information, Here is the Table of Contents:This is a very useful book for followers of zen, of course, The Ten Oxherding Pictures are a must have!

I.GATHAS AND PRAYERS:1.On Opening the Sutra2.Confession3.The Threefold Refuge4.The Four Great Vows5.The Worshipping of the Sarira6.The Teaching of the Seven Buddhas7.The Gatha of Impermanence8.The Yemmei Kwannon Ten-Clause Sutra10.General Prayer11.Prayer of the Bell.II.THE DHARANIS:1.Dharani of Removing Disasters2.Dharani of the Great Compassionate One3.Dharani of the Victorious Buddha-Crown.III.THE SUTRAS: The Prajnaparamita-hridaya-sutra, or Shingyo (complete)2.TheKwannongyo, or "Samantamukha Parivarta"(complete)3.The Kongokyo, or Vajracchedika (The first half and extracts from the second half)4.The Lanikavatara Sutra, or Tyogakyo
(Extracts)5.The Tyogonkyo, or Surangama Sutra (resume).IV.FROM THE CHINESE ZEN MASTERS1.Bodhidharma on the Twofold Entrance to the Tao2.The Third Patriarch on "Believing in Mind"3.From Hui-neng's Tan-ching4.Yoka Daaishi's "Song of Enlightenment"5.Baso (Ma-tsu) and Sekito (Shih-tou)6.Obaku's (Huang-po) Sermon from "Treatise on the Essentials of the Transmission of Mind"7.Gensha on the Three Invalids (from the Hekiganshu or Pi-yen Chi)8.The Ten Oxherding Pictures, IThe Ten Oxherding Pictures, II.V.FROM THE JAPANESE ZEN MASTERS1.Daiio Kokushi on Zen2.Daio Kokushi's Admonition3.Daito Kokushi's Admonition and Last Poem4.Kwanzan Kokushi's Admonition5.Muso Kokushi's Admonition6.Hakuin's "Song of Meditation"VI>THE BUDDHIST STATUES AND PICTURES IN A ZEN MONASTERYBuddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Protecting Gods, Historical Figures.

Table of Contents
For your information:Here is the Table of Contents:
I.GATHAS AND PRAYERS:1.On Opening the Sutra2.Confession3.The Threefold Refuge4.The Four Great Vows5.The Worshipping of the Sarira6.The Teaching of the Seven Buddhas7.The Gatha of Impermanence8.The Yemmei Kwannon Ten-Clause Sutra10.General Prayer11.Prayer of the Bell.II.THE DHARANIS:1.Dharani of Removing Disasters2.Dharani of the Great Compassionate One3.Dharani of the Victorious Buddha-Crown.III.THE SUTRAS: The Prajnaparamita-hridaya-sutra, or Shingyo (complete)2.TheKwannongyo, or "Samantamukha Parivarta"(complete)3.The Kongokyo, or Vajracchedika (The first half and extracts from the second half)4.The Lanikavatara Sutra, or Tyogakyo (Extracts)5.The Tyogonkyo, or Surangama Sutra (resume).IV.FROM THE CHINESE ZEN MASTERS1.Bodhidharma on the Twofold Entrance to the Tao2.The Third Patriarch on "Believing in Mind"3.From Hui-neng's Tan-ching4.Yoka Daaishi's "Song of Enlightenment"5.Baso (Ma-tsu) and Sekito (Shih-tou)6.Obaku's (Huang-po) Sermon from "Treatise on the Essentials of the Transmission of Mind"7.Gensha on the Three Invalids (from the Hekiganshu or Pi-yen Chi)8.The Ten Oxherding Pictures, IThe Ten Oxherding Pictures, II.V.FROM THE JAPANESE ZEN MASTERS1.Daiio Kokushi on Zen2.Daio Kokushi's Admonition3.Daito Kokushi's Admonition and Last Poem4.Kwanzan Kokushi's Admonition5.Muso Kokushi's Admonition6.Hakuin's "Song of Meditation"VI>THE BUDDHIST STATUES AND PICTURES IN A ZEN MONASTERYBuddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Protecting Gods, Historical Figures.

