In the forty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics, much beloved, much reread, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics—from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality—in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page. It’s a book to come back to time and time again as an inspiration to practice, and it is now available to a new generation of seekers in this fortieth anniversary edition, with a new afterword by Shunryu Suzuki’s biographer, David Chadwick.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 91 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Classic is an overused word these days but it really does apply to this book. As other reviewers have pointed out it really isn't for beginners despite the title. If you are already involved in meditation practice this book will be helpful. It is a book written by someone from the Soto Zen tradition but it is often recomended by Tibetan teachers as well, so universal is its application. As Suzuki says 'Actually we are not the Soto school at all. We are just Buddhists. We are not even Zen Buddhists. If we understand this point, we are truly Buddhists'.
When I first read this it really did get through to me that meditation wasn't about attaining something but just about sitting. As the author says 'It is when your practice becomes greedy you become discouraged with it. So you should be grateful that you have a sign or a warning signal to show you the weak point in your practice'. This isn't about Buddhist philosophy but about actually doing Zazen for which it is invaluable. In a market place that has become swamped by new age books that use the word Zen in the title it's understandable that the word has become devalued or meaningless but this would undoubtedly make my short list after thirty years of Buddhist study.
When I first read this it really did get through to me that meditation wasn't about attaining something but just about sitting. As the author says 'It is when your practice becomes greedy you become discouraged with it. So you should be grateful that you have a sign or a warning signal to show you the weak point in your practice'. This isn't about Buddhist philosophy but about actually doing Zazen for which it is invaluable. In a market place that has become swamped by new age books that use the word Zen in the title it's understandable that the word has become devalued or meaningless but this would undoubtedly make my short list after thirty years of Buddhist study.
83 of 84 people found the following review helpful
By K. Brodrick
Format:Paperback
The most useful book on Zen I have read so far. Zen abhors analysis and description, and Suzuki takes a practical, human approach to the practice of zazen. The book was compiled from talks given by him at his Zen centres, and is full of honest advice and personal experience.
I am on my third reading, and am finally getting to appreciate some of the messages. These concepts are in fact very simple, if you read with your heart rather than your head. It is free from Zen-stifling intellectual analysis and explanation which is found in lesser works, there is no struggling with brain-busting koans, and satori is never mentioned.
One of the most important messages is very encouraging: that difficulty, distraction and hardship actually improve the practice of zazen. Great news for Beginners like me.
I am on my third reading, and am finally getting to appreciate some of the messages. These concepts are in fact very simple, if you read with your heart rather than your head. It is free from Zen-stifling intellectual analysis and explanation which is found in lesser works, there is no struggling with brain-busting koans, and satori is never mentioned.
One of the most important messages is very encouraging: that difficulty, distraction and hardship actually improve the practice of zazen. Great news for Beginners like me.
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I agree with all of the positive comments below - this is a wonderful and beautiful book. However, I don't think it is only for those with experience of Buddhist practice. There is something here for everyone. If you have never meditated or thought about Buddhism, parts of the book may seem obscure at first: but this need not get in the way of enjoying the rest. Certainly, this book is not a "beginner's guide", but it values beginners (as the title suggests) and I strongly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Buddhism.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Please read future Buddhists
Truly a good first book to read about Buddhism. Can be dipped into continually as this can give further understanding.
I recommend it.
I recommend it.
Published 28 days ago by LAWRENCE M COX
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite read the best starter and probally best bedside book
This was my first book on Buddism and is an easy to understand read that informs well for such as myself new to Buddism and already I am making progress in finding my true... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Regular Amazon customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is simple beautiful.
Reading this book for the first time is like going on a journey - after each page your understanding of Buddhism and of yourself has changed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sidney MacHin
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overrated
You can at least praise Shunryu Suzuki for his honesty. He openly admits never having Kensho or Satori. Read more
Published 6 months ago by A reviewer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not exactly for beginners!
As an introductory book to Zen Buddhism, this is quite daunting or useless. The publishing industry seems to have cashed into the misconception that this this is a book for... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ankur Banerjee
5.0 out of 5 stars
More on Zen
This is a slender volume presenting a clear and detailed account of Zen, making it easy to read and understand. A very useful and essential book.
Published 9 months ago by Diogenes Clashd
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quality
This is a book published around the world and this is a great edition. The content is universal, but the binding and quality of this book are excellent.
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Gerald Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing special.
"In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind, there are few." (paraphrased from a sentence in this book)
Would you then prefer to be a beginner... Read more
Would you then prefer to be a beginner... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Kriss
5.0 out of 5 stars
An instant favourite
Amazing reading for the Zen beginner, couldn't put it down from beginning to end. It will definitely be a book that I will re-read in a few months time.
Published 17 months ago by J
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good, it is one of my favourite books anyway
Very good, it is one of my favourite books anyway. I don't know what else to say other than what I said in the titile.
Published 19 months ago by Ken
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