Customer Reviews

Breath Sweeps Mind

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A poet's sensitivities are required to do justice to the Breath Sweeps Mind tapes. As I am not one, I can only speak from the heart. The tapes are an excellent companion to Roshi Kwong's book: "No Beginning No End". Each deepens and extends the undertanding of the other. Upon finishing the book,I found myself
going back and re-reading sections to savor the message and
to clarify matters. Later,I discovered the tapes provided this for me on a whole different plane than I expected. While focsued on the tapes, I truly felt I was sitting in Roshi's study in the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center surrounded by gigantic, majestic California redwood trees having a personal one-to-one instruction in all matters Buddhist. I felt absolutely
transported, the tapes were so effective in conveying Roshi's presence. It was like having a session with your personal Buddhist "trainer", and having the session whenever and whereever you wanted it. Yet,I was actually listening to these tapes while hiking in the backwood hills of Delaware moved to tears by his teachings and its relationship to the beautiful emptiness before me.

Jakusho Kwong has given us a gift in these tapes that is fresh, yet still conveys the ageless quality of Zen. He speaks of the subtle and the magnificent, in a most intimate way.

A combination of his own teachers' wisdom, his Asian heritage and his very American roots, Kwong Roshi's flavor of Zen is at once simple and straightforward. His voice itself moves one into a certain silence and calm that sitting on a meditation cushion sometimes seems to hinder rather than promote. There is a definite resemblance to his teacher Shunryu Suzuki in the way he speaks and his care for each moment, as well as for the traditions and forms that set Zen aside from other Buddhist traditions. Carefully, Roshi describes bowing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and many many more elements of Zen.

If you would like a true taste of what Zen is like from the inside, I highly recommend these tapes.

This is a very unique item: for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. I have read dozens of books on Buddhism but to listen to a living teacher like Kwong-Roshi is simply indescribable. After listening a short while, I realize I'm not really concerned with what he's saying. I'm hearing him breathe, feeling the radiant warmth of his humor, feeling the aura of compassion touching my own heart. These wonderful tapes are like sitting across from the teacher, perhaps sharing a cup of tea with him or taking a short walk together.

From the first haunting notes of the flute, to the sound of the bell, to Kwong, Roshi's gentle voice, exquisite stories and readings, this audio cassette series is a gift and an invitation. We are invited to sit down, relax and just listen. This listening is a very welcome break and an opportune time to get re-acquainted.
As I was listening to this beautiful series of Roshi's, I was struck by the variety and multi-layered depth of the talks he is giving to us. His compassion and generosity are showing in that there is something for everyone. And for those of us who do not understand everything, I am reminded of the lines in the Epilogue of Suzuki Roshi's book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind:

"..And if you do not understand me just now, some day you will.."

I am deeply grateful for this collection of Kwong Roshi's talks. Roshi's book, "No Beginning No End", is a wonderful study in Zen, but in this series of audiotapes Kwong Roshi patiently instructs the listener in all the main meditation practices of Zen. When I hear his voice rising from the speakers, my mind stops, and I am aware of my breathing. This is Roshi's gift to us all. I encourage Sounds True to release "Breath Sweeps Mind" on CD, thereby making Kwong Roshi's teachings available to a wider audience.

The way Jakusho Kwong-roshi teaches and explains things is so straight forward and clear. Zen concepts that I thought I understood are brought out into a different, clearer light. I believe this is due to his American upbringing and ability to explain things using words from an American perspective. I also enjoyed his humor in his talks. It makes for a very easy and relaxing listen. I HIGHLY recommend this tape series to anyone interested at all in discovering what Zen practice is all about.

This is an intimate encounter with yourself through the practice of Zen. Meet yourself. Meet Kwong-roshi through "Breath Sweeps Mind". For wider distribution these great talks should definetly be available on CD.

Breath Sweeps Mind
Breath Sweeps Mind is one of the most touching and personal insights into Zen meditation I have ever had the pleasure to partake. I have been practicing Zen meditation for over 25 years. Considering myself as still a "beginner", I totally appreciate the content of this fantastic CD set. The audio on this six CD set is perfect. The quiet times and phrasing used throughout are nearly the very heart of Zen itself. You can feel Jakusho Kwong's deep compassion and love in his voice. He is truly a compassionate Zen master. I highly recommend this CD audio set to anyone considering starting Zen meditation and to those who have been meditating for years.