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The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
 
 

The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master (Paperback)

by Takuan Soho (Author), William Scott Wilson (Translator) "The term ignorance means the absence of enlightenment ..." (more)
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £6.99
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Price For All Three: £16.47

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Product details

  • Paperback: 104 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha America, Inc; New edition edition (1 Mar 1988)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 087011851X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870118517
  • Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 0.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 52,823 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #10 in  Books > History > Religious History > Buddhism
    #48 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Philosophy

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Product Description

Review
"All of the essays aim at helping the individual know himself and in helping him to embrace the art of life." -The Japan Times
"Takuan's writing is light on sword-handling and heavy on the spiritual side." -Asahi Evening News


Product Description
This work suggests that the philosophy and competitive strategy presented by the spiritual mentor to Musashi is as useful to modern corporate warriors as it was to 17th-century samurai.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
The term ignorance means the absence of enlightenment. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
72% buy the item featured on this page:
The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master 4.1 out of 5 stars (7)
£5.49
The Book of Five Rings
8% buy
The Book of Five Rings 4.4 out of 5 stars (28)
£12.59
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
8% buy
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai 4.5 out of 5 stars (22)
£5.49
The Art of War
6% buy
The Art of War 3.8 out of 5 stars (13)
£3.00

 

Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating, an essential companion for all men of faith, 30 Aug 2001
By A Customer
Takuan Soho's insight into the mechanics of the mind and its effects on performance, is much more than a manual for the martial artist. To sum up the first essay simply as saying "practice makes perfect" shows the ignorance Soho addresses in the first line of the first essay.

The three essays requires contemplation and an appreciation of its context. It is a useful companion to anyone who sees the usefulness of constant striving to improve one's Self, "We are that which we habitually do...", and a reminder to all faiths that humanity requires a moral code.

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12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent collection from an old master, 24 Nov 2002
In this book, do not expect to find either enlightenment or the answer to your questions, because this is not a guide to life or spiritualism. Rather, the unfettered mind is a collection of letters, each revealing the viewpoint of the Zen master Takuan to the reciever. An amusing and deeply philosophical book, portraying a "path" long since abandoned. A must for anyone's bookshelf that contains spiritual books.
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12 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars A bit spiritual, 20 Jan 2002
I couldn't get into this book. I preferred the philosophy of Hagakure and the practicality of the Book of 5 Rings. This is pretty spiritual and worth deeper analysis, but not by me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A different angle
I have read allot of these types of books, I find them very hard going at times. What I get out of them is a view into a different world, sometimes they barely seem human but... Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. Davidson

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Translation
This book contains a collection of three letters/essays from Takuan Soho to masters of the sword arts. They contain some incredible gems. Read more
Published 21 months ago by M. A. Ramos

5.0 out of 5 stars A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
I have been involved with the martial arts for over 25 years. Student, instructor, swordsman. I consider this book a reference tool and a source of inspiritation. Read more
Published on 11 Jul 1998

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but not illuminating.
Takuan Soho has a book made of 3 parts, the first is a letter he wrote to a sword master about not "stopping the mind" and "the right mind" which basically... Read more
Published on 6 April 1998

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