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The Most Important Point
From master baker, cook, and Zen priest Edward Espe Brown comes a collection of timeless essays on Zen, food, and life itself. Brown was one of the first Westerners to be ordained a priest by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who had hoped that Zen might be transformed into a vibrant new form in the West. In The Most Important Point, Brown fulfills Suzuki’s wish with 60 essays that are distinctly American yet preserve the roots of traditional Japanese Zen.
Drawing from his time in the kitchen and on the cushion, Brown explores a range of topics, from basic sitting practice to making the "perfect" biscuit and much more. "In the words of my teacher," reflects Brown, "the most important point is to find out what is the most important point." Flavored with wise insights and irreverent humor, The Most Important Point brings together a treasury of teachings to inspire your own discovery.
Drawing from his time in the kitchen and on the cushion, Brown explores a range of topics, from basic sitting practice to making the "perfect" biscuit and much more. "In the words of my teacher," reflects Brown, "the most important point is to find out what is the most important point." Flavored with wise insights and irreverent humor, The Most Important Point brings together a treasury of teachings to inspire your own discovery.
- GenresBuddhismZenSpirituality
264 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2019
22 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Edward Espe Brown
21 books26 followersEdward Espe Brown is a Zen Buddhist priest and professional chef.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 10, 2019
I loved this book!
The Most Important Point contains 30 years of Edward's best lectures. I couldn't put it down and had to stop myself so that I could savor it longer.
Edward can equally hold the heartbreak and humor in life, and by example encourages us all to be our best by being ourselves.
This is one to read again and again, in the same spirit as “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” and “Not Always So”.
The Most Important Point contains 30 years of Edward's best lectures. I couldn't put it down and had to stop myself so that I could savor it longer.
Edward can equally hold the heartbreak and humor in life, and by example encourages us all to be our best by being ourselves.
This is one to read again and again, in the same spirit as “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” and “Not Always So”.
January 10, 2021
What a beautiful book to read, especially during the new year or challenging times.
I’ve followed his teachings for years, starting with The Tassajara Complete Cookbook. When I went down the Zen Buddhism rabbit hole recently, he was there again. So, I added this book to my wish list and received it as a Christmas present. I’ve made notes in the book and a journal; this is a book you reference over and over again.
It’s refreshing to hear the struggles of “being zen” in our Western world... the struggles of a white guy in California, doing the best he can, studying a foreign culture, studying with some of the best teachers. His humility is endearing—it makes it easy to fall deeper in love with Zen Buddhism.
Our western culture is in dire need of many of the influences and philosophies of Eastern cultures. Whether this is your preferred practice or not, this sect of Buddhism offers basic tools for survival in our chaotic, collapsing western culture. He makes the information and concepts palatable and easy to digest (pun intended). I think he bridges the gap between eastern and western philosophies, and gives practical ways to follow a more peaceful, grateful, mindful life.
I look forward to reading more in his collection of teachings!
I’ve followed his teachings for years, starting with The Tassajara Complete Cookbook. When I went down the Zen Buddhism rabbit hole recently, he was there again. So, I added this book to my wish list and received it as a Christmas present. I’ve made notes in the book and a journal; this is a book you reference over and over again.
It’s refreshing to hear the struggles of “being zen” in our Western world... the struggles of a white guy in California, doing the best he can, studying a foreign culture, studying with some of the best teachers. His humility is endearing—it makes it easy to fall deeper in love with Zen Buddhism.
Our western culture is in dire need of many of the influences and philosophies of Eastern cultures. Whether this is your preferred practice or not, this sect of Buddhism offers basic tools for survival in our chaotic, collapsing western culture. He makes the information and concepts palatable and easy to digest (pun intended). I think he bridges the gap between eastern and western philosophies, and gives practical ways to follow a more peaceful, grateful, mindful life.
I look forward to reading more in his collection of teachings!
October 3, 2019
"This joy is not dependent on any particular object. It's not dependent on you controlling things, not having anger, not having sadness. These are all gifts that you could receive and be with and appreciate - gifts you could enjoy. This elicits sukha, or ease, because you don't have to manipulate and control and chase after something you enjoy. It's already here. It's your own capacity to connect and be with and receive the gifts of each moment."
September 7, 2022
I think Ed Espe Brown might have been my first introduction to Buddhism in general. I remember reading the philosophical bits in the Tassajara Bread Book as a young teen and understanding that they were telling me something very important.
All of which is to say that I bought this book expecting it to be comfortable, and maybe not challenging. And, while I will admit it was pretty comfortable, it was also at times appropriately challenging.
All of which is to say that I bought this book expecting it to be comfortable, and maybe not challenging. And, while I will admit it was pretty comfortable, it was also at times appropriately challenging.
March 6, 2023
Loved this book! It found me at the perfect time in my life! I am also a chef so the cooking aspects of the book were a pleasant surprise. I am very grateful to have read this book and it has helped me with my own meditation practice in many ways ❤️.
May 31, 2022
It is a must-read for everyone, especially those that take their life far too seriously. It is a book for all that look for spiritual meaning in all the wrong places. Ed will set you straight.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews