The Eye Never Sleeps: Striking to the Heart of Zen (Paperback)

by Dennis Genpo Merzel (Author), Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi (Introduction) "The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences..." (more)
Key Phrases: relationless state, dai kensho, koan study, Maezumi Roshi, Dogen Zenji, Great Way (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Genpo fairly gushes with enthusiasm . . . The Eye Never Sleeps makes for lively reading and is an excellent addition to the expanding bookshelf on lay American practice."—Mountain Record

"These unpretentious, exhilarating commentaries on Sosan Zenj's 'Verses on the Faith Mind,' a classic teaching of Zen's Golden Age in China, are a clear and refreshing illustration of how Zen teachings can illuminate our daily lives."—Peter Matthiessen

Product Description
The radical challenge of Zen Buddhism is to drop all assumptions and prejudices and experience the truth directly. American Zen teacher Dennis Genpo Merzel brings new life to this ancient wisdom through his commentaries on a classic Chinese Zen scripture, "Verses on Faith-Mind."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (April 9, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877735697
• ISBN-13: 978-0877735694
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #515,144 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eminently readable and important, December 14, 2006

By	Julie H. Rose - See all my reviews

Merzel's analysis of the Faith/Mind Sutra combined with his own journey through Zen training: a wonderful combination.

I return to this book time and again both because I find the Faith/Mind Sutra so important ( yet elusive, of course) and because I never tire of Merzel's writing.

I have to admit I am not enough of an intellectual to write a good "review" of this book, yet I feel I understand it, and have gotten a great deal from it. I cannot recommend it enough. It has been a good companion of my own journey.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, June 24, 2005

By	J. Estes "Jeff" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Eye Never Sleeps, a commentary on the Faith/Mind sutra, is an excellent book, and one of the best I've ever read. Whether familiar with Zen practice or just wanting to know more about it, this book is definitely worth reading. Dennis Merzel has a very pragamatic approach to Zen Buddhism, and I find his approach well-suited to Westerners in particular. Definitely worth reading!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant ! Zen with a sense of humour., August 23, 2006

By	Ms. Tulie Burke "T M Burke" (U.K) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was brilliant - Genpo roshi's approach had me laughing out loud in places! The honesty of his own experience along with the Zen teaching was like a cool drink on a hot day! Too often spiritual text can seem lofty, alienating and non relatable to every day life. If you get a chance do read this book !