I feel this will be a valuable source of information and inspiration both for those who have a passing interest in the subject and those who have determined to set out on the path of Zen themselves. Recommended, but probably not as one's first Zen book. He discusses correct breathing, posture, routine, teacher-student relations, and koan study, as well as common problems and milestones encountered in the process. Examines the fundamental principles of Zen Buddhism, discusses how to put these beliefs in practice in everyday life, and describes Zen customs and ceremonies. This book also has some historical info: how Aiken came to Zen (as a prisoner of war of the Japanese), how he established his zendo, etc. Fairly good description of the basics of meditation. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. to the practice. Zen. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. --Yamada Koun Roshi, I welcome with great pleasure Robert Aitken Roshi's introduction to Zen practice, Taking the Path of Zen. Taking the Path of Zen (Book) : Aitken, Robert : There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. The meditation instruction is brief and simple. I suggest doing at least one sesshin before reading this book. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. I have now owned this book for a number of years and find myself referring back to it constantly. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. Highly recommended for students of Zen or Buddhism generally. And these sentences pushed my buttons: "He [the Buddha:] did not live in a time like ours, when dangerous competition between nations threatens to blow up the world. For anyone interested in Zen please try this wonderful man's lucid, wise and socially awre books. This is an excellent book for those who are practitioners of Zen Buddhism or for those who simply want to know more about this philosophy/religion. EX$54. Perhaps if you're planning to live in a Zen monastery all that might be useful, but for the rest of us - well, me anyway - it isn't. This is a good "nuts and bolts" guide to practicing zen in a center. Taking the path of Zen - An Introduction to Zen Practice. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. The problem with some books on Zen is that they focus too much on the dogmatic; when to sit, how to sit, what hand position to make, what gatha to say for what meal. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. Ah, teen romance! At your doorstep by Apr 04 to Apr 07 with standard delivery. Be the first to ask a question about Taking the Path of Zen. Buddhism & Taoism > Buddhism > Zen Buddhism > Taking the Path of Zen. "Taking the Path of Zen" offers very little information on actual Zen Buddhism. Did he really just equate feminism with nuclear and biological holocaust? Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2013. 1-Click ordering is not available for this item. There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. The spine may show signs of wear. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the Robert Aitken is my teacher's teacher. Will definitely have to re-read this one. This is a Zen book for the beginning Zen practitioner, by which I mean someone who has already decided to try zazen meditation practice and may have been practicing for a few weeks or months. One of the earliest primers on Zen practice, this book remains invaluable in its simple introduction to the tradition. He did not encounter the righteous imperatives of a feminist movement." Willy-Nilly Zen* It began when an acquaintance remarked that my writings reminded him of Oriental poetry. Taking the Path of Zen Endless Path Zendo is a lay Buddhist community, intimate and non-institutional in atmosphere, dedicated to walking the Buddha Way in the midst of our ordinary lives. Clear practical help for your practice. Download one of the Free Kindle apps to start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. What the hell? Previous page of related Sponsored Products, North Point Press; Illustrated edition (Jan. 1 1982). Description. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. The Nu Koan and other elements also rise to the more metaphysical. Buy the Kobo ebook Book Taking the Path of Zen by at Indigo.ca, Canada's largest bookstore. There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. I wish that I had read this book earlier. As an American who has trained in Zen practice for many years Aitken Roshi has a special understanding of the problems and questions which plague Western students of Zen. If you haven't yet decided to visit a Zen center or other place where you get instruction, but you want to start sitting and want to kind of know what to expect, this is a great book. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. Find all the books, read about the author and more. As an American who has trained in Zen practice for many years Aitken Roshi has a special understanding of the problems and questions which plague Western students of Zen. He did not encounter the righteous imperatives of a feminist movement." The orientation extends to various religious attitudes and includes detailed discussions of the Three Treasures and the Ten Precepts of Zen Buddhism. -Yamada Koun Roshi. I don't remember anything about it, so I'd call it "forgettable". There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. Taking the Path of Zen will serve as orientation and guide for anyone who is drawn to the ways of Zen, from the simply curious to the serious Zen student. Welcome back. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages that interest you. Meditation: First and Last Step - From Understanding to Practice. This is the first in a long list of books he wrote. This great classic is a must for those interested in an inquiry of Zen. It seems that studying Zen is always about new beginnings. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Aitken’s instructions are remarkably clear and explained in a way that makes them easy to approach: he gives very good advice on focusing the breath, the proper sitting posture (and exercises that can be done to facilitate that posture), all the while being gently encouraging. This one is very much a how to do it. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. November 21, 2020-November 28, 2020. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. Instead, Robert Aitken tries to make Zen appeal to the average American who wants to call themselves a Zen student wihout actually knowing what they are practicing. Explanations for the philosophy and precepts, not so good. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. © 2008-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living. I loaned the book to a young woman who had been with us for the ten days. A no frills, nuts-and-bolts kind of book, which I found quiet useful and refreshing in its simplicity and clarity. My single favorite Buddhist Teacher died yesterday, a man whose writing saved my life in some respects. A Gratitud... A good introductory text by one of the founding fathers of American Zen, this covers the basic teaching of Zen, including an emphasis on proper meditation practice. Taking the Path of Zen. Then World War II came along and I found myself caught as a civilian on the island of Guam, taken to Japan, and in­ terned in Kobe. It is an excellent book on getting started in Zen. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Taking the Path of Zen. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. Something went wrong. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. There is a fine art to presenting complex ideas with simplicity and insight, in a manner that both guides and inspires. Please try again. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. A good synopsis but felt a bit too clinical and, for lack of a more appropriate word, soulless. If you're seriously considering practicing Zen, I strongly suggest you read this. January 1st 1982 The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. New: Item is brand new, unused and unmarked, in flawless condition. Or am I being too "sensitive"? Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. We find our center of gravity in the deeply healing creativity of Zen, and in the Vows of the Bodhisattva, the “Growing-Up Beyond Self-Centeredness-Being.” USA. We read this as our topic for our Summer book group at. Condition: Used - Good. In Taking the Path of Zen Robert Aitken presents the practice, lifestyle, rationale, and ideology of Zen Buddhism with remarkable clarity. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less. Still, lots of very good information and guidance in a progression of sitting approaches. Highly recommend to anyone new (or old!) I borrowed translations of Japanese and Chinese literature from the library, and met Basho and Po Chu-i. Many years later the book came back to me in the mail and I read it again. I considered it a good introductory Zen book, but coming from a secular background some passages made me uncomfortable to say the least. by North Point Press. click image to enlarge. Refresh and try again. Now to pass it on. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published His book will thus be a godsend for people who have sought an introduction to Zen in their own language, free of the foreignisms that cultural differences can produce. Start by marking “Taking the Path of Zen” as Want to Read: Error rating book. The foundation of Zen is the practice of zazen, or mediation, and Aitken Roshi insists that everything flows from the center. This is a good introduction to different aspects of Buddhism, complete with practical exercises. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. No Kindle device required. Even when enlightenment has struck the student must continually polish his or her mirror lest the dust settle and obscure the original insight. and corrected ed. “Taking the Path of Zen” serves as a primer for the practice of zazen meditation. Very good entry level book for those interested in Zen. His book will thus be a godsend for people who have sought an introduction to Zen in their own language, free of the foreignisms that cultural differences can produce. Didn't realize there'd be so many different ways to focus on the breath. 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