Rating: 
Summary: Thank you to the previous 5 reviewers!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I have the thoughtful people who recommended it to thank. Joko Beck's straightforward, no nonsense approach makes Zen practice a day-to-day, moment-to-moment experience that truly changes the way you see yourself and the world, but ONLY if you work diligently. I love the way she refuses to promise a blissful, enlightened life, yet engages you to strive for pure joy, whether happy OR sad. I am now looking forward to reading Everyday Zen!
Rating:
Summary: This book is amazing!
Review: This is the best book on zen practice that I have ever read . . . and I've read many books on this subject! Beck demystifies the process of living a compassionate life. Other books on this subject have left me feeling baffled and inadequate. Beck's approach helped me find some clarity. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: When I bought this book, I was depressed, my mind was confused. Reading through the book, amazing, I felt just like I was talking with Joko Beck, listening to her. My heart felt light, I was relaxed and so happy. Joko Beck is my master although I never met her. I highly recommend this book. I will practice Zen from now. Zen will be a part of my life. Thanks Joko.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: Zen practice can take a long time to penetrate an individual; Charlotte Joko Beck tells this story to demonstrate just that point, practice takes commitment and humility. Being a teacher at the Zen Center of San Diego and also heir to the late Taizan Maezumi Roshi, Beck has placed herself in the realm of a select few who have a clear-cut voice in concern to Zen and it's practice. This book is like a companion to Everyday Zen, by the same author.In this particular work Beck answers several questions from students with coolness and effortlessness. There are chapters in here on great effort, sacrifice, division and correlation, impermanence, attentiveness, autonomy, and of course "nothing special." For if you make something special, you have something not special; meaning you have created the world of all opposites. Don't worry about special or not special, as Zen master Seung Sahn would say, "Only go straight." The primary focus present here is encouraging people in their spiritual growing, something we all urgently need in our all too often hectic lives. "The whole lot" in our lives becomes part of the practice of awakening to things as they are. Charlotte Joko Beck brings the Zen way alive in this brilliant volume. Enjoy it!
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