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Customer Reviews (30)

INTENSE!!!
No punches pulled here - if you seek TRUTH without the "sugar coating".If you seek knowing the essense of being & MIND, if you dare to step away - "If follow the way of the present day world, you turn you back on the WAY.If you follow the WAY, you will turn your back on the world."Intellect will not lead us to enlightenment, but we need intellect of some sort to begin to communicate - from that point on, hopefully we can begin to understand & experience all things as they really are.

The Zen Teachings Of Huang Po: On the Transmission of Mind
This book was first given to me by a friend and it has become one of my most treasured books on eastern philosphy. I have since purchased more copies to give as a gift to friends who are interested in philosophy.
This book is a series of dialogues, so in its favour, it can be picked up and put down at any time and therefore it is not necessarily required to read this book front to back. Treasure a dialogue savour it then put the book down until you want to be inspired again.
This book is a must have for those who are into eastern philosophy and meditation.
Firmly recommended!!

Straight to the point
For the age of this book, it really is written in a very modern toned manner.Huang Po didn't mess around with his words and he knew how to make sure the student knew exactly what he was pointing towards.There is definately no way any reader of this book will mistake the finger that points for the moon itself.This has got to rate as being one of the clearest books on enlightenment I have ever read.Another book which is very similar in theme is The Awakening of Spiritual Awareness, and both go well really together.They both state that the conceptual thinking mind is all that stands in the way of enlightenment here and now!

Zen Distilled To Its Essence
[This review is for John Blofeld's "The Zen Teaching of Huang-Po: On the Transmission of Mind".]

I'm certain that you've read some of the other reviews and so understand what this book is about -- I'll try not to repeat their words.

John Blofeld was one of the earliest English-language translators of classic Zen texts.Back in 1958, there were very, very few Zen texts available to the Western world.This one became a classic.

Here are some of the main points of Huang Po's teachings:

He is ceaseless is asserting One-ness, and that duality is the root of delusion.

There is one mind, outside of time and space, ever-present.

Sudden enlightenment is the way it is.There is no advancement in stages.Enlightenment comes suddenly when the mind has been purged of the clutter of conceptual and discriminatory thought.

Seeking enlightenment is useless, but still, enlightenment takes effort.

Cling to nothing.Let each thought go as if were nothing, or make whatever slight response is suited to each occasion.

When mind thinks, we are in duality.Thinking is responsible for our errors.

There is nothing to teach.Study is useless.You can't learn it from others.

No merit can be accrued, so piousness is useless to arrive at enlightenment.

Keep the mind motionless.Let the world simply flow.

Zazen itself *is* liberation.

----

Could he be any clearer?

Every Zen library should own a copy -- highly recommended!

Getting better every time
Hundreds of books read on Buddhism, Zen, Non-duality, etc., this book continues to say it all perfectly clearly and improves each time I re-read it.Start here and come back to it again and again until you can't miss it. ... Read more

Product Description
An inventive and down-to-earth career guide, featuring 120 easy-to-use worksheets, proposes a new vision of work, helping people recognize what they really want to do and offering practical suggestions for finding that work. Reprint. 35,000 first printing.Amazon.com Review
The bad old days of multiple-choice-test career counseling areover. It takes more than a #2 pencil and a computer to find yourlife's work, as career consultant Laurence G. Boldt tells us in Zenand the Art of Making a Living, a hefty but lighthearted tome thatwill help you find yourself and your place in the world. Boldt isquite up-front about it, though: it's a long, hard journey to getthere. But his uplifting prose and liberal doses of inspirationalquotes from wise men and women provide support for the wearytraveler. Indeed, in between learning how to find the kind of workthat strikes the right chord for you, figuring out what skills andtalents you'll need to succeed at it, and righteously persisting untilyou get your reward, you may find lapses and stumbling blocks youhadn't expected--but Boldt has seen them all and finds the right wordsat the right time to keep you moving. Like a traditional career book,Zen and the Art of Making a Living includesrésumé advice and worksheets for narrowing down andsticking with your goals; however, it takes off from there to guidethe reader on a quest for spiritual fulfillment through work,something you won't find elsewhere.This updated edition containsplenty of Internet-related information and other resources unavailablein 1990 and is invaluable for anyone concerned about his or her futurein the world of work. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Former college text but very readable
Purchased it knowing it wasn't "new" and received the condition I ordered. Great price; Great service.

Zen and the art of making a living
This book is a life changer or at least an eye opener. Perfect for this time in our economy where we are re-thinking our careers and lifestyles, by force or by coincidence.You can jump around the book or read it from cover to cover.It has a lot of useful practical stuff but I relished the philosophy most.
Enjoy!

WOW!
The written exercises in this book will blow your mind with their ability to clarify what is important to YOU in your life's work!Then, after clarifying what is important, you are led through the steps of investigating your possibilities.This book would be a wonderful graduation gift.It is 700+ pages of thought provoking, action inspiring, activities.Those just looking to find their way in life and those who have been in the work force forawhile, will find something in this book that will reveal the NEXT STEP.I personally enjoy the Zen inspired drawings sprinkled throughout the pages and the quotes from diverse sources in each section.This book and Barbara Sher's book "WishCraft" are life focus work guides.It definitely is a DO book.Any teacher or consultant would get value from sharing the exercises in this book with students and clients.It looks intimidating but once you start reading the gentle wisdom and working through the exercises, you will not be able to put it down!

never got the book
I never got the book, it was never delivered to me, even though through tracking it said that it left the post offive on a certain day.....

Spiritual advice on finding a meaningful livelihood
The scene is repeated at 7 a.m. every morning. Millions of people roll over and hit the buttons on their alarm clocks, dreading the fact that they will soon be heading off to jobs they consider drudgery, mere vehicles for paying their bills. The lucky ones will only dislike their jobs a little bit. If they're really fortunate, they'll find work tolerable, even though it falls short of satisfying their yearnings. A handful of blessed individuals will actually feel happy as they walk into their jobs, knowing they're heading for work that brings them fulfillment. But once you've committed 40 hours a week to something, shouldn't it give you joy? In this comprehensive, revealing - though excessively long - tome, Laurence G. Boldt proposes that everyone has the power to choose a satisfying career. By taking a spiritual approach (that's the Zen message) and embarking upon real self-examination, you can discover your true interests and free yourself to pursue your passion. Boldt offers concrete suggestions for success, such as how to write a convincing resume, weigh the pros and cons of entrepreneurship, and conduct a successful interview. He provides pages of exercises, resources and questionnaires. Plenty of books provide such tips, but this may be the only one that dishes them up along with ancient Chinese proverbs and Japanese calligraphy. So we suggest that if you're just starting out or stuck in an unsatisfying job, find a comfortable chair, light a stick of incense and take a journey within yourself. You may be surprised at what you find - your life's work. ... Read more

Product Description
For over thirty years, Opening the Hand of Thought has offered an unmatched introduction to Zen Buddhism. This new edition contains even more useful material: new prefaces, an index, and extended end notes are here, in addition to the book's revised glossary and main sections. But then, the book's utility was never in question. As Jisho Warner writes in the book's opening, 'The Story of This Book and Its Author,' Opening the Hand of Thought 'goes directly to the heart of Zen practice [. . .], showing how Zen Buddhism can be a deep and life-sustaining activity.' She goes on to say, 'Uchiyama looks at what a person is, what a self is, how to develop a true self not separate from all things, one that can settle in peace in the midst of life.' By turns humorous, philosophical, and personal, Opening the Hand of Thought is above all a great book for the Buddhist practitioner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Modern Zen's Finest Explanation
Uchiyama was one of the great modern Zen teachers, and maybe the best example of the "nothing special" type of Soto Zen.If you want a glamorous, esoteric book about Zen heroism this is not for you.If you want a rational, graceful, peaceful explanation of what Zen meditation is and what it can do for your life, please buy this book.Also search on google for Uchiyama's teacher's writings, Kodo Sawaki - another of the great Buddhist teachers that the west knows very little about.

Great way to grasp what zazen is all about
Easy to read. Great if you're a beginner in zazen. Good book oriented in the Soto sect way of shinkantaza (sitting zazen).