If the book is worth $13, the Kindle version is certainly worth $3.
Found the print copy of this in a bookstore and thought it was an interesting reference.Starts from the very beginning and covers quite a lot.If you are interested in the rituals and readings of Zen Buddhism, this the book to have.Well worth the small cost.

Zen Classic
This is a classic book and important for any Zen Buddhist Library.I am very happy that it is still available. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (41)

This Just In: Social Zen is a Game Changer
Above all else, this guide on Social Media Marketing (SMM) is genuine. Shama is true to her strategies, and more importantly, her word. Striking up a conversation with Shama ([...]) is simple and she's guaranteed to respond and help you in any way that she can. Authenticity and genuity are what make Shama and the Marketing Zen Group so impressive.

If you're interested in a quick, straightforward read about SMM, Zen is the book for you. Shama's approach of mastering three engines (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter) is spot-on and will provide you with the blueprint that you need for your social strategy. She'll give you the tools and the information; it is then up to you to implement!

Shama is especially refreshing because Gen Y "social media masters" tend to build their businesses with snarky tones and negativity. Shama believes in the complete opposite, kindness, and it works wonders for her and her business. Give this book a shot and get to know her; you will be glad that you did!

Online Personality & Masters Student in Digital Media Studies Review the book
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R285GUOEFW700S Why only type it out when I can tell you also?

Marketing though Social Media is on the rise with social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Everyone is plugged in and everyone is a potential client, customer, and business partner.
Why not learn to take advantage of that?
If you are new to the digital and social media realm, you owe it to yourself to start learning with THIS BOOK.
If you're no novice, then do as I did and circle out your knowledge base with "The Zen."
Trust me, watch this video and take my word for it. The Zen of Social Media Marketing is the book you need to get.

if you want to get to know me, follow me on Twitter: @socialseb
if you want to follow Shama, do so: @shama

Good Luck guys!

A Must for Self-Published Authors!
I love Shama's unpretentious and no nonsense style.She gets straight to what you need to know in order that you can begin your social media marketing campaign right away.Facebook is pretty straightforward, but she shares many additional helpful tips and tricks.I must admit that Twitter was a bit of a mystery to me, Shama's teachings on the ins/outs, and do-s/dont-s of the twitter society are fantastic. Also, as a result of her advice, I began blogging more, not realizing that once a month was just not enough.

Social Marketing Media is about keeping it real, and being who you really are - and Shama embodies this philosophy.At her web site, in her videos, and in her tweets, she is real, she openly shares, she "gets it" and genuinely wants you to "get it" too.This is a great book for authors who know that writing and publishing their book is only part of the story, marketing the book is a huge part of the process and this book provides a great place to start.May I also suggest Bob Bakers' Book 55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet.

~ Mich Hancock, Author of The Wizard of Oz Code

Lots of good advice
This book contained numerous tips and plenty of good advice. This book would be especially helpful for someone who is unfamiliar with social media and needs a beginner's guide. This book also has many good tips for someone like myself who has used social media for personal reasons but has never used it for business purposes. I have been using facebook for a few years, so I skimmed through that section and was still able to find out things about facebook that I was unaware of.

It is also a very quick read. I sat down and read through the entire book in one evening. The author has a very conversational tone to her writing, which makes the book more interesting than many guidebooks tend to be.

Don't by the kindle version!
I really hate to give this a bad review, and actually I am not....the content is excellent.But I bought it digitally and had it downloaded to my phone with a Kindle version.The problem is, there are huge grey blocks cluttering the pages with no text graphics or anything in the grey blocks.Also, the tables and text in picture blocks is so small it is not readable, and there is no way to increase the size to make it readable.(You can adjust the book text, but not the text in the graphic boxes.)I was hoping for a great opportunity to buy books on the fly and read them on my smart phone...but alas, it appears the technology is not perfected.

In addition their is no satisfying resolve from Amazon or Kindle.Their response is they will look into it.

