Author Description

The basic idea behind Zen Buddhism (and this book, Practical Zen) is that life experience and meditation are better paths to fulfillment and awakening than studying abstract principles and arcane texts. Zen teaches that the Buddha nature is in all of us, and the task is to discover, or uncover, it. Practical Zen is a layman's journey through the basics of Zen in just enough detail to serve as an invitation to explore further — by reading and studying, by beginning or continuing or re-starting a meditation practice, and perhaps by joining a meditation group. The book uses only English terminology except for the words "Buddhism" and "Zen." The rationale is that, if a philosophy or practice is meant to be universal, it should be expressible in any language. This book arises out of one man's experience in studying and practicing Zen. The ideas in the book derive from a layman's understanding (so far) of Sōtō Zen, in the hope that you will be invited to check everything out for yourself. That's only due diligence on your part, and something the Buddha encouraged.