Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been studying Zen off and on for years but was continually frustrated by the relentless obscurantism. On several occasions I asked questions on Zen newsgroups and was disappointed when people would answer my questions with riddles. Also, when I asked a Zen Roshi to answer some questions (even offering to pay him for his time) I found myself railroaded into taking his beginner's course a second time! I began to suspect that there are a lot of people out there who are so attached to some FORM of Zen that they have lost the ability to communicate the essentials in a compelling manner. They asked me, in effect, to "just have faith", perhaps inspired by their reports of bliss.

Sorry, but I've been there, done that! If you can't explain your valuable insight without a modicum of understanding of who I am and what I can grasp, then I'm not interested.

That's why I found "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living" (hereinafter TCIGTZL), so very refreshing. While I'm sure that some Zen purists will scoff, I was happy to have some perplexing questions answered. For example, I once asked on a Zen newsgroup, "What is the benefit of Zen? Why should I entrust the next 20 years of my life to some teacher whose qualifications I'm not able to assess?" In response, I got a lot of Zentastic blathering. It was as if they were trying to teach somebody calculus before arithmetic.

TCIGTZL, on the other hand, lays out the benefits quite clearly. I fail to see the harm in that; the authors carefully explain the "goaless goal" aspect of Zen, so there should be little danger of readers striving to attain and cling to those benefits. (If I may draw an analogy: you can explain the advantages of learning to read without getting people fixated on the actual process once they acquire the skill.)

So, at last, a bit of clarity! While Zen has long appealed to me at a gut level, I was getting to the point where I was asking, "After hundreds of years, why hasn't Zen improved its method of introducing itself to neophytes?" Maybe that's not fair -- maybe I wasn't looking in the right places -- but until I found TCIGTZL I was starting to think that I'd been wrong about Zen all along.

TCIGTZL does include a lot of material that is perplexing. I expected that. I also expect to find my future exploration of Zen frustrating. Now, though, I've read an accessible overview. I won't keep the book -- that would be too "clingy" -- but at least I now have some validation of my initial (favourable) gut reaction to Zen.

Many books on Zen fall into one of two categories: the "jump on the cool buzzword bandwagon" books that really have nothing to do with Zen, and the very dry and overly rigid books that are filled with many words and yet very little that a person would find helpful in everyday life. I am pleased to say this book falls into neither of those categories, and instead fits into a more enjoyable one: the kind of book that helps you learn to live better.

This is not a book about Zen history, or extensive rules for how to "properly" meditate. As the title states, this is a book about Zen *living*. It is like a flash light, which you can shine into the darkest corners of your mind and use as a guide to simplifying the psychological and emotional clutter therein. The authors have filled this book with many practical examples of how a Zen perspective can ease your mental burden and allow you to get more out of each moment.

If you're looking for lots of dry, philosophical blather, this is not the book for you. But if you are genuinely interested in gaining a new perspective on life, and learning how simple it can be to live in a more satisfying way, you've definitely come to the right place. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to clean out the dusty attic of the mind.

Yes, I'm aware of the irony here of preconceived notions and Zen, although I've been pleasantly surprised with a good result.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Zen Living is a great introduction to Zen. It's easy to read, entertaining and engaging. It also presents itself as a great follow through or next step as to living Zen.

Depending on what you're looking for regarding Zen. This book gives you an overview of Buddhism with a quick 5 cent tour and with wit, humor and a sense of familiarity introduces you to Zen, Zen terms, Zen thought and a Zen perspective regarding life, home, work and family.

Another reviewer had mentioned that so many other books on Zen don't really "explain" Zen in the Western sense of the word. I've notice that too - it's like you're not in on the inside joke - or something like that. This book explains Zen and explains it well without the sense of you not being in on the joke. It's not just a collection of koans or an illustration of Zen through stories. Don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying that those stories or illustrations through tales are bad. For me I find them difficult as an introduction and after reading this book I actually want to continue my Zen path through those very tales and stories.

I got a lot out of this book and enjoyed reading it. It's a great introduction to Zen and more.

This book is a great place to start for beginers of a Zen way of living. Its to the point. Zen living is covered for every aspect of your life. The authors put much time into making the basic understanding of Zen very easy to comprehend. Numerous ideas and excercises really put you into an understanding of what is wrong,why it's wrong and how to fix it through a Zen way of living. From work to creativity to just walking down the street this book will help.
Now I feel I can expand my Zen life style having learned the basic's. In the now.

This book clearly explains many Zen principles and shows applications to everyday life. It is an excellent first book for people getting interested in Zen. For me (I've been practicing for about a year), it was also a good book to show more examples of applying Zen. It demystifies Zen, and discusses how things (like planning) that can seem contradictory to Zen really aren't a problem.

Finally, the title of the book is great: It shows that the authors really get Zen. It's NOT the guide to understanding zen, or to learning zen; it's the guide to Zen LIVING.

Wonderful introductory book to Zen Living in the Western world, how we can be mindful (therefore more effective) parents, spouses, parents, friends, individuals. I didn't realize how much we value multi-tasking until I read this book and laughed at the image of the person doing day-trading on the computer while on the cell phone talking to the babysitter while thinking about what to wear at tonight's party. What a hoot! We are in a waking coma of busy-ness, and Zen helps us declutter our minds. My only wish was that more emphasis was put on meditating.

I consider myself very fortunate to have discovered this book at the time I did. After reading just a few sentences, I began to feel some relief from what was, at that time, a very tormented mind. Zen seemed to be exciting and new yet comforting and familiar at the same time.

I must admit I have not always been the best follower of the ideas in this book, but I notice that when I do try sincerely to put them into practice, there is a definite benefit. This book introduces Zen in a format that is light and accessible, and you may be surprised to find yourself quickly looking at your life in a different way.

This book also has great excerpts from other authors on the subject, as well as an extensive reading list that I've found beneficial and practical as well. Thank you to the authors!

This book is not exactly brimming with the intellectual profundity of Suzuki, let's say, but it's a great little book nonetheless. Not really about Zen, this book is entirely about Zen. You don't have to practice Zen to follow along with it, but if you follow along with it you will be practicing Zen, essentially (Zazen is recommended).

This is really a book about simplifying your life, creating order in your environment, adopting an elegant and understated aesthetic, and taking control of the daily chaos that is American culture without becoming General Manager of the universe. In short, it has nothing and everything to do with Mass-Transit Satori. Make sense? No? Good, then you must be getting it.

There you have it, the essence of Zen. You, right here, right now. Reading this review with your full attention. Mindfully.
How simple and great is this? No complicated formulas or history to learn. No need to buy anything (besides this book). No mistakes to be made. You just start living Zen.

Right here. Right now.

The authors of this deceptively simple guide make it easy to grasp this concept, and answer all your questions about how to quickly and easily focus on the present moment (which seems easier said than done for many).

If you've ever longed for peace, calm, and a positive way to live your life, you may find it in the practice of Zen. And what a relief to learn in this guide that you can start right away.

Right here. Right now.

I love the Idot and Dummies series of books for making complicated subjects easier to understand, and this is no exception. If you hesitate to buy this book because you think it doesn't have meat, you are mistaken. Not only does this ease you into the subject of Zen, it gives you the tools to start using Zen in your life right now. The book contains additional information on recommended books, internet links, etc. If you are new to Zen like me, this is a great place to start. You will not be dissapointed.