Customer Reviews

Now Zen (Little Books of Wisdom)

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This little book is an absolute gem. It is a brief taste of the authors teachings, published in the "Little Books of Wisdom" series. (Unfortunately, it is currently out of print, but find one if you can. I am currently searching for copies and will be contacting the publisher to see if it might possibly be rereleased).

The book is a simple,eloquent offering of Zen concepts and their application in everyday life. You need not be familiar with Zen teachings to draw insight from the ideas presented as the author relates the essence of Zen (and Life)in a manner that is understandable to all. For more complete readng I know of two other books by C. J. Beck, "Everyday Zen" and "Nothing Special". Both are excellent.

Based upon my reading of her books, it is my opinion that Ms. Beck is one of the true Western Zen Masters. She is one of the few here in America who has managed to keep the Zen in Zen and still make it pallatable, practical, and practicable.

Charlotte Joko Beck's style in this book is concise, humorous, yet in your face. Zen is not salvation, but more like day to day practice which needs a lot of discipline but which eventually makes you reach your natural free self, Joko Beck says.

I have owned this book for about 6 years now. Its among those books you come back to read again and again through different phases in your life.

I was given this book a number of years ago, and I carry it with me everywhere, as it is small enough to fit comfortably in a purse,....then I can pick it up at odd times while waiting, and step into the serene world of Zen daily practice.

This small, potent how-to manual is equally good for the beginner, as well as the experienced practitioner. The deep wisdom and simple words of Charlotte Joko Beck offer rare insight into the 'how' and 'why' of daily practice.

It is a joy.


I have gifted my original copy many times over, and I continue to re-order new ones from Amazon, as it is never in a bookstore. (Thanks, Amazon!)