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Summary: After 30 Years, an Old Friend, Newly Discovered!
Review: As a '60's flower child, I purchased my copy of this gem when it first came out in 1970. It was my mainstay through all the years that I practiced zazen meditation (often now referred to as "Mindfulness Meditation"). Over the years, my practice fell off until now - when I find my mind continually racing between work, home life, managing a couple of websites, keeping up with e-mail and music practice! I found myself remembering the sustenance and simplicity this book offered and purchased a copy, my first edition having been lost somewhere many years ago. I was delighted to see that the original publisher has kept it in the exact same format and paper quality as the first edition, so I felt the literal presence of an old friend in my hands. Although written from a Zen Buddhist perspective, it is truly non-denominational, and its practice of stilling the mind complements any religious/spiritual tradition - or none at all, if that is your personal choice. Especially for the modest price, this is the best. You need search no further - it's all here.
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Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: What a great book. I'd definately recommend it. Even if you're not interested in Zen, there are things you can learn from this book.
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Summary: Essential reading for anyone interested in things Zen.
Review: If you have an interest in Zen, this is an excellent place to begin. I purchased the written as well as the audio version of this work and have read it numerous times. It is well written and easy to understand. You can expect to receive some new understanding with every reading. A very good companion to David Chadwick's "Crooked Cucumber."
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Summary: Mirrorly, mirrorly, life is what it seems
Review: Two spaces over to begin a paragraph, and the beginning of a paragraph is the beginning of mind -- Zen mind? To begin again: Two spaces over -- but why? Why begin again? Why begin two spaces over, or three or four? Why not begin with no spaces over from the left, no spaces left over, no left-overs, only whole-grain words eaten in the space of time it takes to fill a gap with a breach, a breach with a hole, a hole with synonyms for "Zen mind, beginner's mind"? Antonymic me and I'll antonymic you, mirrorly, mirrorly, life is but what it seems: space left alone, altogether right.
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Summary: Zen
Review: This is perhaps the best book for a westerner interested in zen buddhism to read (though Steve Hagen's Buddhism Plain and Simple is also excellent). Neither of these books really teach you much about Buddhism, rather they teach you how to be a Buddhist (or at least how to find the buddha nature which is already inside of you)Don't let the first section discourage you, it gets much better. I was initially turned off by this book because it begins with an almost harsh description of how one should practise zazen (meditation). For example I did not like hearing that there is only one correct way to do it (you must sit in a lotus position with your hands in your lap, your head perpendicular to you shoulders, and so on and so on). However, it was a misunderstanding on my part as to what the author meant about meditation and what it is you are trying to achieve (or not achieve for that matter). It was only after realizing the author's description of zazen is the best way to realize the illusions we have created in our minds about the world around us (not to sound like a nutball or anything).
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Summary: Thoughts become thoughtless stone
Review: So many books have been written about Zen, and so many reviewers have waxed prolific on the values of Zen, I'll not waste my time doing that myself. Suffice to say that this particular book was never intended by Shunryu Suzuki to be a book, and as such, it's probably close to the perfect book for anyone wishing to delve into the awareness of mind that Zen represents. This book could easily represent the spearhead of the invasion of the western world by a unique, eastern thought process. It is also the comfortable image of warm wood and wisdom at your door. At first, when I touched on "Right Practice", I was disappointed. For my interpretation of Zen requires no practice. It's not about practice. And yet, I understand after reading what Master Suzuki was getting at. In order to break the back of your old practices that lead to the busy, reactive world, you need other mechanisms. They could be anything, so long as they lead down the path of self-awareness and balance. He says it: chanting and meditation will not get you there. Yet I suspect that "practice" will always get more publicity than the intended result. In this capitalistic age, meditation classes sell, but having a Zen state of mind is totally antipodal to making money. Still, reading this book cannot hurt. Perhaps in your case, thought will not become thoughtless stone...
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Summary: One Book
Review: Keep it simple. You don't need any other Zen Books. It's against the Zen idea to confuse the issue. This is the first and final word on how to meditate and the best book on understanding Zen. Don't be a fool and buy books on Zen by westerners. Tap the source, cut to the chase and just buy this book and only this book and maybe the tapes by Peter Coyote. Stop getting your spirituallity filtered to you by Winnie the Pooh. This is pure Zen. Keep it simple. One mind. Begginer's mind. Stay an absolute begginer. There. I've just given you the secret to life and all happiness. Like Faust seeking magical knowledge, you've found it. O lucky man.
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Summary: Who can review a book for you?
Review: This book is at the cornerstone of my practice and understanding. If you wish, read it for yourself. Judge for yourself. If you are ready to learn, you may find this book a worthy teacher. As Suzuki says ".. when my talk is over, your listening is over. There is no need to remember what I say; there is no need to understand what I say. You understand; you have full understanding within yourself. There is no problem."
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Summary: First Buddhist Book
Review: This was the very first book on buddhism I ever read, and although many will point out it's shortcomings, I belive it is a good starting point for anyone interested in buddhism. Is there a bad starting point-if it sparks your interest? Progressing from this book is an easy step, and the book is simple enough for anyone.This is the first book on buddhism I give to people with new interests in buddhism as everything and anything can branch off and away from it. All the more indepth information can be taught from other books. Give this book a try (it's cheap too!) and lighten up on the bad reviews--at least people will show an interest without being overwelmed.
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Summary: Degenerate lack of Dharma,missing Essence of Original
Review: the Author has missed the point entirely and has made Buddhism into a agnostic formalism of sitting on Zafus and Zabutans..Ancient employed sitting ONLY as a means to help the most dense and thick of monks. The points of determination to uncover self nature by means of keeping the Hua Tao by Suzuki has been lost. He has made many minds muddled as to Buddhisms intent and purpose by seducing the ignorant with this red herring. His loss in this world has come to late for this beast against Buddhisms understanding has already been let loose like Chaos unto the Dharma.
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