Book Description
FOREWORD BY GUY KAWASAKI

Presentation designer and internationally acclaimed communications expert Garr Reynolds, creator of the most popular Web site on presentation design and delivery on the net — presentationzen.com — shares his experience in a provocative mix of illumination, inspiration, education, and guidance that will change the way you think about making presentations with PowerPoint or Keynote. Presentation Zen challenges the conventional wisdom of making "slide presentations" in today’s world and encourages you to think differently and more creatively about the preparation, design, and delivery of your presentations. Garr shares lessons and perspectives that draw upon practical advice from the fields of communication and business. Combining solid principles of design with the tenets of Zen simplicity, this book will help you along the path to simpler, more effective presentations.


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Customer Reviews (35)

Useful but disappointing
I found Presentation Zen disappointing. It seemed to violate in writing style many of the principles it seeks to correct in slide design, reading more like a meandering conversation over drinks than a well-laid-out, step-by-step primer. For example, the book was frustratingly repetitive, with even the simplest points restated through multiple chapters (really, how many times do you have to suggest using post-it notes?). Some central points came and went quietly in sidebars, and others completely lacked explanation or justification (i.e. the rule for using six words maximum per slide). Every time I thought I was about to discover a new and enlightening concrete principle of visual design with valid reasoning, it seemed the point from the previous chapter was repeated instead. Moreover, exceptions or alternate approaches also weren't considered, such as times when using a whopping seven words on a slide might be useful, or when more complex slide builds and transitions could help an audience grasp a concept. In addition, many of the points made in the book, such as the value of "taking risks," seemed obvious and trite.

Overall, like many tedious slide shows I've endured, I felt the book could have been half as long and made its points with the same clarity, and would have showed more respect for the reader's time. To its credit, it does offer some useful ideas on slide design, and some excellent graphic examples. It's also visually appealing, with beautiful slide reprints, tons of "good" and "bad" examples to learn from, and cleanly-designed pages. Still, I'd trade the appealing design for tighter, more solid, more useful content.

6 stars!
I will give 6 stars if I could. I am frustrated many a time reading books which are scored 5 stars in customer review. As compared to ordinary "5 stars" books, this one deserve 6 stars! Anyone who is serious about presentation should get one. I brought several copies as gift to my best friends as well.

Brilliant book for anyone who presents
This is an excellent book. I know PowerPoint better than most of my colleagues, and I present regularly (and i feel reasonably successfully) to senior and executive audiences. If you're in a similar situation, then I beleive this could be the best money you can spend. It has inspired and positively challenged me in numerous ways. If you are a regular presenter, it will challenge your thinking, your style and your approach, and encourage you to become better. If you're a newbie, then read this and don't listen to anyone else!

This is not a book to teach you about PowerPoint, so if you want that go buy 'PowerPoint for Dummies' - but dont expect to become a better presenter because of it. If you have a basic knowledge of PowerPoint, you probably know more than enough to take advantage of this material. This book will teach you how to present using PowerPoint to creatively support your ideas as opposed to using it as a crutch.

The man knows what he is talking about
First off I have to admit I am a bit bias, I have read Garr blog for years now.Nonetheless, this book embodies what a great powerpoint is and isn't.

Be careful what you wish for, after reading this book you may have an epiphany that 95% of the power points presented are truly awful.

A lot of the content and concepts of the book are covered in his blog, but this is a better easy to use offline reference.

Before you dare making that presentation...
go thro' this book once more,
go thro' your story, and
go thro' your slides.

You'd find that the PZ approach evangelized by Garr cuts thro' all the non-essentials and then, lets you present your beautiful story as you know it to the audience. I agree with 'Even Teachers Present' comment that the way you present the content/story matters more than the content itself. As a lecturer myself, my single most important aim in classroom is to make my students understand my lectures. I do receive a lot of ready-made powerpoint/pdf slides from book publishers, however I always design my own slides. That idea came when I started following Garr's fantastic Presentation Zen blog. Designing one's slides/presentation would be synonymous to taking l'il journeys into yourself, bring out those rich experiences and merge them with the present to create a beautiful presentation your audience would certainly appreciate. And the PZ approach shows you the tools to do just that.
What I really like about the PZ book is that I have the presentation wisdoms in my hand and I can make mini notes in the book. Though.. I wouldn't recommend anyone to be too carnal to this beautiful book ;-). Yes, it's that good!
No, no second thoughts. Go buy it!=) ... Read more

Amazon.com
Arguably one of the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the consequences of a modern worldpathologically obsessed with quantity.Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a trulylife-changing book.Book Description

One of the most important and influential books written in the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful, moving, and penetrating examination of how we live . . . and a breathtaking meditation on how to live better. Here is the book that transformed a generation: an unforgettable narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America's Northwest, undertaken by a father and his young son. A story of love and fear -- of growth, discovery, and acceptance -- that becomes a profound personal and philosophical odyssey into life's fundamental questions, this uniquely exhilarating modern classic is both touching and transcendent, resonant with the myriad confusions of existence . . . and the small, essential triumphs that propel us forward.

Customer Reviews (511)

A true culture bearer
I have read this book 4 times first I read it was about 12 years back and I would say everytime I read it, it gave me a new perspective in life. It is a true work of philosophy brilliant and original.

Something which will make people like Ayn Rand's work seem immature in terms of applicability to real life no matter how logically consistent it may be in the narrowly defined system of logic of their own chosing.

The book really sucessfully points to the breach between romantic and classical view. In my humble opinion it is way too easy to define your set of rules and come up with logically consistent narrative but it is bound to be dogmatic. Just like work of Ayn Rand unfortunately I read pirsig before I read Rand and felt pukish when I read her work. Surprisingly many intellectuals of our times whom I admire admire her work. But I guess most would prefer the comfort of logical consistency and assumptions of knoweble and unknoweble.

If for nothing else read it for its historical significance it is still a best seller but it created an era may be created cult followings which Pirsig never intended to begin with and prompted some in the academic world to call it cocaine of contemporary philosophy. It is a true culture bearer a term used by the author himself about other book 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.

Infuse your soul with Quality
Anybody who knows me well enough would say that this is exactly the type of book I would enjoy reading, being a blend of deep philosophy, the freedom of the open road and a spirit of adventure. And indeed, going even further, I was able to identify with both the narrator and with Phaedrus in several parts of the book, and saw various parts of my own personality and events in my life reflected in their characters and circumstances. Phaedrus, alone in his own universe, causing him to be someone who others do not always understand and who are sometimes frightened by him, when in fact he means no harm. Phaedrus who doesn't give a damn about what others think of him or being right in society's eyes as long as he knows he is right. Phaedrus, looking for meaning and purpose in life and being considered the insane one when in fact the ones doing the criticising are the ones in need of help. The narrator, going on a long drive across America as a form of therapy for the soul and a means of reflection about life and trying to determine what course his future should take and to excise some ghosts from the past.

