Preview
  • Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

  • Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
  • By: Shunryu Suzuki
  • Narrated by: Peter Coyote
  • Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,348 ratings)

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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

By: Shunryu Suzuki
Narrated by: Peter Coyote
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Publisher's 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. 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. In the years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics of Zen in a way that is remarkably clear and resonates with the joy of insight.

Read by Emmy-award winning narrator Peter Coyote, this audio will be listened to time and time again as an inspiration to practice.

©2020 Shunryu Suzuki (P)2006 Phoenix Books, Inc.
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What listeners say about Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Cool read but found it quite hard to understand.

Was a bit tricky to understand most of it. I do get the main sentiments but I'd like more modernity to it.

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2 people found this helpful

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Excellent treasure

Suzuki Roshi explains the deeply profound way of Zen in a modern, easy to understand manner. A truly timeless treasure for people on a journey to their own minds.

I wish the audio quality would have been a bit clearer though...

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Introduction

A book for those who want a concise and meaningful glimpse into the practice of Buddhism.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great guide for someone starting out or continuing their Zen journey

I really found this book a practical guide to Zen Buddhism and Zazen meditation. As someone who is relatively new to Zen but has meditated and studied Buddhism, I enjoyed its direct approach.

Pros:

• A great guide to the meditation practices of Zazen
• Helpful in understanding the correct Zen mindset
• Clear and concise instruction with helpful analogies

Cons:

• Audio recording is poor, but the reader is excellent
• I don’t love the deification of the Buddha, perhaps I need to study more

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Excellent book

loved the book, I will listen to it many more times. I agree with other reviews that the sound quality is terrible. Still listenable but very muffled.

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Perfect

The understanding of Zen expressed in this book is as clear and concise as I have encountered. Every pitfal I have fallen into during my practice is predicted and explained. Although I am in no way qualified to judge the teaching in terms of accuracy I do believe that this book is all one needs to practice Zen. In fact I would encourage you to not go and find more and more literature to read on the subject.
The narration brings it all together into a perfect audiobook. I do not know who the narrator is, but his performance is so good I suspect he has a good understanding of the subject as well.

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Great book about Zen

I greatly enjoyed this audiobook. Peter coyote, has a very good narrative voice. The topic is easy and accessible and can be taken in small bites at your convenience.

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Beautiful narration and pronunciation

Peter Coyote's signature voice fits this Zen classic perfectly. A must read/listen for all of those with the true wayseeking mind.

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I play this on repeat daily

There is no other book that I need, no other dharma. This book did it, and continues to bring me to the state of bliss on a daily bases.

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Profound insights perfectly read

This has become my “go to” book. After more than six months of listening to it almost daily, I’ve begun to sit Zen.

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