Appreciate Your Life: The Essence of Zen Practice (Shambhala Classics)

A collection of short, inspiring teachings on Zen koans, the Buddha, and more—from a leader in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West Here is the first major collection of the teachings of Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995), one of the first Japanese Zen masters to bring Zen to the West and founding abbot of the Zen Center of Los Angeles and Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild, California. These short, inspiring readings illuminate Zen practice in simple, eloquent language. Topics include zazen and Zen koans, how to appreciate your life as the life of the Buddha, and the essential matter of life and death. Appreciate Your Life conveys Maezumi Roshi's unique spirit and teaching style, as well as his timeless insights into the practice of Zen. Never satisfied with merely conveying ideas, his teisho, the Zen talks he gave weekly and during retreats, evoked personal questions from his students. Maezumi Roshi insisted that his students address these questions in their own lives. As he often said, "Be intimate with your life." The readings are not teachings or instructions in the traditional sense. They are transcriptions of the master's teisho, living presentations of his direct experience of Zen realization. These teisho are crystalline offerings of Zen insight intended to reach beyond the student's intellect to her or his deepest essence.

In the tradition of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, this collection of the teachings of Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931–1995) consists of short, inspiring readings that illuminate Zen philosophy and practice through simple, eloquent language. Topics include proper meditation practice, the meaning of common Zen expressions, and the cultivation of an enlightened mind. Appreciate Your Life is the first collection of the teachings of this popular and influential Zen master. Taizan Maezumi Roshi was one of the early Asian teachers to bring Zen to the United States. During the last thirty-five years of his life, he taught thousands of Westerners and founded Zen centers throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico. Appreciate Your Life conveys the unique spirit and teaching style of this important figure, as well as his timeless insights into the practice of Zen. Appreciate Your Life also includes a lengthy foreword by Bernie Glassman, Maezumi Roshi's successor and a prominent contemporary Zen teacher and author. Maezumi Roshi was known to tell his students not to go searching for "Zen," but instead to develop an appreciation for their own lives as their greatest teacher. The readings in Appreciate Your Life are not teachings or instruction in the traditional sense. They are transcriptions of the master's teisho, his presentations of his direct experience of Zen realization. These teisho are crystalline offerings of Zen insight intended to reach beyond the student's intellect to her deepest essence.

here Is The First Major Collection Of The Teachings Of Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995), One Of The First Japanese Zen Masters To Bring Zen To The West And Founding Abbot Of The Zen Center Of Los Angeles And Zen Mountain Center In Idyllwild, California. These Short, Inspiring Readings Illuminate Zen Practice In Simple, Eloquent Language. Topics Include Zazen And Zen Koans, How To Appreciate Your Life As The Life Of The Buddha, And The Essential Matter Of Life And Death.

appreciate Your Life Conveys Maezumi Roshi's Unique Spirit And Teaching Style, As Well As His Timeless Insights Into The Practice Of Zen. Never Satisfied With Merely Conveying Ideas, His teisho, The Zen Talks He Gave Weekly And During Retreats, Evoked Personal Questions From His Students. Maezumi Roshi Insisted That His Students Address These Questions In Their Own Lives. As He Often Said, "be Intimate With Your Life."

the Readings Are Not Teachings Or Instructions In The Traditional Sense. They Are Transcriptions Of The Master's Teisho, Living Presentations Of His Direct Experience Of Zen Realization. These Teisho Are Crystalline Offerings Of Zen Insight Intended To Reach Beyond The Student's Intellect To Her Or His Deepest Essence.