#zen

I watched a vid on Zen Buddhism, and got further interested in it. So I tried to find as good a book as I could. This was a good look into Zen Buddhism. At least from my perspective. It was odd hearing a very British voice reading it. It almost felt culturally voyeuristic.

The book goes over the history and believes and methods of Zen Buddhism.

I was surprised to learn how violent some of the prominent Zen figures of the history were. 30 lashes with a stick, someone thrown off a building, even a brutal death of a cat to make a point. Also be ready for some rather blunt language from some anecdotes.

Also be ready for inconsistent themes. Zen is not so much about a peaceful mind. As it is freedom from a consistent mind. Defying definitions, and logic. Even defying Buddhism.

It was a fine read. Still churning on some of the ideas.

CW: physical harm, rough language, death of an animal

#Books #Bookstodon #Buddhism #Zen

I've read from others that they consider Thích Nhất Hạnh's The Miracle of Mindfulness to be useful only to beginning meditators, but I think it is so much more than that. Especially with the context given in translator Mobi Ho's introduction that the book was originally written as a long letter, and then having read the book myself as someone who has been meditating for years, it is clear to me that the book is equally valuable or perhaps even more valuable as an inspiring reminder to practice and how practice can be done.

Beyond the main text of the letter, I was impressed by the list of practices and the selection of suttas/sutras at the end. I have read very few manuals of meditation which left with the feeling that they were enough to cultivate a practice, but this one is written and put together in such a way that I would be confident recommending it as an excellent candidate for the category of "if you read only one book on the subject of meditation, read this one."

#meditation #mindfulness #PlumVillage #interbeing #peace #ThichNhatHanh #Buddhism #Zen #engagedBuddhism