Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

This is a tough one. It's a beautiful book, and obviously full of nuggets of wisdom, but I'd be hard pushed to describe it as accessible.

"Instead of having some object of worship we just concentrate on the activity we do in each moment."
Thanks to this book I do zazen every day. I also bring that spirit into my daily job. It's not a clichè advice of concentrating on the moment. It teaches you a deep understanding of transient thoughts.
The day is good, the day is bad, this task is easy, this task is hard, the activity is interesting, the activity is boring, etc. They're not that important. That is merely an opinion of mind. What I learned through practice is I accept them all and proceed with the ritual: right posture, right attitude. That's one of the pillars of life I can rely on and feel peace.

I added this book to my reading list a long time ago, when I was really interested in Zen Buddhism.

I didn't read it then, and I didn't get too far in my Zen pursuit. Maybe it's for the best. As Suzuki would put it, I didn't get the "big mind" then. I probably don't get it now, either.

This book went much smoother than I expected. It feels more like listening to a Zen master than reading a book--which I guess was the point.

It was a worthwhile read.

I really did take three years reading this - one short lecture at a time. I feel I have a somewhat better understanding of what Zen Buddhism is about, which is probably the most one can ask of a book about a tradition that isn't really mine.

One theme that really struck a chord is that there isn't a distinct compartment into which one puts "practice" or "spirituality", any more than there is for "morality" or even "breathing" - to take these things seriously to make them a ubiquitous part of life. I often need reminding of this.

I really did take three years reading this - one short lecture at a time. I feel I have a somewhat better understanding of what Zen Buddhism is about, which is probably the most one can ask of a book about a tradition that isn't really mine.

One theme that really struck a chord is that there isn't a distinct compartment into which one puts "practice" or "spirituality", any more than there is for "morality" or even "breathing" - to take these things seriously to make them a ubiquitous part of life. I often need reminding of this.

Perfectly Zen narratives, an admixture of joy, dry wit, spiritual challenge, and playful jousts at intellectualism. It's just all about the sitting, dude.

This is such a wise little book. I read one section each day after sitting and I'm sure I will read it all over again (... and again and again). Some of the lessons are extremely complex, particularly in the section called "Right Understanding."

One of the lines that I've been pondering for a few days is a quote from Shunryu Suzuki's teacher Dogen-zenji: "You should establish your practice in your delusion." I love this idea.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in American Zen or the practice of meditation.

I've read this before, but I'm reading it again.

So far, so good. Erica passed this book on to me and I'm really enjoying it. I love the concept of "Beginner's Mind", or Shoshin. I think most everyone can get something from this book.