Find your Zen: A Book for Beginners

This is a beginner's book written by a Zen monk (not a Zen master) who is practicing Japanese Zen Buddhism. If you want to learn Zen on a deeper level, it is best to personally experience it. It is also beneficial if you meet a real Zen master.
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Originally, this book was created to answer tourists' and guests' recurring questions about Zen, Japan, and life itself. But this book is also meant for individuals who are interested in exploring other ways of thinking, in this case, the Zen life.

I designed it in a way that is as if you are directly talking to the monk, and capture the essence of each lesson using straightforward language and an easy-to-read style since most of the visitors are non-Japanese and/or non-native English speakers, too.

This book won't promise anything especially that it will heal your past or help you secure your future. It is just one of the thousand if not a million ways to understand life and yourself. It is composed of the most personal beliefs and experiences (and even contradictions) of Yodo san after a decade-long of being a Zen monk and a Zen retreat house owner.

Like what he always says during the dinner at the retreat house, it's a never-ending process, a life-long journey for you to practice and understand your inner self better. Let's take our time, one day at a time.
AA

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: "No Separation" & "Just Now"
Lesson 1: No, Hierarchy, Everything is Important!
Lesson 2: Nature, Season
Lesson 3: Sutra Copying, Chanting
Lesson 4: Present
Lesson 5: Everyday is your Birthday!
Chapter 2: The "Right View"
Lesson 6: Too Much Knowledge, Too Much Worry
Lesson 7: Observe and You Will Realize
Lesson 8: Four Marks of Existence
Lesson 9: Emotions
Lesson 10: Life
Chapter 3: Meditation
Lesson 11: Samatha & Vipassana Meditation
Lesson 12: How to Do Zen Meditation (posture)?
Lesson 13: How to Do Zen Meditation (breathing)?
Lesson 14: How to Do Zen Meditation (mind)?
Lesson 15: Nanso no Hou
Chapter 4: Continue
Lesson 16: Long Time
Lesson 17: Skills & Talents
Lesson 18: Process
Lesson 19: No Guide
Lesson 20: Don't Rush, Learn to Wait
Chapter 5: Traditional Japanese Culture
Lesson 21: Relax, Stay Calm
Lesson 22: Cleanliness
Lesson 23: Minimalism, Simple Life
Lesson 24: Relationship
Lesson 25: Trust Your Master / Teacher
Chapter 6: Throw away everything!
Lesson 26: Balance
Lesson 27: Find Community
Lesson 28: Just Do It!
Lesson 29: Find 'Real Life'
Lesson 30: Throw Away Everything!

Author: Aileen Ani

Publisher: Independently Published

Publication Date: May 27, 2024

Number of Pages: 84 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: NA

ISBN-13: 9798324356248