Beginner's Mind: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

THIS “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” BOOK has the goal of being both the most comprehensive introduction to date to all forms of Zen Buddhism, yet also a concise summary suitable for both beginners and seasoned followers of the Zen path. It covers the history of Zen since its beginnings as Chan Buddhism in China, through its spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam, and then more recently to the West. Details are given of the practice of Zen in the West, what to expect when one attends a Zen center, what the options are for practicing Zen, and a brief summary of the principles of Zen. This book has many first-hand reports and stories of experiences at Zen centers, as well as a section on why one might wish to follow the Zen path and what the benefits of doing so can be.“So many books on Zen today merely regurgitate dead words from the realm of intellectual thinking, and/or perpetuate misunderstandings of what the practice of Zen is all about. Tim Langdell presents a broad and lucid overview of the history and modern practice of Zen from his decades of practice and insight. He clears up, as best one can in words, the practical aspects of Zen, while conveying the mysterious yet simple truth of how to walk the path to being present in this moment. I highly recommend it!” —DR. RICHARD GEUNGSAN SEARS author of Mindfulness: Living through Challenges and Enriching Your Life in This Moment, and Guiding Teacher, Five Mountain Zen Order“This book would be an excellent choice for someone who is very new to Zen or has perhaps found Zen to be either too confusing or too challenging. It would also be a good choice for readers who may have a romanticized idea of Zen, since it gives a realistic view of what practicing Zen is actually like in contemporary Western sanghas (groups).” —SENSEI GYOKEI YOKOYAMA Abbot, Sozenji Buddhist Temple and Long Beach Buddhist ChurchA straight-forward and welcoming introduction to Zen practices, Tim Langdell's approach will appeal to anyone who is newly curious about this form of Buddhism. —SUSAN SUNTREE author of Wisdom of East: Stories of Compassion, Inspiration, and Love and Sacred Sites: The Secret History of Southern California Read more