Description
If you've read dozens of books on Zen or if this is your first, if you're new to Zen or an experienced practitioner, this book will help you actualize Zen. ZEN, Real, Clear, Simple, is not a book that's only about Zen, as if Zen is just an interesting theory. And It doesn't only tell you to meditate, breathe deeply or live in the present. Reading this book gives you a deep, clear, practical understanding and more importantly, a felt experience of the true heart of Zen, and it helps you to be more able to live it. You'll actually develop a more Zen state of mind. This is authentic Zen in its most non-dogmatic, non-ritualistic and practical expression.
There are unique, simple, yet powerful experiences built into the narrative. It's designed to change you as you read it. You may find the intensity of some of your issues, your troublesome thoughts and feelings dissolving, it's even possible that some will dissolve completely. There are also many cutting-edge self-help techniques given in the book designed to help you experience Zen.
From the author,
I've been studying and practicing; Zen, Tai Chi, Qi Gung, Buddhism, Taoism, mindfulness, meditation, Yoga, N.L.P. and many other spiritual paths and healing arts for over forty-five years and I have been consistently disappointed. Few if any of them really deliver what they claim. I find this unacceptable. I won't hold out grand promises that won't come true. This book will help you understand Zen and help to establish you in a more Zen state of being.
Too many books oversimplify Zen or commercialize it. ZEN, Real, Clear, Simple, is authentic, real Zen Buddhism clarified and made practical for real people dealing with real life. I cut through the dogma, ritual and all the rules and regulations that you might find in an orthodox, old school, approach to Zen Buddhism. At the same time, I don't modernize, oversimplify or gloss over the finer, deeper or more confusing points of Zen just to appeal to a mass audience. I even explain and straighten-out the many seeming contradictions in Zen. if you ever found Zen confusing reading this book will make things clear, simple and practical.
Many Zen masters are quoted and explained. You'll get a real thorough understanding and felt experience of Zen in a way that's actually useful.
The book covers a wide range of topics.
The real philosophical heart of Zen and to how to apply it in your life
Experiencing emptiness
The role of Meditation is covered from multiple angles
Mindfulness
The Heart Sutra's deeper meaning
Finding Buddha, (finding your inner Buddha)
Zen Medicine, (Zen expedients and "overlays")
Hope and fear
What's wrong with trying to kill the ego
Good and Bad as only Zen can see it
Morality
Manifesting and "creating your own reality" from the Zen perspective
The Zen perspective on:
God, The Soul, Heaven and Hell, enlightenment, kensho, satori, Reincarnation, Astrology, Angels, The Spiritual Hierarchy, Out of Body Experiences, Intuition, Psychic phenomenon, Past Lives, Karma and Miracles.
Zen ideas translated into religious terminology
Simple yet profound exercises for,
Self-help for difficult emotions
Realizing the True Self
Noticing what is beyond personal judgements and reactions
The chapters, "Finding Buddha" and "Be as You Are" are worth the price of the entire book, they're amazingly liberating, and make actually finding Buddha (finding your inner Buddha) ridiculously easy. There are exercises in the book that are totally unique. This is not just a book about Zen. This book actually helps you to effortlessly BE more Zen.