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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
As it says, this is a transcription of talks, and it certainly reads like one. While there are some illuminating nuggets, overall I found this repetitive and lacking a definitive narrative structure.
inspiring
medium-paced
It's hard to describe this book well, but it resonated with me—it was exactly what I wanted it to be. An excellent introduction to the concepts and practices of Zen, broken down into easy to read and understand (but difficult to do!) pieces of thought.
I actually read this book to explore ways of deepening or expanding my experience as a Christian (an idea that Beck would probably dislike), and probably the biggest gift in the book is the recognition of how our lives our run by our "wants" and how illusory our little constructed egos really are. How small and shallow we are compared to Life itself. As a Christian, life for me is composed of Truth, Reality, God—it's all the same reality, so I found many of the Zen concepts to be directly transferable.
But I can't really describe it. Just do yourself a favor and read the book.
I actually read this book to explore ways of deepening or expanding my experience as a Christian (an idea that Beck would probably dislike), and probably the biggest gift in the book is the recognition of how our lives our run by our "wants" and how illusory our little constructed egos really are. How small and shallow we are compared to Life itself. As a Christian, life for me is composed of Truth, Reality, God—it's all the same reality, so I found many of the Zen concepts to be directly transferable.
But I can't really describe it. Just do yourself a favor and read the book.
Loving Zen applied to life so that Western everymen might understand. That we might lead more aware, tuned in/turned up existences. Will read more by Beck. Will share with a friend.
Joko Roshi was one of the first few to receive transmission from Maezumi Roshi. It is very clear that her wisdom gained from sitting on the cushion and studying with our founder is soaked deep into her bones. She was a mom, a administrative assistant, and later Abbot of her own temple.
This book is wonderful no matter what stage of the path you are on. She cuts through places where we get stuck and gently guides us back to our place on the cushion.
Heartfelt gratitude to her.
This book is wonderful no matter what stage of the path you are on. She cuts through places where we get stuck and gently guides us back to our place on the cushion.
Heartfelt gratitude to her.
Charlotte Joko Beck is not offering up comfort per se. In that way, the book is a challenging read, because it forces us, her readers, to face our discomfort in a subtle way through sesshin and zazen (sitting?)—to bring awareness to our thoughts, and to let go of conceptual thought that universalizes. These are simple tasks, but they are not easy.
