Zen (Parchment Journals) Average Rating: "The "Zen" Personal Journal is a blank journal filled with Zen quotations and teachings. The cover is a striking red with Kanji characters. This is perfect gift for either a man or a woman. " Publisher: Running Press Miniature Editions | More reviews: amazon.com
Zen Brushwork: Focusing the Mind with Calligraphy and Painting by Tanchu Terayama Average Rating: "Ably translated into English by Thomas F. Judge and John Stevens, Zen Brushwork: Focusing The Mind With Calligraphy And Painting by Tanchu Terayama (Nishogakusha University) uses black-and-white photography to illustrate simple exercises and practices that one can follow to expand one's mind and meditation skills through the arts of calligraphy and painting -- especially as they have been practiced in Asian nations for thousands of years. Showcasing works of art as well as advice and practical instructions, Zen Brushwork is a thoughtfully written and an easy-to-follow guide that especially recommended to students of meditation, Zen Buddhism, and the contemplative aspects of the martial arts." Publisher: Kodansha International | More reviews: amazon.com
Taking the Path of Zen (Taking the Path of Zen Ppr) by Robert Aitken Average Rating: "Robert Aitken's book is well worth reading and does offer useful information, but I disagree that it is for people first taking the path. The book is dry. Some see that as no-nonsense, an important quality is such a confusing arena, but it also is uninspiring. It, further, does not focus on what Zen offers, but is more of a how to follow Zen once the decision is made. If you think Zen Buddhism gives you liscense to ignore societie's rules and standards, this is a must read. If you want advice on meditation, it is a must read. If you are still considering whether Zen is for you, or you aren't sure what Zen is, look elsewhere first." Publisher: North Point Press | More reviews: amazon.com
Zen Buddhism by Daisetz T. Suzuki Average Rating: "This was the first book I ever read on Zen, and it remains, in my mind, one of the best. D.T Suzuki is thorough and imaginative, linking the principles of Zen to the culture and history of Japan, as well as to Western philosophy. Suzuki has a well-deserved reputation as the 20th century's foremost authority on Japanese Zen. While perhaps more of a scholar's book than a practitioner's book, this selection of essays from Suzuki's Zen and Japanese Culture do a wonderful job of conveying the spirit and rich history of Japanese Zen, and its roots in Chinese Ch'an. Faced with a complex topic that by its very nature does not lend itself to written accounts, Suzuki manages to neither over-analyze the topic nor sidestep the issues by refusing comment. The essays selected give a good taste of the complex spectrum of Zen, and its many cultural and historical manifestations, without swamping the reader with material. A fine and complex work by a well-respected figure of the Zen tradition." Publisher: Three Leaves | More reviews: amazon.com
The Secret Power Within by Chuck Norris Average Rating: "Golden Lion Kempo Karate: I've studied Kempo Karate, Tai Chi, Akido, Jui Jutisitu and Judo over the last ten years. I related to the concepts and stories told by the author. A martial artist knows the commitment, skill, and dedication required to gain a Black Belt, but few really understand the essence of Zen, in their training. The author does not try to explain all the philosophical aspects of Zen or Buddism, instead draws from his own life experiences instances of Zen. Many of these stories are very personal and easy to relate too. The author has a very honest and non-assumption style to his writing; rather than focusing on achievements and personal aggrandizing, he emphasizes his struggles with marriage, tournament fighting, recovery from a bankrupt school, and a brother killed in Viet Nam. I personally found the book to be very inspiring and renewed a desire to be a leader and better example to my students and those around me. The author effectively communicated topics of Zen in a easy to understand concepts and stories. A rare addition to your Marital Art Library." Publisher: Broadway | More reviews: amazon.com
Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness: Zen Talks on the Sandokai by Shunryu Suzuki Average Rating: "This is an excellent little book. It is based on the a series of talks that were given by Shunryu Suzuki in a sesshin lead by him, as it happened near the end of his life. The book in my view would be suited to a more advanced practitioner rather than a beginner. However all would benefit by reading it. The book gives a line by line explanation of the "The Identity of Absolute and Relative" sutra. This sutra along with the "Heart Sutra" are the two main sutras chanted in Zen Buddhist services.As practitioners we hear this sutra over and over again and it is easy to think of it as just a simple and poetic piece(even dare I say it, tune out to some extent with our own familarity), which it is. Suzuki's explanation of the sutra shows that considerably more can be gleaned from studying/meditating on this important zen work." Publisher: University of California Press | More reviews: amazon.com
