Based on a series of dharma talks, Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains explores the life of passionate commitment that lies at the heart of the formal practice of Zen meditation. Reb Anderson draws on over 30 years of experience as a Zen priest with stories covering a range of topics and concerns, from what it feels like to be a father, to the simple task of cleaning up a desk. At once inspirational and practical, Anderson bows to an ancient tradition as he helps to forge a modern-day Buddhism that urges us "to sit still in the middle of all living beings." This third edition adds two new chapters: "Suzuki Roshi's Teaching on Shikantaza" and "September 11: Letting Go of Hatred".
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Editorial Reviews
Review
" . . . if you have decided that Zen is . . . for you, then Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains is . . . your book." -- RALPH, Summer 1999
". . . inspirational and practical . . ." -- Branches of Light: News & Reviews from Banyen Books & Sound, Fall into Winter 1999-2000
". . . leads readers into a world view that combines quiet strength with disarming gentleness." -- New Age Retailer, October 1999
". . .down to earth and imposingly allusive. . . . One appreciates the lifetime of practice and study that enables [Reb Anderson] to bring, so effortlessly, the wisdom of the masters into the . . .present." -- Inquiring Mind, Fall 1999
"A gathering of wonderful stories of lineage teachers and their students, intermingled with stories from Reb's life and practice, that enliven and extend our understanding of Zen practice." -- Shambhala Sun, November 1999
"Originally published in 1995 by the San Francisco Zen Center, this beautifully designed new edition organizes the material more logically and contains an additional lecture: a basic encouragement to new students on zen practice. Susan Moon's foreword takes us into the zendo where Reb Anderson delivered the talks from which the book is drawn. Although focused primarily on meditation practice, these talks also address living in the suffering world." -- Turning Wheel: Journal of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Winter 2000
"These collected dharma talks . . . carry the scent of incense and the spaciousness of a zendo. The dignity and incisiveness of Suzuki Roshi echo in the voice of his student." -- Yoga Journal, June 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
". . . inspirational and practical . . ." -- Branches of Light: News & Reviews from Banyen Books & Sound, Fall into Winter 1999-2000
". . . leads readers into a world view that combines quiet strength with disarming gentleness." -- New Age Retailer, October 1999
". . .down to earth and imposingly allusive. . . . One appreciates the lifetime of practice and study that enables [Reb Anderson] to bring, so effortlessly, the wisdom of the masters into the . . .present." -- Inquiring Mind, Fall 1999
"A gathering of wonderful stories of lineage teachers and their students, intermingled with stories from Reb's life and practice, that enliven and extend our understanding of Zen practice." -- Shambhala Sun, November 1999
"Originally published in 1995 by the San Francisco Zen Center, this beautifully designed new edition organizes the material more logically and contains an additional lecture: a basic encouragement to new students on zen practice. Susan Moon's foreword takes us into the zendo where Reb Anderson delivered the talks from which the book is drawn. Although focused primarily on meditation practice, these talks also address living in the suffering world." -- Turning Wheel: Journal of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Winter 2000
"These collected dharma talks . . . carry the scent of incense and the spaciousness of a zendo. The dignity and incisiveness of Suzuki Roshi echo in the voice of his student." -- Yoga Journal, June 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Reb Anderson moved to San Francisco from Minnesota, in 1967, to study Zen Buddhism with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who ordained him as a priest in 1970. Since then, Reb has continued to study at San Francisco Zen Center, which includes Beginner's Mind Temple at The City Center (San Francisco), Green Dragon Temple at Green Gulch Farm (near Muir Beach, California), and Zen Mind Temple (Carmel Valley, California). Reb served as abbot from 1986 to 1995 and is now a senior dharma teacher.
He lives with his family and friends at Green Gulch Farm, where he teaches, lectures, and leads practice periods.` --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Book Review: Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains, Dharma Talks on Zen Meditation by Reb Anderson
Have you ever wondered why so many Westerners are getting involved with the many facets of Buddhism? Have you ever wondered what's so different about it? Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains is a book that answers these questions in an easy to understand simplistic way. Through stories and his personal experiences, Reb Anderson gives us an opportunity to look at our journey with fresh eyes and different awarenesses. Warm Smiles is filled with deep appreciation for daily intentional living and being in each moment as it arrives.
Don't try to read this book like a novel; there's just too much there to ponder and you'll miss a great deal if you do. I believe you'll read it through once, perhaps twice then keep it handy for day to day use. One thing I do with inspirational books is to keep them next to my favorite chair and periodically just open to any page and read whatever is there. Often, if there's something troubling my mind or I'm attempting to sort out an issue, I'll just open to a page in a book of this type. As I read that page, I'll usually relax a bit, pay great attention to what I opened to and discover that all is solved and answers are given. This is a look into a mirror, take your time, allow it to resonate deep inside your Being, meditate with the pages of this book.
I want to thank Reb for giving me an opportunity to see that Buddhism creates no conflict with anything in my daily personal life or belief systems. I was particularly drawn to Chapter Eight, "Life Is Not Killed." What a delicious way of viewing life. I recommend you check it out for yourself; it truly creates "warm smiles."
Jyoti Hansa, Vermont
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would like to start off by saying that you must read this book. Anyone who practices meditation will find this book rewarding--both seasoned practitioners and newcomers to the Buddhist path. The author has a special gift for relating the insights of traditional Zen teaching stories in a refreshingly contemporary manner. I felt like I was actually at the retreats as I read the stories. As mentioned elsewhere; Anderson, who teaches in the tradition of the great Zen master Suzuki Roshi, shows himself to be a worthy inheritor of this lineage and a powerful teacher in his own right.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains was a page-turner for me. I especially enjoyed the way the teachings were offered with a personal tone, and in fact I found that the "ordinariness" of the incidents from Mr. Anderson's life melded perfectly with the ancient teachings of Zen. This book is an inspiration; I look forward to reading it again and again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Subtle talks, just like the practice
Having done retreats with the author, I thoroughly enjoyed having these printed words to read or re read at my own pace. Read more
Published on August 28, 2006 by D. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great help for ordinary people
I want to caution that this book is not exactly easy. It requires a little deep reading and thinking and it's not a beginner's book. Read more
Published on October 30, 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains is exactly that.
There comes a point in some people's lives when they get a sense of their place in the universe. Sometimes it comes mystically, intuitively. Read more
Published on July 10, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential contribution to American Buddhist Literature
Reb Anderson's presentation of Zen Buddhist teachings is illuminating and fascinating reading. Anyone who practices meditation will find this book rewarding--both seasoned... Read more
Published on May 23, 1999
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 28
books:
See all 28 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- Cold Mountain: 100 Poems by the T'ang poet Han-Shan by Han-Shan in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Liquid Paper: New and Selected Poems (Pitt Poetry Series) by Peter Meinke in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Selected Poems (Australian poetry series) by J. S. Harry in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Turning Wheel by Christina Green in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Transmission of Light: Zen in the Art of Enlightenment by Zen Master Keizan in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 28 books this book cites
- Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts by Reb Anderson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Speaking of Silence: Christians and Buddhists in Dialogue by The Dalai Lama in Back Matter
- Beyond Thinking: A Guide to Zen Meditation by Eihei Dogen in Back Matter
- Buddhist Thought and Applied Psychological Research: Transcending the Boundaries (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism) by D. K. Nauriyal on page 332