Zen without toys...thank God!
Let's face it, even though Zen is often claimed to be based in utmost simplicity and directness, the sad truth is that the majority of Zen books and teachers are (often deliberately) opaque, if not flat-out UNREADABLE: rife with academic abstractions, badly translated religious jargon and pious rhetoric, not to mention encumbered by massive cultural baggage and exoticism (=the slavish, obsessive fetishization of all things Japanese).Which is why books like Charlotte Joko Beck's "Everyday Zen" are so rare and so successful---ditto for the work of the marvelously concise, plain-spoken and unpretentious Pema Chodron, an American in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

This is particularly true when it comes to teachings on "shikantaza" which is the practice of "just sitting" or objectless meditation, known as "choiceless awareness" or "open presence" in other schools.John Daido Loori's compilation of writings on shikantaza, "The Art of Just Sitting," is mostly a catalogue of ancient Chan/Zen teachers taking a long time to say nothing, albeit in a very artful manner.

So Uchiyama's book is a real gift: it is almost wholly devoid of the ritualized obfuscation all too common in the Zen tradition.This is the clearest book on seated meditation since Shunryu Suzuki's classic "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" which is much denser and far less cohesive since it was cobbled together from months of his lectures.Uchiyama does get a bit repetitive in a few spots, resorting to tautological assertions when he advocates for a "pure" practice having no goal or purpose---but this is a common Catch-22 inherent in any contemplative practice that seeks to discourage the ego from grasping after some mental object like "enlightenment" but to sit for the sake of sitting, what Uchiyama calls "life living out life."

Shikantaza itself is a difficult practice, which is why few Zen teachers will recommend it to beginners; it is usually reserved for advanced students.This in part is due to the fact that it takes a very long time for most people's minds to settle enough to do it, so concentration practice like counting the breaths is employed in the beginning to slow down the mind.Thus it is especially unfortunate that the vast majority of Zen practice centers (especially in the US) today spend a ridiculously small amount of their time actually meditating---the average Zen retreat has only 5-6 hours of scheduled sitting a day with each sit being as short as 25 minutes at a time, while the rest of the day is consumed by rituals/liturgy, dharma talks, private interviews with the teacher, work practice periods, or long personal breaks.In contrast, Uchiyama's teacher Kodo Sawaki believed in what he called "Zen without toys:" minimalist, bare-bones retreats where you TRULY "just sit," which consist of fourteen 50-minute periods of sitting per day, with brief 20 minute breaks following each meal, pervasive silence, and absolutely NOTHING else.Zero preservatives, additives or sweeteners.Having recently done one of those retreats myself (there are only two places in the US which offer this Antaiji-style format: Sanshinji in Indiana, and Pioneer Valley Zendo in Massachussetts) after having read this book, I can attest to the powerful efficacy of this utterly clean and simple schedule.It makes for a rare and precious manifestation of "dharma not drama," in which the elusive flower of shikantaza is finally given enough time and space to fully open.

The Only Book on Zen you'll need
Great book. I cannot emphasize enough how anyone interested in Zen practice should read this.

Amazon unfortunately not stopped stocking it.I'd recommend anyone interested to go to the publisher's web page and order it there for $13.Just do an internet search for"Wisdom Publication", once there search for the book it will pop right up.

gassho

Most straight forward zazen text out there
Outstanding book. In reading books on Soto zen practice over the last 10 years, this the clearest, most straight forward and best book on zazen (seated zen buddhist meditation) from a highly respected master I've come across. If you only read 2 books on Zen, read Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Suzuki and this one. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is a comprehensive introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know how or where to begin, nor what to expect once they have started practicing. It includes the fundamentals of meditation practice (posture, technique, clothing), descriptions of the basic teachings and major texts, the teacher-student relationship, and what you will find when you visit a zendo, plus a history of Zen from the founding of Buddhism to its major schools in the West. In addition to answering the most frequently asked questions, it offers a listing of American Zen centers and resources, an annotated bibliography, and a glossary.

Jean Smith's enormously practical approach ensures that The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism will become the book teachers and students alike will recommend.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism by Jean Smith
This is a great book for someone new to Buddhism.Very informative and easy to understand.

Great Book for Beginners... and great refresher.
As the title suggests, a perfect guide for beginners.
Id venture to say Id suggest this be a perfect "first" for those curious and interested in Zen and Buddhism as a whole.
The author has clear and simple explanations from practice to visiting centers.A to Z and nicely organized.
Those more experienced could also use this as a refresher as well.
I highly recommend this book for everyone.

Great Beginner's Guide
The best thing that can be said is that it lives up to it's title.It presents Zen Buddhism largely in it's 'American Zen' incarnation which is what most of us who read the book are going to encounter when we venture beyond our armchairs and frontdoors.It's the not the be all and end all of anything, just a very nicely done introduction to a very complex subject.You don't learn Buddhism from books anyway.

Finally a beginners' book that is true to its title!
With her clear writing style, Smith offers anyone interested in Zen Buddhism a very good basic introduction, including practical advice and a resource guide.While she introduces the reader to the beginnings and diversity of Buddhism as a whole, she emphasizes Western approaches to and developments in Zen.Smith's work is informative and unpretentious, terse without omitting any vital details, reflecting respect and admiration for Zen traditions without worship of personalities and exoticism.

Great introduction to Zen Buddhism
As someone new to Zen Buddhism, this gave me a great overview and background to start.It's very readable and goes into all the main topics I was curious about, including etiquette, history and basic principles.I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (13)

At the Edge of Zen
I won't repeat what the other reviews have said.I think they accurately summarized the book.

It's not a "how to" book, it's a book about seeing.Though scant description of how to do that.More of a "You'll know it when you see it" book.A line the author uses a number of times.

My background is of a semi-serious photographer about one year into the process and as a fairly accomplished target shooter, who's read "Zen and the Art of Archery."I've experienced zen while shooting.Probably the same as "being in the zone" that golfers and other athletes experience.

Now, can one apply that to photography?Target shooting has a time limit, but it infinite compared to how long you have to take some pictures.The author spends 7 paragraphs describing his emotional response to the picture of James Dean walking along a NY street.Lots of mention of James' hunched shoulders.(I grew up in Chicago, sometimes hunched shoulders mean you are cold.)Fence along the side of the shot: symbolic of movie frames and lots of other stuff.Did the photographer see all this when he took the picture?I'd guess not.James Dean might well have been trying to get out of the cold.Sure the photographer didn't crop it out and it is a nice visual element, but did it all jell as the photographer waited for the zen moment or did he shoot a bunch of photos and then choose?Well, I can't say he didn't get it in one -- I'll try to stay optimistic!

Bottom line, will it help you become a better photographer?Is it money well spent?I think that that depends on where you are on the path of photographic knowledge.Did it help me?Yes, but in small ways.This did not provide a large jump in knowledge or ability.But it all helps.The book contains the names of a number of other photographers, most with whom I'm not familiar.So there are elements to be researched and there is a bibliography.If you've gone through the basics, the mechanical elements and the technical side of photography, this is probably a good direction to explore.

A different, fine approach photography collections will appreciate
ZEN AND THE MAGIC OF PHOTOGRAPHY is focused on helping photographers develop their visual awareness, and offers keys to understanding connections between Zen and photography. From relationships between the two to the art of photo analysis, composition, and how to take better photos by merging Zen and photography, this is a different, fine approach photography collections will appreciate.

A new way to look at taking pictures
In an era where you can allow your camera to make an ever increasing number of decisions for you, maybe it is time for the photographer to spend more time thinking about the image they are creating.In Zen and the Magic of Photography, Wayne Rowe aims to assist photographers with their intution and awareness of the image they are capturing. Knowing all the features of one's camera is not the same as knowing "how to see" the image you are about the capture.Numerous comments throughout the book provide tips on creating a unique image that conveys what the photographer brings to the shot.Thinking about your photo in different ways will allow you to make your best shots. I was pleased to see sections applying his ideas to the use of photographic means, still and video.

While I found the photographic tips interesting and something I will apply to my future works, I have to question some of the comparisons to Eastern philosophy, I failed to see the relevance of some comparisons.His application of "Zen" seemed to be a stretch to me.

Karen Russ
Arkansas Outdoor Photographers Club

Hearing the Light
When making a photograph I find that the more time I spend worrying about the technical aspects (shutter speed, ISO, aperture, white balance, ...) the weaker my connection with the subject becomes.My images can power when I am able to choose the right technical parameters, then remove them from my consciousness.My image is more likely to become magical if I connect with the subject and become one with it in each moment.

That attitude is the Zen that creates the magic Rowe describes.His is not a book that describes the meaning and use of shutter speed or aperture.Instead his book describes a way of being that connects the photographer with his subject.Much of his book is not even about making pictures but instead describes how to look at pictures.Rowe describes the importance of emotion and feeling and why great photographers are in tune with them.For Rowe, magic happens when the photographer is able to hear the light.