I would have liked for them to say they would send me the hard copy of the book immediately and then deal with their issues as they can.I am not looking to get two versions, just one that I can use and read without expense or delays.This is their issue and they should find a way to satisfy their customers while they are sorting it out. ... Read more

Product Description
The path to achieving Zen (a balance between the body and the mind) is brilliantly explained by Professor Eugen Herrigel in this timeless account. This book is the result of the author's six year quest to learn archery in the hands of Japanese Zen masters. It is an honest account of one man's journey to complete abandonment of 'the self' and the Western principles that we use to define ourselves. Professor Herrigel imparts knowledge from his experiences and guides the reader through physical and spiritual lessons in a clear and insightful way. Mastering archery is not the key to achieving Zen, and this is not a practical guide to archery. It is more a guide to Zen principles and learning and perfect for practitioners and non-practitioners alike.Amazon.com Review
So many books have been written about the meditation side ofZen and the everyday, chop wood/carry water side of Zen. But few bookshave approached Zen the way that most Japanese actually do--throughritualized arts of discipline and beauty--and perhaps that is whyEugen Herrigel's Zen in the Art of Archery is still popular solong after it first publication in 1953. Herrigel, a philosophyprofessor, spent six years studying archery and flower-arranging inJapan, practicing every day, and struggling with foreign notions suchas "eyes that hear and ears that see." In a short, pithy narrative, hebrings the heart of Zen to perfect clarity--intuition, imitation,practice, practice, practice, then, boom, wondrous spontaneity fusingself and art, mind, body, and spirit. Herrigel writes with anattention to subtle profundity and relates it with a simple artistrythat itself carries the signature of Zen.--Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

Zen in the Art of Archery
This was not the book that I was interested in.
While this described a process and philosophy, I wanted the original book that told the story of the student and archery master.
Very disappointing.

"I really know nothing."
Professor Eugen Herrigel, a German-born professor of philosophy, taught at Tokyo University during the interwar period. During his stay in Japan he became fascinated by Zen Buddhism, then little known in the West, and undertook to study the art of archery with Bowmaster Awa Kenzo, who taught archery not as a technical skill but as a form of meditation practice.

I have read that Kenzo was not a Zen teacher and that this book misrepresents Zen, but I respectfully disagree. Zen has permeated the Japanese fine arts for centuries, and Kenzo's lessons express Zen, regardless of his formal status in the Zen community. Others have criticized Herrigel for coming at Zen obliquely, through Kyudo (the art of archery); again, I respectfully disagree. Zen is not just a segregated "practice" of chants, incense and sitting meditation, it is living life itself, fully. Hence, cooking, cleaning, eating, archery, or even motorcycle maintenance can be Zen practice if done with mindfulness.

Herrigel was writing long before any idea of "Zen" entered into the general Occidental mindset. Indeed, Herrigel's book title has inspired hundreds of copycat "Zen in the Art of . . .", "Zen and the Art of . . .", "The Zen of . . .", and "The Art of Zen in . . ." titles.

While there were other Western (and transplanted Eastern) exponents of Zen in 1948 when Herrigel's book appeared, Herrigel's book became the first "Zen bestseller".

Much of this short (90 page) book discusses the No-Mind necessary to successful mastery of any art. Since Herrigel is attempting to express what is essentially inexpressible, the book's language (in English translation) seems both esoteric and arcane in its utter simplicity.

For all its brevity, this is a dense book, and an interested reader will return to it many times over many years.

His Story
This is a very honest book about the experiences of the author.It has a German sensibility that is quite different from the American sense and for me this made it even more interesting.The reader needs to make an effort to be able to put himself in the author's place.If you can't do this the book has little to recommend it.If you can this book will deliver more value in the short time it takes to read this thin work than many a mighty tome one ponders over for weeks on end.

Inspirational
I was assigned to read this book for an oboe studio seminar course. I had never read anything zen-ish before, and mostly discounted my professor's decision to include Zen in the Art of Archery. But oh, how I'm glad she did! This book is an easy read and a true piece of inspiration. I highly, highly recommend it.

A journey worth reading for western archers
I was left with the distinct feeling of having just completed a long journey afterfinishing this 80 page book. I have been practicing (traditional) western archery for over a year now and I completely agree with many of the tenets of archery that Master Kenzo Awa spoke of. I took up archery because I was interested in the idea of letting the arrow go versus the common mentality of shooting the arrow at the target and this book reiterates that kind of thinking.

