2024 the best books on philosophy review

Price: $17.95 - $9.77
(as of Dec 06, 2024 10:58:09 UTC - Details)

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.

From the Publisher

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

50th Anniversary Edition

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala; Anniversary edition (June 2, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1611808413
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1611808414
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.48 x 8.22 inches
Reviewer: Rev. Patricia T. Larcher
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A very good introduction into Zen meditation.
Review: This is the first review I have ever written on any of the 2,000+ books I have read on Kindle and in print. This changed when the early effects of this book hit me between the eyes. I acknowledge that this is not “the” book on Buddhist practices ... it’s only one of many. But it is (so far) the one that made the most impression on me. (And I have read many informative ones.)Since the closest Buddhist temple/meditation center to me is a 2 1/2-hour drive one-way using highways (which I don’t drive on), I have been doing my best to study Buddhism on my own. Since about 1968 or so, I have been reading Buddhist history, information on the various Buddhist traditions, books by the various teachers of the many traditions, Sutras, and other texts, books that tell me to empty my mind to meditate while others tell me to examine my thoughts to do so, books and videos on guided meditation ... and so forth. My education has been a hodge-podge, cherry-picking what resonates with me.And, then, I purchased “Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind: 50th Anniversary Edition,” and things started to click for me. I’m sure that there are many other books by various masters -- I’ve read more than a few, but this is the first one that explains to me how to meditate, what you are attempting to do, and how to examine things in actively in meditation; and then, when you have exhausted the examination, switching to quiet-mind meditation to come to an Ah! Hah! Moment.I have not finished the book, but I couldn’t wait to share what I found “talked to me.” I have liked the book so much on my Kindle, I have ordered the book in print. I generally read my books on Kindle cover-to-cover. When I want to go back and read specific sections, etc., I want a book in my hands.

Reviewer: Nick
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I've been searching for years for the answers found in this book
Review: 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.

Reviewer: JT
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Unique and not untrue. Worthwhile.
Review: There's an understanding here that is very different. Most publications aim to persuade, instruct, or entertain. This has some of each, but, on the whole, is not any. These almost paradoxical undertones hint at something missing in my understanding and perhaps western understanding in a broader sense. Worthwhile for truth seekers and those who have, or seek to have, an open mind.

Reviewer: Ryanve
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Added to my will read again rotation
Review: My first book on Zen. Seemed easy enough to understand, yet in depth enough to feel that I've gain valuable knowledge on the subject.

Reviewer: Fagner Garcia
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A síntese de tudo o que é necessário para entender o Zen budismo (da escola soto), obra indispensável.

Reviewer: Narayansparkar
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A very good book

Reviewer: Korps
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Every now and Zen

Reviewer: Alex M. S.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Buen libro, voy por la mitad, son transcripciones de charlas que dió el autor a su comunidad zen en San Francisco. Explica los conceptos esenciales del budismo zen, que al final son los del budismo, de manera fácilmente entendible.Lo escuché recomendado en una entrevista en un podcast a un veterano maestro de meditación budista. Él mismo comentaba que lo releía cada pocos años y siempre aprendía cosas nuevas.

Reviewer: AmazonBi
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: One of the most insightful books on Zazen. Must have, must read, must practice! Over an over again. You can listen to the audio book for free on Spotify. I do both.