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Zen Mind Beginner's Mind, Zen Lectures From Shunryu Suzuki

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My Review

Zen Mind Beginners Mind fell in to my lap one rainy afternoon. It was the late fall of 2005 and nothing has been the same and nothing has been different since I read and reread it.

Make no mistake this is not some quick self help book, though it sure can be helpful. It really is nothing more then a little old Zen Master giving a bunch of lectures that don't solve anything but sure do point to a road that you just might find interesting.

It is quite difficult to write about a book that paints a picture that moves away from thinking about things in black and white, yes and no, or good and bad. I just need to remind myself that I'm talking with you about the book Zen Mind Beginners Mind and not trying to explain Zen.

Taking in mind the last sentence makes it all clear. Zen Mind Beginners Mind is a simple series of lectures that may help the reader to see reality a bit clearer (it did that for me). Zen Mind Beginners Mind is a simple series of lectures built around the idea, accept nothing till you verify it for yourself.

The idea of not accepting anything till you verify it yourself is one of the bright lights of Zen and creates a huge chasm between itself and other paths on spiritual journeys. Shunryu Suzuki is very clear in the book that Buddhism uses this as the foundation of everything that will come after it.

The lectures in Zen Mind Beginners Mind are all very short allowing the reader to digest a part before they move on. I have the audio version on my Mp3 player and will play it from time to time on long walks.

I highly recommend and encourage everyone new to Zen or to those who may have read Zen Mind Beginners Mind years ago, pick it up and read it or reread it for the first time.

“When we have no thought of achievement,
no thought of self, we are
true beginners.”

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Just A Thought

"what ever we see is changing."

Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Center

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San Francisco Zen Center
Shunryu Suzuki's official site

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Table of Contents

a glance at what is in the book

Part 1 Right Practice 9 Chapters
Part 2 Right Attitude 5 Chapters
  1. Posture
  2. Breathing
  3. Control
  4. Mind Waves
  5. Mind Weeds
  6. The Marrow of Zen
  7. No Dualism
  8. Bowing
  9. Nothing Special
  10. Single-Minded Way
  11. Repetition
  12. Zen and Excitement
  13. Right Effort
  14. No Trace

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Form Is Empty
"But I have not spoken of emptiness," said Subhuti.

North American Zen Centers

Zen has indeed moved to the west. Below is one Zen center for each U.S. state and a number of centers for Canada.

