Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
by Shunryu Suzuki
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Book Reviews of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
Book Review: Finally, Answers Found
Summary: 5 Stars
I luckily stumbled onto this little treasure while reading basketball coach phil jackson's "sacred hoops." in that book, jackson repeatedly referred to the teachings of zen master suzuki's teachings in this book. never could i have imagined that a book on sports could lead to such a dramatic, profound and truly life changing experience as i found when reading "zen mind, beginner's mind."whereas faith based religions are a complete assualt on the intellect when providing answers to the secrets of the universe that are not known to us, suzuki instructs us to respect such things as both "mysterious and beautiful." important and fundamental concepts such as "non-attachment" that can be difficult to grasp are succinctly communicated in reminders such as "a weed grows even though we hate it, and a flower falls even though we love it." zen mind will place your focus squarely in the present and allow to rid yourself of state depriving emotions once you learn to let go of any "gaining" notions. you'll find focus and calm in all situations. (just like michael jordan and the chicago bulls whom coach jackson required zen-like meditation at the end of each practise!)
this book is so complete it's all you'll really ever need. and as the author implies "once you've got it, you've got it. no need to keep searching."
Book Review: Note to Atheists
Summary: 1 Stars
I've been studying Buddhism for a few years now. I'd heard a lot of people talk about Zen and how it's in part an atheistic philosophy amoung other things and being an atheist I'd been meaning to look into it for some time now. This book was my first real close look at Zen. On page 65 there's a chapter titled 'God Giving' which talks about 'God' in the way that I've heard Christains, Jews, and Muslims talk about 'God' as really existing, as the 'creator of everything', etc., etc.,. Up till that point I was really into the book but after I finished reading that chapter I decided to discard the book. I'm one of those atheists who is searching for the truth, whatever that might be. I'm certain that there is no proof or evidence to warrant belief in the supernatural, but I'm not opposed to the idea, I just refuse to believe in something that could very likely not exist.I've read that 'god(s)' don't play any real role in Buddhism, so why bring them up. If you took out the supernatural talk, then this book might be more appealing to theist and nontheist alike. If you're an atheist looking to Zen because of it's reputation for being atheistic then this book will probably disappoint you. It did me. If you're able to overlook the parts you don't agree with, I'm sure you could find valuable wisdom here. The 'God' talk ruined it for me though.
Book Review: American Zen Primer
Summary: 5 Stars
As it so happens, even non-SFZC-affiliated American and European Zen centers typically advise their students to read this book as a primer on contemporary Zen/Ch'an Buddhist practice, and for ample reason.
Reading this book is not a monumental brain exercise so much as a thawing and relaxing of one's own rigidly cherished preferences. Shunryu Suzuki's carefully edited lectures come across as fatherly and truly encouraging, while also being somewhat remarkably BS-free. Suzuki was a character, often called "Crooked Cucumber" as a lazy pond-frequenting boy by his own teacher in Japan. He relates to us that it is important to take care of the total self while still being strict on oneself in Zen practice, which, as anyone who has tried knows, is exceptionally difficult to do. Goals and accomplishment-seeking is thrown out the window as it is more popularly today, due in no small degree to his influence. A strking, instructive personableness and benelovent modesty are what persist in my mind of this man, from reading this book. The impact is remarkably subtle. It advances and retreats as we do, refusing to be fully framed in a way I still can't account for. I go back and read it sometimes when in need of a Zen "reality-check" and it typically does the trick.
Book Review: Wisdom beyond wisdom
Summary: 5 Stars
Whenever I've read books in the past, one of the things I've looked for has been intellectual satisfaction. In fact, it has almost been a necessity in order for me to appreciate a particular book. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind offered me little, if any, intellectual satisfaction and yet, I treasure it as one of the greatest books I've ever read. This book (or Buddhism for that matter) is not about intellectual, moral or even spiritual satisfaction. The practice presented in the book is a very matter-of-fact journey into yourself and your true nature.If you are new to Buddhism however, I would not recommend this book as a starting point. I first picked up this book four years ago out of my curiosity for Zen Buddhism, found it to be really abstract and incomprehensible and it collected dust on my bookshelf for years. Last year, I decided to re-introduce myself to what Buddha taught through Steve Hagen's Buddhism Plain and Simple, and simultaneously started practicing at a local Zen center. I have since read Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind a couple of times and found it to be wisdom beyond wisdom. If you want to live each moment of your life fully, this book will undoubtedly be an invaluable tool.
Book Review: priceless
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a priceless book. Suzuki has managed to distill Dogen's message and present it in a way which is both grounding (one into the moment of reading) and inspiring (one to be ever more aware). I have had this book for many years and it would probably have been the first choice for my Desert Island list. I am very impressed by the subtlety with which Trudy Dixon managed preserved Suzuki's impishness and her skills in conveying to us his genuine, good and compassionate heart as well as his unyielding dedication to practice. This is no shouting, riddle-making and stick-wielding rinzai guy - no, in these pages we encounter a gentle, self-deprecating and deeply compasionate master who is teaching us the wisdom of being in the moment, and helping us to find beauty in simplicity and kindness. There is a lot of dharma-power behind these words - Suzuki has been responsible for founding perhaps the largest and most successful zen community in the Western hemisphere. Why? because the sincerity and depth of his practice imbued unshakeable faith in zazen practice to anyone who met him, even for a moment. It will do the same for you. I strongly recommend this book .