- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0740723804
- ISBN-13: 978-0740723803
- Product Dimensions: 16.3 x 15.1 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,508,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
The perfect book for anyone new to Zen, and a wonderful companion volume for those searching to understand their lives better. It includes simple instructions on meditation techniques together with stories, poems and anecdotes, both ancient and modern, relating to the Zen way of seeing the world.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Outside teaching; apart from tradition, not founded on words and letters, pointing directly to the human mind, seeing into one's nature and attaining Buddhahood - traditional definition of Zen. Filled with anecdotes, stories and meditations drawn from both the ancient and the modern world, "Zen Questions" serves as a wake-up call to the true self, and contains all the guidance and encouragement you will need on your journey to peace, harmony and understanding. Illustrated throughout with graceful sumi-e paintings, this beautiful book provides a delightful visual stepping stone to an enlightened state.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've been interested in Zen for years but have always found books on it strangely alien. This is the best explanation I've ever read - concise witty and informative. I loved it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a really nice book. I'd bought it, carried it home and read it all within an afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It provides an illuminating and engaging introduction to the principles of Zen, and is a book that I shall enjoy returning to.
If you've know little of Zen or have touched on the subject but found it difficult to fathom, then this could be the book for you. Easy to read, it feels as if written by someone who is both sensitive to the questions you may have, and able with a delicate and often humorous touch to communicate what could otherwise be difficult ideas to capture.
The prime difficulty in describing Zen is that until it is understood there is little to describe, and once understood there's little need to describe. The challenge is almost to describe the space between objects without finding oneself distracted into describing the objects themselves. Anyway before I demonstrate how difficult a description of Zen may be, let me assure you that Robert Allen does a very good job of giving the ideas sufficient shape to allow your own understanding to grow and take over. In the introduction he describes the challenge faced by the writer. `People with some understanding will criticise because he has said too much, while newcomers will feel he has been deliberately obscure.' I think he gets the balance just right.
Robert describes Zen through numerous simple very short stories, many at first glance seem to say little, but their secret is that they prompt you to think, in essence this is Zen in practice, the act of questioning. In addition the book has sufficient pointers that readers who understand and wish to progress further will find the signposts they need including guidance on zazen, a technique to help develop your Zen understanding.
`You unlearn more until you reach don't know. This is not ignorance; this is real knowledge.'
Complimenting the text is a liberal sprinkling of wonderful black and white sumi-e paintings which themselves reflect Zen principles.
All in all a very rewarding read.
If you've know little of Zen or have touched on the subject but found it difficult to fathom, then this could be the book for you. Easy to read, it feels as if written by someone who is both sensitive to the questions you may have, and able with a delicate and often humorous touch to communicate what could otherwise be difficult ideas to capture.
The prime difficulty in describing Zen is that until it is understood there is little to describe, and once understood there's little need to describe. The challenge is almost to describe the space between objects without finding oneself distracted into describing the objects themselves. Anyway before I demonstrate how difficult a description of Zen may be, let me assure you that Robert Allen does a very good job of giving the ideas sufficient shape to allow your own understanding to grow and take over. In the introduction he describes the challenge faced by the writer. `People with some understanding will criticise because he has said too much, while newcomers will feel he has been deliberately obscure.' I think he gets the balance just right.
Robert describes Zen through numerous simple very short stories, many at first glance seem to say little, but their secret is that they prompt you to think, in essence this is Zen in practice, the act of questioning. In addition the book has sufficient pointers that readers who understand and wish to progress further will find the signposts they need including guidance on zazen, a technique to help develop your Zen understanding.
`You unlearn more until you reach don't know. This is not ignorance; this is real knowledge.'
Complimenting the text is a liberal sprinkling of wonderful black and white sumi-e paintings which themselves reflect Zen principles.
All in all a very rewarding read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Don't let its compact size fool you, this book is both interesting and well-written, entertaining as it informs. Very much worth the money :-)
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