Deepest Practice, Deepest Wisdom: Three Fascicles from Shobogenzo with Commentary Paperback – January 30, 2018

This is a very advanced book, not easy reading at all, but one I probably will never tire of nor understand sufficiently. I have been sitting and practicing Zen meditation/Contemplative Prayer for a long time. Almost every page of this book showed me how basically mistaken I was about the deep level of practice available to us through Zen practice and/or Contemplative Prayer. I am so pleased to have found this book, and that at 74 I am still alive to study it. Thank you Tom Wright! As a practicing Buddhist-Christian, I have often looked for written passages that would best reveal what St. Paul called, "The Mind of Christ." I felt I had a good collection. No longer. Zen Master, Kosho Uchiyama, steps way beyond the boundaries of many of my quotes to a spiritual place that only Christian Mystics like Meister Eckhart or Sufis like Rumi dwell...and a few zen masters. I think, this is also the mind-territory of Eckhart Tolle. If that spiritual terrain intrigues you, this may be the book for you. Be prepared for hard study, mining the deepest spiritual gold.

Uchiyama Roshi's teachings have been instrumental in my understanding of the Dharma. I hope they will be the same for you.

There is Wisdom on every page. The style, approach and perspectives on Soto Practice are, of course, very much in keeping with his other beloved books available in English such as "Opening the Hand of Thought" and "How to Cook Your Life" (a commentary on Tenzo Kyokun), as well as "Wholehearted Way."I would say that, for folks new to Soto Zen, "Opening the Hand" and "How to Cook Your Life" (not to be confused with the film of the same name) remain perhaps the two best introductions around, the first books to read (and worthwhile for all of us to return to time and again). However, for those who have developed an appreciation for Shobogenzo and Uchiyama's way, this book is not to be missed. As usual, it is relatively easy to read, has Uchiyama's very down to earth style, combined with his ability to explain Zen doctrines and practices clearly and plainly. Unlike many Zen teachers, Uchiyama knows how to express and celebrate the madness and mystery of Zen practice, but in ways that makes sense to the rational side of us too. Not to be missed by Soto folks.

Mais um excelente livro de Kosho Uchiyama. Fácil compreensão. Fantástico.

Heavy reading but well worth it.

Only a handful of Zen books are really good, this is one of them.