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Zen in the Age of Anxiety
Zen wisdom for identifying the causes of mental and emotional anxiety epidemic in today's world and for finding the path to a peaceful heart in the midst of them-- a path that leads directly through the center of the anxiety we're trying to escape.
Wrestling with fear doesn't have to be a negative experience. This book offers an approach to life that unlocks a new way of thinking and being in the world, one that leads directly through the center of the anxieties we seek to avoid.
Written in the style of an owner's manual, a guide to being human, Burkett focuses on areas of pain and anxiety as they tend to manifest for modern people: feelings of unworthiness, and issues surrounding sex, money, failure, and even death. Providing wisdom from Zen (channeled through his many experiences as a psychotherapist) and using language and metaphors from popular culture, he takes anxiety and teaches us to turn those fears into the building blocks of a fulfilling life.
Wrestling with fear doesn't have to be a negative experience. This book offers an approach to life that unlocks a new way of thinking and being in the world, one that leads directly through the center of the anxieties we seek to avoid.
Written in the style of an owner's manual, a guide to being human, Burkett focuses on areas of pain and anxiety as they tend to manifest for modern people: feelings of unworthiness, and issues surrounding sex, money, failure, and even death. Providing wisdom from Zen (channeled through his many experiences as a psychotherapist) and using language and metaphors from popular culture, he takes anxiety and teaches us to turn those fears into the building blocks of a fulfilling life.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2018
70 people are currently reading
290 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 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 5, 2018
I requested an ARC of this book because I thought it might be useful for my dissertation (for which I will be developing a mindfulness class for graduate students to hopefully reduce their stress levels). I thought this might be a possible reading for the course.
Meh. It's fine, and I'm rounding down from 3.5 stars. It's not something I would adopt for my class, though I would recommend it more broadly to people interested in the topic. This book is part memoir, part how-to guide, part historical overview. It's the part memoir part that I was not expecting, and as such doesn't lend itself to a course reading assignment.
There were things I really liked: the exercises at the end of each chapter seem perfectly feasible and relevant, it's not super "woo woo" to the extent that skeptics would get annoyed by the content of the book, and it's a short, quick read. The overall message of the book was positive and tangible.
Things I didn't like: Some chapters, particularly near the end (I think chapter 7?) started getting a little out there. Some of the chapters also felt like they were written by someone else in terms of the flow of the narrative. Chapter two, for example, read like a high school student wrote it. Every sentence was short and choppy, and for a good portion of the chapter paragraphs started with sentences like "Another example is..." and "A third example is..." etc. But the vast majority was fine. It was just that one chapter that felt out of place, especially coming after an engaging first chapter.
And finally, what is up with books being published recently not having a reference list at the end of the book? There were a few credits, but there were a lot of things missing (namely, I wanted to know what songs/books the Bob Dylan quotes were from, but there wasn't any indication. There were also mentions of research studies throughout the book, but not a single citation. I was willing to overlook the lack of footnotes/in-text citations because of the style of book, but not listing them at the end of the book/not having a "notes" section seems inexcusable to me. If I were the researchers doing the work he referred to, I'd be pissed. (And I am as a reader, because some of the studies were super interesting and I wanted to read them, but he doesn't even give the researcher's name, so I don't know where to start.).
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the free ARC.
Meh. It's fine, and I'm rounding down from 3.5 stars. It's not something I would adopt for my class, though I would recommend it more broadly to people interested in the topic. This book is part memoir, part how-to guide, part historical overview. It's the part memoir part that I was not expecting, and as such doesn't lend itself to a course reading assignment.
There were things I really liked: the exercises at the end of each chapter seem perfectly feasible and relevant, it's not super "woo woo" to the extent that skeptics would get annoyed by the content of the book, and it's a short, quick read. The overall message of the book was positive and tangible.
Things I didn't like: Some chapters, particularly near the end (I think chapter 7?) started getting a little out there. Some of the chapters also felt like they were written by someone else in terms of the flow of the narrative. Chapter two, for example, read like a high school student wrote it. Every sentence was short and choppy, and for a good portion of the chapter paragraphs started with sentences like "Another example is..." and "A third example is..." etc. But the vast majority was fine. It was just that one chapter that felt out of place, especially coming after an engaging first chapter.
And finally, what is up with books being published recently not having a reference list at the end of the book? There were a few credits, but there were a lot of things missing (namely, I wanted to know what songs/books the Bob Dylan quotes were from, but there wasn't any indication. There were also mentions of research studies throughout the book, but not a single citation. I was willing to overlook the lack of footnotes/in-text citations because of the style of book, but not listing them at the end of the book/not having a "notes" section seems inexcusable to me. If I were the researchers doing the work he referred to, I'd be pissed. (And I am as a reader, because some of the studies were super interesting and I wanted to read them, but he doesn't even give the researcher's name, so I don't know where to start.).
