Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West [Hardcover]

Richard Baker-Roshi (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Books (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573221104
• ISBN-13: 978-1573221108
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,942,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming soon to a mind near you, January 11, 2010

By 

Paul Wagner "ultrabook" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West (Hardcover)

This book is a zen joke, folks. On the verge of publication for what, about 12 years now? Expect it to appear along with the Maitreya Buddha.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The book that never was, March 29, 2011

By 

David Sunseri (San Francisco, CA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West (Hardcover)

I've heard that Zentatsu Richard Baker was low on funds some years back (before he married the German princess) and was advanced some money to write this book. Supposedly the book was never finished or even started. Since Zentatsu is quite the clever fellow, who knows what the truth is. Maybe the powers that be in the holy expanses of the zen world can shed some light on this situation. Maybe Baker is hanging out with Genpo Merzel in Hawaii and enjoying a laugh or two.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clarity of Expression, May 7, 2002

By 

Daniel M. Kaplan "mountain light" (San Francisco, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West (Hardcover)

This long awaited book promises to be just what the (zen0 doctor ordered. Richard Baker, roshi, has a gift for the use of language and clarity of thought that is rarely rivaled. His grasp of zen, which he inherits from many teachers as well as his own, has mostly been accessed through direct contact with him , Zen Mind Beginner's Mind, and through his public talks. This long awaited book promises to be a clear expression of practice, and of zen in general. ALthough an inheritor of the Soto Zen Lineage, this teacher has also had extensive contact with Rinzai teachers and has fashioned his own approach to zen. We are all awaiting the release of this book. Thank you for putting insight to paper, roshi.