Share <Embed>

Buy New

$15.16

List Price: $18.95
Save: $3.79 (20%)

Only 8 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

This item ships to France. Want it Wednesday, June 13? Order within and choose AmazonGlobal Priority Shipping at checkout. Learn more

Select delivery location

Buy Used

$10.61

+ $0.00 shipping

Select delivery location

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by Thriftbooks

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Other Sellers on Amazon

Add to Cart

$9.95
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: groovywatchamacallit

Add to Cart

$12.36
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: SuperBookDeals---

Add to Cart

$12.38
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: allnewbooks

Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination Paperback – November 11, 2008

by Sheng Yen (Author)

21 customer reviews

See all 2 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$15.29

—

Paperback

"Please retry"

$15.16

$9.95

$6.62

Save an extra $0.93 at checkout.

Here is a spiritual practice uncomplicated enough for anyone to learn, yet rich enough to be worked with for a lifetime. The traditional Chan (Chinese Zen) practice called Silent Illumination begins with nothing more than putting aside all thoughts except the awareness of oneself “just sitting.” It’s so simple in execution that it has sometimes been called the “method of no-method”—yet simple as it is, the practice is subtle and profound, with the potential for ever subtler refinements as the practitioner moves toward mastery of it. When fully penetrated, this radical form of emptying one’s busy mind-stream leads to perception of the vast ocean of pure awareness.

Frequently bought together

Total price: $32.11

One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination by Sheng Yen Paperback $15.16
Only 8 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi by Honghzhi Zhengue Paperback $16.95
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Honghzhi Zhengue

24

Paperback
$16.95
Chan Master Sheng Yen

5

Paperback
$12.95
Sheng Yen

12

Paperback
$21.72
John Blofeld

126

Paperback
$13.25
John Daido Loori

20

Paperback
$14.25
Master Sheng Yen

7

Paperback
$22.28

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Chan Master Sheng Yen has the truly rare ability to harmonize classical teaching with actual meditation practice. In The Method of No-Method he does this for the beautiful and profound Chinese Silent Illumination approach to meditation. It feels as if he is taking us, step by step and with great clarity, on our own personal retreat. Here is invaluable guidance for all students of meditative living.”—Larry Rosenberg, author of Breath by Breath and Living in the Light of Death

“Master Sheng Yen is a true spiritual practitioner of deep and broad learning.”—H. H. the Dalai Lama

About the Author

Chan Master Sheng Yen (1930–2009) was a widely respected Taiwanese Chan (Chinese Zen) master who taught extensively in the West during the last thirty-one y ears of his life, with twenty-one centers throughout North America, as well as dozens of others throughout the world. He has co-led retreats with the Dalai Lama, and he is the author of numerous books in Chinese and English, including Song of Mind, The Method of No-Method, and his autobiography, Footprints in the Snow.

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Shambhala; 2nd Printing edition (November 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590305752
ISBN-13: 978-1590305751
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 21 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #518,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #487 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Philosophy
- #609 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen > Spirituality
- #650 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Rituals & Practice

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?

NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE

Customer Reviews

2 star (0%)

1 star (0%)

Write a customer review

See all 21 customer reviews

Rated by customers interested in

Religion & Spirituality Books

4.7 out of 5 stars

Buddhism Books

4.7 out of 5 stars

Philosophy Books

4.6 out of 5 stars

Is this feature helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

Read reviews that mention

yen sheng meditation zen master teacher teaching explains empty retreat sitting teachings learn shikantaza students beginners consider talks

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

charles cudd

Most Zen teachers avoid technique for fear that the student ...

November 21, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Most Zen teachers avoid technique for fear that the student will reify and attach to it as a means to an end, thus missing the aliveness of the actual practice. The problem with this reticence is that the students never learn to properly aim their intention and they end up grasping at their desire for Enlightenment instead, thinking they are doing something meaningful; which they are not. In fact this grasped desire has the the opposite effect of pushing Clear Perception away because it simply cannot be grasped as an object as there is no stasis to it whatsoever.So the "method" as Sheng Yen refers to it, actually keeps challenging us to step back from the opacity of our collapsed views and opens us back up to the vibrant aliveness of the present moment, utilizing the practice of conscious awareness of the actual relative real experience of Just Sitting as an antidote to the relative imaginary experience of wanting. Thus we are correctly aimed and continually course corrected because the tactile referent of Just Sitting is both an obvious benchmark to see how far away our minds have wandered from our actual experience and also a clear pathway back to the relative real. It is only from the intimacy of the relative real that the opacity of the relative imaginary can drop away allowing the way of Clear Perception to emerge of it's own.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

♫NewHorizons♫

Clear, lucid discussion

May 31, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Back in the early 80s, I had a terrible misconception of meditation -- one of "empty your mind and stare into the void," which I found absolutely impossible to do, so I soon gave up. If you think, like I originally thought, that meditation is a matter of suppressing your thoughts and staring into the void, I encourage you to consider reading Sheng Yen's books, among others.

