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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
- Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
- Narrated by: Peter Coyote
- Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Philosophy
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Helpful
- By heidi monro on 31-08-18
Summary
In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few. So begins this most beloved of all American Zen works. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching in the first minutes. And that's just the beginning.
In the 30 years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics in a way that is remarkably clear and resonates with the joy of insight. Listeners will refer to this audio time and time again as an inspiration to practice.
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What listeners say about Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 15-10-18
Amazing!
One of my favourite books! The one I always go back to over and over again.
Beautifully narrated by Peter Coyote
I recommend this to everybody interested in Zen
4 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 08-05-20
Very old School with nothing concrete
I have listened to Eckhart Tolle (Power of snow) and other similar books and this has to be the worst.
Very opinionated and can basically summarise three hours of quite fluffy material with some historical/mythical stories, as be in the moment, nothing exists as it seems, do not expect anything from practising and lengthy commentary about how important posture is.
Disappointed with this after reading great reviews online!
3 people found this helpful
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- Donald Duck
- 16-02-19
Great - Very Insightful!
Peter Coyote has a great voice, easy to listen to. The audiobook is a great introduction to ZEN.
3 people found this helpful
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- SJRod
- 09-12-17
excellent
A complete explanation. Really enjoyed the reading and the explanations. Even if you are not a beginner you will gain a lot from this recording. Recommended
3 people found this helpful
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- Tacal Tudor
- 13-05-20
Excelent book
I believe this book offers a good understanding of what Zen is and it’s practice.
The authors explains in words the big concepts of buddhism in such a way that it makes sense for everyone to understand.
What I mean is the explanation of enlightenment and big mind in modern and no uncertain terms.
If you want a short and clear exposition of zen even if you are a beginner or you had some practice before I highly recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-07-19
good but..
i recommend other works as well for a fuller understanding, such as the power of now and headspace and waking up
2 people found this helpful
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- Nigel D. Thomas
- 01-01-19
very deep stuff.
i needed to go through all chapters over all over again again we better understanding
2 people found this helpful
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- Davie
- 27-03-17
Truly legendary!
Gets right to the point and tells the actual truth instead of feeding you belief systems. I will be listening t this again many more times. Narration was spot on and it's a short listen, meaning it's easy to get into. Please buy this book, it will change your life. One of the greatest audio books I've ever listened to.
3 people found this helpful
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- rob666
- 30-07-20
sore head
never heard such rubbish a lot of repeating its self had to stop listening dont do it to yourself
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- Jon
- 01-03-20
love learning something new!!!
really enjoyed the audio book. I now want to know more and will start learning 👍👍
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- Brian Robertson
- 17-04-16
The best book on zen -- with another best!
Where does Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is, without a doubt, my number one most excellent book on zen. Add to that the remarkable presence of Peter Coyote who is reading it aloud.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind?
there are too many such moments by way of this or that sentence. Unpacking this book and its depth is not an intellectual exercise -- it is from the heart.
What does Peter Coyote bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The best matching of material to presentation that I know if in the audio book field. This is not a fact everybody has to believe. It is, instead, from my own point of view in terms of my admiration for the book itself carried over to a wonderful presentation. I am fairly sure that finding a more appropriate and sensitive reading simply couldn't be found.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, although as I mention above, hearing the book several times reveals more profound sentences that, at first pass, were like jewels left on the floor,
Any additional comments?
Grateful to Audible.com for making this available!!!
26 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Wash
- 29-06-18
terrific book. Horrible recording.
how can this be called a remastered Edition when it sounds so bad? this book is in desperate need of a r e recording
21 people found this helpful
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- Jose Briseno
- 03-04-17
Conscience Cleansing
Easy to follow narration. The message is not exactly clear at first, but wears right in like an old pair of shoes. This was another layer in the onion served up by Alan Watts. If you hate chores listen to this while doing them. You will find yourself looking for more things to do just to keep following along. If you've been meaning to take up walking or running, this is the perfect companion.
12 people found this helpful
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- Henry Nelson
- 30-12-18
poor audio quality Mars Zen classic
one of the most important Works about 20th century Zen in America, a great book for those who have been practicing a while. contrary to what you might think from the title, it's about beginner's mind, not Zen for beginners. it does use quite a few terms and Concepts that may be foreign to the absolute beginner.
Unfortunately, the recording quality of this audio book is really, really bad! mr. coyote sounds distorted and muffled, as though he is talking to us through a pillow. sometimes, it is difficult to make out the words at all.
9 people found this helpful
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- douglas b hays
- 09-10-16
going on my third time listening.....
this book and narrator make this moment shine...breathing better seeing clearer....joyful finding....standing here feeling the light
7 people found this helpful
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- Antonio
- 14-07-16
amazing book
great book loved the narrator overall good buy I can listen to this book over and over and learn a little more every time
7 people found this helpful
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- P.
- 19-05-16
Wonderful Book
I have enjoyed it and it has made me look at myself. everyone should read this.
4 people found this helpful
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- Federico
- 10-01-17
Very good
This edition misses some chapters that do are contained in Shambhala's edition from 2011. It's ok anyway.
13 people found this helpful
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- Matt Atoochet
- 19-05-20
Great book, poor audio quality
This book is one of the great classics of modern Zen literature. Anyone with an interest in the Middle Way should read it or listen to it. However, the quality of the audio is absolutely atrocious. I suppose this is because this was no doubt one of the very first books to be converted into audible form, but I really do wish Amazon’s engineers would do something about the muddy quality of the recording. 🙏🏻
3 people found this helpful
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- Nick
- 26-09-17
The worst audio quality ever.
it took me about 10 seconds to give up on this book. it sounds like someone recorded this using a worn out tape cassette. oh well, no loss.
21 people found this helpful