A Meditation Primer

by Sokuzan

“This small book of talks arose because there seemed to be a need to express and repeat what shikantaza, or just basically sitting, is all about. It is meant to reinforce, repeat, and help you dig a nice deep groove—in the awareness of how to do this, in the recipe of how to do this, in the protocol of how to do this. Just simply sit and observe.” Coming from over forty years of study, practice, and teaching, Sokuzan introduces the simple discipline of the sitting practice of meditation. Whether you are new to shikantaza or have meditated for some time, the basic ‘recipe’ at the back of the book, the seventeen short meditation instructions, and the notes from his two talks, “Meditation Doesn’t Work,” Sokuzan’s approach can help inspire you in creating or continuing a daily meditation practice. A paperback version of this book is available through SokukoJi's website. Please visit www.sokukoji.org/store to purchase a copy, and to connect with Sokuzan and the SokukoJi Temple Monastery.

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2017

Reviews

[Branden Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are ready to begin a meditation practice, you could hardly do better than this primer. In simple, direct prose Sokuzan elucidates the path with urgency and clarity. Anyone can begin forthwith by following his instructions. Those with more experience sitting and observing their minds will appreciate the compassion and wry humor that Sokuzan brings to the task of shaking us out of our spiritual torpor.

[Marc Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meditation

I have meditated off and on for 50 years, mostly close eyed with the goal of stopping thinking. When I heard Sukozan give the instructions for shikantazza meditation contained in this book I knew I had found my teacher.