I found Sheng Yen's lectures in The Method of No-Method (along with his discussions in Song of Mind, which is even better) to be quite clear, and I've ended my 37 years of being satisfied with merely reading Zen and Eastern philosophy. I've begun to actually start practicing this.

Helpful

Comment

Urmish R. Mehta

The Method of No-Method

February 15, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

When I picked up this book I had no clue of what Chan is or had never heard of it before but when I read it through just first three days of this book, I realized and was amazed to see how realistically the master author has fulfilled the need and dream of so many who do not have access to legitimate live teachers who will guide them on their way telling and interpreting what it means when something happens or something does not happen. Shifu Sheng Yen has touched the substance without wasting any time of the audience in this book. The book itself is a 7 days long retreat, however, you can use it for your life. He not only himself directly goes and reaches the core but also takes you with him. The translator Guogu has done an excellent job in capturing the essence of the Chan teaching. You need not be a believer or of certain religion if you want to practice it. Just start on the practice and you will discover what the book is all about.

This is a must book if you are reading or are planning to read Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illumination of Zen Master Hongzhi.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Alan E. Pottinger

He was wise and funny and much of his undergraduate work was with Chinese ...

July 29, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I studied under Master Sheng Yen in Queens NY when he was visiting. He was wise and funny and much of his undergraduate work was with Chinese poetry so he had a wonderful sense of language. He was direct and concise but whimsical and crafty with his invitations to practice. This is a wonderful book for beginners and established practioners alike.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

The Method of No-Method - Great book for beginners

October 10, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I consider myself a beginner in Chan meditation, I have meditating for several months now and will probably stay as a beginner for quite a while. I love this book, nothing to achieve, nothing to worry, nothing to expect, just sit. This book is a must for practitioners of Chan meditation.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Jarrard

this book is one of the best.

February 28, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have meditating since 1978, and have read countless books on the subject; this book is one of the best.

Helpful

Comment

Barbara

great meditation manuel

May 27, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

great meditation Manuel. Excellent source for meditation. Love honzhi and the method of silent illumination.
Also read cultivating the empty field.try this book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

null

sheng yen is wonderful

February 4, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

straight to the point he explains a largely unexplainable practice with clarity. a very useful book if you've been wondering about this method. he talks you through releasing your mind more and more and what kinds of progressions happen during this process. it's a difficult practice but i hear it's worth it.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Most recent customer reviews

Sylvain Martini

Silent Meditation excelent book

Clear and exquisite book teaching a real Powerful Meditation practice. To me Silent Meditation has been the most powerful and simple meditation of all.

Published 1 year ago

John R

Three Stars

Okay book. Would not buy it again. Went to our library sale.

Published on May 25, 2015

M. Fujii

Five Stars

great

Published on January 11, 2015

bojangleshiker

the deep stuff

quick service good book

Published on December 29, 2014

Kim T Lam

Five Stars

I love this kindle book. I am reading it. Thank you good seller.

Published on October 27, 2014

Robert E.

Sheng Yen's Wonderful Meditation Manual

I have not finished this remarkable book yet, and the reason for that is that I am reading slowly, taking notes on each section, and putting these lectures into practice in...Read more

Published on October 24, 2014

Mark Bremer

Buy this book while you are still alive

Must have for any student of Chan or Zen (Shikantaza). Master Yen Gives clear instructions for both the process and the motivation behind Sitting and how it relates to the...Read more

Published on April 28, 2014

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway

This item: The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

Set up a giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Honghzhi Zhengue

24

Paperback
$16.95
Chan Master Sheng Yen

5

Paperback
$12.95
Master Sheng Yen

7

Paperback
$22.28
Sheng Yen

12

Paperback
$21.72
Master Sheng Yen

8

Paperback
$15.52
John Daido Loori

20

Paperback
$14.25

Buy New

$15.16

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Buy Used

$10.61

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Other Sellers on Amazon

The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination Paperback – November 11, 2008

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Customer Reviews

Read reviews that mention

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Buy New $15.16

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Buy Used $10.61

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Other Sellers on Amazon

The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination Paperback – November 11, 2008

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Customer Reviews

Read reviews that mention

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Buy New

$15.16

Buy Used

$10.61