Zen Training: Methods and Philosophy

by Katsuki Sekida

Overview

This pioneering guide to zazen—Zen-style seated meditation—provides practical instructions on how to begin or elevate your practice and progress along the Zen path
 
Zen Training is a comprehensive handbook for zazen, seated meditation practice, and an authoritative presentation of the Zen path. The book marked a turning point in Zen literature in its critical reevaluation of the enlightenment experience, which the author believes has often been emphasized at the expense of other important aspects of Zen training. In addition, Zen Training goes beyond the first flashes of enlightenment to explore how one lives as well as trains in Zen. The author also draws many significant parallels between Zen and Western philosophy and psychology, comparing traditional Zen concepts with the theories of being and cognition of such thinkers as Heidegger and Husserl.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780834825833
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	09/13/2005
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	309,491
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Katsuki Sekida (1893–1987) was by profession a high school teacher of English until his retirement in 1945. Zen, nevertheless, was his lifelong preoccupation. He began his Zen practice in 1915 and trained at Empuku-ji in Kyoto and Ryutaki-ji in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. He taught at the Honolulu Zendo and Maui Zendo from 1963 to 1970 and at the London Zen Society from 1970 to 1972.

Table of Contents

Preface 7
Editor's Introduction 9

1. Orientations 29
2. Zazen Posture 38
3. The Physiology of Attention 47
4. Breathing in Zazen 53
5. Counting and Following the Breath 60
6. Working on Mu 66
7. The Tanden 83
8. Samadhi 91
9. Koans 98
10. Three Nen-Actions and One-Eon Nen 108
11. Existence and Mood 128
12. Laughter and Zen 147
13. Pure Existence 160
14. Pure Cognition and Kensho 173
15. Kensho Experiences 193
16. A Personal Narrative 207
17. Stages in Zen Training 223

Reference Notes 253
Index 255

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Written by a lay teacher with 60 years of experience in zazan, this book provides everyone from absolute beginner to experienced student with detailed, progressive information and discussion on breathing, posture, distraction, actions of mind, physiology, mood, laughter, kensho, and samadhi."—Library Journal

"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of all libraries."—Choice

"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology."—New Age Journal

"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its value to those interested in Zen."—Philip Kapleau

Editorial Reviews

"Written by a lay teacher with 60 years of experience in zazan, this book provides everyone from absolute beginner to experienced student with detailed, progressive information and discussion on breathing, posture, distraction, actions of mind, physiology, mood, laughter, kensho, and samadhi." —Library Journal

"An extraordinarily important book. It should be on the shelves of all libraries." —Choice

"[Sekida's] approach is radical in its attempt to define Zen practice in terms of Western physiology and phenomenology." —New Age Journal

"This book is a valuable work. Though physiologically technical, it remains personal and practical, focusing on the actual experience of zazen practice. Ultimately, however, it is the concentrated and serious spirit of the book that most tellingly establishes its value to those interested in Zen." —Philip Kapleau

From the Publisher