Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice

by Shunryu Suzuki

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind is one of the great modern Zen classics. Originally published 30 years ago, it’s first line is the memorable “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”

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“I really think it’s one of the best books on the planet. I mean, I’m not the most widely read person, so take that with a pinch of salt, but I really do. When you go into retreat—long-term retreat, a year or more—you’re not normally allowed to take books in with you. Occasionally, though, some teachers will let you to take a few books. I was told by my teacher—even though it was a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, and this is teachings from a Zen master—he said: ‘If you take just one book in with you for the year, take this book.’ So that’s quite an endorsement, you know. It says a lot for the book. It’s about meditation, but it’s bigger than that: it’s about life. Every time I read it, even now when I reckon I’ve read it more than 40 or 50 times, it still has the effect of pulling me out of everyday thinking, out of everyday life, and making me see the world in a very different way.” Read more...

Meditation Books

Andy Puddicombe