One of the great strengths of this book is the ability of the author to present and link difficult concepts in a way that you can easily understand and which make sense. The book is heavy going in some places, but I can only imagine how much heavier going it would have been had a less skilled author tried to write it. To try and unite the concepts of ancient Greek philosophy, modern science, Eastern mysticism, and religion all into one coherent whole takes some doing, but Pirsig succeeds in this. Along the way philosophical concepts such as scientific materialism, idealism, sophism, logic, rhetoric etc. are also clearly discussed by the author, all within the underlying story of the book, together with arguments for or against these.

This book did not disappoint. In fact, the conclusions reached are quite astounding and certainly make sense. Yet I do feel that at times the way the author presents the practical application of Quality in one's life is a bit idealistic and too easy sounding. Just get interested in and value whatever you have to do and all will be fine! Even if it's fixing a motorcycle or balancing the books or picking up golf balls on a driving range ,or washing dishes. Mmm, don't think things are always quite as simple as that. But at least this is philosophy that can be applied to one's everyday life, and Pirsig makes a concerted effort to show readers how they can do so, especially so that they can live more fulfilled and meaningfully. Too often, philosophers and enlightened people are accused of being impractical dreamers whose beliefs do not address the realities of a harsh world. Not necessarily so with the ideas and concepts in this book.

So then, what is the underlying message of this book? Firstly, this is not a book about Zen Buddhist practice and nor is it a book about motorcycle maintenance. Rather, practical motorcycle maintenance is skillfully used by the author to illustrate various philosophical concepts he is thinking about during his trip (the title of this book, although strange sounding at first, was cleverly chosen by the author. I think that one of the reasons for the success of the book is its strange title. Had it been called, for example, "New Concepts in Modern Philosophy" etc. it is unlikely this book would have been the success it has been with the mass market, but that still wouldn't deter from its brilliance). Pirsig is saying that our way of dividing the world into subjects (mind/ consciousness) and objects is incorrect. There is a third entity which is independent of the two and which encompasses them: Quality, which is found in the relationship of the two with each other. It is the point at which the subject and object meet. Quality is not a thing, it is an event. It is the event at which the subject becomes aware of the object. And because without objects there can be no subject - because the objects create the subject's awareness of himself - Quality is the event at which awareness of both subjects and objects is made possible. However, it is not just the result of a collision between subject and object. The very existence of subjects and objects themselves is deduced from the Quality event. The Quality event is the cause of subjects and objects, which are then mistakenly presumed to be the cause of the Quality! While in the process of coming to the above conclusions, the author addresses such questions as: Can Quality be defined? If not, what does that imply? If it happens that Quality exists in the object, why can't scientific instruments detect it? On the other hand, if Quality is subjective, exiting only in the mind of the observer, then isn't it just a fancy name for whatever you like? Isn't an object just an intellectual construct deduced from its qualities? Pirsig continues: "People differ about Quality, not because Quality is different, but because people are different in term of past experience/ a priori analogues. The easiest intellectual analogue of pure Quality that most people understand is that Quality is the response of an organism to its environment. In our highly complex organic state we advanced organisms respond to our environment with an invention of many marvelous analogues. We invent earth and heavens, trees, stones and oceans, gods, music, arts, language, philosophy, engineering, science. We call these analogues reality. And they are reality! We mesmerize our children in the name of truth into knowing that they are reality. We throw anyone who does not accept these analogues into an insane asylum. But that which causes us to invent the analogues is Quality. Quality is the continuing stimulus which our environment puts upon us to create the world in which we live. All of it. Now, to take that which has caused us to create the world, and include it within the world we have created is clearly impossible. That is why Quality cannot be defined. If we do define it we are defining something less than Quality itself. Quality is the great generating force of all religions, past and present, all knowledge, everything." The author then goes on to explain the striking similarities between Quality and Zen/ God/ Tao/ Buddha/ Ultimate Truth etc. How he arrives at these conclusions is explained thoroughly in the book. Read the book!

While reading the story one undoubtedly gets the feeling that the author is of course speaking about events and things that really did happen in his own life. Therefore, he really did think all the things in the book and maybe "crack a great secret". Because of the depth, brilliance and originality of the way the concepts are united, you feel a little bit of arrogance between the lines coming from the author, and sometimes it seems that he skillfully diverted such possible perceptions of the reader by letting it seem as though the characters in the book discovered everything, and not the author. The book is certainly not written in an arrogant style, and the author must have a deep and brilliant mind to have synthesized all these concepts so skillfully. Also, the part near the beginning of the book where he discusses scientific laws, like gravity for example, not being real things either but only "ghosts" in people's minds ie. subjective entities, was very interesting, and a nice stab at scientific materialism which is too often criticizes other fields for their lack of "objectivity".

One of the things I found quite surprising, but in a negative way, was that at the end of the book, in the Afterword, the author speaks about one of the characters who had passed away in real life a few years after the book had been written. The author speaks about how one is always sad when this type of thing happens and a person always wonders if one lives on after death in some form of energy etc. He mentions that he eventually came to the opinion that one does, for example his newborn daughter who seems to be the incarnation of the former person who passed away. What surprised me about this piece from the author was that you would have thought he would have had his beliefs and opinions on this sorted out long ago. I found it surprising that in a book full of such deep and penetrating insights, that he would not be sure about something as fundamental as death and what that means. I almost felt as though the author let something slip here in the very end, in the Afterword of all places. Nevertheless, this book thoroughly deserves five stars, and I know I will return to it often in order to revise the concepts and ideas presented therein to feed my soul with Quality.

(By the way, there is a very interesting website called Quantonics.com which I stumbled across a couple of years ago, and which is where I first found out about this book. They go into all these concepts in a very scientific way, using quantum physics etc. Interesting stuff.)

Totally Intense
I got this book for my husband and he's making it through it.It's not an easy read but he hasn't given up yet!

I struggled to finish this drivel...avoid at all costs
I am now glad I actual slogged through this book for one reason only.It now solidifies my belief that if a book is getting god awful no matter HOW much of it I have read, I should quit.I wish I did that after the first 100 pages.

Pirsig's novel contains so many things that make reading a chore, or just flat out PAINFUL.This isn't a story it's a screed.This book should have been chopped in more than half consisting of a short story of maybe 100 pages.You are constantly bombarded by intellectual/philosophical meanderings that go nowhere.Not only do they go nowhere they are bone dry dull, mindnumbingly deadening, add NOTHING to the story, and are just flat out ridiculous.

Here is how the book reads, pages and pages of blah blah blah blah (repeat for 50 pages)... I get off the bike and change the oil.blah blah blah blah blah blah... we are heading West now.blah blah blah blah.

