From the United States
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2015
This book presents Zen Buddhism as a form of personal therapy. Joko actually says, "Our Zen training is designed to enable us to live comfortable lives." She has stripped Zen Buddhism of practically everything except meditation, the no-self doctrine, and closely related matters. She almost ignores other Buddhist concepts, such as emptiness, karma, and so on. Did you have the impression that Buddhism entailed belief in reincarnation? Nothing about that here. Did you believe Buddhism has an ethical code, no killing, no lying, etc.? Nothing about that here, save disapproval of anger. She criticizes religious practices that urge people to be unselfish. Her position is that ethical conduct and unselfishness can await realization (enlightenment). Is she right? There are some spectacular examples of American Zen masters behaving very badly indeed, notwithstanding their enlightenment. Zen (at least American Zen) tends to downplay Buddhism's ethical requirements and metaphysical concepts, but Joko takes it to an extreme. Maybe she is using "skillful means," i.e., dumbing Buddhism down so that ordinary Westerners won't have too much trouble buying into it. The requirement to follow a strict ethical code or an aspiration "to save all beings" might discourage some people from even starting. Or maybe she thinks her everyday Zen is all there is to say that's worthwhile. I can't tell.
Using Zen as personal therapy may actually work. Lots of people think it does, and Joko presents it very well. She seems to have been a wise and compassionate teacher.
Amazon's star system doesn't cope well with a book that the reviewer thinks is well done and yet has problems with. Ergo, four stars and the disparaging subject line.
Using Zen as personal therapy may actually work. Lots of people think it does, and Joko presents it very well. She seems to have been a wise and compassionate teacher.
Amazon's star system doesn't cope well with a book that the reviewer thinks is well done and yet has problems with. Ergo, four stars and the disparaging subject line.
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2018
This book was recommended by a fellow yoga friend and teacher and I just didn't care for it. I like a few chapters. I like when she talks about the mind and the types of thoughts it generates, but I just couldn't get into this book. She talks about her own experience a lot as a meditation practitioner, which even though I have had a sitting practice on and off for years, I just couldn't connect to it. It's all a bit heady, all a bit much for me. Somehow the relaxation of it all gets lost in translation, which is why I feel that I don't ever continue to practice sitting meditation daily. I can fall into relaxation and be with my thoughts, observing them when I am moving better than when I am just sitting. At times it can be great, but at times torturous. This book was very HEAVY for me, and I couldn't finish it.
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2015
Just what I needed to read when the going got tough for me. A great reading and not only for those who are in search of Zen. This book gives a good description of our human nature and our constant search for the elusive happiness. Short chapters and very readable style. Hits home with every example the writer uses to support her stories. I have marked many passages (I apologize to those who abhor marking a book), but it makes it easier for me to get back to the passages that I need to reread when I forget about my faulty human traits. I keep the book close by and reach for it often.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2020
I love this book and I love her other book, "Nothing Special." I've also greatly benefited from her talks that are posted on YouTube and iTunes. There is also a video documentary one can buy. Beck and her dharma heirs have all written about how several Zen "masters" that came over from Japan in the 60s and 70s, as well as their early American dharma heirs, violated basic ethical behavior with their students. Beck saw that sitting on a cushion for hours and having enlightenment experiences doesn't always translate into mature, responsible behavior. I've dug in deep to all of her writings and am eternally grateful. Give it a chance, you'll thank me!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2015
This book is in the first stage Zen Mountain Monastery student reading list by Daido Roshi, dharma brother to Joko. This is a collection of dharma talks given to the robed sangha, after chanting "Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" ("emptiness of the skandas"), "The Identity of the Relative and Absolute" ("like two arrows meeting in mid-air"), mystical dharanis and other liturgy. When I first picked up this book, I had a romantic dream of Zen. I was enamoured with the sounds of the clappers and bells, the ritual of three bowls, the smell of incense, my weight on the cushion. I imagined knowing conversation about suchness and shouts of kensho. Joko's book was the sharp strike/release of the stick. What my knotted muscles of ego yearned for and resisted. This book is about the intimacy of living. Of no escape. It is the antidote to butter-won't-melt-in-my-mouth aridness. Dear Reader, please consider these wise teachings to deepen your practice.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2014
As someone who's only been reading about Zen Buddhism for a year or two, I found this book to be the best one I bought. The concepts are explained simply, and I read it with yellow highlighter in hand, so I can now go back over the highlights at my leisure. I like the small paperback size, and take it with me to waiting rooms.
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2016
This book had a very profound affect on me during my solo retreat in the mountains of Washington. I certainly broke through my ego on that trip and was absolutely aware of my thoughts and sensations rising and falling. I also certainly became attached to this awareness and lost it (as always), but this book brought me there for sure. Very good stuff.
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
She is my favorite writer of Zen, and I wish she wrote more books. Her down to earth, "to the point" approach to both Zen and her writing is moving and very helpful.
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2000
I purchased this book back in 1992, got half-way through it, couldn't understand it, and put it down to read other things and go on with my life of everyday living, thinking, worrying, etc. that we all do in our lives. Not until a crisis of sorts came up in my life did I pick it up again. This time, it all made sense. Living life in the present moment, right here, now. Working at being less judgemental. Not looking for 'happiness' and instead finding joy in everyday life. I know it sounds like a lot of BS, but something changed after the second reading of this book, and now mundane aspects of my job are just me doing my work. I haven't changed religions, haven't joined a cult, haven't even attended a 'zendo' or 'sesshin.' But something has changed since reading this book. It could be the thing that changes your life, too. I know I've got a long way to go, but what a start! The companion second book by Joko is also highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2011
First book I purchased from Joko Beck, and it was wonderful! I just purchased her other book "Nothing Special" as well. There is a multitude of insightful chapters, passages and lessons about life captured within these pages. I found the book to be quite approachable for the common reader. On the other hand, this book, even though it was straightforward, is a little more comprehensive than other books I've read thus far (you may have to review some of the material a few times, but that's okay). Nevertheless, I think everyone can learn a little something about themselves and how to better conduct their lives moving forward.
Usually on my reviews, I like to list a few key points that inspired me while reading the material. However, on this occasion there are just too many good points to list. With that said, I found myself writing little notes all over my copy. So, I've decided to ONLY include MY closing thoughts which the book left me with after the last few pages:
`We all start out looking for the next best thing in our life. No matter what it is - we keep searching for something better. However, what we don't realize is -- life is not only staring us right in the face, BUT it's also fleeing with each passing second. All we truly have in this world is the HERE/NOW. We need to stop planning and searching for `who knows what'. Rather, we need to look at whatever our life IS, and simply do what needs to be done. We shouldn't have time for useless gossip (he said/she said) OR the labeling/judging of others - because we already have the most precious gift of all looking at us right now - LIFE. Do not waste another moment for this is all we have, and nothing else; not money, not possessions, nor attachments. All we really have is THIS MOMENT, this wonderful, beautiful, fleeing moment. EMBRACE IT !!!'.
Usually on my reviews, I like to list a few key points that inspired me while reading the material. However, on this occasion there are just too many good points to list. With that said, I found myself writing little notes all over my copy. So, I've decided to ONLY include MY closing thoughts which the book left me with after the last few pages:
`We all start out looking for the next best thing in our life. No matter what it is - we keep searching for something better. However, what we don't realize is -- life is not only staring us right in the face, BUT it's also fleeing with each passing second. All we truly have in this world is the HERE/NOW. We need to stop planning and searching for `who knows what'. Rather, we need to look at whatever our life IS, and simply do what needs to be done. We shouldn't have time for useless gossip (he said/she said) OR the labeling/judging of others - because we already have the most precious gift of all looking at us right now - LIFE. Do not waste another moment for this is all we have, and nothing else; not money, not possessions, nor attachments. All we really have is THIS MOMENT, this wonderful, beautiful, fleeing moment. EMBRACE IT !!!'.
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courtesy HarperSanFrancisco