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remlezar's review against another edition
4.0
A handful of months ago, I went on a meditation/mindfulness/Buddhism reading bonanza. I tore through quite a few books on the subject and feel like I got a lot out of them. This book came highly recommended as a good beginner's primer on the subject, and I mostly agree. There's plenty of good information here, and I found myself underlining and marking pages to return to regularly.
For some reason, though, this book took me forever to finish. I would pick it up, read a chapter, put it down for three weeks, pick it up, read another chapter, etc. Finally, I decided I was tired of seeing it on my "currently reading" list and I stopped reading everything else and finished this in a few days.
I think the biggest critique I have of this book is that it feels highly repetitive. Most of the book is telling you the same basic information in slightly different ways over, and over, and over. I think that this subject does warrant some retread in this way, but by the end of the book I felt like there were chapters that were so similar to ones that came before it that they could have been cut down and combined with earlier parts of the book, or removed entirely, and nothing major would have been lost from the message.
Still, the writing here is mostly nice and easy to read, and I found Hagen's take on Buddhism refreshing, relatable, and practical. He recalls numerous wonderful anecdotes, koans, and parables that make his message more clear. I think that if you're a Westerner interested in introducing Buddhist teachings into your life, this is a great place to start.
For some reason, though, this book took me forever to finish. I would pick it up, read a chapter, put it down for three weeks, pick it up, read another chapter, etc. Finally, I decided I was tired of seeing it on my "currently reading" list and I stopped reading everything else and finished this in a few days.
I think the biggest critique I have of this book is that it feels highly repetitive. Most of the book is telling you the same basic information in slightly different ways over, and over, and over. I think that this subject does warrant some retread in this way, but by the end of the book I felt like there were chapters that were so similar to ones that came before it that they could have been cut down and combined with earlier parts of the book, or removed entirely, and nothing major would have been lost from the message.
Still, the writing here is mostly nice and easy to read, and I found Hagen's take on Buddhism refreshing, relatable, and practical. He recalls numerous wonderful anecdotes, koans, and parables that make his message more clear. I think that if you're a Westerner interested in introducing Buddhist teachings into your life, this is a great place to start.
tom42's review against another edition
1.0
This could have been interesting if he hadn't reiterated his only message on every single page. Instead it was just incredibly boring.
The message is in the title - don't bother reading the book.
The message is in the title - don't bother reading the book.
bertturtel's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful book reviewing/ exploring Zen Buddhism. It gives a perfect mix of history, anecdotes, and real world guidance. Paul Heitsch's narration was relaxing while still engaging.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
Listened using Chirpbooks.com.
davidreitz's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
This book was very reflective and thought provoking. I knew very little about Buddhism, I felt like this book did a great job explaining the practice of Zen and demystifying enlightenment, bringing it into an everyday worldview.
I highly reccomend anyone to read this book if you like to really take your time reflecting on the nature of reality and the bigger questions. The author does a good job at simplifying these questions, however I do think at times things are oversimplified. There is no mention of mental illness, which I would have liked to see.For example at one point he says "all humans want to live" but this is simply not true. There is a general mention about how Zen practice can help alleviate suffering of the mind, but not how mental illness can interfere with the practice of Zen.
I still highly recommend this book if nothing else but the experience of reflecting and living in the present moment.
I highly reccomend anyone to read this book if you like to really take your time reflecting on the nature of reality and the bigger questions. The author does a good job at simplifying these questions, however I do think at times things are oversimplified. There is no mention of mental illness, which I would have liked to see.
I still highly recommend this book if nothing else but the experience of reflecting and living in the present moment.
robk's review against another edition
4.0
more self help than history, but good insights into zen practice and awareness.
euan's review
5.0
Seeing the world differently.
Re-reading this I realised how many of the ideas that I first encountered on first reading it all those years ago had become part of how I see the world. This is Steve Hagan’s great gift, helping us to see things with greater clarity in a way that sticks.
Re-reading this I realised how many of the ideas that I first encountered on first reading it all those years ago had become part of how I see the world. This is Steve Hagan’s great gift, helping us to see things with greater clarity in a way that sticks.
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