Alabama - Georgia

  • Alabama
    Firefly Sangha
    St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church 3545 Cahaba Valley Road
    Indian Springs 35124
    Email: sharron_mendel@mindspring.com
    Tel: 205-401-7541
    Description: Community of Mindful Living
  • Alaska
    Cold Mountain Zen Center
    PO Box 82109
    Fairbanks 99708
    Web: http://www.geocities.com/coldmountainzencenter/
    Email: ffcwd@aurora.uaf.edu
    Tel: (907) 479-8109
    Teachers: Zen Master Dae Kwang
    Description: Kwan Um School of Zen (Korean)
  • Arizona
    Desert Cactus Sangha
    5437 East Pinchot Avenue
    Phoenix 85018
    Email: mcolpas@yahoo.com
    Tel: (602) 952-0915
    Teachers: Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh
    Description: Community of Mindfulness
  • Arkansas
    Little Rock Kwan Um Zen Group
    1015 West Second Street
    Little Rock 72205
    Email: lucyhsauer@gmail.com
    Tel: (501) 343-3472
    Teachers: Hae Kwang
    Description: Kwan Um School of Zen
    Lineage: Zen & Cha
  • California
    The City of the Dharma Realm
    1029 West Capitol Avenue
    Sacramento 95691
    Web: http://www.drba.org
    Email: drbacdr@jps.net
    Teachers: Founder: Ven. Master Hsuan Hua
    Affiliation: Dharma Realm Buddhist Association
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • Colorado Denver
    Zen Center of Denver
    3101 W. 31st Avenue
    Denver 80211
    Web: http://www.zencenterofdenver.org
    Email: office@zencenterofdenver.org
    Tel: (303) 455-1500
    Teachers: Spiritual Director: Ven. Danan Henry
    Affiliation: Diamond Sangha
    Description: Soto/Rinzai Zen
  • Connecticut
    Community of Mindfulness New London & Bellflower Sangha
    28 Fanning Avenue
    Norwich 06360
    Email: george.chaput@snet.net
    Tel: (860) 889-0131
    Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living
    Description: Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hahn
    Lineage: Other: Order of Mindfulness - Community of Interbeing
  • Delaware
    Delaware Valley Zen Center
    Web: http://www.dvzc.com
    Email: dvzc@dvzc.com
    Tel: (302) 981-6209
    Teachers: Zen Master Dae Kwang
    Affiliation: Kwan Um School of Zen
    Description: Korean Chogye Order
  • Florida
    Tallahassee Chan Group
    647 McDonnell Drive
    Tallahassee 32310
    Web: http://www.tallahasseebuddhistcommunity.org/mondayevening.shtml
    Email: tallahassee.chan@gmail.com
    Teachers: Guogu
    Affiliation: Dharma Drum Mountain Chan Lineage
    Description: Affiliated with the Dharma Drum Mountain Lineage of Chan Buddhism, the Tallahassee Chan Group (TCG) is dedicated to the teachings of Chinese Chan/Zen Buddhism. Guogu (Dr. Jimmy Yu, Assistant Professor of Religion at Florida State University) is the Dharma teacher.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Chan
  • Georgia
    Atlanta Soto Zen Center
    1167C Zonolite Place
    Atlanta 30306
    Web: http://www.aszc.org
    Email: aszc@mindspring.com
    Tel: (404) 659-4749
    Teachers: Michael (Zenkai Taiun) Elliston -- Head Teacher: Dr. Soyu Matsuoka Roshi
    Description: Soto Zen

Hawaii - Maryland

  • Hawaii
    Ko Ko An Zendo - Diamond Sangha
    2747 Waimao Road
    Honolulu 96816
    Tel: (808) 946-0666
    Teachers: Nelson Foster
    Affiliation: Diamond Sangha Zen Buddhist Society
    Description: Soto/Rinzai Zen
  • Idaho
    Beginner's Mind Sangha
    746 Santa Paula Ct.
    Boise 83712
    Web: http://www.beginnersmindsangha.org
    Email: beginanew@cableone.net
    Tel: (208) 336-2128
    Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living/Unified Buddhist Church
    Description: Vietnamese Zen
  • Illinois
    Sangamon Zen Group
    Springfield
    Web: http://www.sangamonzen.org
    Email: pzc@prairiezen.org
    Tel: (217) 528-4834
    Teachers: Elihu Genmyo Smith
    Affiliation: Prairie Zen Center
    Description: Zen/Soto/White Plum Sangha/Ordinary Mind Zen School.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Indiana
    Indianapolis Zen Center
    3703 Washington Boulevard
    Indianapolis 46205-3535
    Web: http://www.indyzen.org
    Email: director@indyzen.org
    Tel: 317.921.9902
    Teachers: Linc Rhodes -- Ji Do Poep Sa
    Affiliation: Kwan Um School of Zen
    Description: Korean Zen
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • Iowa
    Iowa City Zen Center
    1025 E Fairchild St
    Iowa City 52245
    Web: http://www.iczc.org
    Email: sit@iczc.org
    Tel: (319) 354-1997
    Description: Soto Zen in the tradition of Dainin Katagiri Roshi.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Kansas
    Kansas Zen Center
    1423 New York Street
    Lawrence 66044
    Web: http://www.kansaszencenter.org
    Email: info@kansaszencenter.org
    Tel: (785) 331-2274
    Teachers: Founder Teacher: Zen Master Seung Sahn -- Guiding Teacher: Judy Roitman
    Affiliation: Kwan Um School of Zen (Korean)
    Description: Korean Zen
  • Kentucky
    Great River Zen Center
    1814 Bonnycastle
    Louisville
    Email: rivercityzen@mail.com
    Tel: (502)751-9210
    Teachers: Zen Master Dae Gak
    Affiliation: Furnace Mountain, Clay City KY
    Description: We are a community of friends who sit together to support each other.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Rinzai Zen
    Zen & Chan: Son (Korea)
  • Louisiana
    New Orleans Zen Temple
    748 Camp Street
    New Orleans 70130
    Web: http://www.nozt.org
    Email: info@nozt.org
    Tel: (504) 525-3533
    Teachers: Robert Livingston
    Affiliation: Deshimaru/Sawaki lineage
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Maine
    Kennebec River Zen Center
    Augusta 04330
    Web: http://www.kennebecriverzen.info
    Email: contact@kennebecriverzen.info
    Tel: (207) 622-9433
    Affiliation: Zen Mountain Monastery (non affiliate)
    Description: Ze
  • Maryland
    Mindfulness Practice Group of Annapolis
    Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis 333 Dubois Road
    Annapolis 21401
    Web: http://www.mpg-annapolis.org/
    Email: mpg@uuca-md.org
    Tel: (410) 266-8044
    Description: Mindfulness Practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn
    Lineage: Other: Order of Mindfulness - Community of Interbeing

Massachusetts - New Jersey

  • Massachusetts
    Black Moon Zendo
    24 Valley Street
    Northampton 01060
    Web: http://www.blackmoonzendo.com
    Email: genkakukigen@aol.com
    Tel: (413) 582-1805
    Teachers: Adam Genkaku Fisher
    Affiliation: Ryutaku-ji Monastery
    Description: Rinzai/Soto Zen
  • Michigan
    Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple
    4347 Trumbull
    Detroit 48208
    Web: http://www.stillpointzenbuddhisttemple.org/
    Email: stillpointabbey@sbcglobal.net
    Tel: (313) 831-1005
    Teachers: Abbot: Anatta James B. Wilson
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Chogye
  • Minnesota
    Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
    3343 East Calhoun Parkway
    Minneapolis 55408
    Web: http://www.mnzencenter.org
    Email: info@mnzencenter.org
    Tel: (612) 822-5313
    Teachers: M.Timothy Burkett
    Affiliation: Soto Zen Buddhism
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Mississippi
    Jackson Zen Group
    142 Millsaps Avenue
    Jackson 39202
    Tel: (601) 982-0402
    Affiliation: Informally with New Orleans Zen Temple
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Missouri
    Manhattan Zen Group
    320 S. Delaware
    Manhattan 66502
    Email: rappo@ksu.edu
    Tel: 913-532-6850
    Affiliation: Katagiri Roshi in Minneapolis (Zen Meditation Ctr)
  • Montana
    Bozeman Zen Group
    P.O. Box 1951
    Bozeman 59771
    Web: bzg@bozemanzengroup.org
    Tel: (406) 586-7044
    Teachers: http://www.bozemanzengroup.org
    Description: Jenny McCune
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • NebraskaLotus Zen Temple
    19th & Ryons Sts.
    Lincoln 68502
    Web: http://www.lotustemple.us
    Email: sangha@lotustemple.us
    Tel: (402) 430-4431
    Teachers: Fa Jian Shakya, OHY
    Affiliation: Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu (Xu) Yun
    Description: We come together to meditate, as well as to experience and explore the wisdom of Zen in our everyday lives.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Rinzai Zen
  • Nevada
    Las Vegas Zen Center
    2461 E. Harmon Road
    Las Vegas 89121
    Web: http://www.LasVegasZenCenter.com
    Email: lasvegaszc@gmail.com
    Tel: (702) 293-4222
    Teachers: Zen Master Ji Bong -- Spiritual Director: Zen Master Seung Sahn
    Affiliation: Kwan Um School of Zen
    Description: "Zen is very simple... What are you? In this whole world everyone searches for happiness outside, but nobody understands their true self inside.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Son (Korea)
  • New Hampshire
    Portsmouth Zendo
    The Malt House Exchange 95 Albany Street
    Portsmouth 03801
    Web: http://www.spkarate.com/zen/index.htm
    Email: pe_serrano@yahoo.com
    Tel: (207) 384-2701
    Affiliation: Zen Training Academy International
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Rinzai Zen
  • New Jersey
    Taego Zen Center
    40 East Broad street
    Bogota 07603
    Web: http://taegotemple.com
    Email: haejin@taegotemple.com
    Tel: 347-224-4283
    Teachers: Hae Jin Sunim
    Affiliation: Korean Buddhist Taego Order
    Description: We are affiliated with the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism. Taego Zen Center was formed to disseminate and propagate the Dharma, the teachings of Shakymuni Buddha,Zen Buddhism, with its emphasis on meditation, . Everyone is welcome!
    Lineage: Zen & Chan:

