Adrián Astur Álvarez reviewed The Three pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip
Review of 'The Three pillars of Zen' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Although I had heard of Kapleau's book when I began zazen in earnest, 20 years ago, I never got around to reading it. I was satisfied with Suzuki Roshi's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind as a "beginner book" and didn't see any need to go back to what I imagined were concepts I had already learned and let go of. Well I was wrong but I'm glad I was wrong because it meant I could read this book with some experience. Yes, it is a so called beginner book. It does a lot of introductory work that anyone starting out with Zen will really appreciate.
That said, the orientation provided here is nothing to gloss over for experienced practitioners. This book revitalized my practice. It nourished me. It inspired me to remember the importance of kensho.
I highly recommend this book to both new and experienced students of Zen. It will …
Although I had heard of Kapleau's book when I began zazen in earnest, 20 years ago, I never got around to reading it. I was satisfied with Suzuki Roshi's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind as a "beginner book" and didn't see any need to go back to what I imagined were concepts I had already learned and let go of. Well I was wrong but I'm glad I was wrong because it meant I could read this book with some experience. Yes, it is a so called beginner book. It does a lot of introductory work that anyone starting out with Zen will really appreciate.
That said, the orientation provided here is nothing to gloss over for experienced practitioners. This book revitalized my practice. It nourished me. It inspired me to remember the importance of kensho.
I highly recommend this book to both new and experienced students of Zen. It will either keep you steadfast or set you on a proper course of study.
