Customer Reviews

The Way of Zen

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having the pleasure both of knowing and having practised with one of the authors of this book, I expected a lot more. What I found was mediocre, lacking any particular life or relevance. To make matters worse, it's all been done before and done better too. The illustrations are poor quality black and white and seem to be the same set that are recycled through every sub standard coffee table book on Zen.

The authors had a real chance here to write something relevant and interesting, instead this book gives the impression of being written to a formula, in a hurry and for the specific purpose of making a fast buck, rather than drawing us deeper into the world of Zen Buddhist practice. If this book was a creative writing effort one would have to say, "Could do a lot better". I'd suggest that the reader try a book like 'Zen Meditation in Plain English' By Peter Matthiessen and John Daishin Buksbazen instead. It does what it says on the tin and does it with elegance and simplicity.

Way of Zen provides a glimpse into the place Zen holds in history and culture, thereby giving the beginner a good point of reference with regard to one of the most dynamic religious traditions existing today. Concise, definitve, and free of rhetoric and jargon. A good read for those previewing the morass of religious practices in contemporary America in hopes of finding what may fit them.