Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation [Paperback]

William Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Christian Zen is a ground breaking book for all Christians seeking to deepen and broaden their inner lives. Providing concrete guidelines for a way of Christian meditation that incorporates Eastern insights, it is a helpful book that can open new spiritual vistas and reveal profound, often undreamed-of dimensions of the Christian faith.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Johnston S.J., an Irish priest who teaches at Sophia University in Tokyo, is the author of many acclaimed books, including, from Fordham University Press, Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation, Being in Love: The Practice of Christian Prayer, and Silent Music: The Science of Meditation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press; 2 edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823218015
• ISBN-13: 978-0823218011
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start, and come back to, May 5, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation (Paperback)

Christian Zen is a good place to start for someone who is interested in Christian applications of Zen, but doesn't want to spend years researching it. It also has a lot of insights that are not apparent on a first read that make the book worth coming back to over and over again.

If you're JUST looking for info on Zen, don't bother with this book,(it's about Christian applications of Zen). Try 3 Pillars of Zen by Philip Kapleau instead.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-discover your faith and yourself., January 9, 2006

By 

J. Hazel (United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation (Paperback)

"Christian Zen" could also be called "Christian Meditation". It is not so much about Buddism but about how Buddists use Zen to find the path to truth. This books is good for those Christians trying to feel comfortable with themslves, with Christianity, and with Zen. It does not try to homoginize these entities but finds commonalities that show us how to walk a path to the centeral truth of our lives. Christians believe that Our Lord God is the Truth and the Light. Don't fear that this book will convert you from Christianity. It is just a vehicle to rediscover yourself and your faith.

24 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One of the worst books I ever read, October 31, 2005

By 

Douglas Groothuis "Douglas Groothuis" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Christian Zen: A Way of Meditation (Paperback)

I read this book from cover to cover in about 1980. I may have added more comments to the book than there were words in the book.

This book lamely attempts to reinterpret Christianity according to the alien philosophical categories of Zen. So, the paradoxes of Jesus are like koans, etc. It is better to realize that Zen and Christianity have entirely different worldviews than to attempt to synthesize the antithetical. Christianity is not nondualistic; it clearly teaches the distinction of God and the univers--unlike Zen. Nor does Christianity claim that one must leave one's rational mind to know reality--as does Zen. God created the human mind to know God, oneself, and creation. The mind is damaged by sin, but not unredeemable. One could go on. For a good book on Christianity and Zen, read "Zen Way, Jesus Way" by Tucker Callaway.