Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs [Paperback]

Steve Hagen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

Bestselling author and renowned Zen teacher Steve Hagen penetrates the most essential and enduring questions at the heart of the Buddha's teachings: How can we see the world in each moment, rather than merely as what we think, hope, or fear it is? How can we base our actions on reality, rather than on the longing and loathing of our hearts and minds? How can we live lives that are wise, compassionate, and in tune with reality? And how can we separate the wisdom of Buddhism from the cultural trappings and misconceptions that have come to be associated with it?

Drawing on down-to-earth examples from everyday life and stories from Buddhist teachers past and present, Hagen tackles these fundamental inquiries with his trademark lucid, straightforward prose. The newcomer to Buddhism will be inspired by this accessible and provocative introduction, and those more familiar with Buddhism will welcome this much needed hands-on guide to understanding what it truly means to be awake. By being challenged to question what we take for granted, we come to see the world as it truly is. Buddhism Is Not What You Think offers a profound and clear path to a life of joy and freedom.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Zen Buddhist priest and longtime teacher Hagen makes his central point emphatically and repeatedly throughout this book: Buddhism is about direct experience, not about the thoughts people habitually entertain about experience. A student of Japanese Zen master Dainin Katagiri authorized by his master to teach, Hagen cites the Buddha's one-word summary of the goal of Buddhist teachings: awareness-awareness of whatever is taking place in the ever-changing present moment. Hagen's Buddhism is oriented toward big questions, strongly ontological and epistemological, and concerned with reality and how reality is ordinarily perceived (or, as he argues, habitually misperceived, because it is overlain with hopes, desires, concepts and other delusions). So the author is not given to a lot of specific examples or stories from present life, though the book is peppered with the ancient-master stories that Zen teachers always draw on. The tone of the book is strongly didactic and abstract. Unlike Zen writers given to simplicity or poetry or startling paradox, Hagen relies on typographical conventions-italics and capital letters-to articulate and underscore his central point about Buddhist awareness ("to see Reality"), which contributes to a ponderous tone. His Zen exegesis of Emily Dickinson is provocative, and the book would have benefited from more such surprises and re-readings of the lessons of everyday experience. That Hagen isn't a poet of prose doesn't detract from the worth of his content, but it does make his book harder to read.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Hagen (Buddhism Plain and Simple) here presents 43 short chapters dealing with various aspects of Buddhist practice in a way that cuts to the heart of the matter. Hagen reminds us that whenever we’re grasping, aspiring, analyzing, judging, or in any way adding to the simple experience of the present moment, we are missing the point. The book will appeal to readers interested in what true Zen practice is supposed to be about beyond all the popular images and colorful stories. For practitioners it is also a book that will reward multiple readings over time.” (Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance )

“This is not just another nice book about Buddhism, one telling us what we like to hear and are used to hearing. No--it is a clear and challenging showing of the fundamental truth of our lives. This is an exceptional book. Make good use of it.” (Charlotte Joko Beck author of Everyday Zen )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060730579
• ISBN-13: 978-0060730574
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Hagen is a Zen priest and long-time teacher of Buddhism. For fifteen years he studied with Zen Master Dainin Katagiri. He lives in Minneapolis and teaches at Dharma Field Meditation and Learning Center in St. Paul.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book hammers...yes, May 30, 2004

By 

D.M.K "smart reader" (Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs (Hardcover)

In this book, Steve hammers chapter after chapter about what being AWAKE really is. He goes into depth of how we live in dukka or the world of delusion and gives chapter after chapter of the various ways we stay asleep and live in dukka. Many practictioners decieve themselves about what being Awake is. Steve hammers away at the delusions, because they are so subtle and hard to realize...As far as compassion is concerned, real compassion comes when one becomes truly Awake, otherwise it is still a sophisticated form of delusion. This book may not be suitable for the beginer, but it is a must for practictioners that truly desire to WAKE UP.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for enlightened living, Right Now..., December 12, 2004

By 

J. adams (Salt Lake, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs (Hardcover)

Steve hagen like his teacher Dainin Katigiri, has a knack of describing the Buddhist teachings in simple straighfoward terms. Just be here, just be "now". The past and the furture are just delusion. Its always "Now". As hagen says, if we could just see this all pervading truth thats right infront of our face, we would be enlightened on the spot (that is, we would realise we are, and always have been, enlightened). And no longer reach for things "out there" that lead to turmoil in the first place. Nobody points this out better than Mr. Hagen. This book is completely on par with and adds to his first book. This book is a must for anyone (in my opinion). Especially for those who just want to "wake up", and live in a world with equality and compasion for every living being.

Pretty sure I'm not the first to ever notice the people with 'noble' egos, who like to smother and numb themselves with spiritual materialism do not seem to take to well to these books (see previous reviews). Ironically these are the ones who need it most. This book isnt to confirm your previous beliefs, but rather to free you from the burden that accompanies them. Contrary to some of the things previously said. This is a great book, but one needs and open mind before reading something as profound yet sublte as this. So dont pass this one up because some people find it easier to pigeon-hole things than to give them a fair unbiased chance. I would recommend this to beginner, intermediate, advanced or whatever... one would consider themselves on the spiritual path. After all, we are all just here in the...

Peace

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thus...Plus, October 14, 2003

By 

Scott Knupp (Ridgefield, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs (Hardcover)

Another terrific installment of Hagen's clear conceptual rendering of things perceptual. This book didn't read like 252 pages, seemed shorter through it's engaging style, and straight-forward presentation. Buddhist-novices, if there is such a thing, may want to start with the prior book "Buddhism Plain and Simple". I find that Hagen's writing style is digestable, yet sophisticated....ie....subtle points are made without alot of philosophical jargon or excruciating digression.