The Original Frontier: A Serious Seeker's Guide to Zen

by Michael Elliston

Throw open the gate to the original frontier of your creative mind discovered by Buddha, handed down to successive generations through India, China, and Japan, and now to America, in this age of increasing uncertainty. A new, refreshing approach lays out the ancient secrets of the irreducibly simple method of Zen meditation, in easily accessible terms and digestible bites. Ranging from how Zen differs from popular meditations, to designing a contemporary Zen life, and including workarounds for all your excuses. Based on sound principles of direct sensory immersion, simply sitting still enough for long enough, this user’s manual for Zen is presented step by step, encompassing personal dimensions of practice, as well as social implications for yourself and others. Zen enables you to embrace ambiguity in daily life, and to enjoy benefits to your health and happiness. Zen is always contemporary and holds the key to surviving, and thriving, in trying times.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2021

Reviews

[Randy Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Original Frontier is, I think, fairly unique in the zen book space. It's like three books in one: a how-to manual, a historical cross-reference to many bits of information and sources, and a travelogue to guide you through your own journey. I find each of these three aspects of value to me. For example, I can't think of another book on zen meditation that goes into as much detail to support your meditation practice and anticipated questions. Even though I have been a meditator for years, I've gained additional insights from this book. Elliston-roshi also provides a great deal of context in terms of references to other materials and sources, which give the interested reader many opportunities to dig deeper on their own. Even though I already familiar with many of the quotes and sources he draws from, his use of them in his own context have given me additional insights. Lastly, third sense I mentioned, this book gives me the feeling of having a true dharma friend at my side. I have filled my copy with highlights, margin notes, and post-its - the signs of a book I cherish and rely upon.

[Jeff Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably the best "core textbook" one can have to navigate your journey into Zen's "Original Frontier". With decades of experience and questions from students in dokusan (private interviews with a Zen teacher) Elliston covers most problems beginners (and advanced!) students in mindfulness encounter. This book really helped me starting to learn Zazen remotely during Covid-19 lockdown, and if you are interested in Soto Zen, it's an absolute must read.