In fact the book is just about the opposite of everything good books are suppose to be.This book is, plotless, boring, dry, longwinded, pretentious, dull, unfocused, an ego trip for the author, shall I go on????Seriously this reads like the longest most boring academic paper on the most deranged subject you could think of.How could you even care about the characters in this book after reading these abhorrent passages that in the end really say nothing.I am glad I skimmed the last 10 chapters and only read the passages that contained dialogue.Seriously if you did that you could read this book and understand this story in less than 4/5ths the time it takes to read all the tripe.

I suggest you drive nails through your skull seriously it's less painful than reading this dreck.

classic gift
This book makes a classic gift for the philosopher in the family-I would also recommend FREE YOUR MIND by Anthony Stultz-soon to be a new classic! ... Read more

Book Description
Summer has arrived -- and so has Koo, Stillwater's haiku-speaking young nephew. And when Stillwater encourages Koo, and his friends Addy, Michael, and Karl to help a grouchy old neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in unexpected ways.

Zen Ties is a disarming story of compassion and friendship that reaffirms the importance of our ties to one another.

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Customer Reviews (5)

Breathtaking
This hardcover picture book took my breath away. Not since last summer's Walt Disney's Cinderella has a book so impressed me with its marriage of visuals and story.

The story is pretty simple. Huge panda Stillwater picks up his visiting nephew Koo -- who only speaks in haiku -- at the train station. They are joined by Stillwater's friends Addy, Michael and Karl. The pandas play with the kids, and Michael tells Stillwater his concerns about an upcoming Spelling Bee. Stillwater then takes them to Miss Whitaker's house, an elderly woman who lives on the kids' street. None of the three children can believe Stillwater would be friends with such a cranky, unpleasant person. Stillwater helps the siblings get to know Miss Whitaker, and they realize she is sad and bitter because she is alone, scared and not well. In the end the kids and the old lady learn to appreciate and help each other.

There is such depth here. Consider the wordplay. When Stillwater picks up his nephew, he says "Hi, Koo!" And then, of course, Koo only speaks in the 17-syllable haiku poetry form. The lovely and realistic watercolor renditions of people and pandas make the whole story seem dreamlike. Stillwater sometimes seems normal panda sized, sometimes as big as a house. The wordless -- and haunting -- image of Miss Whitaker, late at night, looking at a painting Karl and Koo made for her is worth the price of the book in itself.

Yet another terrific book by Jon Muth
We are huge fans of The Three Questions and Zen Shorts, so snapped this one up upon publication and are not disappointed. Lovely, lovely illustrations that visually celebrate the community that the story endorses. Stillwater, like some sort of modern-day Nana (the dog nanny in Peter Pan), teaches his human companions how simple acts help us overcome our fears. And Koo is a hilarious addition.

Haikus for Life
In `Zen Ties' Jon J. Muth revisits his delightful story of the friendship between siblings Addy, Michael, and Karl with Zen master panda bear Stillwater. Yet, here Muth adds a wonderful surprise - Stillwater's haiku-talking nephew Koo comes over from Japan to visit and in one week they will discover that many times what seems is not always what is.

When Stillwater makes friends with an angry neighbor, the siblings are speechless. They can not understand how Stillwater could ever want to spend a day with the bitter old lady who is always screaming at them to not play on her yard. Combining his peaceful messages with Koo's simple haikus, Stillwater shows Addy, Michael, and Karl that being alone and scared often makes people angry, but with a little love, patience, and care a person's true personality will come shining through.

'Zen Ties' is a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated by Muth's watercolors. It a great read in classes and in the home if you are teaching a lesson on morality and caring for grandparents and the elderly. Muth's addition of Koo's character also adds a creative journey into different forms of poetry - you can pair this up with a lesson on Japanese culture and a `write your own haiku' exercise with the class. (Literature teachers of older students can use this too!) This book is a great addition to your Muth collection and could be read before or after reading `Zen Shorts'.

Wonderful!
Zen Ties is soothing / like breathing in yoga class / forgetting worries

Animate readers / with soft, light watercolors / and careful phrases

Rewards are greatest / when we help one another / teaches Stillwater

Be kind to planet / remember not to destroy / learns our young wee Koo

Happier today / for reading this picture book / Many thanks to Muth

Awesome Book
This is a very cute story for children which shows the way we are all part of humanity and how one receives help through helping others. It is a very warm book with beautiful illustrations. It is my new favorite. I also love the previous book Zen Shorts. For young and Old, Buddhist and non-Buddhist. ... Read more

Book Description
"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard."This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good andbad.And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration.With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

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Customer Reviews (71)

Delightful!
Who knew? Zen can be fun. Well, I thought so, but it sure is wonderful to come across a book with a terrific sense of humor (both visually and in the text) that also conveys values. Other reviews do a terrific job capturing what's great about this book, so I will only add that I have found this book to be valuable while trying to teach my pre-K child about managing anger and disappointment: the juxtaposition of the classic zen tale about "carrying" anger with the child's experience of it could have been heavy-handed, but the joyfulness conveyed by the illustrations and Stillwater's gentle, gentle guidance combine to make the lesson resonate without coming down like an anvil. We now talk of "putting down our anger" in our house and it has made all of us (kids and adults) more centered. A perfect, quiet bedtime read. And the covers of Muth's books, when matted and framed, make for great bedroom posters!

Highly imaginative
This is s fantastic book! I love the beautiful illustrations and the wonderful lessons that we all could stand to learn. I highly recommend this book for all! Wonderful introduction for children to Buddhist ideology, but really not a religious book by any stretch. It really more gives us an idea how to treat each other in this world.
Zen Ties

Thank you, Jon Muth, for a beautiful, inspiring book.
I discovered this book a week after being diagnosed with endometrial cancer (about 4 days prior to surgery).After my diagnosis I walked around unable to breathe - I felt as if someone was sitting on my chest while simultaneously choking me.Yeah, it was a great time.In an effort to distract myself, I escaped to the library with my nephews.

I found Zen Shorts while looking for a book for my youngest nephew.I sat in the comfy wooden rocking chair in the children's section and read it. I have no idea what the kids were doing in the meantime as once I started reading I became transfixed. Slowly, like air being released from a balloon, I felt the anxiety, pressure and fear lifting.I could breathe again! The stories in the book are timeless and universal, but felt as if they were written expressly for me and the issue/fears I was facing at that time. I can't explain my reaction and I don't know if it would work for others, but it was obviously just the message I needed at a very scary time in my life.

I'll probably never meet Jon Muth, but I think of him often, this gem of a book, and hope he knows the joy, hope and love he spreads in this world.I've since bought copies for all my nephews, godchildren, etc., and told many friends about the book who have also found it endearing.

