Beginner's Mind: Reboot

[Jigetsu]

Friends, family,

I've been reflecting lately on the words Jundo wrote about the upcoming Ango quite a bit over the last few weeks. After some thought, I know how I would personally like proceed when it begins and much like my Zazen challenge I 'd like to offer anyone who's interested to join me.

We've all heard the term "Beginners Mind" during our practice. I'm bringing that down to the most fundamental level I can by effectively by pretending that I am brand new to Zen, even though I received Jukai in January of this year. My plan is to participate fully in Ango, to participate in the Jukai teachings, and to participate in the koan readings as I have been. My way of taking Zen more seriously, is to flip back to the beginning of the book.

That said, does anyone have a good recommendation for a book (that I likely don't have) that you might recommend to someone who was very interested in Zen?

Be talking to you more often, and Gassho.

[threethirty]

Brad warner's sit down and shut up thats what lead me here

[Seisou]

Gotta agree with threethirty on this one. Warner's stuff is pretty refreshing and seems to be a reason for the upturn in various new zendo's for the young and socially conscious. My favorite: Underdog Zendo-Chicago. 2-19-12-group2.jpg

[Jundo]

Sign me up for Beginners' Mind, moment to moment! All flip back to the first page again and again, pristine and ready for writing!

I recommend Sit Down and Shut Up too. Wonderful, fresh, unique.

I am also now rereading (from page 1) Steve Hagen's "Zen is Not What You Think", and I am quite taken with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Not-What-You-Think/dp/0060507233

How to Cook Your Life/From The Zen Kitchen To Enlightenment by Eihei Dogen; Kosho Uchiyama Roshi (Translator)

http://www.amazon.com/How-Cook-Your-Life-Enlightenment/dp/1590302915/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345867670&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=From+The+Zen+Kitchen+To+Enlightenment%3A+Refining+Your+Life+by+Eihei+Dogen%3B+Kosho+Uchiyama+Roshi+%28Translator%29

Gassho, J

[Ryumon]

I just re-read the Hagen book too. After my first reading, I had thought it to be a bit simplistic, but reading it again showed me that this was not the case. I would, in fact, recommend it as a first read for anyone interested in Zen.

[Kyonin]

Jigetsu,

Count me in! I have also been doing some thinking and taking Ango and training for Jukai, like if I was new, is something I'd love to do.

I have been reading Nothing Special by Joko Beck. In my opinion it's a good book to start. I's conformed with talks by Joko and some of them are amazing. Full of wisdom and common sense.

By any means, I'm glad to join you

Gassho,

Kyonin

[disastermouse]

I just re-read the Hagen book too. After my first reading, I had thought it to be a bit simplistic, but reading it again showed me that this was not the case. I would, in fact, recommend it as a first read for anyone interested in Zen.

This is probably my favorite Zen book! I'm glad to see others are finding it worthwhile. I actually like it better than 'Buddhism Plain and Simple' although both are quite good.

Chet

[Mp]

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind ... one of my favorites and one I enjoy reading over and over.

Gassho
Michael

[Dosho]

Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama.

[Jundo]

Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama.

Yes! Right at the top of our "Suggested Book" list (** marked as recommended for new folks) ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?5711-SUGGESTED-BOOK-LIST-for-TREELEAF-SANGHA

[Shugen]

"Realizing Genjokoan" by Shohaku Okumura is really good. "Living By Vow" by the same author is good if you want to go a little more in depth on some of the main chants and texts of practice. It covers the Four Vows, the Verse of Repentance, the Verse of the Three Refuges, the Robe chant, Meal Chants, the Heart Sutra, Sandokai and the Verse for Opening the Sutra.


Shugen

[Heisoku]

I love all the above mentioned books and each one is like a mind reboot that creates beginners mind. Each author presents their flavour and it is delicious and refreshing. I try to look on my own life and activities as a new practice each day, each moment a new moment to refresh and reboot. I always chant the Heart Sutra before morning zazen and this refreshes beginners mind for me...maybe I should try it in Japanese then Spanish?!

[Mp]

... I always chant the Heart Sutra before morning zazen and this refreshes beginners mind for me...maybe I should try it in Japanese ...

Thanks Heisoku ... I too do the same and I have been trying it in Japanese ... talk about having to go back to beginners mind.

Gassho
Michael


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[Kaishin]

Great idea!

I've read Hagen's "Plain and Simple" book but not the other one--will check it out!
Gassho, Kaishin

[Shinko]

Zen Mind: Beginners Mind
Opening the hand of thought
The Heart of Being.

I have caught myself reciting the Heart Sutra while walking to work.