The Still Point [Paperback]

John Daido Loori (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 1996

The Buddha atained enlightenmnet while practicing setated meditation, zazen. Zen practice constantly returns to that fundamental way of studying the self. This minibook provides insturction in zazen, explaining the differeent sitting positions and breathing techniques, as well as giving suggestions for establishing a practice at home. These guidelines are intended to help us cultivate the still point of body and mind, without which we never fully experience our lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Loori, the revered and celebrated founder and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in New York, has authored numerous books on Zen Buddhist practice (The Eight Gates of Zen). In this ultraslim illustrated primer, Loori distills that experience and wisdom into a resolute and economical guide for beginners. It will likely become a classic. Part One addresses the Zen basics such as meditation positions, hara focus, breathing, walking meditation and home practice. This section is particularly friendly for beginners with its concise instructional essays, most under 1,000 words. Loori's deceptively simple prose, arising from decades of practice and teaching, hits its mark as an arrow hits center target: the means and results are evident, but the flight is elegantly invisible. Part Two, a dharma talk on The Great Way, effectively imparts a direct expression of the spirit of Zen by the teacher to his… students. Tools such as an appropriately short glossary and suggested reading list are complemented by a 70-minute CD (not heard by PW). The CD offers timed zazen sessions of 10 and 30 minutes, plus a brief talk by Loori on the benefits of meditation. This book-and-CD package promises to be a graceful gem in the legendary cosmic Diamond Net. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Loori, the revered and celebrated founder and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, distills experience and wisdom into a resolute and economical guide for beginners. This book-and-CD package promises to be a graceful gem in the legendary cosmic Diamond net."—Publishers Weekly Religion Bookline

"A famed teacher of Zen—you'll know him from works like The Healing Power of Sound and Zen of Creativity—gives instructions on how to meditate, covering basics like where and how to sit. With a 70-minute CD."—Library Journal  --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 53 pages
• Publisher: Dharma Communications; First Edition edition (September 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882795016
• ISBN-13: 978-1882795017
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,577,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Starting Point for the Turning World, March 7, 2009

By 

George Foxworth "geofox" (Fair Oaks, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very effective invitation to sit, March 5, 2008

By 

Robert L. Rose (Blooming Glen, PA, 18911-0064, Bucks County,United States)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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

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.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, authoritative, March 13, 2006

By 

De "Luk" (BRAZIL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Still Point (Paperback)

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