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the free ARC.
June 3, 2018
Tim Burkett certainly has the qualifications to write about ANYTHING (my emphasis) ZEN. He's practiced Zen Buddhism for over 54 years, is a psychologist, a Zen Buddhist priest, and the Guiding Teacher of Minnesota Zen Meditation. Face it, the man has the credentials to teach us, and teach us he does.
Looking at our natural human fears through the lens of Zen Buddhism, Burkett takes us into the areas of our deepest pains, and guides us on how to process and release them by looking inward through meditation. He educates us through parables, quotes, and his own warm-hearted wisdom on how to respond to things that stress us in a different way so that we don't have to continue to feel the high levels of stress, anxiety and unfulfillment that are so prevalent in today's world.
The book consists of ten chapters, each putting forth a different tenet, each of which end with a section called Doing the Work which contains exercises to make the contents of that chapter personal thereby reinforcing the tenet taught. Burkett then finishes with an epilogue discussing the common thread through the various religions of the world.
To be given a new way of looking at something, of understanding, is a gift without measure. Zen in the Age of Anxiety is that gift. It has convinced me to make time in my day for meditation and given me many things to think about. Maybe, someday, I can live as wholly and as happily as Tim Burkett. All things are possible.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to Shambala Publications, Inc. for allowing me the privilege of reading and review this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions here are strictly my own.
Looking at our natural human fears through the lens of Zen Buddhism, Burkett takes us into the areas of our deepest pains, and guides us on how to process and release them by looking inward through meditation. He educates us through parables, quotes, and his own warm-hearted wisdom on how to respond to things that stress us in a different way so that we don't have to continue to feel the high levels of stress, anxiety and unfulfillment that are so prevalent in today's world.
The book consists of ten chapters, each putting forth a different tenet, each of which end with a section called Doing the Work which contains exercises to make the contents of that chapter personal thereby reinforcing the tenet taught. Burkett then finishes with an epilogue discussing the common thread through the various religions of the world.
To be given a new way of looking at something, of understanding, is a gift without measure. Zen in the Age of Anxiety is that gift. It has convinced me to make time in my day for meditation and given me many things to think about. Maybe, someday, I can live as wholly and as happily as Tim Burkett. All things are possible.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to Shambala Publications, Inc. for allowing me the privilege of reading and review this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions here are strictly my own.
May 21, 2020
This was a nice easy read. Well written, he has a good style of writing that is easily understood. This isn't the best book on Zen or Buddhism that I've read, but there are certainly worse ones. This is in the upper half so far in terms of readability.
I'd recommend this to people doing some serious and semi serious reading but not people looking for an entry to the practice or the philosophy.
I'd recommend this to people doing some serious and semi serious reading but not people looking for an entry to the practice or the philosophy.
June 20, 2018
I have dealt with feelings of “not good enough “ and anxiety for much of my life. This book has been very helpful in showing me ways to work through these negativities. The author provides very clear suggestions and explains the how and why behind these. Well-written and useful. Recommended for sure.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 6, 2019
Book 2/55: Zen in the Age of Anxiety by Tim Burkett. I always enjoy these kind of reads because they ground me. I almost always have one going for times that I need to wind down and remind myself that so much is out of my control. I appreciated the fact that at the end of every chapter, there was a section to "Do the work", questions to really make you think about what and where you can improve in order for the relationships in your life are more fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book, the second part got really religious and in depth with Zen, it was interesting.
April 5, 2019
Gimmicky title, but there are some really good nuggets in here. Excellent practical advice and parables to bend your mind.
June 4, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Zen in the Age of Anxiety puts forth a bold claim: many salient issues of contemporary western life, surrounding money, sex, failure, death, and a host of other issues. The book present an approach in which these issues are pseudo-issues; in other words, if you accepted Burkett's Zen framework, you would not be troubled by them. A softer reading of the book is that one can incorporate certain elements of Zen in dealing with these specific problems (a bottom-up as opposed to top-down incorporation of Zen).. Insofar as the goal of the book was to present tangible solutions to these issues that do not merely dismiss them as problems but present alternative ways of thinking about them, the book succeeds.
My biggest issue with the book was the way it did not speak to the skeptical reader in me. I feel deeply troubled by many of the issues he raised (but not money), and I am not persuaded that I can be liberated from them. The issue of self-hatred was sort of dismissed. Adopting Zen principles does not feel strong enough of a solution to liberate me from them. There is something deeply gripping about them that is missed both by the argumentation, the scientific evidence, and the anecdotal evidence presented by the book.
