Appearance
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
I found this book in a discounted/final sale area of a local bookstore a couple of years ago. It was a difficult time for me, and I really wasn't looking for anything in particular as my mind and soul were scattered. I saw this little book standing on a shelf all by itself, and picked it up. I could find nothing wrong with it to warrant the "discarded" title, and as I was intrigued by its cover design and burgundy inside front cover, I bought it if for no other reason than it was a good deal.One day, I picked it up and started reading it. At that time, I could only get through a half a page before my mind wandered (those weeds!) and I lost interest. But somehow I kept going back to the book. It is such a humble book that I was intrigued. You would expect that a book titled as this one is would be much more onerous.I eventually was able to read a section at a time. I also was able to "sit" for short periods, but the most important achievement that was inspired by the book was to live each moment as it happens.Since then, the book inspires me to continue with my writing, as well as guiding me through my daily challenges. I am slowly unearthing the person I know I used to be as a child.Someone wrote in a review prior to mine that this book "is Zen". They are right. The practice of reading the book is Zen. Such is the magic of this little book.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
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).
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
It is March, 2000, and I have just ordered another 6 copies of this classic book on Zen sitting meditation. I first read it shortly after it was published in 1972, borrowed from the Cleveland Heights OH library. Since then I have returned to it many times and given many copies away to friends.Some are grieving a loss, some are facing a major personal challenge, like cancer. Some are simply searching for truth or a sense of themselves.In any case, I do agree with those reviewers who point novices toward a more traditionally instructive book like The Three Pillars of Zen. That book speaks to the logical structure of Zen study, its emphasis on teaching, practice and enlightenment. It is important to understand Zen in this historic and traditional light if one is to pursue it seriously. But Three Pillars is a "study book" - it is not a description of the sitting zen experience. Shunryu's lectures were "live" and directed to the experience itself.As in the old Zen saying, his words are fingers, pointing to the moon.Certainly, there may be purists who find dogmatic contradictions in some of Shunryu's comments. But he did not set out to teach the dogma!This is an excellent book the serious zen student will return to again and again. And for the "everday man" among us, the "beginner" Shunryu spoke to, it is much better than a handbook of Hazleton platitudes, an erstwhile koan or a list of Covey's rules.Sit up straight! Put your thoughts away! Sit and....
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
I teach reading and art in public school to eleven-year olds. _Zen Mind Beginner's Mind_ is a good guidebook for these activities. When reading, children are easily distracted. Perhaps they do not feel a connection to the story. The story is certainly not an expression of themselves. Writing about the story helps. Then it becomes part of their own expression. Their interests and experiences can become part of the story. But when we paint, it is a different "story" altogether. Then you see beginner's mind in action. The object of their study is certainly part of them. Focus is inherent in the activity. The paint, the paper, the child all become one event. And since I have only started teaching art recently, I am beginner's mind at work!In the prologue, Suzuki-roshi tells us: "This is the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner." Why? It is because "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few." The joy of perpetually being a beginner!Is _Zen Mind_ about education and art? Yes. No. {Mu?} _Zen Mind_ is a book about mind and life. Big mind and small mind. Small life and unencumbered life. Maybe you are a gymnast. Maybe you sell real estate or groceries. Maybe you work in a factory or in an electrical power plant. Maybe you write the questions for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Whatever you do {even if you do no-thing} and wherever you are {right here right now}, this book will speak to you if you have an interest in the freshness of beginning and the beauty of everyday life.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
I picked up this book because of the title...bad move. I thought it would be a good for someone, a beginner, who is trying to learn Zen Buddhism. There really isn't much here for beginners. Caveat emptor! It really is a book for seasoned practicioners of zazen, who want to comprehend "beginner's mind". But even then, you find words on beginner's mind only in the prologue and the epilogue, for the most part. A lot of it is incomprehensible to neo-phytes. However, there are pieces of insight which a simpleton like me could understand. Parts of the book which called for straightforward practice, without being misled by distractions, were great. When you cook, cook! When you fish, fish! Don't try to be multifacted! Just tend to one task, just do it! Good stuff. There were words about the need for awareness which were helpful. Shunryu Suzuki wants his reader to always be practicing zazen. He emphasizes this. There is no way I can get myself into a lotus position and then undo it on the same day, but I could appreciate the words about breathing. And how breath is the gateway between the inner world and the outer world. Great stuff! Most of the book, however, did not make sense to me. A better title would have been "Thoughts on Zen Practice".