The Empty Mirror: Experiences in a Japanese Zen Monastery by Janwillem van de Wetering Average Rating: "I read this book when I became fascinated with the literature of retreat and monastic practice. Besides being a good introduction to how a Zen monastary in Kyoto operates, Empty Mirror is a heartfelt examination of one man's struggle to find meaning in life, and meaning in his search for meaning. Anyone who has wandered the path of truth will have had times when s/he wonders: what is this for? what am I accomplishing? what have I learned? will this mean anything to anyone but me? what is the larger meaning?Jan-san (as the author is called by his fellow monks) is totally honest in his account of his stay in Japan. His monastic life is mixed with occasional days off visiting brothels and eating food outside the monastary gates, while within its walls, the monks and master crack jokes, goof off, watch TV and share cigarettes. Empty Mirror can at times be disillusioning, but only in the best way possible: the author approaches his new surroundings and genuine attempts at truth-seeking with that wonderful Western virtue of skepticism. A quick, memorable book that reads as much like a novel as it does a memoir." Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin | More reviews: amazon.com
Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity by Ray Bradbury Average Rating: "Ray Bradbury is my favorite author. So much so that I named my Scottish Fold cat "Bradbury" in honor of him.And it's all because of books like this.Zen in the Art of Writing is classic Bradbury: the crisp, short sentences, the vivid mental imagery, the amazing insights into his own writings -- all of it. This book uplifts me, moves me and fills me with awe.It is, without a doubt, the best book on writing I have ever read.Why? Because what he shares seems as pertinent to me as if he wrote it FOR me. Example: Page 17. One day, he discovered that his story titles were nothing more than a list of nouns, such as The Lake. The Night. The Monster. The Town Clock. The Carousel. The Crowd. Such simplicity. Yet, after reading this book I found myself creating my own mental list of titles the same way. Suddenly, just about anything seemed ripe for a story, and infused with some hidden, dark meaning.The Man on the Corner. The Empty Room. The Ten Foot Oak Tree. The Noise in the Basement. The Tea Leaf. The Knight and the Bishop.I don't know why it works for me, but it does. Each of those "titles" (that I just came up with as I'm writing this) could be fleshed out into a story. For some reason, when I see things as nouns, my imagination is uncorked and I begin to feel the urge to explore the thoughts invoked.Try it sometime.Another example: The chapter "How to Keep and Feed a Muse." Priceless. Magical. He shares ways to awaken the sleeping giant within...and set pen to paper with stellar results.If you're a writer, you need this book. If you're a lover of Bradbury, you need this book. If you just want to know how one of the 20th century's most lauded authors achieved that status, you need this book.I re-read Zen in the Art of Writing whenever I feel my muse begin to slip away like a wisp of fog caught by a sudden breeze. And she returns to me. Grudgingly, perhaps. But she returns.I believe this book could do the same for you." Publisher: Joshua Odell Editions | More reviews: amazon.com
Do You Do It or Does It Do You?: How to Let the Universe Meditate You by Alan Watts Average Rating: "I love Alan Watts! He is an intelligent,innovative and entertaining speaker who presents Eastern philosophy in a manner that is both enlightening and amusing. " Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com
Living Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck Average Rating: "I read "Everyday Zen" 6 months ago, and loved every insight it provided. Full of practical, intelligent ideas that i immediately used in my everyday life.
I was hoping for the same practical, clear discussions on this CD. But i didn't get that. Instead, Joko presents a series of talks to her students, that stress the importance of "constant sitting". Over and over again she stresses the need to 'keep sitting', and 'you may feel you have made some progress, but you have barely begun.' Then, she gets into a mystical discussion of the 'nemonal' and 'phenomenal' world. Ugh. That metaphysics is so abstract as to be beyond proof. The listener is forced to either believe or not believe, rather than to hear, consider, and then accept or refute.
I have deep respect for Joko Beck, based on her earlier texts. But this one did not help me in any way. " Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated | More reviews: amazon.com
|
books 
