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Enlightenment is an Accident: Ancient Wisdom & Simple Practices to Make You Accident Prone
A warm-hearted guide to Buddhist practice for those ready to contend with the reality that enlightenment—the realization of non-self—can’t be achieved by the self.
A well-known spiritual saying goes, “Enlightenment is an accident. But we can make ourselves more accident-prone.” As an authentic American Zen takes shape, enlightenment continues to be misunderstood as a project to be completed, a goal to be achieved, or a prize to be awarded. Tim Burkett’s new book unhooks enlightenment from the hot air balloon of ego and brings it back down to earth.
Drawing on stories of his first teacher, the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki (author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind), and Burkett’s decades of practice and teaching, he reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing the work and play of this very moment. With the wisdom and humor of a seasoned practitioner familiar with all manner of eccentric fixations and silly dead-ends, he offers views and practices we can use to support the paradoxical process of letting enlightenment happen on its own.
A well-known spiritual saying goes, “Enlightenment is an accident. But we can make ourselves more accident-prone.” As an authentic American Zen takes shape, enlightenment continues to be misunderstood as a project to be completed, a goal to be achieved, or a prize to be awarded. Tim Burkett’s new book unhooks enlightenment from the hot air balloon of ego and brings it back down to earth.
Drawing on stories of his first teacher, the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki (author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind), and Burkett’s decades of practice and teaching, he reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing the work and play of this very moment. With the wisdom and humor of a seasoned practitioner familiar with all manner of eccentric fixations and silly dead-ends, he offers views and practices we can use to support the paradoxical process of letting enlightenment happen on its own.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published April 9, 2024
18 people are currently reading
2147 people want to read
About the author
Tim Burkett
6 books30 followers*Tim was only 20 years old and a student at Stanford in 1964 when he met his teacher, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. At that time there was only one small Zen center in northern California and the practice of meditation was considered “kind of odd.” Then the wildly successful Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind was published. Tim heard firsthand the talks that later appeared in that book, which has sold more than any other book on Zen Buddhism.
In Tim’s new book, he tells of the struggle to raise money for the now famous Tassajara Monastery, the first Zen monastery outside of Asia. He tells the story of when Suzuki took the stage after Janis Joplin at the Fillmore Auditorium during a fund-raiser. And he remembers Suzuki’s empathy for his long-suffering student, Trudy Dixon, and his tearful “lion’s roar” at her funeral.
Tim also talks about intimate moments with two other early Japanese teachers who came to America: Katagiri Roshi and Chino Roshi. And he talks about his own life after he moved to Northern Minnesota where he worked on the Nett Lake Ojibwe Reservation as a social worker. In his book, Zen’s core teachings unfold within the ordinary comedies and tragedies of everyday life. He uses poems, Zen art, parables, and koans to show how we realize our interconnected nature through the small things that we do. In his book, as in his life, Tim reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing the work and play of this very moment.
Tim is the former CEO of the largest non-profit in Minnesota for the mentally impaired and chemically dependent. He is a psychologist, a Zen Buddhist priest, and the Guiding Teacher of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center.
*This bio was written by one of Tim’s senior students and the editor of Nothing Holy About It.
In Tim’s new book, he tells of the struggle to raise money for the now famous Tassajara Monastery, the first Zen monastery outside of Asia. He tells the story of when Suzuki took the stage after Janis Joplin at the Fillmore Auditorium during a fund-raiser. And he remembers Suzuki’s empathy for his long-suffering student, Trudy Dixon, and his tearful “lion’s roar” at her funeral.
Tim also talks about intimate moments with two other early Japanese teachers who came to America: Katagiri Roshi and Chino Roshi. And he talks about his own life after he moved to Northern Minnesota where he worked on the Nett Lake Ojibwe Reservation as a social worker. In his book, Zen’s core teachings unfold within the ordinary comedies and tragedies of everyday life. He uses poems, Zen art, parables, and koans to show how we realize our interconnected nature through the small things that we do. In his book, as in his life, Tim reveals how to live in the world with a deep joy that comes from embracing the work and play of this very moment.
Tim is the former CEO of the largest non-profit in Minnesota for the mentally impaired and chemically dependent. He is a psychologist, a Zen Buddhist priest, and the Guiding Teacher of Minnesota Zen Meditation Center.
*This bio was written by one of Tim’s senior students and the editor of Nothing Holy About It.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 28, 2023
Outstanding book for both beginners and experienced meditators. Excellent way for Westerners (and others) to experience clear information about the strengths and pitfalls, potential and challenges, of incorporating Buddhist wisdom into our daily lives, whether we live ordinary lives or dedicate our time entirely to Buddhist practice inside or outside of a community. I have studied and practiced Buddhism for almost 50 years, while living an active professional life, currently hitting some challenges related to aging, and this book is a gem that i will be referring to often as I navigate these difficult times. It is helping me understand my challenges from a larger perspective, and focus on what is most helpful in my daily life.
July 31, 2025
A solid, pithy dharma book full of wisdom. It’s definitely heavily Zen-influenced and relies a lot on paradox, but the author manages to pull it off in an accessible way. I find any book that encourages me to loosen up a little to be useful, especially in the context of a meditation practice, and this book certainly fits that bill.
July 1, 2023
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway on 6/22/2023. I did not complete this book so a complete review can not be offered. I apologies for this, it can't be helped. I found this book full of fanciful drivel not useful in its advertised purpose.
July 18, 2023
This book was great. Very eye-opening and informative. It's given me the tools to start on my own journey. I am self, but I am not self.
June 12, 2023
Another great book by Tim Burkett! As a non Buddhist, I was enlightened by reading this book and learning about the Zen practices that are most helpful to anyone trying to understand themselves. In the world we live in today – it is so important to be in touch with who we are. It is a must read!
September 11, 2024
"Enlightenment Is an Accident" by Tim Burkett is such a slow and kind book. It doesn’t offer ancient wisdom with the urgency of a sudden "aha" moment. Instead, the wisdom shared is gentle, prompting you to really ponder what you know, what you think you know, and how you came to know it.
I appreciate this book because, while it is rooted in Buddhism and shares insights from that tradition, it stands apart from other religious or spiritual texts. It doesn’t try to prove itself as the only truth or path to truth, nor does it aggressively dismiss science or psychology. Instead, it makes an effort to be well-rounded, integrating these perspectives.
The book has the ability to touch anyone, regardless of their beliefs, because it invites you to ponder and, by your own choice, engage in the practice of meditation. It doesn’t tell you what to value but rather helps you shed any unhelpful values you’ve clung to because of societal norms. It offers the practice of meditation and shares the benefits of how one can live life moment to moment, be mindful, and surrender to the now.
As someone on a path to learning more about these topics, I’ve found that what I’ve read in this book has helped me feel lighter and more capable of cherishing all the things that come with life.
I appreciate this book because, while it is rooted in Buddhism and shares insights from that tradition, it stands apart from other religious or spiritual texts. It doesn’t try to prove itself as the only truth or path to truth, nor does it aggressively dismiss science or psychology. Instead, it makes an effort to be well-rounded, integrating these perspectives.
The book has the ability to touch anyone, regardless of their beliefs, because it invites you to ponder and, by your own choice, engage in the practice of meditation. It doesn’t tell you what to value but rather helps you shed any unhelpful values you’ve clung to because of societal norms. It offers the practice of meditation and shares the benefits of how one can live life moment to moment, be mindful, and surrender to the now.
As someone on a path to learning more about these topics, I’ve found that what I’ve read in this book has helped me feel lighter and more capable of cherishing all the things that come with life.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews