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  • Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

  • Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
  • Written by: Shunryu Suzuki
  • Narrated by: Peter Coyote
  • Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (125 ratings)

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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Written by: Shunryu Suzuki
Narrated by: Peter Coyote
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Publisher's Summary

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few. So begins this most beloved of all American Zen works. Seldom has such a small handful of words provided a teaching as rich as this famous opening line of Shunryu Suzuki's classic. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it's all about. An instant teaching in the first minutes. And that's just the beginning.

In the 30 years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics in a way that is remarkably clear and resonates with the joy of insight. Listeners will refer to this audio time and time again as an inspiration to practice.

©1970 Shunryu Suzuki (P)1988, 2015 Audio Literature, Phoenix Books

What listeners say about Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

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Abysmal audio quality

I reread "Zen Mind" every new year, and so this year I decided to try this audiobook. As usual, the dharma teachings come through clearly. I wish I could say the same about the audio quality, which is heavily muffled and full of pops and crackles reminiscent of vinyl records. I found I had to listen to the audiobook at an uncomfortably high volume for the voice to shine out from the noise. You can tell this was recorded cheaply in the early 90s. A version retold in 2021 with a good mic would be appreciated.

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4 people found this helpful

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Enlightening read

Very profound and eye opening door into the world of Zen Buddhism.
Anyone who is serious about their practice will be able to absorb much from this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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Love it

This was a great book and I am very happy that I gave it a listen. Audio is quite old, but you get used to it quickly.

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Great Info

This is a wonderful book for all to enjoy .It’s one of those books that you never want to end . Regardless of your religious believes this book has a lot to offer and eye opening ideas,to bring us closer and kinder as individuals.

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  • Matthew Wash
  • 2018-06-29

terrific book. Horrible recording.

how can this be called a remastered Edition when it sounds so bad? this book is in desperate need of a r e recording

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32 people found this helpful

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  • Brian Robertson
  • 2016-04-17

The best book on zen -- with another best!

Where does Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is, without a doubt, my number one most excellent book on zen. Add to that the remarkable presence of Peter Coyote who is reading it aloud.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind?

there are too many such moments by way of this or that sentence. Unpacking this book and its depth is not an intellectual exercise -- it is from the heart.

What does Peter Coyote bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The best matching of material to presentation that I know if in the audio book field. This is not a fact everybody has to believe. It is, instead, from my own point of view in terms of my admiration for the book itself carried over to a wonderful presentation. I am fairly sure that finding a more appropriate and sensitive reading simply couldn't be found.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, although as I mention above, hearing the book several times reveals more profound sentences that, at first pass, were like jewels left on the floor,

Any additional comments?

Grateful to Audible.com for making this available!!!

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31 people found this helpful

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  • Nick
  • 2017-09-26

The worst audio quality ever.

it took me about 10 seconds to give up on this book. it sounds like someone recorded this using a worn out tape cassette. oh well, no loss.

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24 people found this helpful

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  • Federico
  • 2017-01-10

Very good

This edition misses some chapters that do are contained in Shambhala's edition from 2011. It's ok anyway.

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17 people found this helpful

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  • Jose Briseno
  • 2017-04-03

Conscience Cleansing

Easy to follow narration. The message is not exactly clear at first, but wears right in like an old pair of shoes. This was another layer in the onion served up by Alan Watts. If you hate chores listen to this while doing them. You will find yourself looking for more things to do just to keep following along. If you've been meaning to take up walking or running, this is the perfect companion.

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  • Henry Nelson
  • 2018-12-30

poor audio quality Mars Zen classic

one of the most important Works about 20th century Zen in America, a great book for those who have been practicing a while. contrary to what you might think from the title, it's about beginner's mind, not Zen for beginners. it does use quite a few terms and Concepts that may be foreign to the absolute beginner.

Unfortunately, the recording quality of this audio book is really, really bad! mr. coyote sounds distorted and muffled, as though he is talking to us through a pillow. sometimes, it is difficult to make out the words at all.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Antonio
  • 2016-07-14

amazing book

great book loved the narrator overall good buy I can listen to this book over and over and learn a little more every time

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8 people found this helpful

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  • douglas b hays
  • 2016-10-09

going on my third time listening.....

this book and narrator make this moment shine...breathing better seeing clearer....joyful finding....standing here feeling the light

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  • Matt Atoochet
  • 2020-05-19

Great book, poor audio quality

This book is one of the great classics of modern Zen literature. Anyone with an interest in the Middle Way should read it or listen to it. However, the quality of the audio is absolutely atrocious. I suppose this is because this was no doubt one of the very first books to be converted into audible form, but I really do wish Amazon’s engineers would do something about the muddy quality of the recording. 🙏🏻

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  • Glen
  • 2016-07-20

Excellent

Excellent, easy to follow and understand introduction to Zen. Highly recommended to anyone setting out on this journey.

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