Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind discussion

I feel this book gives about the best explanation one could hope for of what zen is...

If you had to pick just one book on Zen for your library, this would be a good candidate. This one has some meditation instruction as well as Zen teaching.

There are a gazillion other Zen books, of course. For introductory material, I also like Seung Sahn's Dropping Ashes On The Buddha, which does not have much meditation instruction but presents Zen teaching in a very simple and entertaining style.

Alan Watt's The Way of Zen is good too.

Thich Nhat Hanh also writes with clarity and simplicity about Meditation practice for beginners.

Rereading this now. Thanks for posting it and reminding me of its worth. Very interesting the early section on posture. There's no need to worry about whether or not you're achieving the correct state of mind during meditation, Suzuki says, by undertaking this posture you have it.

many paths > one goal

i've taught mindfulness meditation for many years, and always had Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind on the reading list for those who are interested.

A Westerner's approach is beautifully detailed in Jon Kabat-Zinn's Full Catastrophe Living.

It's been a while since the last time I read this book, but I recall it being one of the best resources in the Universe for practical Zen insight. For scholastic Zen, I prefer Watts' Way of Zen.

This book by Suzuki is very good, and Alan Watts' books for eastern philosophy in general are great. I felt the essence of zen when reading Suzuki, and felt the presence of Watts and the magic of the universe when reading many of Watt's books. He's a fantastic spirit.

The other day, the Redheaded Lady started re-reading Watts' Way of Zen. She complained that it was "dry," but said it was not dry enough to stop her.

She, however, chastised me for buying a copy for one of our sangha members, who's been trying to build a reading list. She thinks that particular person doesn't have the intellectual fortitude to read it.

In a sense, she's right on the money. Watts' review of Zen in its entirety can be tough sledding for anyone not interested in understanding Zen from a philosophical standpoint. On the other hand, if you're not interested in scholastic Zen, you probably shouldn't be reading books about it. You should join a sangha where you can learn the practice.

After all, the word "Zen" is shortened from the Japanese zazen, which means "sitting meditation." That's the core and essence of practical Zen.

We recommend The Way of Zen for those interested in reading about scholastic Zen (the philosophy), and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind for those who wish to read about practical Zen.

So,now for the real question. What is Zen? Where is this thing they call Zen?

This book (Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind) is on my life-sustaining book list.

If you're interested in practical Zen, John Daido Loori's 'The Art of Just Sitting' is an excellent compilation.

Hi, here is my attempt at a quick summary of Zen:

When we say we "understand" what something is, all that really means is that we have built some structure in our brains that represents that thing intellectually. Often we mistake our understanding of something for the thing itself. This is "mistaking a finger for the moon". For example, a scientist might say, "an explanation must exist, we just haven't found it yet". Explanations only exist in individual minds. How would you go about finding one there?

However, there are faculties of our minds beside thinking. We are also capable of pure awareness. Things as they are are accessible to pure awareness without the contamination of conceptualisation. Through pure awareness, we achieve insight into things as they are, into our true nature. Pure awareness is developed through the practice of Zen.

The word "Zen" is a Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese Chan. Chan is Chinese form of the Sanskrit word Dhyana copied when Buddhism came from India to China. The earliest Buddhists texts use the word Jhana. Jhana or Jhanas are states of deeper clarity achieved by the practice of meditation. So "Zen" literally means meditation as well as the clarity of insight realised by meditation.

(Historically, the word "Zen" or "Chan" is also used to distinguish those Buddhist traditions in China or Japan that emphasise the practice of meditation from those that do not.)

Mujin wrote: "So,now for the real question. What is Zen? Where is this thing they call Zen?

Good questions. Who's asking?

I just finished the book this morning. My favorite part was in the very last paragraph:

"We must have beginner's mind, free from possessing anything, a mind that knows everything is in flowing change. Nothing exists but momentarily in its present form and color. One thing flows into another and cannot be grasped. Before the rain stops we hear a bird..."

I also heard it referred to once as "barefoot mind."

Of course, reading any kind of book at all about it seems kind of counterintuitive, or something.

Craig wrote: "Mujin wrote: "So,now for the real question. What is Zen? Where is this thing they call Zen?

Good questions. Who's asking?"

What is Zen? Yes. Continue....

Mujin wrote: "So,now for the real question. What is Zen? Where is this thing they call Zen?"

It's right where you are sitting now. Assuming you are sitting right.