This is a wonderful book for photographers.I believe that if I am able to stay mindful of its advice then more of my images will contain magic.

Zen And The Magic of Photography
What a sumptuous journey of vision this author takes you on. This book is so informative and at the same time, it emphasizes a more sensitive and artistic approach to the art of photography. Though technique has a very important roll to play, this author gives a refreshing perspective on the art-form, also teaching us the importance of spontaneity and being in the moment when capturing an image and creating a successful composition. He emphasizes the spiritual side of the experience as well, giving the reader a holistic and succinct approach. This book is filled with exquisite photos that act as examples for his very unique and subtle approach to teaching. He guides the way to a magical world of creation, showing the reader how to see. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the art-form of photography. It offers the reader a unique perspective that is long overdue. ... Read more

Product Description
Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), among the first to transmit Zen Buddhism from China to Japan and founder of the important Soto School, was not only a profoundly influential and provocative Zen philosopher but also one of the most stimulating figures in Japanese letters.

Kazuaki Tanahashi, collaborating with several other Zen authorities, has produced sensitive and accurate translations of Dogen's most important texts.Moon in a Dewdrop contains the key essays of the great master, as well as extensive background materials that will help Western readers to approach this significant work. There is also a selection of Dogen's poetry, most of which has not appeared in English translation before.

Dogen's thought runs counter to conventional logic, employing paradoxical language and startling imagery.It illuminates such fundamental concerns as the nature of time, existence, life, death, the self, and what is beyond self.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

excellent book
The translation is excellent as is the background, format and copy. Dogen is an important Buddhist thinker/master who doesn't recieve enough attention. Excellent book.

Wisdom, Poetry and Cold Chills
Dôgen-Zenji was the greatest figure in Japanese Zen; if literary output were the criterion he would be the greatest of all Zen Masters. He was one of those rare beings who combine the contemplative's insight into reality with the poet's gift of words.
His immense masterwork, the "True Dharma-Eye Treasury," covers all aspects of Buddhist practice from rarefied metaphysics to behaviour at mealtimes: all dualities are comprehended in Enlightenment, leaving no distinction between the mundane and the sublime.

I have four books of excerpts, but this is my favourite: the poetic and metaphysical chapters predominate over practical and instructional ones. Literary Japanese, supple, intricate and elliptical, was wildly different from modern English, but the translators have done wonders in achieving clear and (fairly) natural versions, though word-choices sometimes puzzle. A good balance has also been struck between a surfeit of footnotes and too many baffling allusions.

This is a book to read, re-read and grow into, depth after depth. It expresses as much of the beauty, mystery and profundity of Zen (and existence itself,) as can be expressed in words... and then a little more. Even when I'm reading a passage I can't make head or tail of, I feel my body go cold, as when reading great poetry. This is a book that haunts, astonishes and humbles, a book to trudge through the snow for, to swim icy rivers for... and you can buy it so easily.

No review
To review this book at length would ignore its lessons. My only advice is to read it and discover the Dogen for yourself.You might come away thinking he's an idiot. He'd say he'd succeeded mightily in your education.

A sure pleasure
Great book which contains a big collection of Dogen's wisdom. In order to understand it without much difficulties, I would suggest that the reader will start by learning about Mahayana Buddhism in general, and then start to investigate Dogen texts. Because the wisdom of Zen Buddhism is often written in Chinese or Japanese, this book is very handy for the westerner user,especially because the translation is brilliant.
As a student of Japanese language for the last 6 years, I know how hard it is to translate the 12-13th century Japanese into nowadays English, so it has really impressed me. A sure pleasure.

Five Star all the Way
"moon in a dewdrop" is a collection of writings by Eihei Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen. The text is divided into four sections, which are clear and easy to understand. There are notes and a glossary so that the meaning of the text can be clearly grasped. The book is a five star raft.
Now to the writing, Dogen speaks from experience, insight gained through deep meditation, lived every day. The text is not meant to be intellectually grasped as a doctrine. This can be understood by the presentation of the first section being "Practical Instructions" and the first writing being "Zazen-Gi" or Rules for Zazen. Sitting with "moon in a dewdrop" is like sitting with Dogen himself, at every turn Dogen is pointing to reality and inviting us to fully enter it and taste it for ourselves. The text is a practical manual to be used in conjunction with Zazen, Dogen wrote for all those, who truly wish to taste the essence of Buddhism and reality.
The writing is five star.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any one who is interested in Zen and a greater depth of reality. ... Read more

Product Description

Our tendency is to be interested in something that is growing in the garden, not in the bare soil itself. But if you want to have a good harvest, the most important thing is to make the soil rich and cultivate it well.

In a beautiful companion volume to Shunryu Suzuki's first book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, this is a collection of thirty-five lectures taken from the last three years of Suzuki's life that has been masterfully edited by Edward Espe Brown, bestselling author and one of Suzuki's students.

No doubt some readers will want to wrestle with the often paradoxical nature of Zen teachings. And those from the Western philosophical tradition may find vast differences between the Western system that takes its cue from Descartes' cogito and the Eastern one that emphasizes the destruction of the ego. Says Suzuki: "It is just your mind that says you are here and I am there, that's all. Originally we are one with everything." While the book does not wrestle with cultural-philosophical differences, it is nevertheless a good introduction to Zen. Suzuki's teachings tend to flow from simple stories, usually drawn from his own experiences. It's almost entirely free of the jargon that clutters many books on Buddhism, and the teachings are communicated with clarity and brevity. --Eric de Place ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Uncommonly brilliant
Suzuki Roshi always presented himself, though a priest, as a simple, common man.
Reading his words, one realizes he was anything but common. He had a way of condensing the seemingly complex matters of life and spirituality down into brilliantly concise, eye-opening statements.

He presented hundreds of short talks during his time in California, of which this and other of 'his' books are condensations. Not all of his words and ideas hold you perfectly entranced, but the gems are hiding in there, and well worth the searching.

If you are looking for a guide back to infinite being - Suzuki Roshi is one of the few in which you can have absolute trust and confidence.

Another Desert Island Book
When my mindfulness practice mentor suggested I read this book I ordered it directly and was thrilled to find a powerful spiritual guide in Suzuki. My mentor recently moved to the Mid-West and took this book with her in her purse so she would be sure not to lose it. I have to agree, the book is that important.
These are transcripts of a retreat Suzuki gave - I don't believe he wrote at all as a teacher. They are I am sure faithful to the oral teachings, and in any case simply remarkable discourses. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It made my ten book desert island list which now has two books by Suzuki on it, this one and Zen Mind Beginners Mind.

It is OK
Not the masterpiece of Zen mind beginners mind but ok I still can't get myself to finish reading it.

For those who are into Zen...
and Karma, and have an interest in other Buddhist ideas, this is an interesting read.Teaches a lot about approaching life through a calm, thinking, and proactive manner.

Not so filling
Much as I would have liked it to, this book just didn't do much for me.

A collection of transcribed and edited talks given by Shunryu Suzuki, a prominent teacher in American Zen, the material here was delivered unscripted to students at intensive meditation retreats, marathon sitting sessions which cause physical and emotional discomfort for more than a few students.Not unsurprisingly, the themes of many of the talks are persistence, endurance, focus, and concentration.

The things Suzuki has to say are worth saying, especially in the context of a sesshin or ango.But collected together here they have little coherence. You might find a thought-provoking or inspiring idea, but you can't go back to the text to find more explanation or deeper analysis.It's a book of aphorisms, like a thought-a-day calendar.It's probably best read in small bits, which I tried, reading two or three each morning, much the same as I read what was for me a more inspiring text, Stephen Batchelor's Living with the Devil

I've read a few books on Buddhism and Zen.I've been practicing mediation for a number of years.I've been to a couple of Zen retreats.Maybe it was just the mood I was in while reading this.Maybe if I go back to it in a couple of years I'll find it inspiring.I hope it does something for you.

#
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Customer Reviews (4)

Well written
Maybe I'm just too much of a Westerner. This is well written, but I find it difficult to see the connection between Zen and Christianity from this book.

Great interreligious dialogue
It is a beautifully written work which points to ways in which Buddhism can add flavor to Christian life.Kennedy uses a fine selection of both Eastern and Western literary work to illustrate his points.It is an excellent read for anyone curious about the Buddhist tradition.Kennedy is a Jesuit and also a Zen master and therefore is very knowledgable about both ways of life and how they can complement each other.Highly recommended!!

Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit
Well written.Clear account of Zen and Christianity.If you're a contemplative soul, this is a must read.The author shares keen insight into the place of Zen in Christian life.

Not for the Zen novice
This book is very heavy in Zen philosophy... if you're new to Zen (aka. less than a few books) don't start with this book... start with William Johnston's book "Christian Zen", it's a MUCH simpler read... ... Read more

Product Description
Drag queen, junkie, alcoholic, commune leader-and,finally, Buddhist teacher: these words describe the unlikely personaof Issan Dorsey, whose story dramatically illustrates William Blake'sessential insight, "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom."From his days as a gorgeous female impersonator in San Francisco inthe 1950s, through the LSD experiences that set him on the Zen pathfor the next two decades, Issan Dorsey's life was neverconventional. In 1989, after twenty years of Zen practice, he becameAbbot of San Francisco's Hartford Street Zen Center, where he foundedthe Maitri Hospice for AIDS patients. Street Zen draws on adozen interviews David Schneider conducted with Dorsey before hisdeath in 1990, and the nearly 20-year friendship between them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

An incredible life, a remarkable man.
I read this book because I heard about a renowned Buddhist named IssanDorsey at a dharma talk. I'm gay myself, and hearing that Issan Dorsey was also a gay man made me interested in finding out about his life. So, I popped his name into a search engine, and ordered this book from amazon.
Up until recently, my relationship with religion in general has been a bad one. The tendency of Western religions to preach hate toward my kind has made it all but impossible for me to participate in any of them. Legislators on both sides of the political aisle have used religion as a vehicle for either passing laws to restrict my freedom or turn a blind eye to these efforts, for fear that any support for my community would render one 'unelectable'. None of this has made for a very good advertisement of religion for my community.
Buddhism struck me as being fundamentally different, and when I read this book, I realized just how different it was. Issan Dorsey was from my side of the tracks, and instead of preaching self-loathing to him, Buddhism taught him how he could make a major difference in the lives of those who needed him the most.
I'm pretty inspired to give this Buddhism thing a try now. I've never heard of a religion that doesn't judge people before. Maybe this is the one for me.

The story of a true Bodhisattva
I enjoyed this book, and nearly gave it four stars, but I felt that it was missing something.

There was a little too much of the dark history.I know it was setting the stage, but I found that it went from depressing to numbing.Perhaps that's my own baggage:Having known drag queens, drug addicts, drug dealers, and hustlers, I guess I could have skipped over most of the first half of the book.

The intimate details of death towards the end of the book were powerful, and appreciated.Again, perhaps it's just me, but it was refreshing to hear such honest detail without the author becoming gruesome or patronizing.Death, without the facade we in America often use to hide from it.

Two things I would have enjoyed:(1) More details about the author's relationship with Issan, e.g., more conversations they had had simply as friends; (2) Samples of Issan's talks and teachings.

Still, a good book about a great man.

Bodhisattva
My impression from this book was it was a story of a present day Bodhisattva.
A story of a man whom lived life fearlessly. Who lived as a Herman Hesse's Narcissi but in reality not between book covers. In this book I felt was a true betrayal of the concepts of the Bodhisattva. Issan seems to have had spontaneously.


Earlier statements of cheapness is sad.Value statements betray a judgment and lack of Bodhisattva sentiment.Was Milarepa's story a cheap story? The fact that murderer he was? Or is it part of the story of that Bodhisattva's life? I find Issan Dorsey's life neither cheap or over blown. I have known others with similar lives so the fellow whom judges this book as " straight " has a "bent" view. Again cheapness ...well it saddens me to hear a student of Dharma make such a statement.

A deep sense of gratitude
I read the reviews of this book before purchasing it.As a queer writer in Spirituality and Religion I have a great deal of sensitivity about heterosexist bent towards gay characters and history.So, David Sunseri's review of the book sat perched on my shoulder as I read this book.

Having finished this book I have to say that I am left seriously questioning Sunseri's criticism of the book.It is a wonderful story and a tender account of a remarkable person.Having read this book and appreciating the care given to speak to the myriad parts of Issan Dorsey's (full) life story, I have to wonder if Sunseri isn't speaking from a place of internalized homophobia.Nowhere did I find the "sensationalizing" of homosexuality that Sunseri and Harper Leah (?) mention.

In fact, I am now left to believe that Sunseri and Leah would prefer a completely sex-free, queer-free reading of Dorsey's life.
If the book had sensational parts, that's because parts of Issan Dorsey's life were sensational and outrageous.That's not heterosexist bias dear ones.Heterosexist bias would be to "clean up" those stories and de-queer Dorsey. Fortunately Schneider doesn't suffer from any such prudery.

A closer reading of Sunseri's reviews show what is clearly a bitter bias towards anything involving the entire Soto Zen community.Sunseri states that quite vividly in his review of Robert Winson's "Dirty Laundry."

Fortunately, I don't suffer from that bias.I approached this book wanting to know more about this intriguing person, Issan Dorsey, who, by all accounts, wasn't afraid to embrace the totality of his life's existence and who has left a legacy of caring for others in need.

Do not miss this book if you're interested in a truly remarkable story of a Gay pioneer and spiritual elder.It is not the complete story.But it is one of the stories and it deserves to be read.Perhaps members of the Hartford Zen Center complaining about the lack of Issan's "teachings" in the book could get off their zazen pillows and publish them.I'm sure they have more access to it than anyone.

Great book!
I found this book extremely inspiring.The life of Issan Dorsey is a must read for anyone who has ever felt dragged down, left out, and mentally or physically ill.That should include everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
In this engaging and disarmingly frank book, comic Jay Sankey spills the beans, explaining not only how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but how to improve and perfect your work. Much more than a how-to manual Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the subject to date. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

The Do-It-Yourself Chautauqua Book
OK, first off, for a book with the least original since the dawning of mankind, I thought this book contained many nuggets of truth that have helped me on a number of levels. Is this common sense? Not necessarily - not giving up after bombing, yeah that's common sense, but that's not all there is to this book. Sankey cites examples of comedy masters bombing, and recovering. It's a motivating book. I also found the hell gigs section and handling different sized crowds worthwhile as well. I was lucky enough to find this at my local library, but when meatbags start selling used copies for upwards of fitty bones -- it's time to release a new edition.

A Good Overview
This is a pretty broad, basic guide to getting started in stand up comedy. You're not going to find much Zen material in it other than a few quotes so if you're looking for that, look elsewhere. This book is an easy and quick read with some very good tips. However, the recurring theme is one of "well...so maybe that will work for you but get on stage and find out for yourself". Good advice in itself. There are no exercises, drills or any such things contained in the book.

this book is EFFECTIVE
I haven't read many books on stand up, but this book is straight to the point and very informative. You can not read any chapter and not come out with something useful out of it. I recommend this book for any stand up comedian, or those who are considering stand up as a career. Very well written; this book is EFFECTIVE!!

A Great Book for the aspiring and seasoned Standup
This is indeed an excellent read and FULL of great insights about nearly every aspect of Standup comedy (Writing, Performance, Delivery, The Audience, Set development, etc).

The author gives you great insight into both the "Art" and "Science" of standup. You can tell that he has a wealth of experience and shares it in a fun, easy to read kind of way.

I think if an aspiring Standup combines this book with Judy Carter's "The Comedy Bible" they will greatly shorten their learning curve into many aspects of Standup Comedy (of course this will have combined with actually getting up on stage a bunch of times).

That's good larnin'!
This book's humor is a little...erm...Canadian, but the author is an experienced touring headliner and touches on a lot of topics that beginning through intermediate comics could use- solid advice on how to keep writing, keep building, edit material, professionalism, etc.Highly recommend! ... Read more

Product Description
In this engaging and disarmingly frank book, comic Jay Sankey spills the beans, explaining not only how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but how to improve and perfect your work. Much more than a how-to manual Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the subject to date. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

The Do-It-Yourself Chautauqua Book
OK, first off, for a book with the least original since the dawning of mankind, I thought this book contained many nuggets of truth that have helped me on a number of levels. Is this common sense? Not necessarily - not giving up after bombing, yeah that's common sense, but that's not all there is to this book. Sankey cites examples of comedy masters bombing, and recovering. It's a motivating book. I also found the hell gigs section and handling different sized crowds worthwhile as well. I was lucky enough to find this at my local library, but when meatbags start selling used copies for upwards of fitty bones -- it's time to release a new edition.

