ZEN KOANS FOR THE UNENLIGHTENED: CONVERSATIONS WITH TAIUN ELLISTON ROSHI

by KATSURYU BILL COOPER, TAIUN MICHAEL ELLISTON ROSHI

Zen Koans for the Unenlightened offers a rare
window into the heart of Zen practice through
intimate, illuminating conversations between seasoned
student Katsuryu Bill Cooper and his teacher, Taiun
Elliston Roshi. Grounded in decades of lived
experience, these dialogues breathe fresh life into
classic koans—from “One Bright Pearl” to “Nanquan
Kills a Cat”—making them accessible without stripping
away their depth or mystery.
With insight drawn from a lifelong commitment to
Soto Zen and a professional background in
psychotherapy, Cooper invites readers into a warm and
provocative inquiry that spans ancient teachings,
contemporary dilemmas, and the very nature of
awakening. Whether you're new to koans or returning
with fresh eyes, this book offers a path that is both
grounded and transcendent, pointing always back to the
direct experience of the present.

274 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2025

Reviews

[Tripp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, but I wish it were available in formats other than a digital download from Amazon.

[Jeff Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often you get to be a fly on the wall for intense conversations between a modern day Zen master and one of his students. Katsuryu Bill Cooper and Taiun Elliston Roshi have done just that with this book giving you a front row seat as they discuss ancient buddhist koans as well as diving into deeper questions of the nature of our reality.