Searching for the Stillness Within
Muth's Zen Shorts is a funny story about a panda bear named Stillwater who mysteriously appears in the backyard of three siblings: Michael, Addy, and Karl. As the children become acquainted with their new friend, they each decide to visit him separately. First, Addy the middle sister visits Stillwater's home and brings him a housewarming gift - a delicious bamboo cake. In return Stillwater tells her a story about his Uncle Ry. In the story Stillwater tells of his Uncle's constant kindness and generosity to all those around him - even to a thief who comes to steal the little he owns! Next Michael, the elder brother, walks with Stillwater to a nearby tree where they talk about the present and how unpredictable it can be. To calm Michael's worried mind Stillwater tells him the story of a father rabbit who experiences varying bouts of good and bad luck and whose response to every situation is to always be content with what he has at a given moment and to never take anything for granted.

Lastly, Karl the younger brother, is invited by Stillwater to go swimming with him in his pool, but little does Stillwater know that Karl's idea of `swimming' involves a wide variety of inflatable toys that fill up the pool to such an extent that neither of them can swim in it! In an attempt to calm down angry Karl - who is upset at his older brother Michael and frustrated at the swimming pool crisis - Stillwater tells him perhaps the most memorable Zen story about two monks (who for the story are transformed into mice monks) who were walking along the road where they meet a very rich lady mouse who is upset because here two servants, laden down with the many bags she has them carry, cannot carry her across the muddy puddle on the ground so she does not dirty her feet. The elder of the two monks calmly walks up to the angry lady, lifts her unto his back, and carries her across the puddle dirtying his toga in the process. When he gently places her on the ground, the lady stomps away without so much as a thank you to the elderly monk - this part always brings to my mind this quote from William Shakespeare, "blow, blow, thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude". The younger monk is bemused by the oblivious peace the elder monk is in, despite the lady's rudeness, and for the rest of the journey back to the monastery he wears a slightly impatient face as if waiting for the elder monk to begin complaining. Finally, when he can not stand it any longer, the younger monk asks the elder monk why he is unshaken by the ingratitude shown unto him; the elder monks turns to him and says, "Why are you still carrying that mean woman, I placed her on the ground miles ago". The moral of the story which Stillwater teaches Karl is to not hold onto anger and to try your best to forgive others and be at peace with yourself.

Using his flawless watercolors, Muth brings to life these powerful principles behind Buddhist thought. Through Stillwater young readers, like Addy, Michael, and Karl, with learn about kindness, contentment, and forgiveness. And from the beginning of the story they will be just as hooked onto the peculiar yet polite panda bear with funny shorts and a big red umbrella as the three siblings were. Once again Muth has masterfully combined adult concepts and child storytelling to make a beautiful book with a powerful message for young readers. After having read Muth's best selling interpretation of Leo Tolstoy's The Three Questions to my second grade class, Zen Shorts was a successful follow up and will be a wonderful addition to your child's collection of story books at home.

A nearly perfect book with beautiful illustrations
This is a terrific books for both children and adults.I think kids a young as 3 can appreciate both the story and the pictures. And even if some of the nuances of the vignettes are lost on some small children, the relationships between the siblings and their new panda friend will not be.This makes a great gift too. ... Read more

Amazon.com
A respected Zen master in Japan and founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, Shunryu Suzuki has blazed a path in American Buddhism like few others. He is the master who climbs down from the pages of the koan books and answers your questions face to face. If not face to face, you can at least find the answers as recorded in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, a transcription of juicy excerpts from his lectures. From diverse topics such as transience of the world, sudden enlightenment, and the nuts and bolts of meditation, Suzuki always returns to the idea of beginner's mind, a recognition that our original nature is our true nature. With beginner's mind, we dedicate ourselves to sincere practice, without the thought of gaining anything special. Day to day life becomes our Zen training, and we discover that "to study Buddhism is to study ourselves." And to know our true selves is to be enlightened. --Brian BruyaBook Description
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." So begins this most beloved of all American Zen books. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as has this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching on the first page. And that's just the beginning.In the thirty years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics, much beloved, much re-read, and much recommended as the best first book to read on Zen. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics—from the details of posture and breathing in zazen to the perception of nonduality—in a way that is not only remarkably clear, but that also resonates with the joy of insight from the first to the last page. It's a book to come back to time and time again as an inspiration to practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (129)

Please read this.
Outstanding book on Zen theory and a little on practicing meditation. Basically this is like having a chance to sit in on a Dharma talk with a revered Master of the Soto tradition. I have read it over and over. It's easy to read, straightforward, and continues to provide great advice after several years of practice. I gave my last copy away to a friend and bought the hardcover version for my own collection so it will hopefully last a lifetime. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Zen, whether you're just curious or are already a committed practitioner.

Beware! Reading this book is an intellectual process that could endanger your Beginner's Mind
"True understanding is actual practice itself." (page 97). "Moment after moment to watch your breathing, to watch your posture is true nature. There is no secret beyond this point." (page 135). The best way to develop Buddhism is to sit in zazen-just to sit, with a firm conviction in our true nature. This way is much better than to read books or study the philosophy of Buddhism." (page 130). "Teaching is no substitute for practice." (page 135). "If you want to be sincere Buddhist the best way is to sit." (page 130).
This is a too long a summery of the essence of Sazuki's message. Zen in the end is a practice that is beyond words. Words get in the way.My reviewalready has too many words. This is good book but I give it only three stars to demonstrate that unlike many other reviewers I don't have "some kind of excitement" about the words in this book and don't focus on it andrave about it as if it is some kind of a Bible. That would not be Zen like.I have got to stop so that you can go and sit quietly. That is all you really have to do according to Shunryu Sazuki.

Zen gem!
May this book also inspire you to:

Practise mindfulness and awareness
Make mind, body and spirit one
Acknowledge adversity, adapt, act from the heart
Transcend duality
Be aware of nature, flow with the Tao
Strive for non-attachment
Be natural, be at ease
Experience life, love
Be creative!
Look within, open your intuition
Truth is beyond reason, understood through your direct experience.
See with fresh eyes, always the beginner's mind
Each moment, live fully.

You don't have to understand it to love it
I bought this book eighteen years ago.When I bought it, I understood little of it but for the past 18 years it has been my favourite companion book helping me to calm down before I went to sleep.I have never read "a new age book" and pride myself on being hard-headed, but nonetheless the soothing, calm prose was reassuring even if enigmatic.18 years on, I now actually understand quite a bit of it and read it not only for the prose style but for the meaning.

I personally had to read Joko Beck before I could really understand how zen is integral to my life, as I needed to acquire an understanding that went beyond words before I could appreciate how "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" linked into my life.However I think this book is still a treasure.

How to be like a beginner but not for beginners
Despite my unfamiliarity with Zen, the sense did come through to me of an earnest, centered practitioner. I found the philosophical observations in this book more universal, and so more accessible, than the observations about the specifics of Zen meditation practice -- sitting, breathing techniques etc. This book does not lead the reader by the hand from square one, it is, rather, a book of observations transcribed from tape recordings of Suzuki addressing groups of people already experienced in Zen. I liked the book's secular, practical tone, as I can do without the magical thinking that is served up without question in many books by practitioners of Eastern religions, more so, to be sure, in the Hindu than the Buddhist tradition. I concur with reviewer L. A. Allen (no relation) that the title of this book can be somewhat confusing; much of the content doesn't connect well for a person who is unfamiliar with Zen Buddhism and seeking an introduction. ... Read more

Product Description
Zen and women. Both might seem like mysterious puzzles. But follow the right path and you will solve those puzzles and achieve the success you've dreamed of. For the first time, the enlightened approach of Zen is applied to the challenge of meeting great women with total confidence. This book will change your life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

everyone could use a little zen in their life
And that's true for meeting women too. For someone who grew up with very little confidence I decided to read this book out of curiosity, purely, you know. I am married, but I worry about the future. I have been divorced and have been through too many failed relationships. Zen means more than just picking up girls, it's a matter of becoming at peace with one's self and finding our very own center. Women love a confident, self assured man and that is what the author is trying to convey through Zen techniques. Trust me, Zen works, but there is more to it than picking up someone, it is a way of life.

I am the author of:

One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD

Remarkably Good Advice
Remarkably good both in terms of Zen teaching and also (separately and together) as regards meeting women. (I am one, so I know the suggestions are user-friendly and likely to bring success quite often). Check out the "Look Inside This Book" option that amazon thoughtfully provides.

Just be zen...
In order to meet women, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you must remain "zen". This is the basis for this book, which I have to say, has got some of the best pick up material available. I think it's a totally new and fresh approach to what has plauged men for centuries--just be zen. Highly recommended, along with Chicks: A User's Guide to Dating, Love and Sex, which also helped me in this area, too.

The best of the "how to be a pickup artist" genre, by far
There are a lot of books, ebooks, cds, dvds, and personal coaches out there trying to get the attention of the growing PUA (pickup artist) market. This book zigs where others zag. It is a concise guide packed with wisdom and practical advice. Follow the assignments, read the whole book, apply what you learn, and you WILL have success. This book cuts to the heart of the issue, and delivers the goods. Do yourself a favor and get a copy.

Zen plus PUA (pickup artist), what more could you ask for?
I've read a lot of the PUA materials out there, and there's always something new to learn. This book takes things to a new level by adding Zen teaching and wisdom to the mix. I learned a lot about Zen, and saw how these concepts could apply directly to meeting women, getting to know them, and creating the level of relationship desired. The author has synthesized an awful lot of information into one book. I think this would appeal to anyone interested in improving their social skills, and especially in meeting more women with confidence and success. My only question is, how do I meet the woman on the cover? ;) ... Read more

Book Description
Cutting-edge science and spirituality tell us that what we believe, think, and feel actually determine the makeup of our body at the cellular level.In Zen and the Art of Happiness, you will learn how to think and feel so that what you think and feel creates happiness and vibrancy in your life rather than gloominess or depression. You'll learn how to adapt to life's inevitable changes, how to deal with stress in a healthy way, and how to nurture a mindful happiness in your daily life. Most importantly, the gentle wisdom of Zen and the Art of Happiness will show you how to invite magnificent experiences into your life and create a personal philosophy that will sustain you through anything. A timeless work about the art of happiness, the way of happiness, the inner game of happiness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

This book is worth it's weight in gold
Pound for pound you'll never find a better book than this.Amazingly simple (just like Zen) yet incredibly profound (just like Zen).No matter what religious belief you adhere to, I promise you will find something in this book that will make your life better.

This book is a quick read, but it is a book you will want to read over and over again.Make no mistake about it, my library and my life is the better for buying this book.

Zen is all about simplicity.Unhappiness doesn't come from NOT having the things you want, instead it comes from all the attachment that things bring with it.The philosophy is so simple, yet so powerful, and rarely have I seen it put better than in this fine book.

Quick, easy, brilliant
This book is pocket sized and an easy read.I bought this book because I felt life was good to me but I needed more.I never felt truly happy.Again, this book is quick, easy, and has the answers.You can read the book in a couple hours.I have read it 4 times in the last week.Everytime I finish it I walk away with something new.If you put to practice what you learn in this book you will be happier.You simply won't be able to help it.

I recommend this book to everyone.

Powerful--how to wake up and become aware
This is a simple but powerful book that will change the way you look at life. Zen and the Art of Happiness takes happiness and consciousness to a whole new level.

I am aware that this book has been compared to The Secret.There is a similarity in that they both teach the reader how to change his or her approach to life for the better but the similarity ends there. This is not a book about how to get more "stuff". I have read Zen and the Art of Happiness more than once and think that what it teaches is quite different and far more powerful than The Secret. The Secret, as a book, was essentially the transcript of the DVD. I preferred the DVD where a number of spokesmen described their powerful successes using the Law of Attraction.This will bring positive results for readers but the Zen book and its shrewd insights will take the reader to a brand new level of awareness that will bring them happiness.It is profound.

As D.T. Suzuki, the Japanese scholar and leading spokesman of Zen in mid-twentieth century America, said of Zen, "It merely enables us to wake up and become aware.It does not teach, it points". Zen and the Art of Happiness gives you simple but profound keys that will help you change your life. If you read it with an open heart it will truly help you find happiness.

I'm not even done yet...
I recieved this book TODAY (Oct. 9, 2007), and I just read half of it. I have to tell you, these reviews are not lying to you. I have yet to finish, and yet to experience the way I feel afterwards, but I truly feel I've already changed, right down to the core, and for the better. I don't know if I have ever been this satisfied so fast with anything I've ever bought before. Most definitely recommended.

A MUST READ!
I reccomend this book for anyone who wants to stop the insanity in their life andbe happy. I wish I would have found this book long ago. I am also most grateful for the Author and would personaly thank him if ever given that chance. Please read this book... you are worth it! I have already read it once and am currently reading it again. It offers me everything I have been looking for in the way of peace of mind and happiness. My Doctor is the one who suggested this book for me as I have struggled with anger for so long that it is all I know. I am so happy to see I can now be free of this anger and go on with my precious life. Thank you. ... Read more

Amazon.com
So many books have been written about the meditation side of Zen and the everyday, chop wood/carry water side of Zen. But few books have approached Zen the way that most Japanese actually do--through ritualized arts of discipline and beauty--and perhaps that is why Eugen Herrigel's Zen in the Art of Archery is still popular so long after it first publication in 1953. Herrigel, a philosophy professor, spent six years studying archery and flower-arranging in Japan, practicing every day, and struggling with foreign notions such as "eyes that hear and ears that see." In a short, pithy narrative, he brings the heart of Zen to perfect clarity--intuition, imitation, practice, practice, practice, then, boom, wondrous spontaneity fusing self and art, mind, body, and spirit. Herrigel writes with an attention to subtle profundity and relates it with a simple artistry that itself carries the signature of Zen.--Brian BruyaBook Description
This intriguing, influential work of literature-an outstanding way to experience Zen-is now available on cdIt is almost impossible to understand Zen by studying it as you would other intellectual pursuits. The best way to understand Zen is, simply, to Zen. This is what author Eugen Herrigel allows us to do by sharing his own fascinating journey toward a comprehension of this illuminating philosophy. In Japan, an art such as archery is not practiced solely for utilitarian purposes such as learning to hit targets. Archery is also meant to train the mind and bring it into contact with the ultimate reality. If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art' growing out of the Unconsciousness. In this way, as the author simply, clearly demonstrates, archery becomes a path to greater understanding and enlightenment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

This is not a book on kyudo.
This is not a book on kyudo.As Earl Hartman says in another review, Herrigel did have little contact with kyudo in Japan (3-4 years).This book could be about many interesting things (zen, misticism, ...), but I don't know of them.But it's not a book on Kyudo.It seems more a book on Herrigel himself.
I don't says this is the worst book someone can read if is interested on kyudo.Last years saw apearing one or two terrible book's with kyudo in title.
Should be read with precaution and specially doesn't substitute pratice and guidance from a teacher or a master. Many persons come to kyudo allready knowing this book but after a few sessions they give up. and many of them continue to claim that they know about kyudo only by reading this book.

Zen in practice
For me this book is first and foremost about Zen. Students of Japanese archery can come to it to take their craft to another level but for me the archery is just a mantle for the teachings to sit on. I've been studying Zen for ten years or so, and have read many great works on the subject. This book was a gentle reminder, ushering me back onto the path. It's wisdom can be applied to almost anything. For a more in depth look at some of the discussions in this book, see Suzuki's Zen and Japanese Culture.

One reviewer, with whom I disagree,says that this book is not a valid source of Zen because the master archer in the book had never "studied" Zen. I think he came in touch with the Zen Mind through his art. The Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng had never "studied" Zen either and came by his enlightenment through living life and carrying fire wood. "Studying" Zen, in terms of following the rituals of an institution, can be formative but is not necessary. Zenmind existed long before the Zen religion.

So whether you're studying Japanese Archery or looking to deepen your awareness of your own art (I study painting, music and Tai Chi), this book can help if you're ready for it.

wonderful insight...
there's an old adage in the acting world..'don't give a performance, let the performance give you'..so what does that have to do with this book? well, I read this wonderful book a few years back when I was studying acting in NYC and I really worked hard at incorporating some Zen technique into my acting process..it wasn't easy..but I stuck with it and I feel as if I reached a different level consciousness and ability with my craft. This book is a wonderful teacher for the ways of Zen and incorporating those lessons into real life events not just archery.

A classic
This book had a real influence on my early spiritual development. I read it when I was a teenager; the impression I was left with was one of discipline, self-mastery, and the difficulty of the art of archery. I loved the author's earnestness and sincerity. For some time, I shot my own bow with what I took to be the spirit of the Zen approach. I wished I could travel to Japan and learn from a master.

From where I sit now, I'd have to acknowledge that this book is more a description or a memoir, rather than an actual guide. That is, for one determined to walk the spiritual path, this book will be more an inspiration than a manual. For some, that may lead to frustration.

"Zen"
A relaxing read, but not always easy to follow.It is very similar to the process of understanding what Zen is. ... Read more

Book Description
Through explorations of the three pillars of Zen--teaching, practice, and enlightenment--Roshi Philip Kapleau presents a comprehensive overview of the history and discipline of Zen Buddhism.  An established classic, this 35th anniversary edition features new illustrations and photographs, as well as a new afterword by Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede, who has succeeded Philip Kapleau as spiritual director of the Rochester Zen Center, one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

Only if you are a Zen/Zazen follower
There are many paths to enlightenment, and this may be one for some... but not for everybody. Zazen is a highly codified form of meditation. It feels like a rigourous martial training, reminiscent of karate or kendo. Except that you are aiming for spirituality. This is a double-edged sword. For those who have doubts... the book will provide an interesting cultural read, but there are many paths, even among Buddhist followers.

Pros: self contained meditation manual, complete with personal lectures from Japanese masters, struggles of other followers and pictures of seating positions. A welcome contribution to the literature.

Con: zazen only, at times critical of other Buddhist paths. Ignores the fact that the journey to spirituality is ultimately personal.

The next best thing
Do not expect to read this as a "Zen for Dummies". Unfortunately trying to learn Zen from a book is a little bit like teaching someone who has been born blind to "imagine" various colors such as red, blue or green. Zen has to be experienced to be understood. Having said that, however, this book is probably the next best thing.

a forgettable must read
An interesting contrast to the more traditional Soto style (with its emphasis on just sitting and not forcing) although the approach in this book does incorporate most of the commonly used methods of practice. I enjoyed this read because it gave perspective to the type of practice that "feels" right for me, I now know this even more so having read of the approachs taken by this author. Even if you may not agree with the approach to Zen practice outlined in this book, it is still a must read, it will re-affirm your perspective or provide new insights, either way it should be read and forgotten.

Additional resources for the unenlightened
I commented several months ago on a post made by Mike-in-the-Middle, asking for more resources to help a beginner (me) without easy access to a roshi who could offer clarity on Zen/Buddhist ideas.I have since received several emails which offered more resources for me to check out, and I'd like to share these resources with you.

Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor.This one is obviously of a secular bent, and I've been reading it off and on since I purchased it.It's a bit. . . scholarly, with some big 50-cent words, if you know what I mean.You definitely need a quiet place to be able to focus on his intellectual renderings, but if you can get into it, it's very insightful.Although it's "intellectual" and contains "big words," it doesn't contain a lot of the mysterious and otherworldly terminology of other such books written by Zen/Buddhist disciples.The book shows how you can practice the tenets of Buddhism without necessarily buying into all the religious aspects.

The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga:Paths to a Mature Happiness by Marvin Levine.This is the book I am currently reading.Mr. Levine makes a good comparison between the tenets of Buddhism (and yoga) and those of Western Psychology, both of which seek to put the person in touch with his/her true self.He also gives advice, gleaned from his own life and journey, about how to incorporate the ideas into your life.This book is VERY readable; Mr. Levine goes out of his way to make this book accessible to the lay person.I'm enjoying this one very much.(It doesn't have to be QUITE so quiet at my house in order for me to get into it.=)

Also recommended to me, but which I haven't yet checked out, are the following books:

Here is a short email I received.
"Saw a comment you left on a review of 3 Pillars of Zen mentioning you were looking for a good place to start. For me, the perfect start was "Buddhism Plain and Simple" by Steve Hagen.It's short, inexpensive and simple.Then I went to his website and downloaded all his free audio talks to listen to on my commute, and now i feel i can approach more advanced zen books quite comfortably (but start with the book before the audio stuff).

Another book recommended was Everyday Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck.

I hope these books will help some of you on your journey.

=)
Laurie
(Lovejoy444 at a o l dot com)

A wonderful beginning...
I purchased this book around 40 years ago, when my interest in zen was very new.I read it and kept it.Recently, I picked it up again, and began re-reading it.The amazing thing was that I felt strongly that this book alone would have been nearly enough; I could have saved a lot of time and money.It isn't about books, of course, but a book can be as real as anything else.This book is that.This book is about real people and zazen, and zazen is the chief method by which one learns to go about empirically developing awareness.It will sit well with you. ... Read more

Book Description
Proving once and for all that standards-compliant design does not equal dull design, this inspiring tome uses examples from the landmark CSS Zen Garden site as the foundation for discussions on how to create beautiful, progressive CSS-based Web sites. By using the Zen Garden sites as examples of how CSS design techniques and approaches can be applied to specific Web challenges, authors Dave Shea and Molly Holzschlag provide an eye-opening look at the range of design methods made possible by CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). By the time you've finished perusing the volume, you'll have a new understanding of thegraphically rich, fully accessible sites that CSS design facilitates. In sections on design, layout, imagery, typography, effects, and themes, Dave and Molly take you through every phase of the design process--from striking a sensible balance between text and graphics to creating eye-popping special effects (no scripting required). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (80)

The Zen of CSS Design:Visual Enlightenment for the Web (Voices That Matter)
this book focuses only on one project that is outdated on the web. It does not teach you, or shows you how to code. It takes some of the examples, created by random people and talks about a few tricks that are used on their pages. The examples of design, which is chosen, are horrible, especially when it comes to the use of typography.

I haven't read the book yet
.. but I fully expect to.Having followed the csszengarden site from nearly the beginning, I wouldn't miss it.I was learning css on my own when I came across the site..being a visual artist, and unabashedly a "web DESIGNER" -I finally FINALLY felt that I had found my calling, my mecca on the pages of the site with all of the talented designers.

I learned SO MUCH downloading the css and trying my own stuff -- I actually credit the site for helping me to finally understand css and how it could be stretched - how it could be made to do the things I had always wanted to do.My kudos to everyone involved!

Perfect!!!
I recieved my order fast, the book was in great shape, and wouldn't hesitate to order from amazon!Great service!

A very interesting read
This is a valuable book to the shelf of any web designer. But set your expectations correctly. I think many of those who give this a low score do so because they want a computer programming book. This does have some CSS code in it, and has many helpful hints to resolve browser (99% of which are IE!!) issues, but spends most of its time discussion the particular area of web page design (as opposed to print design) and how the experienced and novices alike should address this medium.

Approach this from the perspective of what can CSS do for me, and how do designers approach the topic, and you will be very pleasantly surprised.

And finally, my favourite page on the Zen Garden website is this page (for me it stands head and shoulders above all others, although I expect many may disagree!):

The Zen of CSS Design
I'm not a "graphics" person. I struggle to understand creative design and how to build it in code. This book brought these elements together and really explained the process.

This is not a beginner's book on coding and design. It is more of an applications manual for someone who has worked with CSS. I was frequently looking at some area of a design and asking myself how, or why, did he do that? I don't think there was ever an example that left that question unanswered. If it wasn't explicit, there was always enough information and discussion to be able to figure it out. Including the code with the illustrations and explanations really tied the processes together.

This book will be kept on my 'A' references shelf. There is a detailed index and the example home pages were grouped in sections: Design, Layout, Imagery, Typography, Special Effects, and Reconstruction. Therefore, it will be easy to come back and locate relevant information.
... Read more

Book Description
The bestselling author of Zen Golf (more than 100,000 copies sold) presents a new book of profound wisdom and proven techniques for achieving the confidence in putting that all golfers know is the key to peak performance on the greens.

Blending Buddhist wisdom, modern psychology, and practical golf instruction, Dr. Joe Parent’s 2002 book Zen Golf broke out to become the top instructional book in golf, and continues to be a steady bestseller. Now, in the eagerly awaited follow-up, Dr. Parent provides readers with a new approach to the aspect of golf in which mental skills have the most impact: putting.

Zen Putting takes a thinking-outside-the-box approach based on the idea that by tuning into the process of putting rather than worrying about the result, golfers can get out of their own way and maximize performance. Key principles include using mindful awareness to recognize and clear away distractions and negativity, and that confidence increases when golfers take the attitude that there is something fundamentally, essentially right with them rather than focusing on what’s broken or flawed. In succinct, informative chapters, Dr. Parent applies this Zen ideal to a variety of subjects for any putting situation.

Chapters include:
• “Unconquerable Confidence”: brimming with strategies to cultivate confidence and turn frustration into enjoyment.
• “Get Out of Your Own Way”: exploring the obstacles we create for ourselves in putting, and how to recognize and overcome them to get the most out of our abilities.
• “How to Make Every Putt”: on reading greens; visualization; putting routine; the key components of a putt—path, pace, and roll; and taking the ideal attitude before putting.

Unlike rigid how-to books on putting or fad coaching techniques, Zen Putting stirs each reader to cultivate their own unique style for synchronizing body and mind to achieve peak performance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Zen Putting
In the time it take one to understand "Zen Putting" it would be more to your benifit to take a lesson from a golf pro and practice.I returned this book one day after I received it.Too complicated, putting requires practice not a book on Zen Putting.This book doesn't even give you good tip on putting.

Zen Putting - become a jedi: 5 handicap
Couldn't put it down, and making my second trip through it with a highlighter. This is the bible of mental toughness on the greens. Very easy to read and navigate as a guide. Short chapters are easy to digest. Results depend on your own desire to believe. I personally experienced immediate peace and mindfullness over the ball. I make every putt I look at and hole more than I could have ever imagined now. Zen Golf is a must read as well. Thanks Dr. Joe!

Zen Golf - The best
This book is a very good mental reminder and coach on how to approach putting. And the author does not confine himself just to putting. I found many hints as to how to prepare yourself mentally to do better, and if you fail, how to handle it, without blowing up. I'm not sure that any of this is brand new, but it sure has helped me to focus on the task at hand. I bought a toal of 4 copies of the book to share with my regular four-some. I've yet to see how the others evaluate the book ... Read more

Book Description
The best players know that golf is a game of confidence, and most important, concentration–the ability to focus and block out distraction. The goal of achieving clear thought is also at the heart of Buddhist teachings. In his highly original and groundbreaking book, noted PGA coach and Buddhist instructor, Dr. Joseph Parent, draws on this natural connection and teaches golfers how to clear their minds, achieve ultimate focus, and play in the moment for each shot.

Zen Golf presents a simple system for building “mental game mastery.”Dr Parent’s unique PAR Approach (focusing on Preparation, Action, and Response to Results) guides golfers with specific techniques for each aspect of their games. In chapters such as “How to Get From the Practice Tee to the First Tee”, “You Produce What You Fear”, and “How to Enjoy a Bad Round of Golf”, the author shares a personal teaching regimen that has helped improve the games of professionals and amateurs alike. By combining classic insights and stories from Zen tradition, Zen Golf helps eliminate the mental distractions that routinely cause poor shots and loss of concentration, allowing golfers to feel in “the zone” that professionals have learned to master.

Clear, concise, and enlightening, Zen Golf shows golfers how to prepare for, execute, and equally important, respond the results of any golf shot. A different approach to golf instruction, this book shapes ancient philosophies into new teachings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Improve my game!!
I am a beginner golfer and this book is helpful for the mental part of golf! I would suggest it to anyone that plays golf. I gave to a friend that throws clubs in frustration and she played a round for the first time with no broken clubs and was relaxed, she says the book is helping her too

Zen Golf is the Second Best
I loved this book!I learned more about the art of the mental game of golf in this thin volume than in a half dozen longer times (.e.: The Mental Games of Golf).I would put this up there with "See It Sink It" or "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose".

A must have for any serious golfer.I dare you to read the story about the golden statue and tell me that it didn't affect you!

Connects the Mind and Body
Finally, a book that puts the mental game into sections that make sense. Told in a down-to-earth way, the examples and insights provided by "Zen Golf" really do pertain to the game we love. Understanding that the results of a swing are not necessarily the be-all and end-all is very powerful knowledge. Learning to breathe will apply to a myriad of endeavor, both athletic and personal. Ostensibly, it is a book about golf, but one that fills many gaps in all kinds of life situations. Dr. Parent is a born teacher.

Excellent
Bottom Line . It took five strokes off my handicap.
Michael A. Epstein
Member KCC

Loved it
By far one of the best books on the mental side of sports that I have ever read, and I have never even swung a club! ... Read more

Book Description
Combining humor, honesty, and plainspoken advice, Momma Zen distills the doubts and frustrations of parenting into vignettes of Zen wisdom.

Drawing on her experience as a first-time mother, and on her years of Zen meditation and study, Miller explores how the daily challenges of parenthood can become the most profound spiritual journey of our lives.

This compelling and wise memoir follows the timeline of early motherhood from pregnancy through toddlerhood. Momma Zen takes readers on a transformative journey, charting a mother’s growth beyond naive expectations and disorientation to finding fulfillment in ordinary tasks, developing greater self-awareness and acceptance—to the gradual discovery of “maternal bliss,” a state of abiding happiness and ease that is available to us all.

In her gentle and reassuring voice, Karen Miller convinces us that ancient and authentic spiritual lessons can be as familiar as a lullaby, as ordinary as pureed peas, and as frequent as a sleepless night. She offers encouragement for the hard days, consolation for the long haul, and the lightheartedness every new mom needs to face the crooked path of motherhood straight on. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Every Mother Should Have This Book
It is truly rare to find a book so full of Truth. This brilliant little treasure will help struggling mothers to find peace and joy in their own journey through motherhood. I can not stress enough how perfect this book is! The author, Karen Maezen Miller, shares her life experiences, from the simple to the heart wrenching, and then is able to use those experiences to present, more than just Buddhist truth, but what I consider to be universal truths. I finished feeling enlightened and inspired. Miller provides mothers with not just encouragement, but encourages a perspective transformation, which will help restrain the suffering and guide you towards joy. Every mother should have this book.

I am Auntie Zen
One can almost feel they are listening to Karen Maezen Miller chat with them across the coffee table, so intimately does she confide. It is easy to see her in a chenille bathrobe and smudgy mascara as she pulls you closer into her world. I am glad to find a Western Zen practicioner, a priest yet, who is as solid and real and as loving as my mom. Someone who is teaching me but is so much a student too. As an active and doting aunt to 9 children ages 8 months to 35 years, I have gained insight on my sisters' lives, shed guilt about taking their kids to Mickie D's, and can understand the grace of an apology to a child. I was captivated by the honesty and the wonderful writing. I have given this book to several friends, it makes a perfect gift.

motherhood as a spiritual path YES YES YES
This book helped be laugh and learn from the first couple of years at being a new mommy.Excellent read and support for all the emotions and life lessons as well.

A thoughtful companion on the spiritual journey of motherhood
"Momma Zen" is a book to come back to again and again.I dip into it whenever I am having a difficult day, or just seeking inspiration during a quiet moment.Usually I gobble books cover-to-cover, but Karen Maezen Miller's work is wonderful when savored in small bites."Momma Zen" reads like a series of thougthtful discussions with a wise friend.

Motherhood is full of uncertainty, reversals, and discovery."Momma Zen" is a wonderful companion on this journey.Whether you are an expectant first-time mother or the a seasoned Mom, this book has something for you.I recognize myself in every chapter.

We live in an era where an avalanche of advice books can feel overwhelming."Momma Zen" takes a different approach by connecting with the heart of motherhood--the enduring, essential challenges, lessons and blessings that we encounter in relationship with our children. Karen Maezen Miller's work is a true gift to give yourself or a friend.

A Book You'll Refer to Again and Again
I found this book comforting, reassuring and humorous.As a working mom with a 22-month old, the sections on discipline, simplicity and perspective spoke the most loudly to me.

This book reminded me that that none of my experiences to date are all that unique (ie neither me nor my child are freaks of nature).I like the index provided at the end of the book--as our lives change, it will serve as a handy reference tool. ... Read more

Book Description
"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action."--Samurai Maximum.

Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed his physical expertise but gave him the mental discipline to control his personal problems-self-image, work pressure, competition. Indeed, mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts can dramatically alter the quality of your life-enriching your relationships with people, as well as helping you make use of all your abilities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (95)

Zen in the Martial Arts
One of the best books I have ever read. It teaches that you need to become what you are doing. If that doesn't make sense to you now read the book and you'll find out.
It's only a very small book and can be read in a day or two.
It's a small book with a big message.

A long-term guide book
I have read and re-read this book a dozen times over the last 20 years, during periods when my martial arts training was active, dormant, and now active again.This is the only book about