A Good Overview
This is a pretty broad, basic guide to getting started in stand up comedy. You're not going to find much Zen material in it other than a few quotes so if you're looking for that, look elsewhere. This book is an easy and quick read with some very good tips. However, the recurring theme is one of "well...so maybe that will work for you but get on stage and find out for yourself". Good advice in itself. There are no exercises, drills or any such things contained in the book.

this book is EFFECTIVE
I haven't read many books on stand up, but this book is straight to the point and very informative. You can not read any chapter and not come out with something useful out of it. I recommend this book for any stand up comedian, or those who are considering stand up as a career. Very well written; this book is EFFECTIVE!!

A Great Book for the aspiring and seasoned Standup
This is indeed an excellent read and FULL of great insights about nearly every aspect of Standup comedy (Writing, Performance, Delivery, The Audience, Set development, etc).

The author gives you great insight into both the "Art" and "Science" of standup. You can tell that he has a wealth of experience and shares it in a fun, easy to read kind of way.

I think if an aspiring Standup combines this book with Judy Carter's "The Comedy Bible" they will greatly shorten their learning curve into many aspects of Standup Comedy (of course this will have combined with actually getting up on stage a bunch of times).

That's good larnin'!
This book's humor is a little...erm...Canadian, but the author is an experienced touring headliner and touches on a lot of topics that beginning through intermediate comics could use- solid advice on how to keep writing, keep building, edit material, professionalism, etc.Highly recommend! ... Read more

Product Description

A Compassionate and Spiritual Approach to Rediscovering Joy

Customer Reviews (18)

A loving and practical look at a Zen approach to depression
An excellent and gentle approach to a difficult subject. The book contains very short essays (no fluff or jargon) that can be read easily. This is particularly valuable as depression can make long concentrated reading difficult. A wise and truly compassionate book.

The Best Book I Have Read
I admire but don't understand the mildness of the reviews of "The Zen Path Through Depression."Replace "depression" with "existence" and you've got it about right.This is the most challenging, compassionate tough minded work I have ever gotten to really know.Yeah, it is written in gentle language, but it is a firm, direct call to nothing less than the toughest kind of anonymous heroism. Both of my copies are underlined extensively. A message I have gotten that I find most helpful, "If you are afraid the best thing you can do to find safety through effectiveness is stay absolutely present."
Also: Love your "self", if you get lucky it might get bored and go away.

Both Compassionate and Practical!
Starting with my mother's depression when I was small, depression has shadowed my life.I'm almost 70 now, and I've read a lot of books on depression. One thing I want in a book on depression is the "milk of human kindness." _The Zen Path through Depression_ is special that way.The author's dharma is, indeed, one that affords refuge.He has learned to be unafraid of depression - he doesn't have to fearfully control it or "fix" it.He has faith that, although joy is impermanent, depression is as well

The Zen Path Through Depression
This book in phenomenal.I have never wanted to take meds for depression so have just lived with it.This book taught me how to deal with it (or more accurately-accept it).It it very straight forward and easy to understand with practical excercises at a the end of each chapter.My life is much improved.

Incredibly Valuable
This book is enormously valuable for anyone who is depressed.The short discussions and exercizes can offer real relief, and they work well with or without the other things one does for depression--therapy, anti-depressants, or psychiatry.The best part is that it gives you a way of coping yourself; something to cling to in your darkest times.I recommend it very very highly. ... Read more

Product Description
A precise description of the techniques used in Zen training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Clear and Concise
Of the many books I have read concerning the subject of Zen Buddhism, none can be considered more lucid, succint, and enthralling than this book. Herrigel's knack for brevity will be more than welcome to the Occidental who has searched for such a book. Authors such as Alan Watts, and especially D.T. Suzuki have no qualms about making the claim that Zen eschews verbosity and does not espouse any sort of philosophy, and that it lacks the abstraction of Westerners. However, after reading these works, my head reeled with the constant paradoxes set forth by Suzuki who consistently and simultaneously reminded me that I wouldn't understand such subjects until enlightened. This led me to wonder...then why have you written you a 300 page book describing such an experience? No matter though; what THIS book is is a wonderful account of the changes and insights that happen to a person willing to give himself to the path that Zen offers.

Companion Book to "Zen in the Art of Archery"
Eugen Herrigel wrote 2 very important books on Zen that are mandatory reading for everyone. "The Method of Zen" illuminates us even further than his first book. Another book that is mandatory reading on Zenis- "Zen Action/Zen Person" by Kasulis.

an engaging, artless and uplifting book
For anyone who's ever been attracted by the tranquility and equanimity of Zen, yet put off by the massive tomes written on it, this book, in its lyrical simplicity, will allow you to feel zen. ... Read more

Product Description
Beginning with a discussion of life in a Zen Buddhist monastery, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh provides a thorough overview of Zen practice, offering readers a clear explanation of the central elements of Zen practice and philosophy, and illustrating the character of Zen as practiced in Vietnam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Peace
This beautiful man is all peace. He is a living example of what he teaches. He is a man living what he believes and teaching it to who ever wants to be a part of the tranquility that he espouses. That does not mean that Hahn is telling us that it is easy. But he is giving us great guidelines of how to achieve what he believes in. I see this man as another Gandhi. Hanh believes that all can be changed as long as we are able to work through our own anger and get to a place of peace that can then permeate the world.How good would that be!
Dr. Gunta Krumins-Caldwell author of On Silver Wings

excellent book!
thich nhat hanh is always good. this book is truly amazing. it's helping me get a grip on some seriously complicated buddhist ideals. namely emptiness and non-self. it covers a loooot more than that though. i love the way it's written and it reads very quickly. also the chapters are divided into sections so it's easy to read on a short break at work and feel satisfied having read a complete thought. i have one complaint, however it is only one paragraph that got on my nerves and by NO MEANS takes away from the book: soooooooo many asian authors do this also: at one point he basically says americans don't get zen because chinese people (where zen first took root after india) are more practical then us. anyone else think this sounds border line racist??? no american author writing about such a peaceful topic would dare say such a thing about another race of people for fear of being labeled a bigot! for some reason though a great deal of asian authors blow off "the west" as not being good enough to understand what the people of the east understand so easily. the thing is that buddhist ideas make perfect sense to me and i've known maaaany people born and raised in america that get it just as well. hanh even mentions by name a bunch of american authors who've written great works on zen right before he condemns america to never getting it unless it is changed for our ways. so if american authors can write about it successfully in his view then maybe americans do have the ability to stretch our sad little non-asian brains to understand something that came from there originally. blah. i love thich nhat hanh, i love asian philosophy and asian people, i think they are very intelligent and i really don't think he was meaning to sound like that i'm just sounding off about this type of thing in general. i think these monks meet hillbillies and stereotype the rest of us based on that. really i think that anyone who puts their heart into it, with a lot of practice, can get this type of thought process. it's a system to make you think different and the buddha meant it for everyone! what point would there be for it's existence if it ONLY WORKED FOR A CERTAIN TYPE OF PEOPLE IN A CERTAIN GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION???? i think it works for everyone and it's unfair to say it doesn't work for one country just because it's new to them. it would be like taking a group of lawyers and office workers and sending them out to learn how to work in a mine and then, before they are sufficiently trained, claiming that they don't do it very well because only the people born and raised in mining towns can understand this kind of work and that you will have to re-do everything about mining so people from the suburbs can learn what the people from the mining towns already know when in reality they have manuals and training videos and people who can teach these lawyers and office workers the trade, it will just take some time. then near the end of the book he says "But westerners are more interested in Zen than people in the East, who are more preoccupied with material development and industrialization." so now what the heck does this mean??? he also says that the west is polluting more than the east... has he never been to china??? wow that got long quick! i promise thought the book and the author are both amazing! the things i'm complaining about were maybe three paragraphs total in the book, the rest is gold! buy this book and many others of his ("the heart of the buddhas teachings" is one of my all time favorites!) he speaks like an enlightened poet! this is the first time i've read something where he speaks so strangely about things, normally he sounds very compassionate, considerate and intelligent without ever slipping into this kind of monologue even for a few paragraphs.

A great read from a great master
I recommend that anyone interested in meditation, mindfulness and the place of these essential tools in personal development and for creating a more compassionate society should read this book.
I also recommend 'The Path of Mindfulness Meditation' by Dr Peter Strong, an in-depth exploration of mindfulness meditation.

awesome writer and book
this writer and book is perfect for all humans who want peace for themselves and others.

