That Which You Are Seeking Is Causing You to Seek

by Cheri Huber, June Shiver (Illustrator)

The teachings of Zen are presented to Westerners in this book, which is comprised of many short sections accompanied by illustrations on subjects ranging from compassion and meditation to death. The concepts of "subpersonalities" (the many aspects of the personality) and "projection" (the notion that the entire world is a mirror of who we are) are introduced. Readers are encouraged to consider that they see the world the way they do not because the world is inherently that way, but because of who's looking. Seeing ourselves as having many different parts helps us make sense the the whirling mass of contradictions we sometimes experience within ourselves.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Psychology, Philosophy, Self Help, Nonfiction, Zen

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Cheri Huber, author of 20 books, has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years. In 1983, Cheri founded the Mountain View Zen Center, and in 1987 she founded the Zen Monastery Peace Center near Murphys, California. She and the monks at the Monastery conduct workshops and retreats at these centers, other places around the U.S., and internationally.

In 1997, Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service. Living Compassion’s primary work is the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, based in Zambia, where for over a decade they have been working with the people of Kantolomba, beginning the process of turning a slum of 11,000 people into a self-sustaining community.

Cheri also has a weekly Internet based radio show.

Reviews

[Ashley Protagonist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I will ever be truly done with this book.

[J]

This is another good book about understanding oneself that would have meant far less to me if I had not learned and continued practicing Vipassana meditation. One of the strong points about this book is its gentle, down-to-earth feel, like it's from someone real rather than a holier-than-thou archetype. I think this book fundamentally is about becoming more honest with oneself and letting change naturally come about from that. It could be helpful with answering questions such as, for example, "Why do I act against my own best interests of my own free will?"

An excerpt from page 97: "We need to have $o mu￠h money be￠au$e we're trying to ￠ompen$ate our$elve$ for the life we're not living."

[Anthony Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for a while on my shelf without reading it after finding it in a cast-off bin at McKays a few years back. I finally started reading it and it was exactly what I needed right now. Such a relaxing and simultaneously challenging read. I can't wait to read it a second time, and that is something I very rarely do. Highly recommend.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheri Huber’s blend of Zen and self-help is sort of Zen Lite, but there’s no mystification to it and there’s something refreshing about that. When she’s at her best as she is here, she’s an interesting and easy read.

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book written chronologically after The Key (and the name of the key is willingness) I found it to be very helpful and informative!!!

[David Geschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, and highly recommended. It’s the first book I’ve read by Cheri Huber but I ordered several more of her books on the strength of this one. She has written many books. I loved everything about this book, extremely well written. really cool font, and just great thought provoking material.

[BeautyandtheBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was a little redundant at times but otherwise it had some very enlightening theories and advice. Wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but I am walking away with some interesting thoughts that it left with me.

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because it is filled with essential truths that need to be revisited (for me, anyway) again, again, and again. Simply written and a very short read. Worthy of being returned to many times.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is worth tracking down.

[antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i first read this little book while i was in high school, and it had a massive impact on me. it was written by a Zen master (who founded the Mountain View Zen Center and the Zen Monastery Practice Center) in a completely practical and applicable way. you dont need to be Buddhist to read it or get something out of it, and i can pretty much guarantee you will get something out of it. if nothing else, it will probably make you a little happier and nicer while you are reading it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So it's taken me YEARS to finish this book ... but I honestly felt like I grew with it.
It truly showed me a lot of things about myself, life and other people that really changed and impacted the way I felt about very important aspects of being human and being alive that I would have kept overlooking.
I feel I'll always go back to this book and reflect on my favorite quotes and passages- it's been one of my greatest teachers.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick overview of meditating for more of a Western audience. Curiously written in hand-writing, which makes for a quick,appreciable read. Don't know if it's got the longest term impact, but a book nicely premised.

[Bill Thorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful :)

[Tarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read on and off....cheri huber books....and i adore her style of writing!

[k8beeZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheri Huber's work is very inspirational and down to Earth!!!

[Jeff Free · Rating 3 out of 5]

an intro to zen, a little odd at times, the vegitarian slant seemed out of place

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

just gotta read a little bit of this book every now and then.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my first Cheri Huber books, and it pretty much cracked me open a bit. Her books are very easy to read, and she tell you things you already know but just didn't realize it.

[Lee F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. this is more of a reference book to go back to often to remember the basics of self love etc.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic or deep? Always hard to know. But if you read this kind of book when you need it most, you can get something from it.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Cheri's books. She has a very effective way of explaining things and she keeps it simple. Very helpful.

[Tom Britz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much to think about in such a few pages.

[Linda Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the point, quick read, for all who seeks to know himself on a deeper level.

[Richard Kroyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and re-read....awesome...and as soon as another copy lands in my hands, I will re-read again

[Siddharth Nishar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, precise and clear. Truth as a vehicle to the present moment and everything else that is available thereof.

[Kathryn J]

I change your idea of the inside of and book and person