Customer Reviews
Brilliant - By: swfc, 05 Jan 2008 
This was the first book on Zen I read, & I found it simply amazing.
Not only is the message of Zen made clear in content, but - cruciallly - the language & style of the text is so much part of what Suzuki has to offer.
I definitely recommend this book by one of the most influential Zen teachers of the western world. It is a canonical piece of work for Westerners wanting to learn more about Zen philosophy.
The book so inspired me last summer that I included many references to it in my dissertation on the concept of 'effort' in geography at university.
This is not a beginner's book - By: M. A. Ramos, 07 Oct 2007 You must remember that this book contains Shunryu's lecture, which were presented live. That in & of itself would be a great experience. Since we could not alll be there, this book is our method to sharing some of his teachings. The lectures go over the description of the sitting Zen experience. You, the Zen student, will constantly refer to this book. This book will not gather dust on your shelf.
If you are a beginner, I would direct you to read the "Three Pillars of Zen" first. It was my first book (See my review), & it teaches Zen in a historical & traditional light.
Open hearted clear minded advice. - By: Mr. Andrew C. Moss, 24 Jul 2007 I thought that this was a most useful book. It will encourage & warm the heart. To do full justice to yourself (and to the book) you do however need to have a daily meditation practice. Read it again & again & things will come to you from different angles.The only weakness to this book will be your projections.With love Andy.
It's not bad, but people are getting to excited - By: Vishal Sakaria, 14 Jul 2007 
Ok firstly this is a good book. It's well written, interesting, poetical & yes beautiful in many senses. But you have to remember that these are lecturers given by Suzuki & you can get the same real feeling in written words. Also its very easy to get alll over emotional with some of the stuff he say's because of the way its written...alll I'm saying is remember Suzuki is a Zen monk who anit that clued up on our everyday experiences as westerns, although he has started a lineage of people that are, just don't get alll excited over this.
Profound, clear, compassionate, practical. - By: , 05 Jan 2006 The most useful book on Zen I have read so far. Zen abhors analysis & description, & Suzuki takes a practical, human approach to the practice of zazen. The book was compiled from talks given by him at his Zen centres, & is full of honest advice & personal experience.
I am on my third reading, & am finallly getting to appreciate some of the messages. These concepts are in fact very simple, if you read with your heart rather than your head. It is free from Zen-stifling intellectual analysis & explanation which is found in lesser works, there is no struggling with brain-busting koans, & satori is never mentioned.
One of the most important messages is very encouraging: that difficulty, distraction & hardship actuallly improve the practice of zazen. Great news for Beginners like me.