Thought provoking
I found this book very thought provoking. It is the first book on Zen that I have read, but I am familiar with a reasonable amount of asian thought and culture. I liked the book enough that I got one of the author's CDs also, which I also enjoyed and have listened to several times. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (27)

Enlightening book.
If you have started a spiritual journey then I cannot recommend this book enough.It ties so much together from what I have read before and I am only half way though it.There are not enough stars to attach to this recommendation.You will see the words "I AM" in the book numerous times, so far associated with God and Jesus.While at lunch I found out that I AM too, and so are you.Hint, we take it the most for granted.

Spiritual enlightenment beyond dogmatism
In this book, Leong portrays his astute and prodigious observations on the spiritual side of Jesus Christ's teachings, which transcend all the dogmatism and literalism and provide us with a fresh chance to better our inner self.

Leong's findings may seem unorthodox and radical to some, but whether you agree with him or not, whether you are a Christian or not, you would find Jesus's teachings full of wisdom and great advise that can benefit us.

This book certainly bridges the gap between seemingly dichotomous religious doctrines and insinuates that the path to divine enlightenment can be found universally. I am sure this book would make both believers and nonbelievers fond of Jesus Christ.

A good book overall
This is a good book and certainly one of the easiest to grasp on the topic of Zen and philosophy.I would recommend it to anyone interested in looking at the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in a new way.

My only criticism is that, for a book that emphasizes that ego is an obstacle to attaining true happiness, Leong is often guilty of it himself.In many instances he will take something from the New Testament and state "Jesus meant this..." or "This is what Jesus was really talking about...."He never says "In my opinion this is what Jesus meant," or "Here's one way to look at this passage...." Leong just states his interpretation as a fact and not just a possible interpretation (albeit a researched one) of the quoted text.

Otherwise, I found this book very interesting and a good book in the genre of comparative religion.

At-one-ment
This book has revolutionized my Christian faith! It has filled in holes that I knew were there, but didn't know how to mend!

An Excellent Alternative "Foundation" for Christianity
This is an excellent walk through a different way to view the teachings of Jesus.

People who are seeking stronger and greater connection with G-d, as well as greater understanding of what Jesus taught, will generally like this book. Someone who generally is happy with the "notion" of "church" and involvement with religious organizations, but who is just not sure about some of the teachings, would fall into the category that would probably enjoy this book quite a bit.

On the other hand, people who are very happy with the Orthodox definition of Christianity, and the tightly defined view of what Jesus meant in His teachings, will find the book threatening to their beliefs. If a person in this category is open to having their beliefs challenged a bit, this would be a good book to read, because the author does not challenge in a way that diminishes Orthodoxy in my opinion, but simply presents a very plausible and likely alternative that may very well allow the Orthodox reader to begin to see deeper and more meaningful Truth in the teachings that form the basis of their religion. ... Read more

Product Description
We can use whatever life presents, Ezra Bayda teaches, to strengthen our spiritual practice—including the turmoil of daily life. What we need is the willingness to just be with our experiences—whether they are painful or pleasing—opening ourselves to the reality of our lives without trying to fix or change anything. But doing this requires that we confront our most deeply rooted fears and assumptions in order to gradually become free of the constrictions and suffering they create. Then we can awaken to the loving-kindness that is at the heart of our being.

While many books aspire to bring meditation into everyday experience,Being Zengives us practical ways to actually do it, introducing techniques that enable the reader to foster qualities essential to continued spiritual awakening. Topics include how to cultivate:

   •  Perseverance: staying with anger, fear, and other distressing emotions.
   •  Stillness: abiding with chaotic experiences without becoming overwhelmed.
   •  Clarity: seeing through the conditioned beliefs and fears that "run" us.
   •  Direct experience: encountering the physical reality of the present moment—even when that moment is exactly where we don't want to be.


Like Pema Chödrön, the best-selling author ofWhen Things Fall Apart,Ezra Bayda writes with clear, heartfelt simplicity, using his own life stories to illustrate the teachings in an immediate and accessible way that will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.Amazon.com Review
The paradox of Zen is that learning to just live in the presentrequires lots of hard work. In Being Zen, seasoned Zen teacher EzraBayda unpacks this paradox. He demonstrates the need to just be and theninstructs us how to undertake the hard work with precision andpersistence. Through personal anecdotes he shows us how we keep ourselvesfrom living a genuine life. Instead, we maintain an ideal imageof ourselves by creating strategies that depend on delusive self-images, blind spots, and knee-jerk reactions. He then shows how, by "living the practice life," we can relentlessly observe this process and transform our edifices into open spaces of natural awareness and innate compassion. Bayda offers specificpractices for dealing with such automatic emotions as anger and fear,teaching how they can be dampened and eventually dissolved. A "how-to" bookin the best sense of the word, Being Zen is about how to just live.--Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Zen is Not Easy
This and the author's other book have as a goal the individual's achieving of inner peace.This is difficult to do in the hub-bub of most of our lives and the author's style of putting the yin and yang of every nuance into written word. Certainly in the way the way the author goes about it.For most another task is another stressor.Though pushing through to his definition of simplicity works for him and helps his family understand it does not seem practical.

I wrote (and collected) and photographed (and collected) simple phrases and natural pictures to allow a reader to find as little as a single stimulus to get to a similar state. for the sanity of my patients and others. Matt Cohen MD Zen of Watering Your Garden

This Is Your Real Life
What a treasure this book is! Bayda helps us understand how practice can help us become free of the constriction of fear, awaken compassion, and "learn to be at home, even in the midst of the muddy water of our lives." His prose is so clear and practical that I would not presume to paraphrase.

"The key to practice," he says, "is not to try to change our life but to change our relationships to our expectations-to learn to see whatever is happening as our path. Our difficulties are not obstacles to the path, they are the path itself."

"What we need is a gradual yet fundamental change in our orientation to life-toward a willingness to see, to learn, to just be with whatever we meet...To simply be with our experience-even with the heaviness and darkness that surround our suffering-engenders a sense of lightness and heart." Learning to approach pain and suffering with "...a certain lightness of heart...is what transforms and softens our will-as ego, as striving, as struggle-into willingness." (I love this idea.)

Bayda offers a lovely meditation consisting of four-line rounds that repeat several times, moving from self to others to all beings. He distinguishes this from affirmations, which he says are "like mental injections we use to change or cover over our feelings." (I couldn't agree more). "This practice is the opposite: it is not about changing or covering over our feelings, it is about experiencing whatever is present." It focuses on the physical awareness of the heartspace, and so is not simply a mental exercise.

As Bayda's teacher, Charlotte Joko Beck, says in her introduction, "Even though all reading is preliminary, it is a crucial first step." Now to practice!

excellent intro
How-to books on Zen can sometimes sound a bit rarified and, oddly enough, spiritually superior.But not this one.It's serves as an excellent introduction for the beginner.Mr Bayda is very clear and sympathetic and he tends to demystify the "practice" that invites even the outsider in. The shortcoming, from my perspective, is that it tries to hard to make itself accessible that it sells the serious of the practice short.

Down to earth Buddhism
I first discovered Zen Buddhism from Ezra Bayda's teacher, Joko Beck, from her book Everyday Zen.That book changed my life.I decided to give her student's book a try and I am enjoying Being Zen very much.It clearly focuses on real life.I like that because I think a spritual practice is something that you have to have available at all times, and not something you go to a quiet space to access.

Ezra Bayda's writing is very readable and it has helped me with my own spiritual growth.

wonderful book!
"being zen" is one of the best books i've ever read.ezra bayda takes life, as it is, and show us how to live it fully, in this moment.he deals with specific emotional reactions in life and how to use them to find out more about our deepest beliefs, the very beliefs that keep us from opening our heart to life and to people.you find yourself on every page.i gave this book to all of my friends because i think it will give them joy. ... Read more

Product Description
If an elephant stomps on your head and there is no one around to see it, did it stomp on your head at all?

The answer is yes, if that elephant is your boss. Can anything be done about these enormous, gray, and sometimes smelly beasts? The answer is yes, if you know Business Zen. For thousands of years, Zen masters have plumbed the secrets of the universe while wearing comfortable clothing. Now you, too, can learn the wisdom of the ancients and win valuable prizes.

Customer Reviews (17)

Great read
This book was worth the money for sure!! Awesome read and inspirational. Helps you get focused on what really matters in life.

Such an original book!
What a great and original writer Stanley Bing is! The book was so clever, so right on, so insightful, so fun...and more. Thank you Stanley for your wonderful book!

Zenfully Funny
This book is a humorous look at how to deal with the Big Boss. Unfortunately, the many truths that lie beneath the humor, also make it a bit sad.

Stanley Bing, the Budha, walks the reader through all aspect of the Zen art of elephant handling. It starts with the foundation, exposing truths (e.g. Work is suffering. Desire is the root of suffering. There are no truths! - You get the idea). Then he charts the path to enlightenment.

Like mastery of any skill, it takes time and it is best to start with simple lessons such as how to greet the elephant, feed it, and follow after it with a broom and shovel. The lessons get more complicated with topics like shining its belly with appreciation, obeying and disobeying, helping it make up its mind, convincing it every idea is its own, etc. It culminates with the final lesson and the title of the book, throwing the elephant.

The book is laugh out loud funny at times. The author is extremely clever. At 200+ pages, it probably would have been even more effective if shorter.

If you find you are taking your job or yourself too seriously this book will quickly break you out of that funk.

-- Nick McCormick, Author, Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager

STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED the book
Please assist me as I still have not received this book and this is the second time I have placed the order and the money has been debited from my account.

Working for Peanuts is all very fine!
No really, I mean it.

Or anyway, it will be, once you calm yourself, little aphid, and penetrate to the heart of "Throwing the Elephant", Zen Master Stanley Bing's exegesis on the sublime art of applying the infinite wisdom of Siddhartha himself to the sinews, guts, entrails and viscera of the business jungle, and mastering the King of the Beasts himself.

No, silly, not the Lion. The Elephant.

You don't know about the Elephant in the room? Sure you do.

Let's step back a moment: let's meditate. Calm. Relax. Get in touch with the great infinite blackness of stars and even more stars wheeling and dancing and colliding above us and about us, and what the Hell, after a few vodka gimlets down at Dorsia, maybe even *through* us.

Did you know see that star overhead? See how it twinkles? Now imagine: the light from that star has taken thousands, perhaps millions of light-years to travel from Constellation Seti Prime, which means that by the time we see it twinkle, the star itself may very well have exploded. Or subsided into the stellar senesence of a red dwarf. That is to say, that star you're wishing upon may already be long dead.

Kinda puts the McGillicuddy Account in perspective, huh?

I could end this review with that, but I'll proceed a bit further: sit beneath the bodhi tree with Zen Master Bing. He'll teach you about the Elephant. He'll teach you about the Great Nothingness which flows around and through you. He'll teach you, as Sidhartha taught him, that desire is suffering, that there is only the dharma, and at its heart, Duty.

Duty? Why yes: to serve and keep and feed and groom and care for the Elephant. To not annoy it. To console it when it is sad, and galumph about with it (beware the feet!) when it is joyous. To sweep up its poop, and to clean off its poopy hindquarters. To leash it, to ride it, and ultimately, to throw it.

But let's talk, quickly, about the Elephant. All offices have one, perhaps a few. The Elephant has its pen in one of the corners of the executive suite: good digs, maybe even a working fireplace up here on the 37th floor, possibly a wet bar, maybe even an in-house masseuse.

Can you smell the sweet rotten reek of straw and sweat and blood and tears and dung? Yep, the Elephant. It will sally forth, to trumpet and do other bellicose things in the jungle: the lowly creatures in its vicinity (hint: you) will keep their heads down, fall silent, try not to make sudden moves or loud noises.

The Elephant will make you fear for your career, your home, your wife, your small children, your very life. It will make you work over the weekend, or cut short the long-planned trip to Bermuda. It will force you to work long hours and give lots of face time.

Ah, yes: now there is recognition. The Elephant.

So with that, then, this quick little primer---Bing the Bhodissatva practically puts the KO in Koan---will teach you how to abide, control, and ultimately master this fell beast, without being stamped to jelly. And it's a tasty little read, that goes down like cucumber paste. How cool is that?

As the Buddha himself once said, as he sat beneath his bhodi tree: Very.

JSG ... Read more

Product Description
"This wonderful book brings East and West—and ancient and modern worlds—together and provides profound wisdom and guidance for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, anger, fear, or loneliness. Beautifully written, funny, warm, and filled with unusual, wonderful exercises. A real miracle."—Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, Director of the Institute for Violence Prevention

"A healing journey into the inner conflicts and contradictions that separate spirit from self." —Armand DiMele, the DiMele Center for Psychotherapy

"Dr. Brenda Shoshanna is a versatile, creative, warm, and truly excellent teacher." —Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, founder of the Interfaith Seminary and Director of the All Faith Seminary

"Zen Miracles is an inviting and inspiring message for those looking for a more simple and powerful way to enhance their lives and for those who want to integrate a practical way of peace in today’s distorted and increasingly violent world."—Bob Goff, NY Naturally

"Zen Miracles is a book that is invaluable for anyone seeking to bring a profound, yet genuinely joyous, experience to life. Brenda Shoshanna explores the spiritual and therapeutic aspects of Zen practice in a way that is acceptable to anyone, no matter what their faith, philosophy, or religious beliefs. With her warm and compassionate style, she exhibits the unique ability to explain even the most difficult ideas in understandable terms. Her approach is readily accessible and applicable to even the most mundane of activities. This book is a must for anyone seeking the secrets for attaining a balanced life and true peace of mind."—Lewis Harrison, Director of the Academy of Natural Healing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

My Zen Friend
Since reading this book and practicing zazen, I have come to believe that miracles are not only possible, they're inevitable with continued sitting. Although I'm a beginner, I love noticing the moments of "newness" Zen has brought to my life - laughter ready to bubble up inside me, connecting with people I thought I had nothing in common with, and more delight than resistance in changing circumstances. With every sitting I feel like I'm reviving a love of life that I haven't enjoyed since childhood.

I'm reading Dr. Shoshanna's book for the second time and recognizing the beauty of the truth that she knows from experience. While she artfully weaves psychology with Zen stories and mysteries, her message is down-to-earth and practical in our daily lives. I particularly love the chapter, "Walking Through the Gateless Gate," where she describes communion with a person, a flower, a tree, an animal. Those moments are fleeting glimpses of living in harmony with all of life, with every moment received as a gift. This book is a gift, a treasure, and a life-long friend. As my practice ripens, I trust this wisdom to be my guide to life.

Enlightening... but contradictory in parts
I would actually rate this closer to 3.5 stars, but rather than rating it at a 3 and pointing out that it's better than that, I decided to do the opposite. Why?Because this is an enlightening and eye opening book that many, many people could stand to benefit from reading. The writing is crystal clear and insightful, as it fleshes out abstract Zen riddles and philosophies with practical, common sense exercises for incorporating Zen ideals into your everyday life.

My main problem with this book is that I found it to be a tad contradictory at times. Bear with me here, because I am only just now beginning to learn more about this stuff, but it is my understanding that perhaps the most fundamental tenet of Zen and Buddhism in general is that we all need to look within for our own answers, rather than trusting teachers and other authorities to spell everything out for us. However, there are a few parts of this book where the author seems to contradict this by becoming a bit overly dogmatic and spelling out exactly what various aspects of Zen are supposed to mean.The tone bothered me at times because I felt like I was being force-fed her views on certain things, and so I had to remind myself that all of these ideas are meant to remain open to interpretation.

Of course, I do realize that a book of this sort might not be all that worthwhile if it didn't dole out at least some concrete answers. For one thing, it seems intended for newcomers to Zen who stand to benefit from more than just abstract sayings and philosophies. And, overall, there were only just a select few parts that I found to be a bit too imposing, maybe 5% of the overall text (although they did stick out like a sore thumb to me).

At the end of the day, the author has done a commendable job of stitching together various Zen sayings, stories, and anecdotes... weaving them together with her own (mostly) gentle interpretations to present a readily understandable account of it all. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for new perspectives on life.

Not for Aspiring Buddhists Only
For me, this book has served as much more than an introduction to Buddhism.It actually has convinced me to start practicing meditation and has transmitted the how-to's so that now meditation is part of my daily life.Meditation has made me receptive to goodness and blessings that are all around me!

What I like about this book is its ecumenism.It covers the very abstract aspects of daily meditation practice and makes them real through illustrations from many different cultures and religions.

This book presents a pathway to faith and now I can see many more of the daily miracles in my life rather than focusing on difficulties and problems.It makes me say thank you over and over each day as I recognize these miracles - thank you to God and thank you to Brenda for showing me the way.

