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Do Not Try to Become a Buddha: Practicing Zen Right Where You Are
328 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2025
I live in the midwest in the United States and I found that so much of this book was relevant to my life. I am familiar with some concepts from Zen Buddhism but didn't have in depth knowledge. As a long-time practitioner of meditation, though, I found this book to offer many wonderful insights. I enjoyed learning more about Zen traditional practices and the importance of maintaining tradition and ritual. I also enjoyed hearing of the creativity and the flexibility the author described in learning to help Zen take root in Ireland. This book offered ancient teachings but in a way suited and practical for us living in contemporary times.
May 11, 2025
This dude spittin
Interesting overview of Buddhism in a distinctly Irish context. Kilroy’s reflection on finding his faith as a young man in 1980s Galway has a great texture to it. Buddhism arrives to the west as an exotic thing, but it seems to bring more tangible benefit to the body and soul than the Catholic regime then enforcing sexual repression and internalised shame.
Kilroy also dogs on secular meditation towards the end, and says what we’re all thinking about the rise of Headspace etc. as a tool for HR departments to pass off responsibility and boost productivity. Going without saying the potential for sitting with one’s thoughts goes much deeper. He hints at a radical potential and I would have liked to hear about that more.
I’m not about to start rocking robes after this, but it gives some interesting food for thought.
Interesting overview of Buddhism in a distinctly Irish context. Kilroy’s reflection on finding his faith as a young man in 1980s Galway has a great texture to it. Buddhism arrives to the west as an exotic thing, but it seems to bring more tangible benefit to the body and soul than the Catholic regime then enforcing sexual repression and internalised shame.
Kilroy also dogs on secular meditation towards the end, and says what we’re all thinking about the rise of Headspace etc. as a tool for HR departments to pass off responsibility and boost productivity. Going without saying the potential for sitting with one’s thoughts goes much deeper. He hints at a radical potential and I would have liked to hear about that more.
I’m not about to start rocking robes after this, but it gives some interesting food for thought.
April 11, 2025
Great to read about the path the dharma has taken in Ireland — it's in great hands. Great book for all interested in zen to read!
July 12, 2025
Clear, fresh, forceful. I appreciated Kilroy’s no-nonsense Zen. His background as a writer comes through as well. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews