Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen

by Shunryu Suzuki

Other authorsEsward Espe Brown (Editor)
Paperback, 2003

Status

Available

Publication

Quill

Description

Practising the true spirit of Zen. Not Always So is based on Shunryu Suzuki's lectures and is framed in his own inimitable, allusive, paradoxical style, rich with unexpected and off-centre insights. Suzuki knew he was dying at the time of the lectures, which gives his thoughts an urgency and focus even sharper than in the earlier book. In Not Always So Suzuki once again voices Zen in everyday language with the vigour, sensitivity, and buoyancy of a true friend. Here is support and nourishment. Here is a mother and father lending a hand, but letting you find your own way. Here is guidance which empowers your freedom (or way-seeking mind), rather than pinning you down to directions and techniques. Here is teaching which encourages you to touch and know your true heart and to express yourself fully, teaching which is not teaching from outside, but a voice arising in your own being.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
Suzuki is the patron "saint" of American Buddhism, and rightly so. This is a collection of his talks at various retreats and sesshins. There is nothing new here, but you get to hear it in different forms. This is not as polished a book as [Zen Mind Beginner's Mind], and I found some parts were not
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as well thought out as others, as if he were speaking off the cuff and it accidently got recorded. Perhaps it could have used better editing.
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LibraryThing member AzureMountain
This collection of dharma talks was deep and interesting reading. I read one talk nightly while on a seven day meditation retreat. When you cannot get a talk from your own teacher, it can be good to listen to the wisdom of others.

Language

Original language

English

Barcode

1941
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