Do I feel changed after reading this book? Not yet. Do I feel challenged? Yes.
The strongest aspects of the book were the careful treatment of problems (I wanted more depth) and the anecdotes (I wanted more, particular of the author's time with Suzuki Roshi). The egalitarian coda fell extremely flat for me, as if the author were trying to demonstrate that he was not trying to convert people to another "religion." I have studied Buddhism in some depth and want to laud the author for his clear presentation of complicated ideas.
Overall I would recommend this book. I doubt that reading it will cure anyone of their anxiety, but there are tangible tools presented.
Zen in the Age of Anxiety puts forth a bold claim: many salient issues of contemporary western life, surrounding money, sex, failure, death, and a host of other issues. The book present an approach in which these issues are pseudo-issues; in other words, if you accepted Burkett's Zen framework, you would not be troubled by them. A softer reading of the book is that one can incorporate certain elements of Zen in dealing with these specific problems (a bottom-up as opposed to top-down incorporation of Zen).. Insofar as the goal of the book was to present tangible solutions to these issues that do not merely dismiss them as problems but present alternative ways of thinking about them, the book succeeds.
My biggest issue with the book was the way it did not speak to the skeptical reader in me. I feel deeply troubled by many of the issues he raised (but not money), and I am not persuaded that I can be liberated from them. The issue of self-hatred was sort of dismissed. Adopting Zen principles does not feel strong enough of a solution to liberate me from them. There is something deeply gripping about them that is missed both by the argumentation, the scientific evidence, and the anecdotal evidence presented by the book.
Do I feel changed after reading this book? Not yet. Do I feel challenged? Yes.
The strongest aspects of the book were the careful treatment of problems (I wanted more depth) and the anecdotes (I wanted more, particular of the author's time with Suzuki Roshi). The egalitarian coda fell extremely flat for me, as if the author were trying to demonstrate that he was not trying to convert people to another "religion." I have studied Buddhism in some depth and want to laud the author for his clear presentation of complicated ideas.
Overall I would recommend this book. I doubt that reading it will cure anyone of their anxiety, but there are tangible tools presented.
September 17, 2018
Clear your mind, relax, and read this review.
Zen in the Age of Anxiety is a guidebook and teaching manual that focuses on how to deal with stress, anxiety, and address the underlying mental behaviours that cause them. Burkett lays out the teachings and key points with easy to follow explanations and a series of anecdotes from his +50 years as a Zen practitioner and draws on his background in psychology.
This was a very interesting book. I originally borrowed a copy from the library because I'd previously read Lao Tzu's Dao De Jing. Okay, bit of a leap between the two, but Zen teachings have their roots in Buddhism, which in turn has roots in the Dao (Tao), something Burkett mentions in passing. There are a lot of helpful insights and practices in this book that could help most people in their lives. At the very least, it was interesting to read something with such a different perspective on life.
My only gripe was a minor one. A lot of practices and philosophies, especially those with "Eastern" origins, tend to be tied up with spiritualism and mysticism. As a result, there tends to be a blending of nonsense (both ancient and modern) with the good stuff. As an example, in a later chapter, there is an example given that involves an analogy with how vaccines and homoeopathy work. Except that it incorrectly describes how vaccines work, and incorrectly describes homoeopathy as working at all. So best to use a critical eye when reading.
Zen in the Age of Anxiety is a guidebook and teaching manual that focuses on how to deal with stress, anxiety, and address the underlying mental behaviours that cause them. Burkett lays out the teachings and key points with easy to follow explanations and a series of anecdotes from his +50 years as a Zen practitioner and draws on his background in psychology.
This was a very interesting book. I originally borrowed a copy from the library because I'd previously read Lao Tzu's Dao De Jing. Okay, bit of a leap between the two, but Zen teachings have their roots in Buddhism, which in turn has roots in the Dao (Tao), something Burkett mentions in passing. There are a lot of helpful insights and practices in this book that could help most people in their lives. At the very least, it was interesting to read something with such a different perspective on life.
My only gripe was a minor one. A lot of practices and philosophies, especially those with "Eastern" origins, tend to be tied up with spiritualism and mysticism. As a result, there tends to be a blending of nonsense (both ancient and modern) with the good stuff. As an example, in a later chapter, there is an example given that involves an analogy with how vaccines and homoeopathy work. Except that it incorrectly describes how vaccines work, and incorrectly describes homoeopathy as working at all. So best to use a critical eye when reading.
