The Hell of Zen BooksApril 29, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The title for my review is something I read in the review sections. I am an American, don't speak or write Japanese or Chinese...like most practicing Americans. This means that we for the most part have to trust what the writers of a way purportedly beyond words and letters have to say on reams and reams of paper. PK had the advantage over us in that he had a facility for language and set his life up to pursue his Zen. I like this book. Frankly it is a morass out there. PK always goes back to the fundamental of sitting. If one is not sitting...the slow going is even slower! I recommend this book for anyone that is seeking to learn...because there is much to unlearn eh?
I recommend this book because I believe that when pushed people can make up their own perceptions of what a special book like this has to offer. My only criticism of it would be the anecdotal descriptions of people reaching kensho and the bells and whistles and weeping that goes with it...kensho has certain hallmarks but the reader must come to it in their own way...and these war stories do much to create preconceived notions of what one's practice can entail.
That being said...of all the books (and there are myriad) this one has a good feel to it and its simple focus on the fundamentals without jargon is forever needed. When one looks through the book notice the pictures of PK and his Roshi's. The eyes and the face say a great deal...and the images speak volumes of what practice meant to them.
Before you buy the latest thirty dollar rehash of what some whipper snapper has to say about Zen...Give this book a read.
Only if you are a Zen/Zazen followerJanuary 10, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
There are many paths to enlightenment, and this may be one for some... but not for everybody. Zazen is a highly codified form of meditation. It feels like a rigourous martial training, reminiscent of karate or kendo. Except that you are aiming for spirituality. This is a double-edged sword. For those who have doubts... the book will provide an interesting cultural read, but there are many paths, even among Buddhist followers.
Pros: self contained meditation manual, complete with personal lectures from Japanese masters, struggles of other followers and pictures of seating positions. A welcome contribution to the literature.
Con: zazen only, at times critical of other Buddhist paths. Ignores the fact that the journey to spirituality is ultimately personal.
The next best thingNovember 16, 2007 6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Do not expect to read this as a "Zen for Dummies". Unfortunately trying to learn Zen from a book is a little bit like teaching someone who has been born blind to "imagine" various colors such as red, blue or green. Zen has to be experienced to be understood. Having said that, however, this book is probably the next best thing.
a forgettable must readOctober 30, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An interesting contrast to the more traditional Soto style (with its emphasis on just sitting and not forcing) although the approach in this book does incorporate most of the commonly used methods of practice. I enjoyed this read because it gave perspective to the type of practice that "feels" right for me, I now know this even more so having read of the approachs taken by this author. Even if you may not agree with the approach to Zen practice outlined in this book, it is still a must read, it will re-affirm your perspective or provide new insights, either way it should be read and forgotten.
Additional resources for the unenlightenedJune 23, 2007 6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I commented several months ago on a post made by Mike-in-the-Middle, asking for more resources to help a beginner (me) without easy access to a roshi who could offer clarity on Zen/Buddhist ideas. I have since received several emails which offered more resources for me to check out, and I'd like to share these resources with you.
Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor. This one is obviously of a secular bent, and I've been reading it off and on since I purchased it. It's a bit. . . scholarly, with some big 50-cent words, if you know what I mean. You definitely need a quiet place to be able to focus on his intellectual renderings, but if you can get into it, it's very insightful. Although it's "intellectual" and contains "big words," it doesn't contain a lot of the mysterious and otherworldly terminology of other such books written by Zen/Buddhist disciples. The book shows how you can practice the tenets of Buddhism without necessarily buying into all the religious aspects.
The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga: Paths to a Mature Happiness by Marvin Levine. This is the book I am currently reading. Mr. Levine makes a good comparison between the tenets of Buddhism (and yoga) and those of Western Psychology, both of which seek to put the person in touch with his/her true self. He also gives advice, gleaned from his own life and journey, about how to incorporate the ideas into your life. This book is VERY readable; Mr. Levine goes out of his way to make this book accessible to the lay person. I'm enjoying this one very much. (It doesn't have to be QUITE so quiet at my house in order for me to get into it. =)
Also recommended to me, but which I haven't yet checked out, are the following books:
Here is a short email I received. "Saw a comment you left on a review of 3 Pillars of Zen mentioning you were looking for a good place to start. For me, the perfect start was "Buddhism Plain and Simple" by Steve Hagen. It's short, inexpensive and simple. Then I went to his website and downloaded all his free audio talks to listen to on my commute, and now i feel i can approach more advanced zen books quite comfortably (but start with the book before the audio stuff).
Another book recommended was Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck.
I hope these books will help some of you on your journey.
