Customer Reviews

The Zen of Eating

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally a book that makes sense of the compulsion to overeat! In my struggles with my eating disorder, I've read more than three dozen books about the process. While I've gained a lot of help from the writing of Geneen Roth, Judi Hollis, Jane R. Hirschmann, and Carol H. Munter, The Zen of Eating is the absolute best book I've ever read about eating disorders. The Zen of Eating nudges us to look at how we live, not just how we eat. It explains the necessity of treating ourselves with loving kindness as it shows how overeating is not a disorder of will, but a disorder of desire. After I read this book, both my life and my eating suddenly made a lot more sense. This book has indeed changed my life. Although this wonderful book uses Buddha's Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to show readers how to free themselves from compulsive eating, the book can be appreciated by readers of all faiths (or no faith at all). The author's previous personal experience a! ! s a psychologist with the Weight Watchers program and her work in soup kitchens give her important 'street level" insight into the problems of American overeaters. The book itself is gentle, kind, and affirming. I've read it twice. After each reading,I feel myself glowing, inspired, and in love with the world. The Zen of Eating is written with such compassion, love, and good common sense, I bet even non-dieters will savor it. I plan to read it at least once a year for the rest of my life.

The best introduction to Zen that I've ever read. Many introductory books on Zen lack a practical explaination of Zen's more esoteric concepts, such as 'emptyness' and 'suffering', and fail to apply these concepts to the ups and downs of everyday life. This book goes beyond the concepts of Zen to make Four Noble Truths accesible through simple explanations. Additionaly, the author makes these Truths come alive by applying them to the very real problem of being fixated on food. However, even if you do not have a problem with food, by seeing the Truths applied in the real world you will imediately see the power that they offer to anyone who is struggling with a problem.

The book is organized around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Each recieves its own chapter containing an explaination and several examples of how individuals applied the concepts discussed to their fixation on food.

This book is for anyone searching for an accessible introduction to Zen or for learning how to apply the basic concepts of Zen to their everyday life.

It has been a long time since I have savored a book as much as I have been this one. I hope I do not repeat what other positive reviews have said, and if I do, I apologize.

I liked the combination of using real life examples rather than antidotes for showing how people behave and how they can change for the positive, and let go of negative desires. I say negative because as the author wisely notes on page 58 "Letting go doesn't mean annihilating, rejecting feelings, or pretending that you don't have strong feelings". Or on page 62 "Letting go doesn't mean any of these desires disappear. It means that they no longer have control over you". The author notes that we can still like a certain ice cream or treat and enjoy it, but that the treat doesn't have to become an obsession. But more a take it or leave it way of eating. And that once we let go of the habitual desire that food even begins to taste better.

My husband and I grew up in the 40-50's and he remarked that growing up he often was hungry which is why he probably eats "stuff" because he wants to feel full and not wanting. In the late 40's when I was a toddler a sibling often stole food so we could eat. So I to grew up wondering if I would ever not have to worry about food. It has only been since I have been serious about finding out how to let go of the fear-desire issue that my weight started to drop, and I became healthier.

Its also interesting how the author explains how often people drink, smoke, eat wrong because of some issue of fear, be it speaking up when someone says something bad, or when we are faced with a challenge we are afraid of, or because we are afraid of the unknown, like being rejected.

This is a thoughtful and helpful book and one I am so pleased I bought.

This is a valuable book on several different levels. By using the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path, the author not only gives us what I consider the best book I've ever read about dealing with the compulsion to overeat, but also a very simple, yet straightforward introduction to Buddhism.There is no secret to losing weight: you eat less and exercise more, but until you understand what is at the root of the compulsion to overeat, you'll never keep the weight off. By applyling the principles of Buddhism, which may be the best model that exists for how a person should live their life, there is hope that by being mindful, the constant yo-yo that is dieting can be eliminated.

"The Zen of Eating" is a gracefully written fusion of psychology and Buddhism, the best example I've seen of applying spiritual principles to behavioral problems. Ronna Kabatznick writes beautifully and simply -- a peace will take over you as you read this, which is never easy to do given the serious subject matter.

I am somewhat new to Buddhism, so I was particularly impressed with the efficient way the principles are explained, and the seemless way they are applied to eating problems. The book is full of folklore and anecdote, but is never glib or condescending. I came away with a greater interest and understanding of Buddhism.

The author doesn't soft sell -- she states clearly that the principles are easy to grasp but difficult to follow. I'm not sure how successful readers of this book will be, but "The Zen of Eating" is well worth the read.

The book was much better than I expected. I felt compelled to write the author afterwards and thank her for writing such a book. I've read a ton of books in my lifetime and this is one that stays with you -- the principles can carry over to all aspects of one's life. It's also the kind of book you can pick up on any given day, turn to a page, and find something motivational. After 100's of books and 100's of diets, this was the first that inspired me to write a review.

Dr. Kabatznick does for weight loss what modern weight programs fail at: assign profound and ancient wisdom to our battle against the bulge. In her excellent book, she addresses what I believe is the root cause of overeating and weight problems in America: emotional eating which attemps, but never succeeds, in feeding our starving souls. We are filled with hunger in our culture, and Dr. K. talks about the "hungry ghosts" which gnaw away at us. In our desire and wanting for more of everything, we end up starving; emotionally hungry and fatter than ever.

According to Dr K., our weight loss answers lie not in adopting the latest diet or potion, but in going inwards to examine and meditate upon our inner beings; those parts of us that are hungry and always wanting. Until we sit quietly and observe those hungry places, we will forever, says Dr. K., try to feed ourselves and never fill up. It is this paradox which ,makes all of our weight loss diets and attempts to restrict our intake of food fail.

The book is a useful text to understand and comprehend the Buddhist way of looking at life and an exploration of our inner beings. It is a healing balm for those who struggle, and essential reading for anyone who wants to win the weight war for good.

This is a book I will read again and again, and one which I will recommend to all of my friends. It puts food and weight problems in perspective and it made me totally rethink what I eat and why I eat. I know it will help me stop beating myself up about my weight. I cannot recommend this book enough---it's all about how we mentally approach food and it is so radically different from any other "diet" book.

The way that Ronna Kabatznick used the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path to explain attachment to desire is so clear, succinct and direct. Kabatznick gives specific examples that relate to the specific Buddhist concepts that make this book so wonderful not only to use re: eating desires, but desires of any sort. I have read so many parts outloud to my partner and we just nod our head at the wisdom and the clarity that Ronna articulates. I even looked to see if she has written other books, and was disappointed to see that she hasn't, yet. But I hope (desire, without attachment to the desire) that she writes another and relates it to spending or "things" etc. Highly recommend this to all. I love the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path and I have much more of an understanding of the way to use them in everyday life. You will, too!

This is really a very special and valuable book. With great clarity and insight, Dr. Kabatznick goes far beyond a discussion of nourishing the body--it is a text for nourishing the heart and spirit. In a very readable and practical manner, Dr. Kabatznick traces the roots of eating problems to their source--the inner dynamics and the underlying desires that are the ultimate cause of the problems. For those with or even without weight problems, this exceptional book is a valuable guide to a more satisfying life, and is filled with practical wisdom and concrete steps one can take to achieve one's goals. I can't recommend this book highly enough--it is truly a remarkable, life-changing book. It is beautifully written, and a source of great help and inspiration. I'm looking forward to Dr. Kabatznick's next book!