Amazon.com
The bad old days of multiple-choice-test career counseling are over. It takes more than a #2 pencil and a computer to find your life's work, as career consultant Laurence G. Boldt tells us in Zen and the Art of Making a Living, a hefty but lighthearted tome that will help you find yourself and your place in the world. Boldt is quite up-front about it, though: it's a long, hard journey to get there. But his uplifting prose and liberal doses of inspirational quotes from wise men and women provide support for the weary traveler. Indeed, in between learning how to find the kind of work that strikes the right chord for you, figuring out what skills and talents you'll need to succeed at it, and righteously persisting until you get your reward, you may find lapses and stumbling blocks you hadn't expected--but Boldt has seen them all and finds the right words at the right time to keep you moving. Like a traditional career book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living includes résumé advice and worksheets for narrowing down and sticking with your goals; however, it takes off from there to guide the reader on a quest for spiritual fulfillment through work, something you won't find elsewhere. This updated edition contains plenty of Internet-related information and other resources unavailable in 1990 and is invaluable for anyone concerned about his or her future in the world of work. --Rob Lightner
Book Description
Completely revised and updated--the most innovative, unconventional, and profoundly practical career guide since What Color Is Your Parachute?
First published in 1991, Zen and the Art of Making a Living is the life-changing book that helped revolutionize the career planning field by offering a new vision of work. This new edition has been updated throughout with up-to-the-minute contact information and hundreds of new biographical resources. In addition to traditional material on assessing career skills and conducting a job search, Laurence Boldt provides innovative ideas and strategies, with more than 120 worksheets and more than five hundred inspirational quotations from sages of every stripe. A book that goes far beyond other career guides, Zen and the Art of Making a Living brings creativity, dignity, and meaning to every aspect of the work experience.
--Internet job resources added throughout
--New sections on the opportunities in today's rapidly changing workplace, participating in the field of home-based business, and developing an effective support group to find fulfilling work.
"This is simply the best book in its field that I have ever seen." -Jim Fritz, Vice-President of Program Development, Access Influential, Inc.
Customer Reviews:
Spiritual advice on finding a meaningful livelihood.......2007-03-19
The scene is repeated at 7 a.m. every morning. Millions of people roll over and hit the buttons on their alarm clocks, dreading the fact that they will soon be heading off to jobs they consider drudgery, mere vehicles for paying their bills. The lucky ones will only dislike their jobs a little bit. If they're really fortunate, they'll find work tolerable, even though it falls short of satisfying their yearnings. A handful of blessed individuals will actually feel happy as they walk into their jobs, knowing they're heading for work that brings them fulfillment. But once you've committed 40 hours a week to something, shouldn't it give you joy? In this comprehensive, revealing - though excessively long - tome, Laurence G. Boldt proposes that everyone has the power to choose a satisfying career. By taking a spiritual approach (that's the Zen message) and embarking upon real self-examination, you can discover your true interests and free yourself to pursue your passion. Boldt offers concrete suggestions for success, such as how to write a convincing resume, weigh the pros and cons of entrepreneurship, and conduct a successful interview. He provides pages of exercises, resources and questionnaires. Plenty of books provide such tips, but this may be the only one that dishes them up along with ancient Chinese proverbs and Japanese calligraphy. So we suggest that if you're just starting out or stuck in an unsatisfying job, find a comfortable chair, light a stick of incense and take a journey within yourself. You may be surprised at what you find - your life's work.
Getting on Track.......2007-01-12
The book provides a well thought out methodology as to how to
determine personal philosophy, strengths and desires and marry these with career planning.
An amazing resource for people looking for meaning in their work.......2006-05-31
I am an integral coach who does a lot of career counseling. This is hands down my absolute favorite book on this topic because it provides inspiration, practical tools and presents good information in a way that is very easy for anyone to understand.
This book is essentially about finding your vocation or your heart's deepest desire. It encourages you to align your work with your values as much as possible and it is written from a spiritual perspective that is generally Eastern, but it does not actually push a particular worldview over any others.
If you have the discipline to work through this book, you will learn a lot about yourself and the type of work that makes you most happy. It will also show you how to take what you most love doing and create opportunities to do more of it.
This book is particularly good for mid-life career changers and young people who are idealistic or torn between their head and their heart. It provides tools that will help them to cut through confusion and get clarity about what really matters to them.
This is my favorite work by this author. His other work is good, but I find this particular book a step above his other work. If you want a good career resource in a similar vein, I also recommend "The Beginner's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Job" by Rick Jarow. This is a very helpful and inexpensive tape or CD.
if you like what i've written, you'll love what he's written.......2006-01-28
Do you seek more than the conventional nine-to-five job.do you seek a job that can advance your spiritual life. a job that merely positions you to solve problem after problem or a job that will help you reveal life's mysteries.a job where you fill you pockets til your last day or a job that helps you contribute to the well being of others?
If you're on the quest, Boldt gives you the tools you've never received. What's the quest? When the knights of King Arthur's court had seen an apparition of the Grail through a veil, they determined to go on a quest to find it. And they thought, "We should go out together to find the Grail" But then they realized that this would be "a disgrace." No, each must go alone into the forest and enter at the point he himself would choose, "where it was darkest and there was no path." A hero is a chooser of the questions of his life and thereby, of his quest. To walk this pathless path is to take the hero's journey.
Realize that public education equips you with skills and attitudes to make you more valuable as a worker for those whose agenda you will spend your lives servicing. It hasn't been to help students discover their own purposes and construct and realize goals based on these.
This book, much life Srikumar Rao's Are You Ready To Succeed at once inspires your quest and arms you with tools to bravely chart your way.
Some nice ideas, but too prolix to be Zen centered........2005-07-05
It would have been more honest (and less pretentious) if the author had not succumbed to the temptation to present this book as a kind of corollary of Zen. When push comes to shove, Zen Buddhism doesn't earn its living as a career-aid. Its primary purpose is to help provide an answer to the problem of suffering and impermanence (as the Buddha taught) - albeit in a form developed by Far-eastern Buddhists.
If Zen has anything to say - about getting through life in this world, almost all of it can be summed up with the axiom - don't plan on staying around, shed excess baggage, find what was there - before you were born! That isn't the message in this book. It is too long-winded. The best ideas in it could have been presented in a third of the space used.Save trees!
Book Description
An updated and revised guide to enlightening up!
Presenting innovative ideas on incorporating Zen thinking and action into even the most Western lifestyle, this book focuses on living Zen in a post-9/11 world. It also offers updated information on meditation and its many benefits and new exercises for families to promote Zen living at home, as well as new exercises to help readers combat their dissatisfaction with life and unfulfilled desires.
• Revised to focus on living Zen in an increasingly complex and panicked world
• New anecdotes that translate Zen philosophy into the "here and now"
Download Description
As an adult who leads a busy life, you have to deal with the stresses of home, work, and family. The Buddhist idea of Zen seeks to help you reduce stress so that you can remain calm when conflicts arise. This book begins with the basics, telling you what Zen is and how you can use it to deal with the situations that come up in your fast-paced life.
Customer Reviews:
Zen for everybody.......2007-10-02
I must be an idiot, because this book really spoke to me. I understood it better than all the other books about Zen that I have read, and it helped me understand those other books, too. It answered just about all of my questions about Zen. I don't know if its definitions of Nirvana, Satori, and Kensho are orthodox or not, but they make me happy, and they confirm some of my own previous ideas. Buddha is right here, right now, and we are only waves in an infinite, eternal Ocean. Meanwhile, back to everyday reality. This book shows how Zen can help even a layperson find enlightenment in everyday life, in work, in play, in relationships, in hardship. It is a finger pointing straight at the moon.
Don't hesitate to buy.......2007-08-19
I love the Idot and Dummies series of books for making complicated subjects easier to understand, and this is no exception. If you hesitate to buy this book because you think it doesn't have meat, you are mistaken. Not only does this ease you into the subject of Zen, it gives you the tools to start using Zen in your life right now. The book contains additional information on recommended books, internet links, etc. If you are new to Zen like me, this is a great place to start. You will not be dissapointed.
Simple & great for the average person.......2007-05-11
I bought this book based on the reviews here and I am so glad I did! This is one of the top 5 spiritual books I've ever read.
I'd describe it as a nuts-and-bolts, non-religious, no-nonsense reference book for the average person to live a more peaceful life. Most books on the topic seem to assume one has the luxury of time, money, etc. to retreat to a mountain hut dressed in robes. This book offers information on how a REAL person--with a job, family stress, and all that accompanies the typical American life--can achieve more inner peace.
In particular, I have to mention that it gave the ONLY truly useful discussion and advice on meditation I've ever found (and I've searched for answers on this for years); this has allowed me to actually understand meditation and start integrating it into my life. I never thought I'd be able to.
GREAT BOOK.
Zen Pancakes.......2006-09-26
This book is not exactly brimming with the intellectual profundity of Suzuki, let's say, but it's a great little book nonetheless. Not really about Zen, this book is entirely about Zen. You don't have to practice Zen to follow along with it, but if you follow along with it you will be practicing Zen, essentially (Zazen is recommended).
This is really a book about simplifying your life, creating order in your environment, adopting an elegant and understated aesthetic, and taking control of the daily chaos that is American culture without becoming General Manager of the universe. In short, it has nothing and everything to do with Mass-Transit Satori. Make sense? No? Good, then you must be getting it.
Opened the Door.......2006-08-20
I consider myself very fortunate to have discovered this book at the time I did. After reading just a few sentences, I began to feel some relief from what was, at that time, a very tormented mind. Zen seemed to be exciting and new yet comforting and familiar at the same time.
I must admit I have not always been the best follower of the ideas in this book, but I notice that when I do try sincerely to put them into practice, there is a definite benefit. This book introduces Zen in a format that is light and accessible, and you may be surprised to find yourself quickly looking at your life in a different way.
This book also has great excerpts from other authors on the subject, as well as an extensive reading list that I've found beneficial and practical as well. Thank you to the authors!
Book Description
Instructions To The Cook is a distillation of Zen wisdom that can be used equally well as a manual on business or spiritual practice, cooking or life. The hardcover edition was featured in every major Buddhist magazine. "Be nourished and inspired! Magnificent work!"--Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Customer Reviews:
Buddhism and entrepreneurism can mix!.......2003-08-25
Enjoyed the taped version of INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COOK, written by Bernard Glassman and Rick Fields . . . subtitled A ZEN MASTER'S LESSONS IN LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS, it is actually
an autobiography that tells how Glassman took his beliefs
and used them to set up a Zen Center (with a successful
bakery) . . . I had previously thought that Buddhism and
entrepreneurism were terms that didn't even belong in the same
sentence; however, this book proved me wrong.
In addition, it confirmed for me the fact that PR-type folks sometimes
don't know what they're talking about . . . when coming up with
a name for the bakery, many advised against any mention
of the Zen tie-in . . . Glassman disagreed, though, because
he felt that to hide the fact would be not consistent with his
value system . . . he fortunately won out.
My only criticism: I would have liked to have seen a few
more actual lessons; i.e., suggestions that I could apply
to my daily life along the lines of the following one that
I did recall:
As with time, there's almost always enough money to
start the process [of starting a business or virtually
anything else].
Not a lot of Instructions..........2001-01-31
I'm a little disappointed with Glassman Roshi here. Its useful if you're considering a new endevour in business, but as far as personal practice it's not. It's more a bio on Glassman ans his successes, tooting of the horn , I feel. The "instructions" were vague an dalmost always applied only to business or corporate functioning. If you're not in this world, don't expect too much.
Combining Zen and Activism.......2000-05-13
I liked this book because it combined Zen and activism, a rare combination in our culture (unfortunately). Almost as soon as he hit the streets of New York to set up his Zen Center, Glassman was intent on helping the homeless in a meaningful way. What I enjoyed the most is when he focused on Zen principles in doing his activism. When a dilemma arose, he recommended that people meditate to find a possible solution. In the bakery he set up to employ the unemployed and homeless, he erected a meditation center so that people could meditate, if so inclined. I think his merging of spiritual practice, hard work, and activism is probably a good reason why his projects were successful. He realized that business without "more" is not fulfilling, and that spirituality needs to help the community we all live in, as its purpose is not simply to help our individual souls. A most worthwhile book. The only criticism: although he discussed himself, I would have liked to have learned even more about his background, how he came to the place of combining Zen and activism.
Building a community is a job for us all.......1998-08-24
Filled with inspiration and common sense wisdom, Glassman shows that caring can become compassion, and in turn can significantly alter our communities for the better. This is a message of hope for those who see government subsidies and the welfare system as our only way to deal with the unemployed or underemployed.
Business owners and community leaders could learn more from this book than from sitting through dozens of meetings filled with people who like to complain, rather than take action. I highly recommend this book both for the joy of seeing that there is light in the world, and as an example of how compassion can reap profits in so much more than dollars and cents.
Best Guide to Spirituality in the Street.......1997-05-11
On Becoming a Zen Cook
How do you go further from the top of a hundred-foot pole? The answer to this Zen koan, given on the opening page of Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master1s Lessons in Living a Life that Matters (Bell Tower Harmony Books) is simply, 3Live life more fully.2
The Zen 3cook2 writing this book is Bernard Glassman, abbot of the Zen Community of New York and the Zen Center of Los Angeles, with assistance from Rick Fields, editor of Yoga Journal and co-author of the Zen book, Chop Wood, Carry Water. When Dr. Glassman (with a Ph.D. in mathematics from U.C.L.A.) was an aeronautical engineer working on manned missions to Mars at McDonnell-Douglas in the 1970s, he felt a hunger for 3something more.2 He began his practice of Zen and soon became a teacher himself.
Glassman vowed to serve the 3supreme meal2 to the world1s hungry. The supreme meal for a Zen cook is life lived to the fullest. By the time he wrote his cookbook, he had created a Zen community in New York, complete with uniquely profitable means of livelihood for its members, as well as several not-for-profit social action enterprises.
How did he come to serve up such a full meal? He began by gathering the ingredients at hand at started cooking. Along the way, he didn1t worry so much about doing the 3right thing2 as simply doing the 3next thing,2 which usually proved to be correct. His cookbook, which is also an autobiography of his work, shows that a meal concocted from spirituality, livelihood and service is quite fulfilling. His story, and the teaching he makes from it, has provided me with some of the most inspiring reading I1ve encountered in a long time. I want to pass along some of his recipes here for each of five courses which make up the complete meal.
The first course is spiritual practice, such as meditation (or use other methods at hand), to develop the awareness of the oneness of all things. Spirituality also helps us to realize the stillness in the center of all our activities. We need to clear our minds just as a cook cleans the kitchen prior to cooking. We don1t meditate to become enlightened, however, but because we are enlightened, we meditate to keep our stillness in the endless cycle of cooking, serving, cleaning.
The second course is study or learning. We need our education to develop intelligence and skills. Rabbi Glassman--of course I should call him Roshi, not Rabbi, but he was born Jewish and his practical, down to earth approach has a Jewish flavor--teaches that we learn by doing. No need to wait until you know everything before you do anything, but you learn like a baby learns to walk, by getting up over and over again until you get going. Then you become more polished with practice. He teaches you to cook with all available ingredients, including your own faults and problems, which are always in plentiful supply. When a series of burglaries into the housing complex for the homeless, for example, began to anger the residents, he used the situation to teach them how much they cared about and wanted to protect their dwelling place. He used this problem to get them more involved in its management, and they learned valuable skills in the process.
The third course is livelihood, which requires practical skills put to good use. Although we don1t live to eat, we have to eat to live. No matter how spiritual we may be, finding a way to sustain ourselves in the world is a common necessity. He calls it the meat and potatoes of the meal. Denying donations, Glassman created a self-sustaining businessÐa bakeryÐbecause good food would nourish others and because it could be quite profitable. His tales of creating that business (becoming the official supplier of baked goods to the Rain Forest brand of cookies and for Ben and Jerry1s ice cream sandwiches) is an instructional manual itself in practical spirituality. He saw to it that the employees not only earned a living, but also found spiritual nourishment in their work. He had a double bottom line that he sees as really one: profit and service to all concerned.
He didn1t aim merely for profit that served, but also profit that transformed, because the forth course is social action. Creating economically self-sustaining structures that nourished the community and transformed its social landscape, he hired and trained the homeless so they could earn money to own their own shelter. Have a big vision, he counsels, but pay attention to the details. He developed, for example, an 800 number voice mail network for the homeless to communicate with each other and with potential employers.
The final course is relationship and community. He and his students lived among the homeless and learned from them in designing their programs. He also engaged local business and government to participate as be began a program of refurbishing abandoned buildings.
Glassman has had his critics, people who miss the traditional zendo. They ask, 3But is it Zen?2 He treats the question as a koan, and replies, 3Three pounds of fudge!2
Average customer rating:
- Don't bother purchasing this book
- There's no such thing as an instant cure-all! Ooops, yes there is!
- Ready, Breathe, Grow
- A Must Have Book!
- Serenity (Almost) Now--a brief technique that actually works
|
Ten Zen Seconds
Eric Maisel
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks, Inc.
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ASIN: 1402208537 |
Book Description
A powerful, ten-second technique can change stress into calm, strength and a centered approach. The basis of The Ten Second Pause is using a single deep breath as a container for a specific thought.
This technique is simple to grasp, simple to use, simple to practice and simple to master. This technique can be used anywhere, anytime, by anyone and it's profound in its benefits. You'll find yourself able to do things that previously felt too painful or too difficult to attempt. You'll be able to calm and center yourself before an important meeting or conversation. You'll be able to change your basic attitudes about life, becoming calm and positive where before you may have been anxious or pessimistic.
Blending Eastern principles of breath awareness and mindfulness with Western principles of positive psychology, together they offer a powerful antidote to stress, procrastination and anxiousness.
Customer Reviews:
Don't bother purchasing this book.......2007-10-03
This is yet another pop psychology book. Bottom line is: take deep breaths to calm yourself down in most any situation--basic common sense. Don't bother spending your money on this book. Just go out and get some fresh air and breathe deep.
There's no such thing as an instant cure-all! Ooops, yes there is!.......2007-05-04
I've read several other of Eric's books and found them to be down to earth and practically helpful. So, when he said he had an instant method to create a calm centered self, I thought I'd give it a go. I don't think I would have believed this claim from many other authors. It really does seem too good to be true. A good sceptic tests and trials before completely discarding, so test and trial I did. It really does work. I can't quite believe how easy Eric's method is to learn and practise and in the short time I've been using it I've found it has a cumulative effect as well. I feel calm and centered and when I don't, I know how to fix it - in ten seconds.
The book itself is true to his style, easy and enjoyable to read and the information is easily accessed. Honestly, do yourself a favour and get this book.
Ready, Breathe, Grow.......2007-05-04
Eric Maisel, the godfather or creativity coaching, distills the essence of mindfulness for his readers. When I first saw the book, my eyebrow crawled up to my hairline in doubt. After all, aren't Zen and "ten seconds" diametric opposites? What can anyone do in 10 seconds?
As it turns out--a lot--and my eyebrow can come back into place. The book, a little hefty square of 248 pages, is remarkably effective and efficient. Best of all, it doesn't have to be read front to back. It can be read for the incantations and practice. Another read through gives you practical applications from people who have worked through the incantations. Toward the back of the book an you can learn how to customize the incantations and combine them.
Best of all, it works. Eric Maisel is a practial, realistic author who explains as he goes along. You won't feel lost or goofy. In fact, you'll relaxed, centered and ready to tackle your life.
A Must Have Book!.......2007-05-01
High kudos for Ten Zen Seconds! It is a succinct, handy little reference book written to help you stay calm and centered in all circumstances. While the target audience is aimed for people in creative endeavors, it can also be applied to business, sports, the classroom, and parenting, to name a few.
Eric Maisel uses simple, practical language to explain how to take a ten second breath while doing an incantation to fit a specific circumstance. For example if it's a gloomy day either externally, or inside yourself, you can breathe in and say "I am open", then breathe out and say "to joy." Each chapter also has people talking specifically how the breathing and incantations helped them. That has added inspiration to Eric's expertise, which shines throughout.
The book is also beautifully designed. It is the size of a small journal, so it can be kept in a briefcase, purse, or desk or bedside drawer for convenient reference. The fonts are pleasing and vary according to voice and emphasis.
Serenity (Almost) Now--a brief technique that actually works.......2007-04-27
One of the most interesting people I have read, and continue to read, is the therapist and creativity expert Eric Maisel, whose own writing seems to embrace both the difficulty of getting ready to make art, and the dizzy sexy pleasure of actually making it. I even took an on-line creativity coach class from him, and learned, among other things, that I am REALLY bad at doing on line coaching of people I have never met face to face. That is a good lesson to learn.
Now Eric has written a new book called TEN ZEN SECONDS, and it is a splendid one. TEN ZEN SECONDS refers to a series of "incantations," as Eric calls them, short phrases that you repeat to yourself as you breathe deeply in and then out. Unlike a lot of meditation techniques, you don't need a cushion, a mat, a room, a candle. You can, in fact, be running for the damned subway while you are doing them: in fact, Eric encourages you to do just that.
The 12 phrases include:
* "I expect nothing,"
* "I return with strength," and
* "I am doing my work."
You can repeat one, or string them together like beads. Despite their brevity, they are the very opposite of quick fixes. While generally people--including me--find relief in the very first 10 second incantation, the point is to keep doing them, and notice how you shift when you interrupt your big old patten of stress with a generous thought, and a deep in and out breath. Very portable, and you don't have to carry around a sticky, possibly bacteria-laden mat to do it!
Book Description
Our Appointment with Life is a translation and commentary on the Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone, the earliest teaching of the Buddha on how to live fully in the present moment.
Customer Reviews:
The ROOTS of *LIVING IN THE PRESENT* lie deep in the Past . . ........2006-03-02
Turning to Thich Nhat Hanh when entering the Lenten season of sacrifice, a Christian will discover many anxiety-freeing thoughts on "our appointment with life." In my eightieth year I find these words from the *Great Reverence Sutra* helpful: "If (we) do not practice diligently, how can (we) overcome death?"
Thich Nhat Hanh is the revered leader of retreats and prolific writer who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King. His discourses make an understanding of Buddhism seem accessible . . . With patience. The Buddha lived in 500 B.C. and the searching continues today.
A Zen Buddhist does not employ exclamation points in writing (or living?) although entire meditations could be considered as exclamatory statements. They require a listening mind & posture. Thinking about the Zen approach to *aloneness* is helpful, as are the words of St. Paul: "Not that I have already obtained, yet I press on." This first day of Lent 2006 finds Reviewer mcHAIKU choosing to devote the coming days to listening, but lacking the close proximity of Thich Nhat Hanh. the written word will be my Teacher.
A good book, meaningful, but too short.......2004-10-06
This book is a detailed but single purposed elaboration of the following message of the Buddha.
Do not pursue the past.
Do not lose yourself in the future.
The past no longer is.
The future has not yet come.
Looking deeply at life as it is in the very here and now,
the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.
We must be diligent today.
To wait until tomorrow is too late.
Death comes unexpectedly.
How can we bargain with it?
The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day "one who knows the better way to live alone."
When a person lives in this way, he has no hesitation in his heart. He gives up all anxieties and regrets, lets go of all binding desires, and cuts the fetters which prevent him from being free.
Meaningful and well written! That's for sure. The drawback: US$8.00 is far too expensive for a 54 page book, given the author's popularity that guarantees a good sales quantity.
Living alone right in society.......2004-07-27
My mother raised me. She worked diligently at a job that paid her less than a living-wage. Yet we lived. Mother worked hard and she worked a second-shift as mom: performing domestic work and trying to keep me from becoming a criminal and/or a substance abuser. Being raised as an only child by a single mother afforded me a great deal of alone time. I, like Thera (Elder) did many things alone growing up (some activities wholesome, others curious, and yet others downright antisocial). I am not uncomfortable being alone.
