The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living

by Gary R. McClain, Eve Adamson

An updated and revised guide to enlightening up! Presenting innovative ideas on incorporating Zen thinking and action into even the most Western lifestyle, this book focuses on living Zen in a post-9/11 world. It also offers updated information on meditation and its many benefits and new exercises for families to promote Zen living at home, as well as new exercises to help readers combat their dissatisfaction with life and unfulfilled desires.               •Revised to focus on living Zen in an increasingly complex and panicked world             •New anecdotes that translate Zen philosophy into the “here and now”  

Genres: Nonfiction, Buddhism, Religion, Zen, Spirituality, Reference, Self Help

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Eileen]

Pop culture view of Zen is pretty silly. Zen is not just a serene way of looking at things. Pictures of smooth stones and talk of 'bad karma' is not what Zen is about.

This book gives the reader a good overview of and introduction into Zen studies. But, the word 'zen' means meditation, and in the end that's what you have to do.

[Kirk]

I felt like this was a great starting place to learn about living a more mindful life. I liked how they approached Zen as something that anyone can incorporate into their lives. It doesn't matter your background or religious beliefs. Zen is just a philosophy of life that can help you to really live your life instead of wasteing it thinking about the past or dreaming of the future. Take advantage of the now seems to be the major theme of the book.

[Adil]

This is a good book if you want to get a basic sense of what Zen is. It can point you to more spiritually credible sources, whatever that may mean. It's mildly fun and interesting. It shares a good deal of material with the Dummies for Meditation book. This is not a bad place to encounter Zen for the first time.

[Kimberly]

You can't become Zen from reading a book.

[Lori Gawdyda]

Easy to read.

[Denidevine]

It may sound silly but this was a great first introduction that got me reading a lot more about this subject over the years....

[TJ Totland]

I love the "Dummies" and "Idiot's Guide" books do much I don't think I have not found one I dislike. This one is a excellent book on what it's like to live Zen. If you are looking for a simpler way to live and want to bring meaning into everything you do, I do recommend the Zen path and this book is just the way to get started.

[Noreen]

Great guide for a closet Buddhist like myself to incorporate Buddhist living into American life. Read slowly, while practicing meditation.

[Steve]

Had this one laying around for a while and decided to peruse. Considerably better than expected. Fairly accurate and full of good quotations and advice.

[Shadlyn]

I find it motivating to read self-help books even when I don't learn anything new. This was very much one of those.

If you don't know anything about mindfulness, zen, or meditation, then this is a good primer with a lot of encouragement and a little bit of starter information.

As the "Zen" in the title implies, this books is basically many pages of reminders to "slow down, pay attention, and experience life where you are."

[Mark]

Truly one of the most valuable books I have ever read. I like this practical, self-help approach to Zen, since I'm not interested in becoming a religious Zen Buddhist. Americans really need the ideas in this book, as a balance to our insanely hectic and materialistic lives. This book teaches you to be truly alive and at peace with yourself. I never knew there was so much of value in Zen.

[Josue]

This was a great introduction to Zen. I was really pulled into the subject because of several things that I thought I knew about the subject through pop culture references. However, there is much more to learn and these author's make the subject accessible with this book. I look forward to learning much more about mindful living.

[Andrea]

I've really been reading this book off and on for 15 years. This is the first time I started back on page one and read it all the way through. It's great for all the basics, explaining Buddhism, Zen, and meditation. What I won't bother with again is the lists of questions, workbook style. I'd rather sit zazen.

[Janet]

Some of the chapters didn't apply to my current lifestyle, but I read them anyway and found helpful tidbits, anyway. Reading this book kept me mindful of my present moments. It was written in a very casual, at times, humorous way which is always a delightful way to learn.

[Maya]

Tongue in cheek as are all books in this series. Funny examples help me "get it" as well as show me how far down the path I've already traveled. Very accessible to anyone who wants to become more Zen without submerging completely.

[Lucas]

interesting book on Zen....you can a Zenist without being a Budhist

[Nioosha]

A great introduction to Zen and absolutely great ideas for everyday life. I enjoyed every moment of reading it and hope the same for you.

[Cathi]

I'm not a big fan of "Idiot" or "Dummies" books, but this was helpful. In this case, I need an idiot's guide..

[Tim]

It's OK. I already am well read in Zen so it was no big deal to me but for someone who doesn't know anything and wants to learn in a hurry - could be just the thing. Not perfect, but adequate.