I have never undertaken Kyudo so I cannot speak to the accuracy of what was written, but I do know that many of things written by Herrigel, such as breathing exercises and being surprised when you release the arrow, can applied to western archery. I found the author's prattling and difficulties a bit irritating but it is understandable due to Kyudo's complexity. However, I was left skeptical with the author's understanding of "zen", and while he mentioned this idea of the "Great Doctrine" (of archery), I could not find his definition anywhere.

At the end of this text there are a few pages dedicated to archery's relationship to swordsmanship which I understand but felt it was incongruous with the overall feeling of the rest of the book. ... Read more

Product Description
In his first book, The Daily Adventures of Mixerman, the author detailed the frustrating and often hilarious goings on during the process of recording a major-label band. Musicians, engineers, and producers laughed and cried at the crazy goings-on they'd never imagined - or recognized all too well. Now Mixerman turns his razor-sharp gaze to the art of mixing and gives followers and the uninitiated reason to hope - if not for logic and civility in the recording studio then at least for a good sounding record. With a firm commitment to art over technology and to maintaining a grasp of each, Mixerman outlines his own approach to recording success, based on his years mixing records in all genres of music for all kinds of artists, often under trying circumstances. As he states in his introduction to the new volume, "Even if you're not a professional mixer, even if you're a musician trying to mix your own work or a studio owner in a smaller market, you have your own set of pressures to deal with while you're mixing. Regardless of what those pressures are, it's important to identify and recognize them, if for no other reason than so you can learn to completely ignore them." But how? "That's where the Zen comes in." ... Read more

Product Description
Combining humor, honesty, and plainspoken advice, Momma Zen distills the doubts and frustrations of parenting into vignettes of Zen wisdom.

Drawing on her experience as a first-time mother, and on her years of Zen meditation and study, Miller explores how the daily challenges of parenthood can become the most profound spiritual journey of our lives.

This compelling and wise memoir follows the timeline of early motherhood from pregnancy through toddlerhood. Momma Zen takes readers on a transformative journey, charting a mother’s growth beyond naive expectations and disorientation to finding fulfillment in ordinary tasks, developing greater self-awareness and acceptance—to the gradual discovery of “maternal bliss,” a state of abiding happiness and ease that is available to us all.


In her gentle and reassuring voice, Karen Miller convinces us that ancient and authentic spiritual lessons can be as familiar as a lullaby, as ordinary as pureed peas, and as frequent as a sleepless night. She offers encouragement for the hard days, consolation for the long haul, and the lightheartedness every new mom needs to face the crooked path of motherhood straight on. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

For everyone
Well, I'm not a mom, and I'm not even a parent, but I still thought Momma Zen was a wonderful book because its lessons are universal.

Many years ago I had a chance to met Karen after she gave a talk. I felt a little self conscious because I was the last person in a line of all women buying Momma Zen. But when I reached the author, she immediately put me at ease. She is a wonderful person who I've been fortunate to have kept in touch with ever since then.

Everything Karen writes, from a short blog passage to another book, is a beautiful mixture of timeless advice or observation blended in with humility or laughter. Maybe that's why I see it as universal, because it connects so easily with anyone anytime anywhere. Every page makes you nod your head and crack a smile. Why wouldn't you buy this book.

loved this book
Absolutely loved this book.
As a mother of 3 i was inspired--informed and engaged.
I was moved, i saw myself in so much of the book.
It's a super easy read and i will read it again.
Great for any mother-----or father

I love this book!
I purchased this book with "Buddhism for mothers . . " by Napthali and love them both.Momma Zen is more brief in her coverage of each topic whereas Napthali will go more into the buddhist teachings about a particular topic (anger, for example).This book is a great place to start for Moms and Dads learning how to deal with the difficult emotions of parenthood.

inspiring
As someone who has studied Buddhism for the last 10+ years, I was so inspired by this book. Having recently become a parent, I often felt adrift in the sea of uncertainty regarding parenting and particularly less-than-ideal emotions of anger and frustration with my son. This book really helped guide me in so many ways. The chapters are short and to the point, and it's not a parenting guide necessarily, but just a way of looking at the situation you're in and responding to it in the best of ways. I borrowed the book from the library but plan to buy a copy for my nightstand drawer, just to read when I'm feeling a bit lost as a mother.

She gets it right on all points
I had been looking forward to reading this book for so long because I thought it might help me to be a better mom, and in fact, it confirmed that I've been doing it mostly right all along.KMM adeptly and accurately paints the situation many first-time mothers encounter...the exhaustion, the uncertainty, the lack of self-confidence, and reveals that it is within all of us to rally our internal forces of will, nature, and wisdom to care for our children and ourselves not just adequately, but well.I was repeatedly amazed at how she put my own vague and difficult-to-express emotions about motherhood into crystal clear language.She follows the woven thread of motherhood through generations and shows us that we can all parent the best way possible if we just allow ourselves to stop, breathe, and act from the heart and gut. ... Read more

Product Description

Charlotte Joko Beck offers a warm, engaging, uniquely American approach to using Zen to deal with the problems of daily living—love, relationships, work, fear, ambition, and suffering. Everyday Zen shows us how to live each moment to the fullest. This Plus edition includes an interview with the author.

Customer Reviews (61)

very nice
I've read a bunch of books on Zen and on other lineages, and looked through a bunch more, and this is really the one that has spoken to me the most, by far.It's specific, wise, relevant, and somehow just generally brings things home in a way that others don't.

Reality, and how to get there
Great book!!

Relates Zen to "day-to-day" American cultural attitudes. Not just some esoteric text (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

One of the best practical guides to Zen/Work/Practice
One of the best introductory book on Zen practice. Very practical, applicable guides to life-centered living. Joko helps the reader integrate Zen lessons into everyday living. She illustrates how meditation and practice are not only on the cushion but in our daily lives, that the real practice is not during sitting but involved with our actions. We sit not to be better at sitting but to be better at living.

Practical Advice for Living in the present.
I have been a practicing Zen student for 30 years, and I think this book is the best.
If you think you are going to get enlightened and all your problems will be solved, you probably won't like this book, because it may shatter your dreams. Do you want that?
For the rest of us, who have no such illusions, this book tells us how to be more kind, and how to enjoy our messy uncomfortable lives more and more and more. Thank you.

I feel... wow....
I think I want to cry.Literally.I think this book has changed my life. ... Read more

Product Description
World-renowned Buddhist teacher Roshi Kapleau brings a new introduction to his twenty-five-year-old classic. Useful to both initiates and long-term disciples alike, the comprehensive guide is an overview of the profundities of Buddha. (Philosophy) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

Great
If you're interested in Zen, read this.You might like it.I certainly found it very inspirational and put me on a path I didn't know what there.It's clear language and fun to read.Kaplau has done a nice job of de-mystifying the mystical orient for us dudes.If you are not interested Zen, or are looking for something that might confirm your ideas of what you think Zen is, don't read it.You may not like it.That's pretty much all there is to it.

Finally: clarity
Five stars for a number of reasons: 1) This book has proven to be the most useful and clear read I've had on the subject.2) Terms are clearly defined, and should one slip your mind, the glossary is easy to use and does not waste time or focus with unnecessary jargon or editorial comments.3) Although I wouldn't call the book concise, the repetitive nature of some sections actually helped me to retain and recall difficult concepts.4) There is enough of a nod towards Western practitioners to make things easier to digest.

Now the drawbacks: 1) The aforementioned repetitiveness can sometimes bog down the read.2) Some scholars or etc. contradict the statements made previously by others in the book (which really shouldn'tsurprise the readers of Zen).3) I found the first-hand accounts of achieved kensho by contemporary practitioners to be less than inspiring.Actually, I was left with the feeling that some were more invested in the euphoric experiences/results of said accomplishment than in the investment of equanimity in the continued pursuit of zazen.Call me crazy, but it lends the whole process an air of the same old "pie in the sky" desires.

Still, yes, I recommend this book wholeheartedly, especially for those who are new to Zen (or Buddhism or meditation in general) or have been utterly stumped for a while now.This book is a great gateway "drug" because you'll find yourself well equipped to traverse the territories of more difficult books on the subject.

Outstanding Edition
I really enjoyed this book.It gave me some very basic insight into Zen Buddhism.I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist but am interested in increasing my knowledge about other Buddhist schools.If you are interested in gaining more information regarding on the world's largest Buddhist schools, then this book might fill the bill for you.

great book
i really liked this book... well ballanced between elemets. liked the inclusion of a glossary as well.

If we could only take one book on Zen to a new civilisation...
This is it!
~
The accounts of enlightenment experiences are particularly inspiring and useful.

Kensho is definitely attainable in this lifetime. Moroever, satori is the birthright of every human being.

It's not some badge to be gained - it's an essential for human beings to live contentedly, peacefully, intelligently, and ethically. To find one's true home, to see the true relationship between Being and 'objects', and to know with certainty the interconnectedness of all things and the inalienable dignity of all beings, respectively.

In speaking about it, it's great to retain the wonder, because this helps draw people to the dharma.

However, all this speaking in hushed tones about the unattainable loftiness of enlightenment - the Tibetans, with their 'high teachings' and 'secret instructions' are often the worst offenders - is only hiding water from a man dying of thirst.

Anyone who really WANTS to attain enlightenment, who maintains a high level of pure (ethical) intention and action, practices diligently (even if that can only be in short intense bursts) and gets the right guidance, will definitely "see the ox", "enter the stream" - and quite possibly in this lifetime.

The rest flows on inevitably.

Zen is by far the tradition that most arises out of this orientation, and it's a welcome balance to other traditions in this respect.

[Speaking of the Tibetans!: Rainbow Painting (Urgyen Tulku), Primordial Experience: an introduction to rDzogs-Chen Meditation (Norbu), Self-Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness (Reynolds & Norbu), and Flight of the Garuda (Dowman) are all recommended. For something that is not as precision-oriented in its expression but has more of the personal flavour of oral instructions, go for The Great Seal:Limitless Space and Joy (Nydahl).] ... Read more

Product Description
When life seems to be full of doubt and uncertainty we tend to look for a source of inspiration: what will happen in the future? What about my health, the children? What will happen if I make this decision and not that one? This is how the traditional tarot is often used, to satisfy a longing to know about the past and future. This Osho Zen Tarot focuses instead on gaining an understanding of the here and now. It is a system based on the wisdom of Zen, a wisdom that says events in the outer world simply reflect in the outer world simply reflect our own thoughts and feelings, even though we ourselves might be unclear about what those thoughts and feelings are. So it helps us to turn our attention away from outside events so we can find a new clarity of understanding in our innermost hearts. The conditions and states of mind portrayed by the contemporary images on the cards are all shown as being essentially transitional and transformative. The text in the accompanying book helps to interpret and understand the images in the simple, straightforward and down to earth language of Zen.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (127)

Great set. Contains book and cards.
The pictures are evocative and easy to read. The style is very different than traditional tarot, so a good compliment if you already have a different set.

they give me chills
I am almost scared to use this deck because everytime I ask it a question the answer is so perfect I know it can't be a coincidence. The first time I asked this deck a question my skepticisms about tarot flew out the window -- it is so, so real. I love this deck. It is perfect.

Awesome
I have used Osho's tarot cards online and have had this saved in my wish list to buy for close to a year.Now that I've held the actual cards in my hands, I regret not buying this sooner.

Fantastic and Simple, Osho Zen Tarot, is a wonderful tool for us deep thinkers who enjoy contemplating the issues of our lives, both present and past.

I Cannot Say Enough Great Things About These Cards!!!
This was the first card deck I ever purchased and from my first reading, the cards connected with me. What a wonderful experience divination is with these fantastic and beautiful cards. For fun, I do readings with others and the they are always spot on.

Amazing cards and I will be doing a Podcast on them on my site [...]

The only other cards I use besides this deck is the Tao Oracle: An Illuminated New Approach to the I Ching by Ma Deva Padma, this deck really digs in even deeper. using them together is an awesome experience. I have had many people that don't care for Tarot cards or have no belief in this sort of thing, completely change their opinion or beliefs after a reading with these cards. AMAZING Cards, wish I could give them 10 stars on Amazon.

New to tarot card reading...
I bought this set of cards on a whim, as my friend is interested in tarot card readings, and I was looking for a product with good reviews on Amazon.com. Since this is my first experience owning and reading from tarot cards (for fun, mostly), I can't say whether or not this deck gives better readings than others. However, the fact that these cards are based on Zen/Buddhist teachings is inspiring, and most of the pictures are visually stunning in a "New-Agey" and colorful way (with the exception of a few "cartoon-y" images of cards in the deck that weren't nearly as impressive). The fact that there is a "The Master" card of this Osho guru guy, who is supposed to be a "Master" of some Zen Commune in India (but who is now deceased), is rather shamelessly iconic and self-promoting in my view, and seems a bit disingenuous; other than that, the cards can give some entertaining and vaguely relevant readings, and can also help one meditate on various findings within a spread. However, given these are not "traditional" tarot cards makes me wonder if I would get better readings from a more true-to-form tarot deck (those of the Rider-Waite or Thoth decks). Since these cards are very "light-hearted" and inspiring in nature, I wanted to try a deck that was more dark, brooding, and Gothic, so I've also ordered the Deviant Moon Tarot cards for comparison. I am hoping that I can get a different, and perhaps more straighforward and less meditative, perspective from a deck that isn't as focused on being inspirational. I will post a review as soon as I receive that deck. ... Read more

Product Description
"A man who has attained mastery of an artreveals it in his everyaction."--Samurai Maximum.

Under theguidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parkerand the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividlyrecounts his more than 25 years of experience in themartial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyamreveals to you how the daily application of Zenprinciples not only developed his physical expertise butgave him the mental discipline to control hispersonal problems-self-image, work pressure,competition. Indeed, mastering the spiritual goals inmartial arts can dramatically alter the quality ofyour life-enriching your relationships with people,as well as helping you make use of all yourabilities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (115)

A "Must Read" for all serious martial artists
Vignettes from a serious student who created the opportunity to study with several masters.

Do not read this in one sitting. Digest each vignette before moving on.

Rinse, repeat.

Zen In The Martial Arts
Zen In The Martial Arts is about Joe Hyams' experience with applying Far Eastern philosophy to normal living situations.This is not a martial arts instruction book.I read this book during my senior year of high school when I had become interested in Far Eastern philosophy.Years later, about five years ago, I started remembering the meanings in this book and felt them in life.I remembered the chapter titles:Empty Your Cup (page 17), Process Not Product (page 23), and Make A Friend Of Fear (page 111).I remembered Chuang-Tzu's quote (page 65):"Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free:Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.This is the ultimate."I remembered Hyams' friend who had a day for doing nothing and saw how inactivity provided the energy for activity.I remembered the statement that the mind is infinite and the body is finite.I liked the photograph of the scroll of the tiger and the dragon (page 128) as they were the Shaolin symbols featured on the Kung Fu television series -- "From the tiger, we learn strength....From the dragon, we learn to ride the wind."

Perfect
I was given this book as a gift many years ago when I was going through a rather rough patch in life, and it worked wonders for my psyche.The book contains little bite-sized pieces detailing various martial-arts based lessons and how the author was able to apply those in a real-world context. I have since taken many of the lessons and applied them in my own life or in conversations with others, and as simple as some of them may be, they provide great insight into a different mental approach than to what I was accustomed.I have given this book as a gift to others I have encountered that, like me during my intitial readthrough, might benefit from its words, and each of them learned something new.I would guess that I currently posess my 8th copy of this wonderful book, and I look forward to eventually purchasing my 9th.

It's about the author's experience encountering Zen
The one-star reviews have missed the point of this book.This book, with it's tiny chapters, is not about Zen so much as it's about the authors personal experience in being taught Zen by several masters.The book's charm is that you are taken along for the ride as a modern person (and you, the reader) explore Zen for the first time in small bite-sized pieces.

I have read this book multiple times and recommended it to 4-5 people over many years and all of them loved the book.

Small book, big message.
This book was an easy read but very thought provoking.This book only took a couple hours to read.The author uses an autobiographical format to discuss applying the principles (or concepts) of Zen in Martial Arts to one's life.I think one of the things that makes this book so interesting is the fact that Joe Hyams was personally trained (at his home) by Bruce Lee in Jeet Kune Do.Several conversations between Bruce Lee and Joe Hyams are referenced in the book and give you an intimate glimpse at Bruce Lee's martial arts philosophy.If there is a key point I took away from this book, it is this... Becoming a martial artist is more than just mastering techniques, forms and drills, it's also about mastering who you really are physically, emotionally, and spiritually. ... Read more