Customer Reviews

The Wooden Bowl: Simple Meditations for Everyday Life

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
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My Dad bought me this book as a gift. And what a great gift it was! I have what I call a "busy brain." There is rarely a time when thoughts aren't racing through my head: what I need to do, planning a vacation I may or may not take, grocery lists, what I will teach in class the next day, etc. Recently, I have become very interested in Buddhism and meditation. I think I'm drawn to it because it involves practicing my weakest skill: mindfulness. My mind gets away from me before I know it. Of all the books I've read on these topics, The Wooden Bowl is by far the best. There is no dogma, no guidelines, no processes... These are the details I get caught up in. Before when I've decided to meditate, I've been online looking at meditation benches, looking up books on the topic, planning how I will start. But Clark Strand's point in this book is that these actions miss the point. Meditation is not something you put in your date book, it's not something you feel guilty about not doing, nor is it something you near to clear out the room for. It just is, if that makes any sense. Before reading this book, I had decided that I was not ready to meditate, and the closest I could get was watching my cat take a bath for a few minutes at a time. Well, if I understand Strand correctly, then that is enough. That is a moment when I am present; I am not DOING anything except taking in the now. Even this practice of taking short breaks in my day to sit in the moment and just BE has helped me out tremendously. I'm starting to feel that I have some control over my "busy brain." Perhaps these short breaks will get longer. Perhaps they won't. I am now willing to let them take their course. I highly recommend this book. I'm grateful Clark Strand decided to write his thoughts down for all of us.

Of all the books I've read on the subject of Zen/ Meditation this one is the best. It is a collection of short chapters on the many facets of meditation, how to approach it, what you can and can't expect from it, and handle what you discover through it. Written in plain spoken english, Mr. Strand has managed to convey the essence of something difficult to put into words, that is, being able to live in the present moment. Very well done and worth owning.

This book provides a simple, non-denominational approach to meditation, that is free of gurus and affectation. Strand, a former Zen Buddhist monk, left monastery life behind for this simple approach to meditation. It's as simple and unaffected as a plain" wooden bowl". Just sit and be present, where we always are anyway. There is no fancy instruction aside from counting the breath from one to four. He advocates the formation of non-hierarchical "present moment groups" to support the practice. This is a perfect and easy to follow primer who those interested in getting started meditating.

Part of Strand's inspiration for this book was a conversation with a cab driver who said, "I want to meditate, but I don't want to wear a turban." One of the most telling moments in the book describes Strand's meeting with a former associate; a woman who, like the author, had completely given her life over to Zen, shaving her head, donning robes, and entering a monastery. She asked Strand what he was up to. "Writing a book for those who simply want to meditate in the midst of their daily lives, sort of a 'Meditation without Gurus,'" he answered. There was a moment of silence. "But that's what I wanted," she said. "What happened?" Strand asked. "I don't know."

This book could be read along with "Finite and Infinite Games" and "Breakfast at the Victory," by James P. Carse.

I highly recommend this book if you want to begin a meditation practice. Clark Strand demystifies meditation and provides a simple framework for meditation: get comfortable and count your breath. If you fail, try, try again. And don't knock yourself for failing. With practice, you'll get better.

Of course, sometimes meditation is easier said than done. But Strand provides enough insight and inspiration to help you. It doesn't get better than this.

As if Strand's simple guide was not enough, his simple writing style makes this the best and most enjoyable book I've ever read on meditation. His haiku style comes across in his writing, with beautiful imagery spread throughout the book. All in all, this short book is a joy to read.

Other reviews of this book have mentioned Clark Strand's wonderful, straightforward style and the simplicity with which he encourages the reader to pursue a daily meditation practice without expectations or self-criticism.

The book's greatest gift is the author's recollection of the Chinese recluse Tsa Chung (or "De Chun"), a Buddhist monk who drifted across the waters and made his home in a hut in Tennessee in the sixties. He lived a very simple life and taught only indirectly, by eating when he ate and wasting nothing (he would even save little pieces of foil, folding them up very neatly and putting them away). The author's often hilarious anecdotes about this man point us directly to the meat of our practice, letting the air out of spiritual pretension and connecting very simply and sweetly to our life just now.

"The Wooden Bowl" is a simple, practical introduction to Zen-style meditation, written in an elegantly straightforward style. The book is suitable for readers of any or no religious affiliation who want to learn to meditate, but I think it's even better for experienced meditators who tend, as Strand did, toward an excessively intense and willful approach to spiritual practice. I return to this book when I want to be reminded how simple meditation really is and that it's not about DOing anything.

Also recommended: Strand's "Seeds From a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey."

Meditation As A Hobby

The Wooden Bowl is out of print and very hard to find. I was lucky enough to buy mine used on Amazon - unfortunately for you - I ain't selling my copy.

I really loved this book.

I'm a student of Buddhism and am looking for clarity and instruction on meditation without a Guru - I liked that this book was recommended as such - as meditation instruction without a Guru - so if you're looking into meditation either through a Buddhist perspective or just looking into meditation without any "school of thought" this is a fantastic book.

The biggest lesson I got from the book was keeping meditation as a hobby. I could see that my meditation was getting close to me "punching in" before I sat and The Wooden Bowl simply reminds you the joy of keeping meditation as a hobby rather than as a job - or a rigid activity.

I can't express in words the simplicity and warmth that this book provides. There is very little instruction - but the instruction given is perfect.

Clark Strand (the author) puts it perfectly - his thoughts are on instructing meditation is like giving driving directions - the easier and simpler - the better.

Think for a minute - telling someone how to drive from your house to the mall.

Throughout this book you also get reminded what the present moment is - the present moment is always right here and right now -

I really enjoyed this book - it's simple and for everyday life.

Simple. The title tells you what you need to know. Other reviews here do the same.

You do not need to make life and learning complicated. This book contains what you need to learn meditation, and to make moves toward enlightenment.

Keep it simple. Good for beginners, those who have been learning for a while, those who have forgotten how simple zen/meditation truly is.

I would emphasize what one of the other reviewer's stated. This is a very interesting account of one man's path to meditation, but you really have to read it carefully. It is not a prescription for beginners. At about the third chapter it occurred to me that the author was not talking so much about meditation but his own struggle to cope with extreme depression.