Outstanding primer on Zen from an outstanding author
I had previously read several books on Zen prior to coming across this particular book from Brenda Shoshanna. Unlike many of the other books I read, which tended to be bland and sometimes diffficult to follow and apply to one's own life, Dr. Shoshanna takes an entirely different approach in helping us to understand the common concepts of Zen.Her book is very well written.It is clear and concise, even for someone not entirely familiar with Zen, enjoyable to read, and most importantly, she conveys her own experiences with Zen, some of which are quite humorous, to assist the reader in understanding and applying Zen principles to his or her own life.I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject of Zen.

Great Primer
If you've read a lot of Zen before this book would be an easy read for you. If you haven't it could be a seminal work. Brenda does an exceptional job of explaining (clearly for a Western mind) the basic points and benefits to approaching the external world from a Zen philosophy. There are exercises as well for the unguided. ... Read more

Product Description
A Zen poem is nothing other than an expression of the enlightened mind, a handful of simple words that disappear beneath the moment of insight to which it bears witness. Poetry has been an essential aid to Zen Buddhist practice from the dawn of Zen—and Zen has also had a profound influence on the secular poetry of the countries in which it has flourished. Here, two of America’s most renowned poets and translators provide an overview of Zen poetry from China and Japan in all its rich variety, from the earliest days to the twentieth century. Included are works by Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, Basho, Chiao Jan, Yuan Mei, Ryokan, and many others. Hamill and Seaton provide illuminating introductions to the Chinese and Japanese sections that set the poets and their work in historical and philosophical context. Short biographies of the poets are also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A beautiful and thought provoking book on the poetry of Zen.
I have had an interest in Zen and Asian poetry for more than forty years.This fantastic book begins with an introduction to how the philosophy of Zen can directly relate to a beautiful poem.This book has two sections.The first section covers Chinese poems taken from numerous sources. The second section covers poems from the Japanese poetry masters.In general, the Chinese poems are a little longer in length; nevertheless, all the poems in this collection are a joy to read. If you like Asian poetry, you will love this book.It is filled with beautiful and thoughtful poems that may provide you with Zen enlightement.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author:Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors, Martial Art Myths, Combatives Vol. 1, 2, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Never Trust a Politician)

A Superb Blend of Zen Poems - Chinese and Japanese
Hamill and Seaton produced a superb blend of Chinese and Japanese Zen poems in their text, The Poetry of Zen, is a lovely pocket-sized book that is suitable for pre-meditation reading, thoughtful consideration by a couple at a coffee shop, or an interesting peak into Zen by students and world literature readers.

I enjoyed it in an afternoon sipping coffee and pondering the settings in which these authors wrote.These are amazing thoughts and words by what society wouldhave often considered simple men and women.

I especially enjoyed the information about the original authors of the poems.Hamill and Seaton included paragraphs about each author and the period and location of their writing whenever known.I found this work insightful and delightful, and I appreciate the authors' careful work in translating these poems into English.

Inspiring for Zen Buddhists and/or Poets

A wonderful book containing succinct translations of Japanese and Chinese poems relating to zen. The book never fails to inspire me to practise zazen or to write a poem. What I love most is the sense of humour so many of the poems have, reminding us how joy and laughter remain crucial to life and the most serious-minded meditation student. Recommended.

Skillfully translated and edited
Skillfully translated and edited by award-winning poet Sam Hamill and Professor of Chinese J.P. Seaton, The Poetry of Zen is an anthology of the poetic Buddhist expressions of enlightened minds. Collecting works by a wide variety of great authors, including Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, and many more, The Poetry of Zen offers a cross-section of historical classics that all have in common a resonating theme conducive to meditation, reflection, and self-transformation. Highly recommended. "Everything must end. / Thus the day tries to begin / with the morning bell. / But the long night remains, / empty moon still in the sky."

Thoughtful volume
This collection is very satisfying. There are useful and short essays on zen poetry, and the poetry is kernel sized but with outsized messages. And, like all good poetry, lets you gap fill and extrapolate.Pick up a copy of "Japanese Death Poems" to compliment this collection. ... Read more

Product Description
This sequel to the widely read Zen and the Brain continues James Austin’s explorations into the key interrelationships between Zen Buddhism and brain research. In Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin, a clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, examines the evolving psychological processes and brain changes associated with the path of long-range meditative training. Austin draws not only on the latest neuroscience research and new neuroimaging studies but also on Zen literature and his personal experience with alternate states of consciousness.

Zen-Brain Reflections takes up where the earlier book left off. It addresses such questions as: how do placebos and acupuncture change the brain? Can neuroimaging studies localize the sites where our notions of self arise? How can the latest brain imaging methods monitor meditators more effectively? How do long years of meditative training plus brief enlightened states produce pivotal transformations in the physiology of the brain? In many chapters testable hypotheses suggest ways to correlate normal brain functions and meditative training with the phenomena of extraordinary states of consciousness.

After briefly introducing the topic of Zen and describing recent research into meditation, Austin reviews the latest studies on the amygdala, frontotemporal interactions, and paralimbic extensions of the limbic system. He then explores different states of consciousness, both the early superficial absorptions and the later, major "peak experiences." This discussion begins with the states called kensho and satori and includes a fresh analysis of their several different expressions of "oneness." He points beyond the still more advanced states toward that rare ongoing stage of enlightenment that is manifest as "sage wisdom."

Finally, with reference to a delayed "moonlight" phase of kensho, Austin envisions novel links between migraines and metaphors, moonlight and mysticism. The Zen perspective on the self and consciousness is an ancient one. Readers will discover how relevant Zen is to the neurosciences, and how each field can illuminate the other. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A small lesson from Zen Brain reflections
There are plenty of lessons to be taken from this book. Lessons about zen, learning, education, brain science, and what it means to be aware of yourself.

It is, however, not very readable, in the sense that it is very abstract and terse sometimes. But it does pass the torpor test[1]. That means that it is a hard quest, but one with a great reward.

A small fragment from the book summarizes its quality:

One of these Kyoto-trained Zen teachers taught me a basic lesson about myself. A simple, dramatic demonstration showed me how strong was my own I-Me-Mine. It happened during an informal private interview before our retreat began.

We had conversed for a while. Then, he took a short, dark, wooden stick from his lap and placed it down on the low table in front of us. It caught my eye immediately. No ordinary wood was this, but a wonderfully aged, irregularly shaped stick, obviously an antique object. This work of art, about a foot long and perhaps an inch and a half in diameter, exemplified wabi-sabi. Its mellow patina conveyed associations with long use and advanced age. No word was spoken, yet the roshi's nod obviously invited me to pick it up.

I did. Turning it over and around in both hands, I then held it horizontally with my right hand at one end, slowly admiring it as I had the other antique objects during that earlier ceremony in Kyoto.

Surprise! In one swift act, the Roshi reached across and suddenly grabbed the free end, eyes twinkling as he did so. And almost as fast, without thinking, as my grasp reflex tightened, I found myself locked into a semi-mock tussle with the rightful owner of this antique treasure!

It was an impromptu tug of war, neither of us moving that stick very far in either direction. The strength of his pull just sufficed to neutralize mine. So there we were, like two boys at play, tugging on his beautiful stick!

Soon enough, it dawned on me: How could I possibly dispute his owner- ship!? Yielding, and relinquishing my grasp, I found we were both smiling when our brief mock play session ended.

A simple unexpected demonstration: Yes, I had longed to go on admiring his beautiful stick. He had (playfully) thwarted Me from doing so. I had behaved like it was Mine, and had grasped the stick reflexly. The greedy grasp of the I-Me- Mine was nakedly on display.

Words were unnecessary. I had been educated. I had done more than observe the full extent of my own instinctual tendency to grasp things. I had felt the strength of my attachment in my muscles, joints, and sinews.

[1] Basically, after exposure to the work, do people care less about the subject than they did before? Taken from Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method.

Great content
Very interesting content but not well written - difficult to read. Often wondered exactly what point he was trying to make. Worth getting if you're interested in the subject matter though as it's a unique review in this area (to my knowledge).

a best way to cure brain diseases you can name them
This is a best copy that introduces laymen to the Zen world, it also differs from all ways that people starting Zen and taking Zen in all their life from the ancient times till nowadays. As the translator of the Chinese-editoion translator of Zen and Brain here in Taiwan, I do think and believe that this volume and Dr. Austin's Zen and Brain will provide the pioneering tasks for curing patients with all kinds of brain diseases, and do hope that this era will come soon under so many people contributing to this field. ... Read more