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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 (126 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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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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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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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