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Instant Zen: Waking Up in the Present Audible Audiobook – Abridged

Foyan (Author), Thomas Cleary (Narrator), Thomas Cleary (Translator) (Author),

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Instant Zen presents the teachings of Foyan, a twelfth-century Chinese Zen master recognized as one of the greatest masters of the Song dynasty Zen renaissance in China. Returning to the uncomplicated genuineness of the original and classical Zen masters, Foyan offers many simple exercises in attention and thought designed to lead to the awakening of Zen insight into the real nature of the self. These succinct teachings emphasize independence and autonomy, and show us how to open our own eyes and stand on our own two feet, to see directly without delusion and act on truth without confusion.

Translator Thomas Cleary provides an incisive introduction and extensive references from traditional Zen sources, placing the work in both historical and contemporary contexts. Newcomers to Zen will find this book a useful and sophisticated introduction to authentic inner Zen practices from an impeccable source, without cultural exoticism or religious cultism. Instant Zen sheds new light on this vital tradition, making available the immediacy of Zen practice and unveiling our innate potential for conscious awakening.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

(P)1996 Audio Literature; ©1994 Thomas Cleary

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Product details

Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 2 hours and 56 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Abridged
Publisher: Phoenix Books
Audible.com Release Date: December 15, 1999
Language: English
ASIN: B0000544OM
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
- #258 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Philosophy
- #286 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism & Eastern Religions
- #318 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Spirituality

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A great book. My favorite Buddhist book. Pure Wisdom.

January 10, 2002

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am a Buddhist, have studied formally in all three main branches of Buddhism and was a monk during the most intense part of my study. I own hundreds of Buddhist texts, and if I could only own one book, this would be it. This is absolutely the clearest expression of Enlightenment I've encountered. Foyan is wonderously clear, avoids reliance on koans and historical cases (but has a few references to them), and instead, simply expresses Realization on his own, directly, brilliantly, in every sentence of this book. A previous reviewer wrote (in his excellent review) "Logical contradictions are purposely employed to get you to see something beyond logic", while there are a few statements like that, that is a slight misunderstanding of why most of the apparently "contadictions" are there. Instead these "contradictions" are direct expressions of the Truth of Reality, and that requires 1) that you see directly and don't confuse the labels for the reality itself and 2) that everything be seen simultaneously from both sides (the relative or functional view and the absolute). So a statement such as "you must have nonseeing right in seeing" or
"all that is necessary is that there is no hearer or heard when you hear" is presenting both sides, not negating one with the other. However, there are statements such as "the ancients told you.. all sounds are Buddha's voice... You have misunderstood, supposing that all sounds are actually the voice of Buddha" that appears to be a contradiction, but again this is pointing out (POINTING not explaining) the diffence between the understanding and the perception of that truth. I've said much too much, the Zen Master would be beating me over the head with the stick by now. You will enjoy this book, and you will hear the voice of Enlightenment speaking across 9 centuries of time, if you get this book, you'll need no others, and eventually you can give this one away. My Highest recommendation.

47 people found this helpful

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Destined to be a Classic!

December 8, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The 'grandmotherly kindness' of Foyan, a 12th Cent. Chinese Grand Master of Zen, comes through in this offering from Mr. Thomas Cleary, who's said to be one of the most respected translators in the field. He gets my vote! Mr. Cleary's selection of this text seems suited to our time in that it's from a Grand Master who '...was completely free of any desire for fame or followers and made no attempt to recruit disciples.' Accordingly, his is a 'take no prisoners' style (a complaint in another review) which, naturally, leads to a strong emphasis on self-reliance and (a most interesting kind of) practical advice. I say Refreshing!

'If you want to clarify this matter, you must arouse wonder and look into it. If you wonder deeply about this matter, transcendental knowledge will become manifest. Why? The task of the journey just requires the sense of doubt to cease. If you do not actively wonder, how can the sense of doubt cease?'

(pg. 54)

6 people found this helpful

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I read a chapter every morning, similar to a ...

July 26, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read a chapter every morning, similar to a daily devotional. I would consider this book, and anything translated by Thomas Cleary, essential to the understanding of Zen practice.

April 13, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

wonderful reading and translation.

July 16, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Another excellent translation by T. Cleary. It is included in Volume 1 of Cleary's "Classics of Buddhism and Zen". I recommend this as it contains a number of other Zen classics you will want to study.

One person found this helpful

Like a finger pointing to the moon

September 1, 2008

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

This is a very good recording. It is not ABOUT zen. It IS zen. I have owned two coppies of this recording on cassett tape. I wore them both out, from playing them so much. I am glad to have found this recording on CD.

3 people found this helpful

May 5, 2009

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

Content was good in my opinion but presentation was a little dry and I seemed to drift away at times. Being new to Zen, though, I may just not appreciate the content enough to get past novice distractions (e.g., presentation and flow).

2 people found this helpful

January 14, 2015

Format: Audio CassetteVerified Purchase

good

Most recent customer reviews

Not Like Anything! Deep Thanks to Thomas Clearly

Having practiced Zen for fifteen years I suspected throughout that institutional Zen had reached its zenith of its decline and prospered from the slick marketing of Zen...Read more

Published on May 5, 2016

Audiobook is NOT read by Thomas Cleary

The book itself is great, but the reader struggles with unfamiliar pronunciation, such as Chinese names, which is offputting if you care who said what.Read more

Published on June 30, 2013

Joanna Terrones Martinez

I recieved my book in a timely manner and the book was in great condition, I always purchase books from Amazon and I am always pleased with the books I purchase.

Published on March 3, 2010

Instant Zen too instant

Stories and sutras were read rapidly one after the other. This should be slower and more deliberate with time to reflect, and from there comes the value.Read more

Published on March 3, 2009

Frank K. Braker

I found the introduction especially useful as it points out the emergence and identification of Zen cults, and contrasts them to the simplest practice of Zen.Read more

Published on September 7, 2006

A very compassionate Zen master.

Foyan was a Song dynasty Zen master, who helped revive Zen. So the book says. One thing I've come to realize; China sure wasnt short on greatly realized Zen masters for atleast a...Read more

Published on July 24, 2005

English United States

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