March 19, 2018
Lots of valuable information condensed in ten chapters. I appreciated that the intro laid out exactly what to expect in the each chapter so I could get a sense of what I was about to learn. I came into the book as a novice who only occasionally meditates, though I see the value. After reading, I was motivated to add more meditation into my day. Each chapter follows with an activity to practice and there are interesting quotes throughout the book. My favorite chapter was towards the end when the author discussed brain elasticity. I was given an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
#zenintheageofanxiety #netgalley
#zenintheageofanxiety #netgalley
October 11, 2018
I'll qualify my review by saying I literally got about 30 pages out from the end, and had to return the book as so many people had it on hold.
What I did read was absolutely fantastic and reiterated a lot of my thoughts on Zen and mindfulness, but also offered very poignant, realistic and modern thoughts on money, sex, psychology, self-awareness among others.
An absolute read for anyone querying how such an ancient tradition is applicable to our everyday mindfulness practice, and how an existentially crushing and liberating philosophy can be our greatest, most welcoming and hardest teacher.
What I did read was absolutely fantastic and reiterated a lot of my thoughts on Zen and mindfulness, but also offered very poignant, realistic and modern thoughts on money, sex, psychology, self-awareness among others.
An absolute read for anyone querying how such an ancient tradition is applicable to our everyday mindfulness practice, and how an existentially crushing and liberating philosophy can be our greatest, most welcoming and hardest teacher.
June 30, 2022
Only read 20% of the book before deciding to read something else instead. There are likely many useful insights in here, but I found some of the “examples” chosen a bit distracting. E.g. Can we really boil down the US government’s response to 9/11 as an anger response by Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld? In a compare-contrast example, the author chose Hitler vs. Obama. My decision to move on from this book might be premature, but other writing I’ve encountered has been able to, in my opinion, equally (if not more) persuasively convey concepts about Buddhism, meditation, coping strategies, etc. without the use of examples involving political figures.
January 1, 2019
Enjoyed reading the book. Book is well structured with a logical flow. Each Chapter has practical stories and examples for reader to be able to embody the content. Book give value advice on dealing with breakdowns in our daily life, building mindfulness skill and being more aware.
April 2, 2019
3.5. There’s a lot of good stuff in here, and I think I need to read it again to get more out of it. It just seemed a bit disjointed and some parts didn’t really work as well as I think it could have.
January 16, 2024
Eclipsed by most mindfulness books in scope and depth
January 4, 2021
Overall, worth reading. I appreciate the author's very approachable, personable style. Unlike many books on Zen, Burkett explains Zen through understandable topics (sex, money, humility, life, death, for example) and relatable stories.
Unfortunately, some of his comments around sex as well as referring to the health care system as "so-called" make it tough to fully ascribe to his belief system.
Some sections that stood out for me:
"When the self feels like an object rather than a process, we become rigid, always following the same routine, always the same thoughts running through our brain. So maybe we should not be so resistant to feeling out of sorts. Maybe we should even welcome it... You may try saying to yourself, "oh, I am bumping into the wall that I've built around my idea of who I am."
"If you're thinking that the spiritual is different from the mundane, that the calmness of a spiritual life is different from the unruly surf of this great oceanic life... Then you are caught in a movie about living a spiritual life. In real life, it is the nature of the ocean to create surf. Being afraid of the surf helps to induce a trance that can trap us."
"Empowerment is not about freedom from the chaotic energies of everyday life, it is freedom within those energies."
Unfortunately, some of his comments around sex as well as referring to the health care system as "so-called" make it tough to fully ascribe to his belief system.
Some sections that stood out for me:
"When the self feels like an object rather than a process, we become rigid, always following the same routine, always the same thoughts running through our brain. So maybe we should not be so resistant to feeling out of sorts. Maybe we should even welcome it... You may try saying to yourself, "oh, I am bumping into the wall that I've built around my idea of who I am."
"If you're thinking that the spiritual is different from the mundane, that the calmness of a spiritual life is different from the unruly surf of this great oceanic life... Then you are caught in a movie about living a spiritual life. In real life, it is the nature of the ocean to create surf. Being afraid of the surf helps to induce a trance that can trap us."
"Empowerment is not about freedom from the chaotic energies of everyday life, it is freedom within those energies."
June 19, 2022
Tim Burkett writes with lifelong experiential knowledge of Zen Buddhism and humility. He never had or has conquered the white male ego of his generation.
The difference between being published in 2018 and the awakening for many whites, brought about by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, shone in neon lights to me. Burkett's praise for the Declaration of Independence and the early Americans all claiming equality and happiness for all in the light of our country being built on the foundation of slavery brought pain to my heart and cynicism to my mind. I suspect he would write differently now.
