Rating: 
Summary: Five Stars Aren't Enough
Review: I purchased this book back in 1992, got half-way through it, couldn't understand it, and put it down to read other things and go on with my life of everyday living, thinking, worrying, etc. that we all do in our lives. Not until a crisis of sorts came up in my life did I pick it up again. This time, it all made sense. Living life in the present moment, right here, now. Working at being less judgemental. Not looking for 'happiness' and instead finding joy in everyday life. I know it sounds like a lot of BS, but something changed after the second reading of this book, and now mundane aspects of my job are just me doing my work. I haven't changed religions, haven't joined a cult, haven't even attended a 'zendo' or 'sesshin.' But something has changed since reading this book. It could be the thing that changes your life, too. I know I've got a long way to go, but what a start! The companion second book by Joko is also highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A book for people practicing Zen
Review: I read this book after reading "Nothing Special". I like Joko's writing a lot, simple, direct to the points just as Zen should be simple. This book may be hard for people trying to understand Zen only (without practice) or beginners. But to people practicing sitting Zen daily I think it contains a lot of good advices which I can apply into living. I will read and read again both books by Joko. I have read many Zen books and found that this book and "Nothing Special" are among the best for me. Highly recommend both "Everyday Zen" and "Nothing Special".
Rating:
Summary: A book for people practicing Zen
Review: I read this book after reading "Nothing Special". I like Joko's writing a lot, simple, direct to the points just as Zen should be simple. This book may be hard for people trying to understand Zen only (without practice) or beginners. But to people practicing sitting Zen daily I think it contains a lot of good advices which I can apply into living. I will read and read again both books by Joko. I have read many Zen books and found that this book and "Nothing Special" are among the best for me. Highly recommend both "Everyday Zen" and "Nothing Special".
Rating: 
Summary: Written for the Author, not the Reader
Review: I suppose if you were already a Zen student and had a "teacher" and could run down to the local "Zen Center" a few times a week, you might enjoy this book, or at least be able to read it. Otherwize, take a pass on this one.Here's a hint, if you write a book in english, keep it in english! Or at least define all of the non-english words. Otherwise, I don't know what you're trying to say, and putting them in italic helps as much as an ugly American shouting english to a non-english speaker. I picked this book because I wanted more inter-peace, and wanted to open myself to a new experience. That made reading it so much more frustrating. The inside referances made me feel left out of a cliche, not at all englightening. I felt an overall lack of respect for the reader. Look, my only experience with Zen is that I read a book "Zen Golf" that improved my golf game, make me enjoy golf more, made me enjoy my life more, and therefor made me want to learn more about Zen. This "Everyday Zen" had the opposite affect. If there was a prereq. for this book, I wish you would have listed it.
Rating:
Summary: A book for people practicing Zen
Review: I suppose if you were aready a Zen student and had a "teacher" and could run down to the local Zen center 3 times a week, you might enjoy this book, or at least know what its about. Otherwise, take a pass on this one. Here's a hint, when writting a book in english, USE ENGLISH WORDS! Or at least define all of th non-english words you use. And putting them in italic helps about as much as an ugly Amercian shouting english at non-english speakers. I think using undefined terms and making inside references shows a lack of respect for the reader. I bought this book trying to get into something new, trying to find inner peace, but am left feeling frustrated an left out of some sort of cliche. I'm sure all you Zen masters out there will have a big smirk on your face, because the simple midwestener just didn't get it, but I was at least trying to get it, and I don't think the author met me 1/2 way. Look, my only experience with Zen is that I read a book called "Zen Golf" that improved my golf game, made me enjoy golf more, make me enjoy life in general more, an therefor made me want to learn more about Zen. This book had the opposite affect. If there was a prerq., I wish it would have been listed.
Rating:
Summary: Written for the Author, Not the Reader
Review: I suppose if you were aready a Zen student and had a "teacher" and could run down to the local Zen center 3 times a week, you might enjoy this book, or at least know what its about. Otherwise, take a pass on this one. Here's a hint, when writting a book in english, USE ENGLISH WORDS! Or at least define all of th non-english words you use. And putting them in italic helps about as much as an ugly Amercian shouting english at non-english speakers. I think using undefined terms and making inside references shows a lack of respect for the reader. I bought this book trying to get into something new, trying to find inner peace, but am left feeling frustrated an left out of some sort of cliche. I'm sure all you Zen masters out there will have a big smirk on your face, because the simple midwestener just didn't get it, but I was at least trying to get it, and I don't think the author met me 1/2 way. Look, my only experience with Zen is that I read a book called "Zen Golf" that improved my golf game, made me enjoy golf more, make me enjoy life in general more, an therefor made me want to learn more about Zen. This book had the opposite affect. If there was a prerq., I wish it would have been listed.
Rating:
Summary: Best introduction to Zen for Americans!
Review: I've read quite a few books over the past few months in my search to "understand Zen" (yes, I *know* that's a contradiction in terms!). But "Everyday Zen" is really the first that helped me see how Zen can operate in the midst of my modern American life -- outside of a monastic environment, dealing with business and family and the other assorted miseries of the late 20th century. Her style is forthright and no-nonsense; excuse the sexism, but it's almost as if you had a plain-spoken old aunt who simply told you the truth about the birds and the bees when everyone else was hemming and hawing and quoting Robert Browning. I recommend this book HIGHLY to anyone new to Zen who struggles, as I do, with how to place it into a modern context
Rating:
Summary: Response to steve_kap8
Review: In a nutshell, Zen is meaningless without meditation. It is the basis of Zen. Charlotte Joko Beck's books are not instruction books on how to meditate, nor are they an introduction to the basic ideas of Zen Buddhism. Her books are also, I think, not very conrete.
Rating:
Summary: Response to steve_kap8
Review: In a nutshell, Zen is meaningless without meditation. It is the basis of Zen. Charlotte Joko Beck's books are not instruction books on how to meditate, nor are they an introduction to the basic ideas of Zen Buddhism. Her books are also, I think, not very conrete.
Rating:
Summary: searching for a great start..
Review: It was about two years ago when I started out on my path. I needed something simple and right to the point. Which is why I recommend both of Charolette JoKo Beck's books. Not only will you learn a thing or two but it will change your way of life. All the answers have always been right infront of us. But we choose to live a fast paced life, not being able to live in the moment. Both books are great I recommend them for anyone who is starting out on their path.
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