danielmaggs Posted November 28, 2013 Report Share Posted November 28, 2013 Anyone have any recommendations for books on Zen for a person whose new to the subject? Quote Link to comment
Thetemplarreservist Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Zen and the art of motorcycle repair. 1 Quote “Happiness consists in getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more.†Starship Troopers “There are no dangerous weapons; there are only dangerous men.†Starship Troopers “Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms†Starship Troopers Follow and comment for my current challenge at this link: http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/39940-toms-adventures-in-rangering And this is my Battle Loghttp://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/38791-early-morning-challange/page-2 Link to comment
Hong WeiLoh Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 I don't remember the title exactly, I loaned it out and it never made its way back, but I want to say it was something like Zen and the Art of Mindfulness by Taisen Deshimaru. Very good in-depth book that really explains the tenets and ideas at work in Zen. :-) Quote Insert witty & pithy saying here. Link to comment
Liberator Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 There are so many good books about Zen. Journey of Awakening by Ram Dass is a classic about Mediation from the 70's. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugene Herrigel are also classics. 1 Quote Link to comment
Hong WeiLoh Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Have this one also, is tres awesome as well. :-) Quote Insert witty & pithy saying here. Link to comment
samanmoran Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 The Three Pillars of Zen is an excellent book that describes Zen practice and then goes into the experiences of several individuals as they work toward and achieve enlightenment. The people in the book are from quite varied walks of life, and their first hand accounts are fascinating. It's been many years since I read it, but I think I'll pick it up again.Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is more narrative fiction, and isn't about Zen, but involves Zen like philosophy.You can also read the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying (Not the Book of the Dead, which is different) which isn't specifically about Zen (rather Tibetan Buddhism) but which can give you a very insightful look into Buddhist view point and spirituality. It will also make you feel good. Quote 42 ----Don't Chew what you should Eschew! Link to comment
Erick the Red Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 The Tao of Pooh touches on Zen, along with Buddhism in general. Very easy to read, but introduces a lot of the deeper concept that you will read about in an introduction to Eastern Philosophy class. 1 Quote Current Challenge: (Feb-Mar 21) Step by Step My Epic Quest Character Sheet *** Old Challenges and Links hidden below Spoiler My Old Battle Log (2012) 1st (Scout) 2nd (Scout) *** (2013) 3rd (Warrior) 4th (Warrior) 5th (Warrior) 6th (Assassin) *** (2014) 7th (Ranger) 8th (Scout) 9th (Monk) 10th (Scout) *** (2015) 11th (Ranger) 12th (Ranger) 13th (Ranger) 14th (Ranger) 15th (Scout) 16th (Scout) *** (2016) 17th (Ranger) 18th (Scout) 19th (Scout) 20th (Rebel) (2021) 21st (Adventurer) Past groups: The Wild Hunt 6 *** The Serenity Crew *** The Wild Hunt 5 *** The Wild Hunt 4 *** The Wild Hunt 3 *** The Wild Hunt 2 *** The Wild Hunt 1 *** Browncoats Achievements: (20 Sep 2014) Completed first half marathon *** (17 Feb 2014) Finished mission to bring body fat from over 25% to under 12% over six months (trying to repeat that now) Link to comment
samanmoran Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Oh yeah! I love the Tao of Pooh.Pooh just is....As a teenager I would have sneered at that concept, but now it sounds perfectly lovely.But isn't that actually Taoism as opposed to Buddhism - or Zen, specifically? Quote 42 ----Don't Chew what you should Eschew! Link to comment
Erick the Red Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 But isn't that actually Taoism as opposed to Buddhism - or Zen, specifically? You are correct. But the book touches on both Buddhism and Confucianism on the way to explain the Tao. And in my limited experience this book has seemed to be pretty good intro for someone who has little exposure to any Eastern philosophy. I personally feel that Zen Buddhism "feels" similar to Taoism as well. Quote Current Challenge: (Feb-Mar 21) Step by Step My Epic Quest Character Sheet *** Old Challenges and Links hidden below Spoiler My Old Battle Log (2012) 1st (Scout) 2nd (Scout) *** (2013) 3rd (Warrior) 4th (Warrior) 5th (Warrior) 6th (Assassin) *** (2014) 7th (Ranger) 8th (Scout) 9th (Monk) 10th (Scout) *** (2015) 11th (Ranger) 12th (Ranger) 13th (Ranger) 14th (Ranger) 15th (Scout) 16th (Scout) *** (2016) 17th (Ranger) 18th (Scout) 19th (Scout) 20th (Rebel) (2021) 21st (Adventurer) Past groups: The Wild Hunt 6 *** The Serenity Crew *** The Wild Hunt 5 *** The Wild Hunt 4 *** The Wild Hunt 3 *** The Wild Hunt 2 *** The Wild Hunt 1 *** Browncoats Achievements: (20 Sep 2014) Completed first half marathon *** (17 Feb 2014) Finished mission to bring body fat from over 25% to under 12% over six months (trying to repeat that now) Link to comment
samanmoran Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Yeah, it's definitely a good choice no matter what.Think I'm going to find a copy and retread it as a little pick me up!So glad you suggested it.You are correct. But the book touches on both Buddhism and Confucianism on the way to explain the Tao. And in my limited experience this book has seemed to be pretty good intro for someone who has little exposure to any Eastern philosophy. I personally feel that Zen Buddhism "feels" similar to Taoism as well. Quote 42 ----Don't Chew what you should Eschew! Link to comment
citizenkade Posted December 15, 2013 Report Share Posted December 15, 2013 Sit Down and Shut Up by Brad Warner is probably my favorite book on Zen; A real fun, no nonsense exploration of Zen with a punk-rock filter. Quote Race: Half Elf/Human. Class: Wildling Ranger. Level: 3 STR: 6 DEX: 2 STA: 7 CON: 5 WIS: 3 CHA: 0 First Campaign Second Campaign Daily Campaign Battle Log MY FITNESS PAL LOG Link to comment
tee Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'm not an expert in this but I do know that Thich Nhat Hanh, a zen Buddhist monk, is a pretty popular author. http://www.amazon.com/Thich-Nhat-Hanh/e/B000AP5YRY Can't really recommend any books in particular, but I love reading quotes of his. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tugboat E Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 Not a book, but listen to some George Harrison (solo or Beatles) to help get you in the mood. GIANT Beatles fan here! "Give me Love" and The "Inner Light" both come to mind. Give me Love is currently the tune my alarm is set to go off for in the morning. 1 Quote Link to comment
LuciusBellinger Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 I'm not an expert in this but I do know that Thich Nhat Hanh, a zen Buddhist monk, is a pretty popular author. http://www.amazon.com/Thich-Nhat-Hanh/e/B000AP5YRY Can't really recommend any books in particular, but I love reading quotes of his. Being Peace is a great book by Thich Nhat Hanh. Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor is a great introduction to the philosophy of Buddhism as a lifestyle without a lot of religious dogma. Quote Link to comment
anaximander Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 +1 for Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind Regarding Thich Nhat Hanh, I think he can best be described as an ecumenical Buddhist. Much of his background is Zen, but his books have a sort of pan-Buddhist flavor. I say this not as a criticism of TNH, but just in case you're looking for works with a more specifically Zen outlook. Quote Link to comment
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