His stories were new. For beginners in reading about Zen, his book is helpful.
The difference between being published in 2018 and the awakening for many whites, brought about by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, shone in neon lights to me. Burkett's praise for the Declaration of Independence and the early Americans all claiming equality and happiness for all in the light of our country being built on the foundation of slavery brought pain to my heart and cynicism to my mind. I suspect he would write differently now.
His stories were new. For beginners in reading about Zen, his book is helpful.
Read
December 12, 2022It gives basics for practicing meditation. Includes things to help achieve zen in life- some of it was controversial. Like it says to have sex as long as you don’t crave it. But to make sure it’s intimate. Ha. Sorry. Good luck people. This book tries to offer peace via zen.
If you are looking for peace, I suggest try opening a Bible.
If you are looking for peace, I suggest try opening a Bible.
March 23, 2026
Really helpful and informative book with some good exercises in it. Definitely going to have to reread a few times and look into the other books mentioned throughout, each chapter flowed very well and was enjoyable. Lots to process from this - 10/10
July 19, 2018
Glad I read it, but it seemed to me to be disjointed a tad. Lots of good tips, but something was missing for me to give it 4 stars.
November 7, 2019
Interesting read for someone that is new to meditation.
August 17, 2021
definitely a nice short book that I will have to reread multiple times throughout my life. it also references a lot of other books and teachers I need to check out.
January 30, 2022
None of the summaries that I have read about this book, have done it justice as the read requires the completion of accompanying exercises.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
August 10, 2023
Perhaps not revelatory information....but definitely just what I needed to be reminded of. Easy read, clear explanations and practical application advice.
October 2, 2024
2.5 stars
November 27, 2020
This book stresses the importance of recognizing ourselves as a process and our role in the world as ever changing. How to gt out of the comparative mind set and accept others and ourselves where we are right now. This book really focuses on acceptance and learning to live in the present and letting go of over-analyzing the past and future.
September 21, 2023
Relatively pop zen but interesting nonetheless, reads very well also
March 3, 2019
The book describes zen philosophy and practice briefly and then explains how this philosophy and practice can help people in modern life. At the end of each chapter there's a 'To do' section, which helps you deepen your understanding for that chapter.
A part that caught my attention was explanation of how meditation can help people. It first explains that after a lab test based on the brain scan there is time gap of a quarter of second between the moment that a person intends to move his hand until the moment that she actually moves it. However, the brain part which regulates the movement is active a quarter of second before the person becomes aware of his intention. And mediation practice helps to free one from quick emotional responses, every moment to another.
All in all, a good pick to learn more about zen.
A part that caught my attention was explanation of how meditation can help people. It first explains that after a lab test based on the brain scan there is time gap of a quarter of second between the moment that a person intends to move his hand until the moment that she actually moves it. However, the brain part which regulates the movement is active a quarter of second before the person becomes aware of his intention. And mediation practice helps to free one from quick emotional responses, every moment to another.
All in all, a good pick to learn more about zen.
January 18, 2020
I like the way the book is introduced with a poem on walking down the street with a deep hole in the sidewalk. The action we take and the outcome is all a result of what and how we think.
It is a philosophical book, based on the premise that:
All that we are is based on our thoughts
One concept that I like is Flow, described by M. Csikszentmihalyi in'Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience' as:
'[Flow] is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involve, and you're using your skills to the utmost.'
In the book, Zen is described as between Buddhism which uses meditation and Taoism which allows nature to do the job; meditating on the natural world.
It is a philosophical book, based on the premise that:
All that we are is based on our thoughts
One concept that I like is Flow, described by M. Csikszentmihalyi in'Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience' as:
'[Flow] is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involve, and you're using your skills to the utmost.'
In the book, Zen is described as between Buddhism which uses meditation and Taoism which allows nature to do the job; meditating on the natural world.
August 20, 2019
It is one of these life changing books if you take time with it. Will be coming back to it again and again, I am sure. Many if the important concepts are so well distilled that you feel like you are seeing them with a new fresh eye, or just got a better prescription (for your brain, probably) .... and the suggestions by the author will spur on more reading along these lines. Amazing find, and the thanks goes to Lion’s Roar and Shambala publications.
April 1, 2023
Zen In the Age of Anxiety summarises my degree in psychology and years of therapy, but with the prefix “according to zen”. This is meant as an observation not a criticism. It is very interesting to see that across schools of thought, religion, culture, the essence of compassion and connection remains constant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews