Customer Reviews

Original Mind: The Practice of Zen in the West

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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.

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.

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.

Dogen Zenji would be proud of you, Richard. This "book" that is no book has managed to digitally slake the thirst of multitudes of grasping samsaric keyboards by holding up the electronic mirror and showing how futile our desire for Original Mind truly is. However, you're the cook and we're still waiting for the rice cakes.

As a long time zen dabbler, with a fondness for the zen-confessional ala 'Ambivalent Zen' and 'Thank You and OK', and an aversion for somber dirges by bald non-adulterous priestlets, this book, though it is not yet available and I have not yet even seen it, strikes me as just what the doctor ordered. Books relating zen to gardening and cooking and depression and quantum physicks have beaten all these issues to mush, if not death. What we need now is the real issue: What the Heck is Mind After All? And Can It Ever Be Truly Original? Is Baker's title playing off of Matthew Fox's 'Original Blessing'? Is the Original Mind identical with Original Blessing? Does a bear sit in the woods? Soon, though there is no such time as 'soon', I hope to buy this book and find out. If it falls short, as it must, perhaps the bear can use it after me. Cheers!

Richard: I was in Kyoto in 1973 and met people who knew you. Trudi is a name I remember. A friend was in a monastary there and your name flew by on several saki occasions. You must be magnificent at this stage of life. Judy Hurley was another name. Colorado here if you need a rest spot. Michael Kelly