Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: 50th Anniversary Edition by Shunryu Suzuki (PDF)

Description

Named one of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century (Spirituality & Practice)A 50th Anniversary edition of the bestselling Zen classic on meditation, maintaining a curious and open mind, and living with simplicity.”In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it’s all about. It is an instant teaching on the first page–and that’s just the beginning.In the fifty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind has become one of the great modern spiritual classics, much beloved, much reread, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics–from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality–in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This book seemed like it provided a great perspective as to what Buddhism is, while also detailing what it is not. There were things to actually practice, as well as things to not practice, and the reason for both.

⭐Gog.d introduction to Buddhism and the Zen mind. A good starting point of you are interested in pursuing a different way of thinkin.

⭐The practical aspects of this book were invidious and not very helpful for me personally. For example, zazen position of full lotos of having your feet rest on your thighs with your hands on your stomach leaning forward slightly is extremely uncomfortable for me personally for meditation. Other aspects like joining a zen practice group for me wasn’t very fulfilling as the local zen group by me had a leader you needed to submit to and receive koans (riddles) for meditation and accept as your guru. This too me is a fundamental error in joining a zen group as its to me similar to joining a cult. Probably the reason why so many zen groups have sex scandals and sexual harassment claims against them. But the book said for some reason this is a necessary requirement to have a teacher to submit too and for practicing the true pure form of zen. However after saying this, this book did actually make me get off my as*, and start practicing meditation for about a half an hour on a daily basis. I do see the salutary benefits it is providing me but as a lesson from this book mentions don’t get attached to accomplishing anything and just have enlightenment before having enlightenment, which means don’t have any preconceived notions (biases) of having to achieve something and to have an empty mind, when you practice (a good technique is to forget everything while your meditating). The importance should be emphasized on the effort of practice rather than the goal of accomplishment. This concept keeps you one step at a time in the present rather than mentally in some preconceived idea of achieving a goal in the future, which always sets you up for disappointment as it’s impossible to fulfill with its dualism of “you” and a goal.Having said that the benefits are the buddhist philosophy and teachings are wonderful and worth just buying the book for them. For example, practice is more important than learning pedantic buddhist teachings (I know the irony right). Other great teachings are nothing really has form and emptiness is the truth of everything. Everything has impermanence and change is a part of everything. The reason for our suffering is that we cannot accept change and we are attached to things as they are and wanting them to stay the same. If we can accept change and get rid of our attachment of wanting things to stay the same, we will not suffer. To see things as they are without attachment and accepting change in what we are seeing is to not suffer and is mindfulness. The epigraphs are also marvelous and a great way to start each lesson of the book.

⭐Read this book!! Love it

⭐This book changed my outlook during a difficult time in my life. I won’t claim to understand all of it or tell you every part makes sense but there are lessons in here that are worth learning for any person dealing with being a human. It helped me realize that even people of differing religions and cultures share so many things if we look deep enough. Zen helps us realize that sometimes we don’t have to “do” anything but exist and be present in the moment.

⭐I bought this as a text book for my contemplative studies class and found that it simplifies zen buddhism in a very easy to understand way for people who grow up in the hustle and bustle of life. Love it!

⭐This is clearly one of the best books I have ever read. I found page after page full of deep thoughts and ideas that I have often wondered about throughout my life. This was my first book on Zen and I chose it because of the numerous excellent reviews and I must say that I concur. I will also admit that I did not understand all of the teachings. On one page I would find deep answers to the questions I have long asked in my life and then on the next page I would have no idea what the author was talking about. Most of the confusion comes on the subject of non-dualism, which for a Westerner is probably the hardest concept to comprehend in Zen.The book is formed from a series of talks given by Shunyru Suzuki over many years, each comprising a short chapter of the book usually 4-6 pages long. The layout of the book is very straightforward and I found it beneficial to read one or two chapters a day. Although it does touch briefly on meditation (zazen), this book focuses primarily on the philosophy of Zen. Because of this, anyone can read and appreciate the book. You don’t have to be a Buddhist or meditate on a regular basis to enjoy the knowledge found within “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind”. Fundamental concepts such as “the only thing we can change is ourselves”, “we have suffering in our lives because of our attachments” and “let everything go as it goes” apply to our everyday lives in a very powerful way.It is important to realize that according to the teachings of Zen, enlightenment is found through the practice of zazen. A Sensei at the Zen Center told me, “If we could reach enlightenment through intellectual understanding, there would be no need for meditation”. To fully understand the difficult teachings found in this book, such as non-dualism, we must realize them over a long period of time through meditation. This is why I don’t think anyone can fully grasp everything within this book, the first time they are exposed to the concepts of Zen.Regardless of your religious beliefs and whether or not you ever intend to meditate or further study Zen, this book offers a wealth of knowledge in a very practical, every day setting.Good Luck and enjoy the journey.

⭐This is a brilliant must read instructionbook on Zen meditation.It tells you why Steve Jobs was a student of Suzuki. It has to do with beauty, simplicity and the present.Read this book and understand the:The right practiceThe right attitudeThe right understandingI read this book once a year and is a person who regularly meditate. I find peace of mind with this book.

⭐This book was pretty useless to me as the first thing it says is that you have to get into a full lotus to achieve meditation. Well as a retired manual worker with a bad back that’s quite impossible so it went straight to the charity shop

⭐I’m only half way through this book. But already the wisdom I’ve gained and the knowledge for meditation and general life is immense. Even if you have no interest in meditation, this book has a lot of life lessons it can teach you, and can help change or improve your mindset. Really recommend this book, thoroughly enjoying the read, can’t wait to read more. The book also came in a beautifully simple design that I really love, good quality book. No cheap pamphlet here, just a quality book that could last a lifetime.

⭐A delicately written and profound exposition of Zen Buddhism, this little book has rightly become a classic of the genre.An enduring and dedicated following of admirers in the Soto tradition confirms Shunryu Suzuki’s valuable legacy of genuine sincerity and practical wisdom; a copy of this book should be in every home.

⭐This is lovely. Just what I was looking for to deepen my knowledge and understanding of Zen. It’s simply written and as easy to understand as Zen can be. Am already feeling the benefits. It’s a book to keep by your bedside and dip into. Highly recommended.

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