Customer Reviews

Finding the Still Point (Book and CD): A Beginner's Guide to Zen Meditation (Dharma Communications)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a photographer, I first investigated the writings of John Daido Loori Roshi to pursue the "Zen" of photography. I have been a devoted reader of Thich Naht Hahn for several years and have desired to learn more about Zen practice. For one who lives without a formal sangha, it is difficult to learn the basics of practice.
I ordered "Finding the Still Point" because of my appreciation of Loori's writing, and also out of a hope for the basics of practice. I was not at all disappointed for either hope.
Loori communicates beautifully, the result of his years as a teacher, and his sense of what we beginners need and want to know is very insightful. I greatly appreciate the simplicity of his instruction. My meditation time has become so much more fulfilling and life-changing because of this simply little book. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to learn to meditate, and as a starting point for the pursuit of a centered and mindful life.

I am a beginner, so this very direct and helpful little book really does the trick, with a clean and simple display of zazen practice in a convenient package suitable for traveling along with me. The CD reinforces and extends the teaching and encourages a beginner like me to start sitting regularly.

If you want to try Zen (or want to try it again), I cannot imagine a finer way of doing it than by using this neat little guide. -- David Lukashok

The Still Point is an Excellent introduction to Zazen. The Cd provided with the book and the guided Zazen, are very helpful to my Zazen practice.

this is a good introduction to sitting zen. the helpful cd makes starting the meditation easier to understand. cg

I really enjoyed reading this book, was not sure what the still point was when I order the book. But so glad that I did, now I feel that everyone should find the still point in their personal life for growth.

I thought this book was okay, and does indeed give an introduction to Zazen... but with that said, if you don't have tons of extra cash laying around just Google "Hot to sit Zazen" and you will find more information on the first few web pages than in this book. You also won't need to reference to this book for more than a couple days at most (if you're actually trying to practice and not just read up on it).

The decision is up to you and the book really isn't bad at all, but I thought I'd help those a little more financially strapped.

Best of luck!
Mark

PS... if you are new to Zen and in need of some suggestions on further reading (to stay clear of that holier-than-thou attitude that there is much too of in Buddhist writings or promises of instant enlightenment that I promise you is garbage), please feel free to send me a message!

This book w/ cd is a wonderful addition to my collection. It is used more often than any other. Only wished I had this before.

I got two Zazen books and returned this one only halfway thru it. Its just too basic, you'll get the posture and methods but very little background and understanding of the Way. I feel that its important to understand this. Its a bit novelty also, with the CD which isn't much at all and the books construction - seems like it should be in the gift idea area of the book store.