Zen mind: Beginner's mind: Amazon.co.uk: Shunryu Suzuki: Books

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, 10 Mar 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (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.

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65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound, clear, compassionate, practical., 5 Jan 2006

By	K. Brodrick "James" (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (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.

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37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for everyone, 17 Mar 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (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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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Okay if you want to get a 'feel' for Zen
I found the book very informative. It covers the issue of Zen in fairly simplistic terms, although I can understand why many may still not understand Zen at the end of the book,... Read more

Published 2 days ago by TimeTrapper

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to Get Into
I found this book a bit hard to get into and went back to a book I already had called "The Zen of Listening" which had more practical appication for me and less spiritual stuff... Read more

Published 1 month ago by C. R. Downing

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing
A book about what you cannot put into words.

In small transcribed talks, Suzuki talks about Buddhist attitude, emptiness, the purpose of meditation, the 'life force'... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Rasmus Svendsen

5.0 out of 5 stars engaging, touching, refreshing and motivating
This book has been fundamental to my understanding of Zen and influential in my own practice.

I find the entries engaging, touching, refreshing and motivating, even... Read more

Published 8 months ago by J. S. Mungall

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it hate it love hate it
After reading this book, one of a myriad of Buddhist books I've read, I felt as though I found some brilliant, straightforward advice regarding Buddhist practice. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Guy Smilie

4.0 out of 5 stars But not a book for beginners
Reading this wonderful book is like prospecting for gold. The gems are in there somewhere, and when you find them, they really grab your attention and sparkle like the stars. Read more

Published 15 months ago by MaxC

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
This was the first book on Zen I read, and I found it simply amazing.
Not only is the message of Zen made clear in content, but - crucially - the language and style of the... Read more

Published 22 months ago by swfc

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a beginner's book
You must remember that this book contains Shunryu's lecture, which were presented live. That in and of itself would be a great experience. Read more

Published on 7 Oct 2007 by M. A. Ramos

5.0 out of 5 stars Open hearted clear minded advice.
I thought that this was a most useful book. It will encourage and warm the heart. To do full justice to yourself (and to the book) you do however need to have a daily meditation... Read more

Published on 24 Jul 2007 by Mr. Andrew C. Moss

3.0 out of 5 stars It's not bad, but people are getting to excited
Ok firstly this is a good book. It's well written, interesting, poetical and yes beautiful in many senses. Read more

Published on 14 Jul 2007 by Vishal Sakaria

› See all 21 customer reviews...

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