Breath Sweeps Mind: The Intimate Heart of Zen

by Jakusho Kwong

In a poetic reflection from an awakened insight, the 13th-century Zen master Keizan Jokin wrote: ?Most people want to have pure clarity, but sweep as you will, you cannot empty the mind.? On Breath Sweeps Mind, Jakusho Kwong presents his inspired response to this Zen paradox to offer you an ?Everyday Zen? that you can practice right now. Join this dharma successor to the late Shunryu Suzuki-roshi as he opens you to the world as seen through the eyes of a true Zen master?and the liberation we find in ?just sweeping.?

Genres: Buddhism

Audio Cassette

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Paul Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have listened to this audio book 50 times at least. Each time, you discover a new layer, a hidden depth, and new insight.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwong Roshi, one of the first students of Suzuki Roshi, after Suzuki Roshi began teaching in San Francisco, communicates through self and word Zen-spirit in these talks. This spirit was so vivid for me that I listened intently to the entire series with closed eyes - not even sipping coffee or tea as I often do listening to a book - deciding to do so otherwise would not be in alignment with the spirit of teacher-teaching.

This is a slow burner, and Roshi does not hurry. Also, it is a read not suited for one to listen to while doing anything else, such as driving. One would need to listen closely in an undistracted fashion.

Roshi introduces many technical terms belonging to the Zen world at large or Soto specifically. He clarifies well through story and analogy and explanation, while he clarifies all words are pointers.

Some of this content gets very Soto technical, going into rituals and their outer form and signification. This content provided clarification of practice details I was not aware of and helped in appreciating the denotations of the rituals.

A quality of the Zen-spirit is laughter. Roshi laughed often, and I often found myself laughing, too. His humor and humanness enhance the teaching.

[Alicia Grega · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't say avoid this, but there are better works. Again, I listened to the audiobook which is of a very visceral quality. Quiet surroundings are essential. I enjoyed it while taking walks but it didn't make for as effective commute listening.