New Mexico - South Carolina

  • New Mexico
    Desert Mirror Zendo
    3712 Silver Ave SE
    Albuquerque 87108
    Web: http://www.desertmirror.org
    Email: info@desertmirror.org
    Tel: (505) 255-4041
    Affiliation: San Francisco Zen Center, Everyday Zen Foundation
    Description: Desert Mirror Zendo & Guest House is a small Soto Zen Buddhist meditation hall and spiritual retreat cottage located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A regular schedule of Zen meditation practice is offered in the Soto Zen tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi, founder of San Francisco Zen Center.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • New York
    Dharma Drum Retreat Center
    184 Quannacut Road, Pine Bush
    New York 12566
    Web: http://www.dharmadrumretreat.org
    Email: ddrc@dharmadrumretreat.org
    Tel: (845) 744-8114
    Teachers: Spiritual Director: Master Sheng Yen
    Affiliation: Dharma Drum Mountain
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • North Carolina
    Chapel Hill Zen Center
    P.O. Box 16302
    Chapel Hill 27516
    Web: http://www.intrex.net/chzg
    Email: pphelan@nc.rr.com
    Tel: (919) 967-0861
    Teachers: Abbess Taitaku Patricia Phelan
    Affiliation: San Francisco Zen Center
    Description: This is a Soto Zen Temple and Meditation Center in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki, author of "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." Meditation is held daily as well as monthly all-day sittings,
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
    Zen Columbus Sangha
    Columbus
    Web: http://www.zencolumbus.com
    Email: flemingms@hotmail.com
    Teachers: Daniel Terragno
    Affiliation: Diamond Sangha
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Oklahoma
    Buddha Mind Monastery
    5916 South Anderson Road
    Oklahoma City 73150
    Web: http://www.ctbuddhamind.org
    Email: buddhamind@sbcglobal.net
    Tel: (405) 869-0501
    Teachers: Venerable Jian Tai Shi - Spiritual Director: Grand Master Venerable Wei-Chueh
    Affiliation: Lin-Chi lineage - Chung Tai Chan Monastery
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • Oregon
    Dharma Rain Zen Center
    2539 SE Madison
    Portland 97214
    Web: http://www.dharma-rain.org
    Email: staff@dharma-rain.org
    Tel: (503) 239-5217
    Description: A Soto Zen temple for lay practice.
  • Pennsylvania
    Plum Blossom Zendo
    5228 Beeler Street
    Pittsburgh 15217
    Web: http://www.plumblossomzendo.org
    Email: bgriebling@comcast.net
    Tel: 412.431.8016
    Teachers: Sensei Janet Jiryu Abels
    Affiliation: Taizan Maezumi Roshi - Los Angeles Zen Center
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Rhode Island
    Providence Zen Center / Diamond Hill Zen Monastery
    99 Pound Road
    Cumberland 02864
    Web: http://www.providencezen.org
    Email: pzc@kwanumzen.org
    Teachers: Founder Teacher: Zen Master Seung Sahn - Guiding Teacher: Zen Master Dae Kwang
    Affiliation: (401) 658-1188
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Son (Korea)
  • South Carolina
    Columbia Zen Buddhist Priory
    Web: http://obcon.org/columbiazen.html
    Tel: (803) 772-7552
    Teachers: Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett
    Affiliation: Order of Buddhist Contemplatives - Shasta Abbey
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen

South Dakota - Wyoming

  • South Dakota
    Laughing Teabowl Zendo
    Yoga Studio, 2050 W Main St # 3
    Rapid City 57702
    Web: http://sites.google.com/a/wildblue.net/Laughingteabowl
    Email: goldarrowood@aol.com
    Tel: Andrew Smith 605-342-4467 Suzan Nolan 605-348-7499
    Teachers: Andrew Smith and Suzan Nolan
    Affiliation: Loosely affiliated with Great Mountain Zen Center, Boulder, Co.
    Description: We are a group of spiritual seekers following a Zen Buddhist path. We meet twice a week for a half-hour of Zazen meditation and a brief chanting service. Interested people of all faiths and traditions are welcome. Instruction in meditation is given to those who want it. There are no dues. On Sundays we often have coffee afterward.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Rinzai Zen
    Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Tennessee
    The Sitting Frog Zen Sangha
    Web: http://sittingfrogsangha.org
    Email: urbanmonastery@gmail.com
    Tel: 423-400-0474
    Teachers: Barry Graham Sensei
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Texas
    Appamada
    913 East 38th Street
    Austin 78705
    Web: http://www.appamada.org
    Email: pegsyverson@gmail.com
    Tel: 512.689.5301
    Teachers: Peg Syverson, Flint Sparks
    Affiliation: Joko Beck
    Description: A center for contemporary Zen practice in the tradition of Joko Beck
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • Utah
    Kanzeon Zen Center
    1274 East South Temple
    Salt Lake City 84102
    Web: http://www.kanzeonzencenter.org
    Email: office@zencenterutah.org
    Tel: 801-328-8414
    Teachers: Genpo Merzel Roshi
    Affiliation: White Plum Asanga
    Description: Kanzeon Zen Center is a monastery and community center. It is the home of Big Mind Big Heart, a western zen approach to life.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Rinzai Zen
    Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Vermont
    Zen Affiliate of Burlington
    54 Rivermount Terrace
    Burlington 05401
    Web: http://www.mro.org/smr/vermont/
    Email: rsenghas@worldnet.att.net
    Tel: (802) 658-6466 or (802) 862-2000
    Affiliation: Zen Mountain Monastery (NY)
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Soto Zen
  • Virginia
    World Zen Fellowship
    1423 Powhatan St., Suite 7
    Alexandria 22314
    Web: http://www.worldzen.org
    Email: potomaczen@yahoo.com
    Teachers: Pohwa Sunim
    Affiliation: Patriarchal Lineage Zen - World Zen Fellowship
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Son (Korea)
  • Washington
    Blue Heron Zen Community
    10303 Densmore Ave. N.
    Seattle 98133
    Web: http://blueheronzen.org
    Email: info@blueheronzen.org
    Tel: 206-783-8484
    Teachers: Zen Master Ji Bong, Jeff Tipp, JDPSN, Anita Feng, JDPSN, Eric Nord, JDPSN
    Affiliation: Lineage of Zen Master Seung Sahn
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Chogye
  • West Virginia
    Morgantown Buddhist Group
    Meditation: 429 Warrick Street Mail: 157 Johns St.
    Morgantown 26505
    Web: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/morgantownbuddhist
    Email: bhaddaka@gmail.com
    Tel: (304) 216-1326
    Teachers: P'ahok Jon Reed / Bhaddaka Rodger Dotson
    Affiliation: Seon (Korean Zen)
    Description: Our members are from many different traditions of Buddhism and other religions who take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha.
    Lineage: Zen & Chan: Son (Korea)
  • Wisconsin
    Madison Zen Center
    1820 Jefferson Street
    Madison 53711
    Web: http://www.madisonzen.org/
    Email: imzc@madisonzen.org
    Tel: (608) 233-9723
    Teachers: Sensei Bodhin Kjolhede
    Affiliation: Cloud-Water Sangha
    Lineage: Zen & Chan
  • Wyoming

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Unfolding of Zen in my life can be glimpsed at Zen Automat - A blockheads attempt to understand Zen but who most certainly doesn't understand Zen. Where's the door out of this place anyways?

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