A Little Bit of Zen: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

by Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara

This entry in the popular Little Bit of series introduces the ancient practice of Zen Buddhism.
 
What is Zen? It’s an ancient spiritual system rooted in Buddhism that began in China and spread throughout Asia, finally reaching the West. It encompasses meditation, mindfulness, and calming the mind—exactly what so many of us need and crave in this busy, stressful world. A Little Bit of Zen is the perfect, accessible introduction for newcomers, providing a history, overview, and exercises to use in their own daily practice, and covering everything from Zen literature to the ritual chants and bows.
 

Genres: Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2020

Reviews

[Samantha Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was short and sweet, giving a great window into Zen practice. I loved the “going farther” excerpts at the end of each chapter that allowed me to think me and/or gave me something to practice during the day.

[Peula Poku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 2020 this book is very easy to understand for us now- how to mix Buddhism with everyday life and simply be better for the world. How can we actually help the world in need?

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book isn’t really an intro. It’s more of a supplement and was not what I was looking for. It’s not a bad book but I don’t think it’s what most people are looking for when they look for an intro book.

[Teddi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too friendly. A little too New York. A little too casual yet preachy. A little too religious for my taste. Saved only a little by historic awareness of Buddhism and acknowledgement of contemporary issues. Worth a little flip through but not a buy or studious read. A little bit interesting. Curious to see this perspective on the world.

[Deviprasadh · Rating 1 out of 5]

This isnt an intro book to zen buddhism so much as its a subtle dig at inducing guilt and indoctrinating about climate change, feminism, patriarchy, exhorting to return to matriarchy etc.
youre much better off reading the original Dhammapada, or the intro works by DT Suzuki, Robert wright, Alan Watts or Masuno

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretentious, elitist trash. It indirectly compares itself to Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, which is a classic. This is a shame because another book in this series, A Little Bit of Buddhism, is brilliant.

[Ciaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. Easy to read, short chapters that present concepts in a digestible manner, and each chapter has a few questions at the end to promote further contemplation.

As the title suggests, this is very much an introductory text. Definitely got me thinking about how I approach the world though.

[Rachel Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, accessible introduction. Buddhism in action is so inspiring.

[Christine Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no clue what I read. I understood bits of it but definitely wasn't an introduction book...

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uppskattar kopplingen till klimatet och det intersektionella perspektivet, thumbs up

[Rosie Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

changed my perspective on so many topics and overall Reformed my daily life

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if I missed the point of this book, but it didn’t seem to me to be talking about Zen in any real way. I feel like I learnt more about Zen from watching the Disney film Soul than I did this book.
I was hoping to learn a lot and find a nice book to introduce me to Zen but unfortunately this book is difficult for me to read because it doesn’t seem to follow a flow, and reads like a student desperate to meet a word count with excessive repetition.