Zen Training is a comprehensive handbook for zazen, seated meditation practice, and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path. The book marked a turning point in Zen literature in its critical reevaluation of the enlightenment experience, which the author believes has often been emphasized at the expense of other important aspects of Zen training. In addition, Zen Training goes beyond the first flashes of enlightenment to explore how one lives as well as trains in Zen. The author also draws many significant parallels between Zen and Western philosophy and psychology, comparing traditional Zen concepts with the theories of being and cognition of such thinkers as Heidegger and Husserl.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
"Written by a lay teacher with 60 years of experience in zazan, this book provides everyone from absolute beginner to experienced student with detailed, progressive information and discussion on breathing, posture, distraction, actions of mind, physiology, mood, laughter, kensho, and samadhi."—Library Journal
"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of all libraries."—Choice
"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology."—New Age Journal
"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its value to those interested in Zen."—Philip Kapleau
"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of all libraries."—Choice
"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology."—New Age Journal
"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its value to those interested in Zen."—Philip Kapleau
About the Author
Katsuki Sekida (1893–1987) was by profession a high school teacher of English until his retirement in 1945. Zen, nevertheless, was his lifelong preoccupation. He began his Zen practice in 1915 and trained at Empuku-ji in Kyoto and Ryutaki-ji in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. He taught at the Honolulu Zendo and Maui Zendo from 1963 to 1970 and at the London Zen Society from 1970 to 1972.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A.C. Scott
Format:Paperback
The text is written by a laymen who taught high-school English and practiced/studied Zen in Japan. He later taught at several Zendos in Hawaii and in London.
There are several benefits of this text. First, the writer's cultural background bridges translation problems and he focuses on accurate translation of the ideas and concepts. Second, the writer is a laymen which may help the more cynical reader be more open to different ideas. Third, he discusses the fine points of meditation technique in a semi-scientific approach that appeals to a western mechanistic paradigm--we aren't caught up in flowery, artsy-fartsy instruction which does have a place but not for many Westerners interested in the actual practice methods. Fourth, I found the author has suggestions for improving that I haven't seen anywhere else. Fifth, the text describes practice that allows the practitioner to improve the technique to adapt to their special needs which I believe is realistic and very much in-line with the original intent of Siddartha--this is to help free the practitioner from the small inaccuracies always found in a mechanistic approach.
I recommend this as one of the best methods texts I have ever had the privlege to come across.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Peter
Format:Paperback
A very thoroughful and practical manual for Zen meditation. Excellent!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best books I've read on meditation, be it Zen of other. The author, a Japanese student of Zen, collected a seres of articles published in Hawaii on the topic of Zen Meditation, and published this great book. Starting from the very, very beginning, he will teach you how to breathe, how to sit correctly for meditation, how to count breaths and many techinques needed for correct achieval of Samadhi. He will also discuss spiritual and physical issues of Zen Meditation. In all, a very instructional book on the subject. Great for beginner or advanced meditators.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 28 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book about zen I've read so far
For me, this book is the best book on zen I've read,because it deals with a topic that is essencial for learning zen, and that is not discussed in detail in most of the other... Read more
Published on May 1 2001 by Miguel Suarez
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the Zen Practitioner - Not for the Zen Philosopher
There are Zen philosophers and Zen practitioners. This book is for the practitioner. After you have grown tired of the philosophical and intellectual musings of other authors, read... Read more
Published on April 10 2001 by Tell-It-Like-It-Is
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
There are a lot of books out there on zen; one may wander the aisles of any of the big book chains and see how the word has become a bit overused. Read more
Published on Nov 14 2000 by Yuri Kuzyk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for zazen practice
Many books on zen focus on the philosophy behind it. They are much like most philosophical books. My opinion is that any philosophy can be believed. Read more
Published on May 31 2000 by Carl Hobbes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for Western students of zen.
This book is a milestone in zen literature for the western student. Mr. Sekida was a layman who wrote primarily for the zen student who does not study regularly with a teacher. Read more
Published on Aug 9 1999 by A. Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the great zen books in english
Ranks as one of the finest books on zen philosophy in english. Definitely a classic that is clearly written and highly practical. Read more
Published on July 25 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
A unique & invaluable exposition of Zen theory & practice
I have read many books on Zen, and this book is truly a unique treasure. It is beautifully written and translated and comes from a well regarded, long-time lay practitioner who... Read more
Published on Mar 30 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is it! The absolute Western training manual for zen
I bought this book a year ago have read it 3 times already. This is a critical book (along with 'On having no head') for starting a western approach to zen . Read more
Published on Mar 30 1999 by rthomas@vantive.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
A curiosity value for Zen Training and practice
This is a quite innovative book written for Zen practitioners who do not have direct or regular access to a Zen teacher or for college graduates who are used to look for a sound... Read more
Published on May 30 1998 by Jose Maria Prieto Zamora
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Meditations
- Books > New & Used Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy
- Books > New & Used Textbooks > Humanities > Religious Studies > Buddhism
- Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Rituals & Practice
- Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen
- Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Zen Philosophy
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Rituals & Practice
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Zen
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Zen Philosophy
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
