Not Always So: Practicing the True Spirit of Zen

by Shunryu Suzuki

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Practising the true spirit of Zen. Not Always So is based on Shunryu Suzuki's lectures and is framed in his own inimitable, allusive, paradoxical style, rich with unexpected and off-centre insights. Suzuki knew he was dying at the time of the lectures, which gives his thoughts an urgency and focus even sharper than in the earlier book. In Not Always So Suzuki once again voices Zen in everyday language with the vigour, sensitivity, and buoyancy of a true friend. Here is support and show more nourishment. Here is a mother and father lending a hand, but letting you find your own way. Here is guidance which empowers your freedom (or way-seeking mind), rather than pinning you down to directions and techniques. Here is teaching which encourages you to touch and know your true heart and to express yourself fully, teaching which is not teaching from outside, but a voice arising in your own being. show less

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6 reviews
Suzuki is the patron "saint" of American Buddhism, and rightly so. This is a collection of his talks at various retreats and sesshins. There is nothing new here, but you get to hear it in different forms. This is not as polished a book as [Zen Mind Beginner's Mind], and I found some parts were not as well thought out as others, as if he were speaking off the cuff and it accidently got recorded. Perhaps it could have used better editing.
This collection of dharma talks was deep and interesting reading. I read one talk nightly while on a seven day meditation retreat. When you cannot get a talk from your own teacher, it can be good to listen to the wisdom of others.
I bet a fly couldn't land on his head without slipping off ~ zooooo !
I bet a fly couldn't land on his head without slipping off ~ zooooo !
> Babelio : https://www.babelio.com/livres/Suzuki-Libre-de-soi-libre-de-tout/233622

> Indispensable et incontournable pour tout débutant dans le zen !
—Zuihô, le 4 avr. 2019 (Sur Amazon.fr) 5/5

> UN VRAI MAÎTRE DU ZEN. — A l'équivalent des deux précédents ouvrages édités de façon posthume, l'esprit de Shunryu Suzuki reste formidablement d'actualité et accessible. A recommander à tous, pratiquants ou non. (Daniel ROBERT)
—le 5 mars 2011 (Sur Amazon.fr) 5/5

> PARFAIT. — Tout est parfait limpide lucide et amusant aussi
Un grand maître qui ne se prend pas la tête mais nous accompagne
toute simplement et en plein clairvoyance. (toubten)
—le 14 août 2016 (Sur Amazon.fr) 5/5

> LIBRE DE SOI, LIBRE DE TOUT, de Shunryu Suzuki. — show more Avec simplicité, humour et bon sens, les causeries réunies dans cet ouvrage invitent à saisir, au-delà des mots, le véritable esprit de la pratique zen. Aussi éclairantes pour les novices que pour les maîtres, elles ne sont jamais dogmatiques mais toujours incitatives.
À travers une approche intime de la méditation, étendue à la vie entière, chacun est rappellé avec tendresse et fermeté à trouver sa voie. Sage et inspirant, ce livre est un guide formidable pour qui cherche la plénitude spirituelle, constitué de courts chapitres, il permet une lecture quotidienne. Éditions du Seuil, 16,29 €. (Jean-Pierre LAFFEZ)
—Carnets du Yoga, (296), Avril 2011
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41+ Works 6,075 Members
Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971) was one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the twentieth century and is truly a founding father of Zen in America. A Japanese priest of the Soto lineage, he taught in the United States from 1959 until his death. He was the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center and the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

Common Knowledge

Canonical title*
Kirjeitä tyhjyydestä: Zen ja elämisen taito
Original publication date
2002
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.

Classifications

Genres
Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Philosophy
DDC/MDS
294ReligionOther religionsBuddhism/Hinduism
LCC
BQ9288 .S993Philosophy, Psychology and ReligionBuddhismBuddhismModifications, schools, etc.Special modifications, sects, etc.Zen Buddhism
BISAC

Statistics

Members
538
Popularity
54,992
Reviews
6
Rating
(4.02)
Languages
7 — Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Media
Paper
ISBNs
9
ASINs
1