The radical challenge of Zen Buddhism is to drop all assumptions and prejudices and experience the truth directly. American Zen teacher Dennis Genpo Merzel brings new life to this ancient wisdom through his commentaries on a classic Chinese Zen scripture, "Verses on Faith-Mind," by the Third Patriarch of Zen, Sosan Zenji. The author strikes to the heart of Zen with clarity and force, expressing in modern terms, to an American audience, the essential wisdom and compassion of Sosan Zenji's famous poem. Full of colorful Zen lore and personal anecdotes from Dennis Genpo Merzel's life, these talks impart the Buddha's teaching directly and intimately, illuminating in simple words the timeless questions and problems of day-to-day life.
Merzel's analysis of the Faith/Mind Sutra combined with his own journey through Zen training: a wonderful combination. I return to this book time and again both because I find the Faith/Mind Sutra so important ( yet elusive, of course) and because I never tire of Merzel's writing. I have to admit I am not enough of an intellectual to write a good "review" of this book, yet I feel I understand it, and have gotten a great deal from it. I cannot recommend it enough. It has been a good companion of my own journey.
Brilliant ! Zen with a sense of humour.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This was brilliant - Genpo roshi's approach had me laughing out loud in places! The honesty of his own experience along with the Zen teaching was like a cool drink on a hot day! Too often spiritual text can seem lofty, alienating and non relatable to every day life. If you get a chance do read this book !
Excellent Book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
The Eye Never Sleeps, a commentary on the Faith/Mind sutra, is an excellent book, and one of the best I've ever read. Whether familiar with Zen practice or just wanting to know more about it, this book is definitely worth reading. Dennis Merzel has a very pragamatic approach to Zen Buddhism, and I find his approach well-suited to Westerners in particular. Definitely worth reading!
The Eye Never Sleeps:Striking To The Heart Of Zen
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
A very informative and clarifying book.Wow!
STRIKING T OTHE HEART
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
IF YOU HAVE READ THE "INTRO" BOOKS AND WOULD LIKE TO READ ONE THAT REALLY EXPRESS THE SPIRIT OF SHIKANTAZA, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE.
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