Now, as a husband and father, I mostly find myself with others. I first read this text as my wife pre-wedding co-ordinated for our friends' wedding. I had 3 hours to burn in a sweltering parking lot and I decided to read _Our Appointment With Life_. I felt ironic and figured 'why not read a book about being alone' prior to witnessing a marriage, a union of two into one. Thinking simply, I considered alone to mean: without human contact. Buddha (and Hanh) corrected my base thinking. In Buddha's words (to Thera, monk who thought he 'lived alone' because he avoided human contact): 'In observing life deeply, it is possible to see clearly all that is. Not enslaved by anything, it is possible to put aside all craving. The result is a life of peace and joy. This is truly to live alone,' (p. 4). I meditated on this gatha and altered my narrow definition of alone. Hanh fills this book with exhortations on how to live alone within society and the crux of the text focuses on the importance of mindfulness via living fully in the PRESENT MOMENT.
As a Sociologist, I especially enjoy Hanh's paragraphs on 'poor', 'unwholesome movies', and 'bad books' and how mindfulness can enlighten these topics.
This text contains three parts. 'The Sutras' contain translations of 'The Elder Sutra' and 'The Sutra on the Better Way to Live Alone'. These translations total 6 pages. 'The Subject Matter of the Sutras' consists of Thich Nhat Hahn's elaboration of the Buddha's sutras. Hahn utilizes various ancient Buddhist sources (_Dhammapada_, _Theragatha_, _Agamas_, _Majjhima Nikaya_, _The God of the Forest Hot Springs Sutra_, _Shakyan Hermitage Sutra_, etc.)in this section, yet he makes the material accessible to both non-Buddhists and devout Buddhists. As always, Hanh makes a concerted effort to simplify as much material as possible. This section is 11 pages in length. The third section is 'Putting the Teachings of the Buddha into Practice' and Hanh offers simple life advice. The text ends with translations of 2 Gathas.
Simple, succinct and wonderful.......2002-02-02
Don't be fooled by the thinness of this book, because it is packed with wisdom presented in an easily absorbed manner. The simplicity of Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary on this sutra makes its meaning so crystal clear, reading this was like experiencing an epiphany. It provides more information on mindfulness, and as a novice, the more concrete the information the better, and this has been the best so far. Perhaps the best guide I have found for instruction on how to live in the here and now and how important the present is to our future. We are how we are because of how we lived in the past, so we must pay critical attention to the present to ensure our futures are happy ones, because the now will turn into the future.
Welcome addition to Buddhist studies for the western reader........2000-05-05
Our Appointment With Life: Discourse On Living Happily In The Present Moment is a splendid and "reader friendly" translation and commentary on the Sutra on "Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone" and one of the earliest teachings of the Buddha on living fully in the present moment. "To live alone" means to live in mindfulness: to let go of the past and the future, and to look deeply and discover the true nature of all that is taking place in the present moment. It does not mean isolating from society, but to know what to do and what not to do to be of help with people. Our Appointment With Life is a welcome addition to library of Buddhist studies available to the Western reader.
Book Description
Exploring a new religion is no easy task. That's why the Simple series is so popular—these delightful books take readers by the hand and lead them into the basics of an Eastern faith without intimidation or confusion. Simple Buddhism, invites readers to discover this appealing religion and its peaceful doctrines, as well as:
* The history of Buddhism
* The themes of Buddhism (The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, Nirvana, and Nirvana, and more)
* How to apply Buddhism in your everyday life
* The ultimate thesis of Buddhism: to live in the moment, see things as they truly are, and recognize yourself as part of the whole
Customer Reviews:
greatest introduction for westerners.......2005-10-23
I had learned before that the path of happiness wasnt exactly the same as the path of a specific goal, and that attachment to goals can cause trouble when multiple goals contradict, and arent seen clearly. From here, I was in a unique position to see how the mind sets up dualities, gets caught up in specifics, and suffers, as this book taught. Two weeks after starting this book, reading the phrase "no-mind" i realised that we naturally, when mindful, gravitate to wisdoms' way, and that there is no need for suffering, only to acknowledge pains purpose. This book is systematic, non-mystical in its communication, using scientific and psychological frameworks to show why the mind feels pain, and why when clung to suffers. Since this book shows the key principles in the different methods of enlightment, i believe this book to be a better starting point then say a zen book, or a tantric or faith based book, though all these are good when the general notions of buddhism are understood.
Just what a newbie needs.......2005-01-21
This is a clear and effective guide to Buddhism 101 but much less wordy or unserious as a "Dummies"-type guide. The first part is about the history of Buddhism, which isn't the most interesting thing I ever read, but was informative. Part 2 is about basic Buddhist themes, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Part 3 is about putting Buddhism into practice in one's daily life and is very practical and patient.