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
I read this book when I was in my mid-teens. I was perhaps 15 at the time. I have been exploring "spirituality", mysticism, meditation, and various spiritual traditions, perspectives, and practices for much of my life. All this time later, this book is one that has always stood out in my memory. I feel a great deal of respect and admiration for this book and its author.I only read it that once. I have not read it since. It is likely the only book I have read on Zen. For me it was really the only book I needed to read on Zen. It cuts to the essence of Zen and the Zen aspect of Buddhism.This review is based on the impression this book had on me at the time I read it.The lasting impression that I have from this book is that it provided and explained a very clear, simple, and direct approach to meditation. It also played a key part in inspiring me to pursue meditation at that relatively early age. I don't recall it going into much detail of the practical elements of meditation (such as giving instruction on specific techniques), but rather Suzuki takes the reader into an eloquent review of the state of mind one should bring to meditation or at least aim to cultivate through meditation practice and daily living. In my own experience Suzuki's elaboration on the nature of Zen Mind~Beginners Mind was more valuable and inspiring than giving detailing a meditation technique and practical instruction. Since reading this book, whatever technique of meditation I might be engaging in, I always (and quite habitually) bring to my meditation a state or intention of Beginner's Mind. This has helped me immensely. The specific technique one happens to be practicing ceases to be so important (not unimportant, just less important) and the approach to the technique takes precedence.So what is that approach?Reading this book gave me the lasting impression that a key to my path inward is to maintain an open, clear, and "beginner-like mind" (a mind that has no expectations because a beginner has no history of experience from which to draw any such expectations). In some way that I can not really put my finger on (I'd have to perhaps reread it to do that) this book changed my appreciation of life and reminded me of something key to my ongoing awakening and my spiritual journey.I've just taken a look at one page in ZMBM whilst writing this review... And I am instantly reminded that the other aspect of how this book impressed me was not only by giving me some valuable keys to how to approach meditation, but also how to approach life itself. To clarity that, I will add that when I say "how" I mean "how to approach living life and how to approach meditation", in a way that is wholesome and conducive to inner peace/stillness.I can see from some of the reviews I have read that, in my experience, a few reviewers have approached this book from a perspective of "how well does it portray various Buddhist traditions, or elements of certain Buddhist teachings and paths etc." For me, in 15 years of hindsight, that all seems completely irrelevant, except perhaps to those for whom meditation and spirituality is simply an intellectual pursuit. The value of this book could easily get lost to anyone that brings a whole lot of intellectual religious knowledge to it, and therefore fails to receive the simple yet beautiful message held within its pages and embodied by the man that wrote it. Even now when I see the author's photo I feel a deep sense of love and respect for him... all as a result of the impact that reading this book (and applying it to my life) had on me when I was around 15 or so years of age.I don't think this book should be approached as some kind of traditional Zen text or Buddhist text. There are now plenty of these available--I suggest looking elsewhere if that's what you are seeking. I recall a simplicity about this book that moved and touched something deep within my spirit. Obviously Zen Mind has left a lasting impression... I read it at a time when the Internet as we know it didn't even exist... yet here I am all those years later writing this review !!In closing, if you are interested in understanding how to approach meditation, prayer, life, relationships, and just about any other human endeavor, in a way that brings about stillness of Being, then read this book. Not just once, but as many times as needed to really feel the essence of its gift within you.With blessings,Jonathan EvattPS. I will add that since reading this book I have awoken to and remembered a great deal with regards to the journey to Liberation and Inner Peace. Hence I will share that this book explores a small piece of the big picture... yet I recall that it does so in such a way that it's exploration of that small (but important) piece is of great value.People who enjoyed or are interested in this title might also enjoy the following titles. I most certainly did (read my reviews there for more info):The Supreme Source: The Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen SemdeSelf-Liberation: Seeing with Naked AwarenessIntroduction to Tantra : The Transformation of Desire