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Binding: PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 294.3927 EAN: 9781556431937 ISBN: 1556431937 Label: North Atlantic Books Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 137 Publication Date: October 12, 1994 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Release Date: October 12, 1994 Studio: North Atlantic Books Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display Editorial Review: Product Description: Instant Zen presents the teachings of Foyan, a twelfth-century Chinese Zen master recognized as one of the greatest masters of the Song dynasty Zen renaissance in China. Returning to the uncomplicated genuineness of the original and classical Zen masters, Foyan offers many simple exercises in attention and thought designed to lead to the awakening of Zen insight into the real nature of the self. These succinct teachings emphasize independence and autonomy, and show us how to open our own eyes and stand on our own two feet, to see directly without delusion and act on truth without confusion. Translator Thomas Cleary provides an incisive introduction and extensive references from traditional Zen sources, placing the work in both historical and contemporary contexts. Newcomers to Zen will find this book a useful and sophisticated introduction to authentic inner Zen practices from an impeccable source, without cultural exoticism or religious cultism. Instant Zen sheds new light on this vital tradition, making available the immediacy of Zen practice and unveiling our innate potential for conscious awakening. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Like a finger pointing to the moonThis is a very good recording. It is not ABOUT zen. It IS zen. I have owned two coppies of this recording on cassett tape. I wore them both out, from playing them so much. I am glad to have found this recording on CD. Rating: - RecommendedI found the introduction especially useful as it points out the emergence and identification of Zen cults, and contrasts them to the simplest practice of Zen. The body of the book is in convenient 1 to 3 page short reads. The presentation is in a conversational prose. Common errors are addressed. After tripping over one section (Emancipation), I started reading it in parallel with Huang Po's commentary of the Diamond Sutra, which must be read very very slowly, (without missing the ... Read More Rating: - Destined to be a Classic!The 'grandmotherly kindness' of Foyan, a 12th Cent. Chinese Grand Master of Zen, comes through in this offering from Mr. Thomas Cleary, who's said to be one of the most respected translators in the field. He gets my vote! Mr. Cleary's selection of this text seems suited to our time in that it's from a Grand Master who '...was completely free of any desire for fame or followers and made no attempt to recruit disciples.' Accordingly, his is a 'take no prisoners' style (a complaint in another review) ... Read More Rating: - A very compassionate Zen master.Foyan was a Song dynasty Zen master, who helped revive Zen. So the book says. One thing I've come to realize; China sure wasnt short on greatly realized Zen masters for atleast a thousand years after it arrived there (Bodhidharma!?!). Thats for sure. Foyan is a good example of this aptitude for great understanding. This book contains short and to the point teaching/lectures by Foyan. This is Zen at its most refined. No doctrin here. Foyan is always direct. Directness can be very confusing ... Read More Rating:  - And if you don't understand this, you're a Zen-weenieI've read quite a bit of Zen literature, including translations of the original sutras, koans, etc. but I'm most disappointed in this tape. The tape, and I assume the book, has the quality of a harangue, with the reader constantly admonishing the listener. Much of the tape has the form, . . ."and if you don't understand this, you will never understand anything about Zen." After a while, it grows tiring. Buddha didn't phrase his lectures as cryptic, snide criticisms of his audiences capacity for enlightenment, ... Read More 
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