If you're already at the intermediate level with Buddhism, this will be too simple for you. But if you've only learned meditation or had a general idea about Buddhism, this is very enlightening and concise.
A Well Presented and Inspiring Guide to Buddhism.......2003-10-10
This book offers a great introduction to Buddhism. It puts it in context with a clear history and interesting review of sutras. The themes give you a good sense of what Buddhism deals with. The third section is a very easy to follow guide to get you started. Buddhism can get you in touch with yourself and your life, to wake up! This book beautifully introduces the reader to these important ideas and methods as it also guides in applying them to life. I have read all the other books by the Simpkins in this series and found each one useful. I am looking forward to their new release, Buddhism in Ten: Easy Lessons for Spiritual Growth.
An accessible introduction to Buddhist thought.......2002-03-28
This accessible introduction to Buddhist thought and practices shows readers both how the mindful life is lived and how they can use these revered principles to promote harmony in their own lives. In addition to cornerstones such as the Four Noble Truths, the authors include meditation exercises for filling and clearing the mind, transcending negative experience, resolving conflict, and achieving inner balance.
historical perspective and a guide to enjoying life.......2000-11-06
"Simple Buddhism" starts with a brief history of Buddhism and gives readers a perspective of the various philosophies that have evolved from the roots of Buddhism. More importantly it a useful guide to getting enjoyment out of every day life. It provides a framework for thinking, feeling, and coping with our world as well as a "how-to" primer on meditation.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty darn special.......2007-07-13
When I purchased this book online about a year ago, I had no idea what a gift it would be. I was curious about Zen, but hadn't incorporated it into my life quite yet. I read pieces of the book here and there, and I soon realized there was something really incredible about it. It seemed like no matter what I was going through in life, reading only a few pages would "speak" to me incredibly. It feels like this book was written just for me, and I believe that chances are you will feel the same way when you read it for yourself. The book is so excellent that I decided to purchase it for my friend. Finally today I have finished this book, and I can't wait to read it again.
This book is very down to earth. Compassionate, but brutally honest. If you will open your mind and heart, this book will guide you in transforming your "small mind" into "big mind." I would say this book is equivalent to a Christian devotional. Definitely won't hurt to read one short chapter everyday. This book will continue giving, and perhaps you will too. :)
An Ok read........2007-01-11
An Ok read - nothing special. There are no answers for life in this book, just guidance for sitting.
A book about reality.......2006-10-25
I purchased this book about 5 years ago and it has certainly changed my life. I keep it on hand daily, and turn to it when I find myself getting carried away with the "pressures" of life in modern America. Joko's words keep me grounded and remind me that none of the problems I experience are real - what is real is the experience of the moment. It's a lot easier to understand this than to do it on a regular basis, but at least there's a guide when the way seems lost.
This was my first (and favorite) book on Zen Buddhism and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand what is really going on in our heads. It can be hard to accept if you're not ready, but following Joko's teachings has gotten me out of the Rat Race for good.
Lastly, I could not disagree more with the reviewer who gave it one star and only liked the first story. This book is full of great metaphors for understanding what Living Zen (real life) is all about.
Beck at her best, as always.......2006-08-14
I read "Everyday Zen" several times and loved it. Recently saw this book on the shelf, bought it immediately and was not disappointed.
I am not sure where one of the previous reviewers got the notion that there are no teachings in Zen. The very history of it is based on names of teachers, starting with Buddha. Rinzai, Boddhidharma, Suzuki - these are just a few that come to mind. Well, Beck is another name for that list.
And yes, it requires years of practice to get an undertanding. And even after years and years of sitting, old techers will tell you that they are just beginners in Zen.
Go figure... Or just sit...
A Helpful Teaching.......2006-03-03
For years I was obsessed with Zen books. However, it wasn't until I came across Joko's books that I encountered the radical suggestion: OUR LIFE IS OUR PRACTICE!!! It was a real eye opener. I reread "Everyday Zen" three or four time in a row. My teachers in Rochester were pretty unimpressed; they thought that Joko was for people "who weren't ready for Zen." (One of them really did say that!) I thought otherwise; her work addressed the disconnect between a practice created for those in monasteries and the "self-centered dream" of our lives. It baffled me that people would be having "openings" in the Zendo and then treat their family like dirt after a retreat. She taught that working with our family "issues" (noticing our thoughts and resting in our physical experience) was not something separate from our practice on the cushions in the meditation hall. No duality.
I ended up working with Joko for about five years. She was (and is) every bit as remarkable in real life as she was in her book. There isn't a lot of drama in this practice. Our life becomes less of a soap opera and becomes more mundane. From that ordinariness emerge joy, compassion, love and all of the other aspects of our true nature. You might have fewer of the kind of lightening bolts of a traditional practice. Instead, you will have a grounded life that brings peace rather than pain into this world.
Book Description
In this sequel to Being Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how mindful awareness can help us see the roots of war, violence, substance abuse, and social alienation. Touching Peace offers a compelling vision for rebuilding society.
Customer Reviews:
A.......2006-01-12
Touching Peace... was one of the first books I read by the author, and I was quite impressed, and have gained a sincere respect and appreciation for Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh writes in a simple, uncluttered, informative style that keeps the reader excited about reading the book, while experiencing a state of calm awareness of the present moment. While I don't necessarily believe in everything the author presents, (diet) I can now understand the thought process that goes into such beliefs.
Community Building.......2004-11-16
In this book Thich Nhat Hanh addresses a mindful community. He starts with the individual and peace within. From there he moves to creating peace and harmony within relationships with another person. The last is the community.
This book was written during the first Gulf "Conflict" and his feelings on that are included in this book. It's always inspiring to read about philosophical leaders who are generally regarded as pacificts yet angry and frustrated about things that happen in the world arena. Illustrating how they mentally frame them.
In 1967 Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was raised in Viet Nam and was present during the VietNam war. His village "Plum Village" is in France and he teaches world-wide. His "style" (for lack of better word) brings another beautiful dimension to the endlessly facinating philosophy of Buddhism. A "philosophy" that, from India, Tibet or Japan, still eschews the main underlying principles of peace, compassion and non-violence.
He also wrote another book, which I have not read yet, comparing Buddha to Jesus as brothers in peace. Maybe we all should read that one.
Great reading for beginners in Buddhism.......2004-07-04
I was looking for Buddhist writings that were down to earth and relevant to modern Western lifestyle. Being Peace and Touching Peace are just that. They are simple, approachable, and meaningful. I was instantly able to apply what I learned and my practice is better for it.
Phenominal.......2002-05-07
Thich Nhat Hanh is a fantastic writer. When I first developed an interest in Buddhist teachings, I was a little reluctant to pick up a lot of books for fear that they would be 150 pages of obscure metaphores. In Thich Nhat Hanh's case (especially with this book) he brings a sense of friendship to the reader from the first couple of pages. Also, he makes what he's writing about very undrstandable. I don't really read very much at all, but I finished this book the night after I bought it. Excellent in all aspects.
A Friendly Chat.......2002-03-06
This was a really good read for several reasons. One reason i gave it a 5 is that the authors personality is strong throughout the book, as if he were in the room. This makes for a great read that is more like a friendly chat than anything. Another great part of this book is the emphasis on mindfulness. If you like this part of the book, you may want to check out Jiddu Krishnamurti's works as well. But the best thing i found about this book was the Sangra (or community) building section. Our happiness does depend very much on other people, so living in peace with the people close to you is very important. This book shows how to make the most of each others presence and our lives.
Book Description
Living Zen is that rare achievement, both a survey of the rich history of Zen Buddhism and a guide to the practice of this most demanding and effortless art of being. Linssen, a distinguished Belgian scholar, offers a sage corrective to the idea that the Zen way is available only to those prepared to sit life out under the Bhodi-Tree. Gently but insistently, he undermines this typically Western view, inviting and enabling us, as Christmas Humphreys puts it in his preface, to take “the leap from thought to No-thought, from the ultimate duality of Illusion/Reality to a burst of laughter and a cup of tea.”
Customer Reviews:
Best book on the subject and life-changing for me..........2005-11-15
First read this book in 1976 and am still reading it.
Because I come from an Ivy League intellectual background I have found that the intellectual approach to Zen worked best for me.
When I first read it, almost 30 years ago, I had a major spiritual awakening. I "got it" while reading this book, in a moment I will never forget.
Now I read it from time to time just to enjoy it.
If you are an educated Westerner this is the best source of Zen for you. Read this book.
The best book on Zen I ever read.......1999-12-18
This is the most helpful, complete, and well-written book on Zen I have ever read. I first read it a couple of months ago, and I continually return to it to re-read chapters, gaining deeper levels of understanding.
A jewel in my life.......1999-10-20
Living Zen lives up to its title- a book 'alive' with 'presence and soul'. I would highly recommend this book to anyone curious to go beyond any particular religion or system. Linssen's ideas are not a nebulous form of zen 'instruction' but rather a concrete expression of the connection between physics, science, psychology, biology. This book is the most 'complete' book I have ever read.
A jewel in my life.......1999-10-20
Living Zen lives up to its title- a book 'alive' with 'presence and soul'. I would highly recommend this book to anyone curious to go beyond any particular religion or system. Linssen's ideas are not a nebulous form of zen 'instruction' but rather a concrete expression of the connection between physics, science, psychology, biology. This book is the most 'complete' book I have ever read.
What is Zen?.......1998-02-19
A good description of what Zen is about. He uses analogies with scientific principles of chemistry and physics to help explain the teachings of Zen. I recommend it to the scientifically trained.
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